CONSUMER RESOURCES

Identity theft is a crime in which the imposter obtains key pieces of information, such as a Social Security or driver's license number.  The crime occurs when the thief uses uses this "personal identifying information" for their own gain.   The victim is left with a tainted reputation and the complicated task of restoring his or her good name.

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in our nation today.  The thieves get your personal information by going through your trash, stealing your wallet, overhearing conversations made on cell phones, theft from unlocked mailboxes, as well as from unprotected computers. These are just a few examples.

As in all crimes, reducing your risk through education and action is critical.  While consumer education is not the complete answer to stopping this crime, it does empower you.  Knowledge gives you the tools to minimize the chances that your identity might be stolen.

Identity theft is a complex crime.  It keeps changing and evolving.  Please check our website often for new information on scams, crime trends, and steps that consumers can take to combat identity theft.

General Contact:
For general questions about the ITRC email us at

Victim/Consumer:
If you believe you are a victim of identity theft and would like our assistance please send us an email at Or call the ITRC Victim Assistance Center Toll Free (888) 400-5530

If you have questions about identity theft, please feel free to write or send us an email at . We will attempt to respond to your inquiry in a timely manner.

Other sites you may find helpful:

Government		Non-Profit / Non-Government
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers/about-identity-theft.html - The Federal Trade Commission. This site contains facts, statistics and other materials you may find useful.		www.privacyrights.org - This site is full of information on privacy issues and identity theft. We especially recommend the sections on new entries (the most up-to-date information), fact sheets, case histories, and speeches and testimony.
www.ncjrs.org - National Criminal Justice Reference Service		www.pirg.org - U.S PIRG is a nonprofit advocacy organization that works for stronger privacy laws
www.senate.gov - Listing of legislative bills introduced in the U.S. Senate		www.idtheft.org - created by an attorney and a nationally recognized expert in privacy and identity theft. She also offers a book for victims.
www.secretservice.gov/ - US Secret Service		www.epic.org - This is a good general research area on a variety of topics.
www.ncvc.org/ - National Center for Victims of Crime		www.lawglossary.net - Law Glossary, Legal Dictionary and Terms
www.ic3.gov - The FBI and their Internet Complaint Center		www.netfamilynews.org -
www.fbi.gov - Information on internet fraud
www.ssa.gov - Social Security Administration (for history of the Social Security number)		Blogs
www.gao.gov - U.S. Government Accounting Office (facts and figures).		Krebsonsecurity.com - in depth security news and investigation
www.leginfo.ca.gov - listing of legislative bills in California. You will find similar ones for each state.		http://lastwatchdog.com/ - venue for productive discussions and fresh thinking about how to make the Internet safer.
		www.thedunningletter.blogspot.com - Advocates for granting consumers control over their names and personal data
Military		http://blogs.bankinfosecurity.com/ - Banking information security blogs
www.bbb.org/us/Military - BBB Military Line offers a variety of free services and consumer education to the military via local BBB outreach as well as on the Web.		The New York Times Bucks Blogs - Making the Most of Your Money
		www.bbb.org/us/Military - BBB Military Line offers a variety of free services and consumer education to the military via local BBB outreach as well as on the Web.
		www.thinklikeaspy.com - Identity theft blog by John Sileo, author of Stolen Lives, Identity Theft Prevention Made Simple and Privacy Means Profit.
Business		fraudavengers.org - FraudAvengers is a weblog designed to educate consumers on how to understand, identify and avoid situations and events in their daily lives that make them susceptible to payments fraud.
New York Times - identity theft topic page for The New York Times
International
www.aboutidentitytheft.co.uk - About Identity Theft, A resource of information for those in the UK and Europe.