Help for Victims of Identity Theft 

If you suspect or know that your personal information has been stolen or used to commit fraud or theft, you must take action immediately, ensuring to keep records of your actions, conversations and correspondence. Determining which steps you should take depends on your circumstances and how your personal information has been misused - there are four basic steps for all cases:

What to do First - 4 Basic Steps

1. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports and review your credit reports.

In order to prevent an identity thief from opening additional accounts in your name, your first step should be to call one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit report. When the credit bureau has confirmed your fraud alert, the other two bureaus will be automatically notified to place a fraud alert on your credit report - you will also receive all three credit reports free of charge. These bureaus are listed below:

  • Equifax — To report fraud, call: 1-800-525-6285, and write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
  • Experian — To report fraud, call: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742), and write: P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013
  • TransUnion — To report fraud, call: 1-800-680-7289, and write: Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

Review your reports carefully. looking for:

  • Inquiries you didn't initiate,
  • Accounts you didn't open,
  • Unexplained debts on your true accounts, and
  • Name, address and SSN, employers are correct.

2. Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.

Credit Accounts

Credit accounts include all accounts with banks, credit card companies and other lenders, and phone companies, utilities, ISPs, and other service providers.

Ensure you change your Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) and passwords for any existing accounts.

If a ATM / EFTPOS card has been compromised, ensure you cancel the card and request a new card with a new PIN.

For new unauthorized accounts, ask if the companies accepts the ID Theft Affidavit (provided by the FTC) - if they don't, request the companies fraud dispute forms.

For existing accounts where there are fraudulent transactions, request the companies fraud dispute forms.

Checks

If checks have been stolen or misused, you must notify the bank immediately to have the account closed and request the bank to notify the appropriate check verification service.

Responsibility for forged checks are with the banks, however, you are expected to take reasonable care of your account, including checks. You may be held responsible for forgery if you do not notify the bank in a timely manner.

You should contact the three major check verification companies, requesting that companies who use their databases not accept your checks.

  • TeleCheck - 1800 710 9898 or 927 0188
  • Certegy, Inc. - 1800 437 5120
  • International Check Services - 1800 631 9656

3. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.

Provide as much documentation as you can to help prove your case, including debt collection letters, credit reports, your notarized ID Theft Affidavit and any other evidence of fraudulent activity that may assist the police.

Be persistent with police. Local authorities may tell you that they can't take a report. Stress the importance of a police report - you will need a copy of this report to validate your claims to creditors. Credit bureaus will automatically block the fraudulent accounts and bad debts from appearing on your credit report only if you can provide a copy of the police report. If the local police won't take a report, try the county police, and then the state police if that doesn't work. If you are told identity theft isn't a crime under state law, ask to file a 'miscellaneous incident report' instead.

4. File a complaint with the FTC.

The FTC maintains a secure database of identity theft complaints which law enforcement officials use to track down identity thieves. The FTC can also refer victim complaints to other appropriate government agencies for further action.

To file a complaint or learn more about the FTC, contact them on the most convenient method below:

www: http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft

Telephone: 1877-IDTHEFT (438 4338), TDD: 202 326 2502

Address: Identity Theft Clearinghouse,
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC 20580.

Record Keeping

Keep records of steps you have taken to report your identity theft. Keep this with your paperwork.

Record Keeping - Quick Tips

  • Keep accurate record of all courses of action - telephone calls and mail.
  • Ensure you have everything in writing - send confirmation letters to contacts you have made by telephone or in person.
  • Keep copies of everything!
  • Keep written notes of all related conversations you have had with names, dates, times and details of the conversation.
  • If you are required to provide any of the evidence or paperwork you have collected, only provide copies - ensure you keep originals of everything you have.
  • Finally, just when you thought it was all over, keep your records, do not throw them out.

Resolving Credit Problems

While resolving credit problems resulting from identity theft can be time-consuming and frustrating, the good news is that there are procedures under federal laws for correcting credit report and billing errors, and stopping debt collectors from contacting you about debts you don't owe. Here is a brief summary of your rights, and what to do to clear up credit problems that result from identity theft.

This information has been provided care of the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Credit Reports

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) establishes procedures for correcting mistakes on your credit report and requires that your report be made available only for certain legitimate business needs.

Under the FCRA, both the credit bureau and the organization that provided the information to the credit bureau (the “information provider”), such as a bank or credit card company, are responsible for correcting inaccurate or incomplete information in your report. To protect your rights under the law, contact both the credit bureau and the information provider. It's very important to follow the procedures outlined below. Otherwise you won't have any legal recourse if you have a future dispute with the credit bureau or an information provider about inaccurate information that should be blocked from your report.

First, call the credit bureau and follow up in writing. Tell them what information you believe is inaccurate. Include copies (NOT originals) of documents that support your position. In addition to providing your complete name and address, your letter should clearly identify each item in your report that you dispute, give the facts and explain why you dispute the information, and request deletion or correction. You may want to enclose a copy of your report with circles around the items in question. Your letter may look something like the sample below. Send your letter by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you can document what the credit bureau received and when. Keep copies of your dispute letter and enclosures.

The credit bureau's investigation must be completed within 30 days (45 days if you provide additional documents). If the credit bureau considers your dispute frivolous (which may mean it believes you didn't provide enough documentation to support your claim), it must tell you so within five business days. Otherwise, it must forward all relevant documents you provide about the dispute to the information provider. The information provider then must investigate, review all relevant information provided by the credit bureau, and report the results to the credit bureau. If the information provider finds the disputed information to be inaccurate, it must notify any nationwide credit bureau to which it reports, so that the credit bureau can correct this information in your file. Note that:

  • Disputed information that cannot be verified must be deleted from your file.
  • If your report contains erroneous information, the credit bureau must correct it.
  • If an item is incomplete, the credit bureau must complete it. For example, if your file shows that you have been late making payments, but fails to show that you are no longer delinquent, the credit bureau must show that you're current.
  • If your file shows an account that belongs to someone else, the credit bureau must delete it.

When the investigation is complete, the credit bureau must give you the written results and, if the dispute results in a change, a free copy of your report. If an item is changed or removed, the credit bureau cannot put the disputed information back in your file unless the information provider verifies its accuracy and completeness, and the credit bureau gives you a written notice that includes the name, address and phone number of the information provider.

If you ask, the credit bureau must send notices of corrections to anyone who received your report in the past six months. Job applicants can have a corrected copy of their report sent to anyone who received a copy during the past two years for employment purposes. If an investigation does not resolve your dispute, ask the credit bureau to include a 100-word statement of the dispute in your file and in future reports.

Second, in addition to writing to the credit bureau, write to the creditor or other information provider to tell them that you dispute an item. Again, include copies (NOT originals) of documents that support your position, like your police report and the ID Theft Affidavit. Many information providers specify an address for disputes. If the information provider then reports the disputed item(s) to a credit bureau, it must include a notice of your dispute. If you're correct that the disputed information is not inaccurate, the information provider may not use it again.

For more information, see How to Dispute Credit Report Errors and Fair Credit Reporting , from the FTC at www.consumer.gov/idtheft .

Credit Cards

In most cases, the Truth in Lending Act limits your liability for unauthorized credit card charges to $50 per card. The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) establishes procedures for resolving billing errors on your credit card accounts. This includes fraudulent charges on your accounts.

To take advantage of the law's consumer protections, you must :

  • write to the creditor at the address given for “billing inquiries,” not the address for sending your payments. Include your name, address, account number and a description of the fraudulent charge, including the amount and date of the error. Your letter may look something like the sample below.
  • send your letter so that it reaches the creditor within 60 days from when the first bill containing the fraudulent charge was mailed to you. If the address on your account was changed by an identity thief and you never received the bill, your dispute letter still must reach the creditor within 60 days of when the bill would have been mailed to you. This is why it's so important to keep track of your billing statements and immediately follow up when your bills don't arrive on time.

Send your letter by certified mail, return receipt requested. This will be your proof of the date the creditor received the letter. Include copies (NOT originals) of sales slips or other documents that support your position. Keep a copy of your dispute letter.

The creditor must acknowledge your complaint in writing within 30 days after receiving it, unless the problem has been resolved. The creditor must resolve the dispute within two billing cycles (but not more than 90 days) after receiving your letter.

For more information, see Fair Credit Billing and Avoiding Credit and Charge Card Fraud , from the FTC at www.consumer.gov/idtheft .

Debt Collectors

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibits debt collectors from using unfair or deceptive practices to collect overdue bills that a creditor has forwarded for collection.

You can stop a debt collector from contacting you by writing a letter to the collection agency telling them to stop. Once the debt collector receives your letter, the company may not contact you again — with two exceptions: they can tell you there will be no further contact and they can tell you that the debt collector or the creditor intends to take some specific action.

A collector also may not contact you if, within 30 days after you receive the written notice, you send the collection agency a letter stating you do not owe the money.

Although your letter should stop the debt collector's calls and dunning notices, it will not necessarily get rid of the debt itself, which may still turn up on your credit report.

A collector can renew collection activities if you're sent proof of the debt. So, along with your letter stating you don't owe the money, include copies of documents that support your position.

If you're a victim of identity theft, include a copy (NOT the original) of the police report. If you don't have documentation to support your position, be as specific as possible about why the debt collector is mistaken.

The debt collector is responsible for sending you proof that you're wrong. For example, if the debt in dispute originates from a credit card you never applied for, ask for the actual application containing the applicant's signature. You can then prove that it's not your signature on the application. In many cases, the debt collector will not send you any proof, but will instead return the debt to the creditor.

For more information, see Fair Debt Collection from the FTC at www.consumer.gov/idtheft .

ATM Cards, Debit Cards and Electronic Fund Transfers

The Electronic Fund Transfer Act provides consumer protections for transactions involving an ATM or debit card or any other electronic way to debit or credit an account. It also limits your liability for unauthorized electronic fund transfers.

It's important to report lost or stolen ATM and debit cards immediately because the amount you can be held responsible for depends on how quickly you report the loss.

  • If you report your ATM card lost or stolen within two business days of discovering the loss or theft, your losses are limited to $50.
  • If you report your ATM card lost or stolen after the two business days, but within 60 days after a statement showing an unauthorized electronic fund transfer, you can be liable for up to $500 of what a thief withdraws.
  • If you wait more than 60 days, you could lose all the money that was taken from your account from the end of the 60 days to the time you reported your card missing.

The best way to protect yourself in the event of an error or fraudulent transaction is to call the financial institution and follow up in writing — by certified letter, return receipt requested — so you can prove when the institution received your letter. Keep a copy of the letter you send for your records.

After receiving notification about an error on your statement, the financial institution generally has 10 business days to investigate. The institution must tell you the results of its investigation within three business days after completing it and must correct an error within one business day after determining that the error has occurred. If the institution needs more time, it may take up to 45 days to complete the investigation — but only if the money in dispute is returned to your account and you are notified promptly of the credit. At the end of the investigation, if no error has been found, the institution may take the money back if it sends you a written explanation.

Note: VISA and MasterCard voluntarily have agreed to limit consumers' liability for unauthorized use of their debit cards in most instances to $50 per card, no matter how much time has elapsed since the discovery of the loss or theft of the card.

For more information, see Electronic Banking and Credit, ATM and Debit Cards: What to Do If They're Lost or Stolen , two consumer publications from the FTC at www.consumer.gov/idtheft .

Proving You're a Victim, Not a Deadbeat

Unlike victims of other crimes, who generally are treated with respect and sympathy, identity theft victims often find themselves having to prove that they're victims, too — not deadbeats trying to get out of paying bad debts. So how do you go about proving something you didn't do? Getting the right documents and getting them to the right people is key.

The Police Report: If you have a police report, send a copy to Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. They will block the information you're disputing from your credit reports. This may take up to 30 days. The credit bureaus have the right to remove the block, if they believe it was wrongly placed. Because this initiative is voluntary in the vast majority of states, it's important to also follow the dispute procedures outlined in “Credit Reports,” above. Contact the credit bureaus to find out more about how the “Police Report Initiative” works.

The ID Theft Affidavit: Since you didn't open the accounts in dispute or run up the related debts, of course you don't have any paperwork showing you didn't do these things. That's where the ID Theft Affidavit can be very helpful. The FTC, in conjunction with banks, credit grantors and consumer advocates, developed the ID Theft Affidavit ( click here ) to help you close unauthorized accounts and get rid of debts wrongfully attributed to your name. If you don't have a police report or any paperwork from creditors, send the completed ID Theft Affidavit to the three major credit bureaus. They will use it to start the dispute investigation process. Not all companies accept the ID Theft Affidavit. They may require you to use their forms instead. Check first.

Creditor Documentation: Getting documentation from a creditor may be difficult. Creditors' policies on confidentiality and record keeping vary and may prevent you from getting the paperwork you need to prove you didn't make the transaction. On the upside, most victims can get accounts closed and debts dismissed by completing the creditor's fraud paperwork or the ID Theft Affidavit and including a copy of your police report. Insist on a letter from the creditor stating that they have closed the disputed accounts and have discharged you of the fraudulent debts. This letter is your best defense if errors reappear or your personal information gets re-circulated. This letter is also the best document to give credit bureaus and debt collectors if your police report and ID Theft Affidavit aren't enough to resolve your problems with them.

Sample Dispute Letter - Credit Bureau

Date

Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code

Complaint Department
Name of Credit Bureau
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Sir or Madam:
I am writing to dispute the following information in my file. The items I dispute also are circled on the attached copy of the report I received. (Identify item(s) disputed by name of source, such as creditors or tax court, and identify type of item, such as credit account, judgment, etc.)

I am a victim of identity theft, and did not make the charge(s). I am requesting that the item be blocked to correct my credit report.

Enclosed are copies of (use this sentence if applicable and describe any enclosed documentation) supporting my position. Please investigate this (these) matter(s) and block the disputed item(s) as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Your name

Enclosures: (List what you are enclosing.)

Sample Dispute Letter - For Existing Credit Accounts

Date

Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Account Number

Name of Creditor
Billing Inquiries
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am writing to dispute a fraudulent (charge or debit) attributed to my account in the amount of $______. I am a victim of identity theft, and I did not make this (charge or debit). I am requesting that the (charge be removed or the debit reinstated), that any finance and other charges related to the fraudulent amount be credited as well, and that I receive an accurate statement.

Enclosed are copies of (use this sentence to describe any enclosed information, such as police report) supporting my position. Please investigate this matter and correct the fraudulent (charge or debit) as soon as possible.


Sincerely,

Your name

Enclosures: (List what you are enclosing.)

Specific Problems

Numerous federal and state agencies have jurisdiction over specific aspects of identity theft. If your theft relates to any of the following categories, contact the agencies directly for help and information or to initiate an investigation.

Bank Fraud

If you're having trouble getting your financial institution to help you resolve your banking-related identity theft problems, including problems with bank-issued credit cards, contact the agency with the appropriate jurisdiction. If you're not sure which of the agencies listed below has jurisdiction over your institution, call your bank or visit www.ffiec.gov/enforcement.htm .

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) — www.fdic.gov
The FDIC supervises state-chartered banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System and insures deposits at banks and savings and loans.

Call the FDIC Consumer Call Center at 1-800-934-3342; or write: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Division of Compliance and Consumer Affairs, 550 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20429.

FDIC publications:

Federal Reserve System (Fed) — www.federalreserve.gov
The Fed supervises state-chartered banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System.

Call: 202-452-3693; or write: Division of Consumer and Community Affairs, Mail Stop 801, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, DC 20551; or contact the Federal Reserve Bank in your area. The 12 Reserve Banks are located in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Richmond, Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Dallas and San Francisco.

National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) — www.ncua.gov
The NCUA charters and supervises federal credit unions and insures deposits at federal credit unions and many state credit unions.

Call: 703-518-6360; or write: Compliance Officer, National Credit Union Administration, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) — www.occ.treas.gov
The OCC charters and supervises national banks. If the word “national” appears in the name of a bank, or the initials “N.A.” follow its name, the OCC oversees its operations.

Call: 1-800-613-6743 (business days 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CST); fax: 713-336-4301; write: Customer Assistance Group, 1301 McKinney Street, Suite 3710, Houston, TX 77010.

OCC publications:

Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) — www.ots.treas.gov
The OTS is the primary regulator of all federal, and many state-chartered, thrift institutions, which include savings banks and savings and loan institutions.

Call: 202-906-6000; or write: Office of Thrift Supervision, 1700 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20552.

Bankruptcy Fraud

U. S. Trustee (UST) — www.usdoj.gov/ust

If you believe someone has filed for bankruptcy in your name, write to the U.S. Trustee in the region where the bankruptcy was filed. A list of the U.S. Trustee Program's Regional Offices is available on the UST Web site, or check the Blue Pages of your phone book under U.S. Government Bankruptcy Administration.

Your letter should describe the situation and provide proof of your identity. The U.S. Trustee, if appropriate, will make a criminal referral to law enforcement authorities if you provide appropriate documentation to substantiate your claim. You also may want to file a complaint with the U.S. Attorney and/or the FBI in the city where the bankruptcy was filed. The U.S. Trustee does not provide legal representation, legal advice or referrals to lawyers. That means you may need to hire an attorney to help convince the bankruptcy court that the filing is fraudulent. The U.S. Trustee does not provide consumers with copies of court documents. Those documents are available from the bankruptcy clerk's office for a fee.

Criminal Violations

Although procedures to correct your record within the criminal justice databases vary from state to state, and even from county to county, the following information can be used as a general guide.

If wrongful criminal violations are attributed to your name, contact the arresting or citing law enforcement agency — that is, the police or sheriff's department that originally arrested the person using your identity, or the court agency that issued the warrant for the arrest. File an impersonation report. And have your identity confirmed: The police department takes a full set of your fingerprints and your photograph, and copies any photo identification documents like your driver's license, passport or visa. Ask the law enforcement agency to compare the prints and photographs with those of the imposter to establish your innocence. If the arrest warrant is from a state or county other than where you live, ask your local police department to send the impersonation report to the police department in the jurisdiction where the arrest warrant, traffic citation or criminal conviction originated.

The law enforcement agency should then recall any warrants and issue a “clearance letter” or certificate of release (if you were arrested/booked). You'll need to keep this document with you at all times in case you're wrongly arrested. Also, ask the law enforcement agency to file, with the district attorney's (D.A.) office and/or court where the crime took place, the record of the follow-up investigation establishing your innocence. This will result in an amended complaint being issued. Once your name is recorded in a criminal database, it's unlikely that it will be completely removed from the official record. Ask that the “key name,” or “primary name,” be changed from your name to the imposter's name (or to “John Doe” if the imposter's true identity is not known), with your name noted only as an alias.

You'll also want to clear your name in the court records. You'll need to determine which state law(s) will help you do this and how. If your state has no formal procedure for clearing your record, contact the D.A.'s office in the county where the case was originally prosecuted. Ask the D.A.'s office for the appropriate court records needed to clear your name.

Finally, contact your state DMV to find out if your driver's license is being used by the identity thief. Ask that your files be flagged for possible fraud.

You may need to hire a criminal defense attorney to help you clear your name. Contact Legal Services in your state or your local bar association for help in finding an attorney.

Fake Driver's License

If you think your name or SSN is being used by an identity thief to get a driver's license or a non-driver's ID card, contact your DMV. If your state uses your SSN as your driver's license number, ask to substitute another number.

Investment Fraud

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) — www.sec.gov
The SEC's Office of Investor Education and Assistance serves investors who complain to the SEC about investment fraud or the mishandling of their investments by securities professionals. If you believe that an identity thief has tampered with your securities investments or a brokerage account, immediately report it to your broker or account manager and to the SEC. You can file a complaint with the SEC using the online Complaint Center at www.sec.gov/complaint.shtml . Be sure to include as much detail as possible. If you don't have access to the Internet, you can write to the SEC at: SEC Office of Investor Education and Assistance, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington DC, 20549-0213. For general questions, call 202-942-7040.

Mail Theft

U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) — www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect
USPIS is the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service responsible for investigating cases of identity theft. USPIS has primary jurisdiction in all matters infringing on the integrity of the U.S. mail. If an identity thief has stolen your mail to get new credit cards, bank or credit card statements, pre-screened credit offers or tax information, has falsified change-of-address forms, or obtained your personal information through a fraud conducted by mail, report it to your local postal inspector. You can locate the USPIS district office nearest you by calling your local post office or checking the list at the Web site above.

Passport Fraud

United States Department of State (USDS) — www.travel.state.gov/passport_services.html
If you've lost your passport or believe it was stolen or is being used fraudulently, contact the USDS through their Web site or call a local USDS field office. Local field offices are listed in the Blue Pages of your telephone directory.

Phone Fraud

If an identity thief has established phone service in your name, is making unauthorized calls that seem to come from — and are billed to — your cellular phone, or is using your calling card and PIN, contact your service provider immediately to cancel the account and/or calling card. Open new accounts and choose new PINs. If you're having trouble getting fraudulent phone charges removed from your account or getting an unauthorized account closed, contact the appropriate agency from the list below.

For local service, contact your state Public Utility Commission.

For cellular phones and long distance, contact the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) — www.fcc.gov . The FCC regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. You can contact the FCC's Consumer Information Bureau to find out about information, forms, applications and current issues before the FCC. Call: 1-888-CALL-FCC; TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC; or write: Federal Communications Commission, Consumer Information Bureau, 445 12th Street, SW, Room 5A863, Washington, DC 20554. You can file complaints via the online complaint form at www.fcc.gov , or e-mail questions to fccinfo@fcc.gov .

Social Security Number Theft and Misuse

Social Security Administration (SSA) — www.ssa.gov
The SSA's Office of the Inspector General Hotline will accept SSN misuse allegations that involve the following:
* Buying and selling of counterfeit or legitimate SSN cards.
* Misuse involving people with links to terrorist groups or activities.
* Misuse of an SSN by someone else to obtain Social Security benefits.
Report SSN misuse allegations to the SSA Fraud Hotline. Call: 1-800- 269-0271; fax: 410-597-0118; write: SSA Fraud Hotline, P.O. Box 17768, Baltimore, MD 21235; or e-mail: oig.hotline@ssa.gov .

SSA publications:

Tax Fraud

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) — www.treas.gov/irs/ci
The IRS is responsible for administering and enforcing tax laws. If you believe someone has assumed your identity to file federal Income Tax Returns, or to commit other tax fraud, call toll-free: 1-800-829-0433. Victims of identity theft who are having trouble filing their returns should call the IRS Taxpayer Advocates Office, toll-free: 1-877-777-4778.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) — www.ftc.gov
The FTC is educating consumers and businesses about the importance of personal information privacy. For more information, call 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) or visit www.consumer.gov/idtheft .

Department of Justice (DOJ) — www.usdoj.gov
The DOJ and its U.S. Attorneys prosecute federal identity theft cases. Information on identity theft is available at www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html .

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) — www.fbi.gov
The FBI, a criminal law enforcement agency, investigates cases of identity theft. The FBI recognizes that identity theft is a component of many crimes including bank fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, bankruptcy fraud, insurance fraud, fraud against the government, and terrorism. Local field offices are listed in the Blue Pages of your telephone directory.

U.S. Secret Service (USSS) — www.treas.gov/usss
The U.S. Secret Service investigates financial crimes, which may include identity theft. Although the Secret Service generally investigates cases where the dollar loss is substantial, your information may provide evidence of a larger pattern of fraud requiring their involvement. Local field offices are listed in the Blue Pages of your telephone directory.

Financial Crimes Division — www.treas.gov/usss/financial_crimes.shtml

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