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Investigations

Do you need more information for your identity theft investigation?

  • Use the Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, a national identity theft victim complaint database containing more than 815,000 complaints, to search for identity theft victim and/or suspect information across the country. Please note: The FTC does not have any criminal investigation authority with respect to identity theft. Check out Resources to find other agencies that do.
  • If you already are a member, search the Clearinghouse now for other complaints that may be related to your case, or get help from FTC staff by using our Hot Search feature. Just email us at idtsearch@ftc.gov for assistance.
  • You can get a victim’s identity theft-related transaction records from creditors without first obtaining a subpoena, if you have authorization from the victim. This right was created by 2003 amendments to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, section 609(e) http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/031224fcra.pdf (page 38).

In order to request 609(e) documents, your request to the company must:

  • be in writing
  • show authorization from the victim
  • be sent to an address specified by the business, if any, and
  • allow the business 30 days to respond.

If a creditor refuses your request for records under section 609(e), please email the FTC at 609eRecords@ftc.gov. Please include detailed information about the 609(e) request, if possible.

While the FTC does not resolve individual disputes, your communication may help us spot a pattern of law violations requiring law enforcement action. Businesses can learn more about their responsibilities under section 609(e) by reading "Businesses Must Provide Victims and Law Enforcement with Transaction Records Relating to Identity Theft" www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/idtheft/bus66.pdf

Do you want to save time in your investigation?

Use the Clearinghouse Alert feature to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies who may be investigating the same suspect from other jurisdictions.

Use Auto Query so you can receive automatic notifications of new complaints about your target address and eliminate the need for repeat searches.

Use the Clearinghouse to find law enforcement contacts to aid in your investigation.

How can I sign up for the Clearinghouse and what does it cost?

Contact us at sentinel@ftc.gov or 1-877-701-9595 for more information on signing up or visit our website at www.ftc.gov/sentinel.

Access to the Clearinghouse is free, although, your department will have to sign a confidentiality agreement first.

The FTC's Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse [PDF]

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