Identity Theft Resources: Government Agencies and National Organizations

Government Resources

* Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft 
The U.S. Government's central website for information about identity theft includes government reports and congressional testimony, law enforcement updates, consumer alerts, and links to other sites with helpful information. Deter, Detect, Defend and Avoid ID Theft.

* 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.

National Organizations

* Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC)
The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) is a non-profit organization established to support victims of identity theft in resolving their cases, and to broaden public education and awareness in the understanding of identity theft. It is the on-going mission of the ITRC to assist victims, educate consumers, victim information guides, research identity theft and increase public and corporate awareness about this problem.      
 
* 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.

Access To Free Credit Reports:

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.

The FCRA promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the nation’s consumer reporting companies. To order, visit www.annualcreditreport.com, call 1-877-322-8228, or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form. The form is available at the Federal Trade Commission's Web site at www.ftc.gov/credit.

The completed form should be mailed to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. Do not contact the three nationwide consumer reporting companies individually. They are providing free annual credit reports only through annualcreditreport.com.

Related Videos:

Identity Theft Fraud: 16 Ways Thieves Steal And Find Your Information

Preventing Identity Theft: 7 Steps You Can Take To Avoid Becoming A Victim

Check Credit Report: Your Safety Precaution Against Identity Theft Fraud

Credit Score Range: Learn Some Tips About Your FICO Score Grades

View all Identity Theft Articles    View all Identity Theft FAQ