New National Identity Theft Program

Education is critical to fighting identity theft. Building upon previous awareness efforts to inform consumers and business on the issue, the FTC is launching a new nationwide campaign: AvoID Theft: Deter, Detect, Defend.

The new initiative aims to educate and empower consumers to protect themselves against identity theft and to minimize the damage it can cause. The campaign provides crucial information in three categories: “Deter, Detect, Defend.” Through the program, the FTC provides information about identity theft, as well as information about communicating about identity theft. The agency is engaging strategic partners, such as the National Crime Prevention Council, and other organizations in the public and private sector, including federal agencies, law enforcement, consumer groups, and leading trade associations.

These groups will be equipped with information to generate awareness and encourage action among consumers that can minimize identity theft. Included in the information is a comprehensive toolkit for communicators, which enables anyone—regardless of knowledge about identity theft—to educate an audience on the issue.

The Consumer Education Tool Kit, which is available in English and Spanish, includes

• Talking About Identity Theft: A How-to Guide: Booklet provides step-by-step instructions on educating audiences. Includes a PowerPoint Presentation with notes, a speech, press-release, and other tools to help publicize an identity theft education session, and other ideas to aid community outreach
  
• Tri-Fold Brochure: Key “Deter, Detect, Defend” advice condensed into an easy-to-reproduce brochure
  
• Video: Compelling 10-minute DVD featuring victims telling how to “Deter, Detect, and Defend” against identity theft
  
• CD-ROM: Disk containing all kit collateral for easy reproduction
  
• Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft: In-depth guide for identity theft victims

Using this new resource, organizations can work within their communities to educate people about identity theft. Whether it is holding a seminar or neighborhood meeting, distributing brochures, screening the DVD, including identity theft information in internal newsletters, or reaching out to local media, all efforts will help consumers minimize their risk, identify problems, and take quick action if they’ve been a victim.

Activating the Coalition

The magnitude of the problem of identity theft necessitates partnerships with law enforcement agencies and community groups to make an impact. Partnerships among law enforcers are especially critical because identity thieves do not recognize state or federal boundaries, making it difficult for single law enforcement agencies to catch them. In addition, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003 specifically cites police reports as an integral—and necessary—part of a victim’s recovery process.

By providing police reports to identity theft victims, law enforcement officials help people take advantage of certain rights that can speed the recovery process. Through engagement in identity theft prevention and investigation, law enforcement officials have the power to minimize the damage to victims. The FTC is exploring new ways to help local law enforcement comply with mandatory laws and serve as leaders in the fight against identity theft.

On behalf of its members, NCPC is co-branding the new toolkit for use by its members and will post the information to its website (www.ncpc.org). NCPC also offers television, radio, and print materials that can be included or accompany your presentations or outreach efforts. The FTC is pleased that NCPC is playing a leadership role in this effort, and appreciates its ongoing participation and support. The FTC welcomes the involvement of various members of NCPC’s powerful coalition of crime prevention and community leaders. 

The FTC’s Role in the Identity Theft Fight

For the past seven years, the FTC has led federal efforts on identity theft education, distributing roughly 22 million education materials both in print and online. Each week, between 15,000 and 20,000 consumers contact the FTC about identity theft and receive assistance through the Identity Theft Hotline (1-877-ID THEFT) and website (www.ftc.gov/idtheft).

Managed by the FTC, the Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse—the nation’s repository for complaints—serves as a vital resource for local law enforcement officials investigating and prosecuting identity theft cases. The FTC also shares clearinghouse information with law enforcement agencies nationwide via the FTC’s secure law enforcement website, Consumer Sentinel (www.consumer.gov/sentinel).

Please join NCPC in protecting Americans against identity theft. Through our combined efforts, we can alter the impact—and incidence—of identity theft.

What is DETER, DETECT, DEFEND? Consumers should take the following actions:

1.  DETER: Take steps to reduce the risk of ID theft.
While no one is immune to identity theft, people can take many steps to protect themselves and safeguard their personal information:

• Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.
  
• Protect your Social Security number. Your Social Security number is the key to your identity and must be closely protected. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
  
• Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with.
  
• Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer; keep them up-to-date. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information.
  
• Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother'’ maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
  
• Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your house.

2.  DETECT: Monitor your personal information and financial accounts regularly.
Many consumers learn that their identity has been stolen after the damage has been done. The faster you detects a theft, the more you can limit the damage. The best way to find out is to

Be alert to signs that require immediate attention:

• Mail or bills that do not arrive as expected
  
• Unexpected credit cards or account statements 
  
• Denials of credit for no apparent reason
  
• Calls or letters about purchases that were not made

Inspect:

• Your credit report. This contains information about you, including what accounts you have and your bill-paying history.
  
  • The law requires the major nationwide consumer reporting companies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to give you a free copy of your credit report each year if you ask for it.
    
  • Visit AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228, a service created by these three companies, to order your free credit reports each year. You also can write Annual Credit Report Request Service, PO Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
    
• Your financial statements. Review financial accounts and billing statements regularly, looking for charges you did not make.

3.) DEFEND: Take action quickly when identity theft is suspected.
It’s important to act quickly to minimize the damage of identity theft:

• Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports. A fraud alert on your credit report tells creditors to follow certain procedures before they open any new accounts in your name, or make changes to your existing accounts.  Each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies has a toll free number you can use to place an initial fraud alert.  Only one call is necessary; the company you call will notify the other two. An initial fraud alert is active for 90 days.  If you want to place an extended (seven-year) fraud alert, you must follow additional procedures.
  
  • Equifax: 800 525 6285
    
  • Experian: 888 EXPERIAN (397 3742)
    
  • TransUnion: 800 680 7289

Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free copies of your credit reports. Look for inquiries from companies you haven’t contacted, accounts you didn’t open, and debts on your accounts that you can’t explain. 

• Close accounts.  Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently.  
  
  • Start by calling the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or changed without your authorization.  Follow up in writing and include copies of supporting documents.
    
  • Use the “ID Theft Affidavit,” available at ftc.gov/idtheft, to support your written statement.
    
  • Get written verification that the disputed account has been closed and the fraudulent debts have been discharged.
    
  • Keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft.
    
• File a police report. File a report with law enforcement officials—for example, state or local police. Filing a report is vital. It will help you work with creditors who may request documentation that a crime has occurred.
  
• Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Your information helps law enforcement officials across the country with their investigations.
  
  • Online: www.ftc.gov/idtheft
    
  • By phone: 1 877 ID THEFT (438 4338), or TTY,1 866 653 4261
    
  • By mail:
    Identity Theft Clearinghouse
    Federal Trade Commission
    600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
    Washington, DC 20580