FTC Identity Theft
By Rick Hazeltine
Staff Editorial Writer
The Federal Trade Commission is the U.S. government agency charged with "Protecting America's Consumers" and as such is the main resource for citizens regarding identity theft.
Protecting the U.S. economy is the main focus of the FTC, so it works with business as well as consumers. The FTC consists of three Bureaus — Consumer Protection, Competition and Economics.
The Bureau of Consumer Protection (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/index.shtml) is the department you would want to contact regarding identity theft. Within the Bureau is the Division of Privacy and Identity Protection (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/bcppip.shtm), which is the newest division within the bureau and oversees issues regarding identity theft, credit reporting, consumer privacy and information security.
The Division of Privacy and Identity Protection also operates the Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, which collects identity theft claims, allowing the government to analyze identity theft trends and develop ID theft fraud prevention programs.
Here is a look at some of the key programs that the FTC has regarding identity theft:
- Consumers can contact the FTC national call center —1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338) or TDD: 1-866-653-4261 — where counselors are available to offer advice on how to protect yourself from identity theft. Counselors will also advise on what to do if you are a victim of identity theft.
- The FTC also operates an extensive Web site — Fighting Back Against Identity Theft ( http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/ ) — that is devoted to educating consumers about the crime and what to do if you are a victim.
- The FTC also takes consumer complaints, although it does not investigate individual crimes. Still, it is important for identity theft victims to file a complaint with the FTC because this allows the agency to identify trends so they can warn the public.
- Consumers can download several publications regarding identity theft protection, such as Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft. Consumers can also download or order larger quantities of Protect Your Identity Days kit. The kit is available to individuals and groups that wish to hold identity theft protection events for their community. The kit contains brochures, guides, presentation slides and CD-ROM/DVD sets.
- The FTC also offers several identity theft publications for businesses, including Protecting Personal Information: A Guide for Business; Fighting Fraud with the Red Flags Rule: A How-to Guide for Business and Information Compromise and the Risk of Identity Theft: Guidance for Your Business.
