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Identity theft and identity fraud are crimes in which someone obtains
and uses another individual's personal information in some way that involves
fraud or deception, typically for economic gain.
For support following a victimization, contact law enforcement. For additional
information, services, and recovery aids, explore the following Web sites:
- Federal Trade Commission
The U.S. Government's central Web site for information about identity
theft includes government reports and Congressional testimony, law enforcement
updates, consumer alerts, and links to other sites with helpful information.
- Internet Crime Complaint
Center (IC3)
IC3 allows users to file complaints online. Its Web site also offers
statistics, scam alerts, and fraud prevention tips. The program is a
partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National
White Collar Crime Center.
- Social Security Administration
(SSA)
SSA provides hotline numbers and information on how to work with credit
bureaus and law enforcement agencies to reclaim your identity.
- U.S.
Department of Justice (DOJ)Criminal Division
The Identity Theft and Fraud pages provide information about identity
theft and fraud, what to do if you are a victim, and updates on DOJ
responses to identity theft and fraud.
- U.S. Department of the Treasury
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)
Through cooperation and partnerships, FinCEN combats money laundering
domestically and internationally.
- U.S.
Postal Inspection Service
The Identity Theft pages provide consumer tips, instructions on how
to get off mailing lists and how to report unsolicited e-mail ("spam"),
and links to information about identity theft and fraud.
- U.S.
Secret Service Financial Crimes Division
The Secret Service investigates crimes associated with financial institutions,
including bank fraud, access device fraud, telecommunications and computer
crimes, fraudulent government and commercial securities, and electronic
funds transfer fraud.
$1.7 million is awarded to organizations to help victims of identity theft and fraud. The funding, awarded through OJP's Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) in 2007, was given to existing national, regional, state and local victim service organizations:
- Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center (MCVRC): Identity Theft and Fraud Assistance (1-877-VICTIM1)
MCVRC provides free assistance to victims of identity theft and financial fraud. With funding support from the Office for Victims of Crime, MCVRC is working in conjunction with other national and local agencies to serve victims and is expanding its existing practice—
- Direct victim services.
- Self-advocacy.
- Pro bono attorney development.
Their Web site offers advice on steps to take if you are a victim of identity theft or fraud and helpful links.
- Stop Atlanta Fraud Empower (SAFE)
SAFE is a public outreach campaign providing education, advocacy, and training to reduce fraud victimization among residents of Atlanta, Georgia. Services include—
- Help and referral assistance via the SAFE helpline at 404-588-4740.
- A consumer advocate to assist victims of identity theft and bank fraud file complaints with the appropriate agencies.
- Advocacy and assistance correcting credit reports.
- Outreach and training targeting local groups and law enforcement.
SAFE is a program of the nonprofit Atlanta Victim Assistance Inc., supported by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
- American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
AARP provides information about identity theft and how to protect yourself
from it.
- Identity Theft Resource
Center (ITRC)
ITRC is a nonprofit consumer information, research, and advocacy organization
that offers public education, prevention tips, victim
information guides, and other resources, including:
- Identity Theft: Stolen FuturesA new educational program to teach defensive identity theft consumer behavior for teens.
A short and engaging video about identity theft is available in multiple formats in the Teen Space.
- National Check Fraud Center
The center provides assistance, information, and crime reporting information
for counterfeit checks, forgery, check fraud, bank fraud, and white
collar crimes.
- National Fraud Information Center
(NFIC)
NFIC provides a toll-free hotline for consumers to get advice about
telephone or e-mail solicitations and report possible telemarketing
or Internet fraud to law enforcement agencies.
- Privacy Rights
Clearinghouse
The clearinghouse provides identity theft resources, consumer information,
publications, and advocacy.
- State PIRGs
State Public Interest Research Groups are locally based organizations
that fight threats to public health and well-being through investigative
research, grassroots organizing, advocacy, and litigation.
OVC takes no responsibility for, and exercises no control over, the organizations,
views, accuracy, copyright or trademark compliance, or legality of the
material contained on these servers.
- TransUnion
TransUnion provides credit and fraud-prevention data, including tips
for avoiding fraud and fraud victim contact and reporting information.
- Experian
Experian's Consumer Knowledge Center includes fraud prevention information
and resources.
- Equifax
Equifax provides information on protecting yourself from identity theft
and related resources, including Credit Watch, a credit monitoring program.
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