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:

• Focus On: Identity Theft
• Spotlight on Identity Theft
• Government Resources
• OVC-Funded Programs—UPDATE ALERT!
• National Organizations
• Credit Monitoring Organizations

Government Resources

• 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.

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OVC-Funded Programs

$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:

• The Identity Theft Resource Center (see national organizations below)



• Victims Initiative for Counseling, Advocacy, and Restoration of the Southwest (VICARS)
  
  VICARS provides direct legal assistance to victims of identity theft and financial fraud in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Oklahoma and helps crime victims—

• Re-acquire their identity.
• Restore their credit.
• Recoup their losses.
• Regain control over their finances.

Their Web site offers a victim's toolkit and program resources.

• 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.
  

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National Organizations

• 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 Futures—A 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.

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Credit Monitoring Organizations

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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