Nevada Identity Theft
By Rick Hazeltine
Staff Editorial Writer
Nevada has one of the fastest growing populations of any state in the country because of its growing economy and reasonable real estate prices. The state's favorite city - Las Vegas - is affectionately known as "Sin City."
Unfortunately, one of the biggest real sins in Nevada is identity theft.
Nevada identity theft complaints ranked No. 5 in the nation for 2008 according to the annual Federal Trade Commission survey. There were 3,275 Nevada identity theft complaints in 2008.
Fortunately for citizens, the state has taken a serious approach to Nevada identity theft. Here are some of the resources and information for citizens who think they have been a victim of identity theft.
- One of the key benefits for Nevada identity theft victims is the Nevada Identity Theft Passport program. The Nevada Office of the Attorney General can issue Identity Theft Passports to state residents who are victims of identity theft. Once victims file a report with the police, they will tell you how to apply for the Identity Theft Passport. Nevada identity theft victims can use the passport as another form of identification when dealing with creditors and law enforcement while they work to repair their financial lives.
- The state also has a Credit Security Freeze Law, which allows Nevada identity theft victims to request that their credit records be frozen. The freeze request must be made in writing to the three major credit reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
- Nevada has very stiff penalties for identity thieves. Anyone convicted of using another person's identity can receive up to 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. For more information on the state's identity theft law, visit Nevada State Legislature at http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS.
- In order to combat identity theft, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles joined 13 other states in shifting to a driver's license Central Issuance system. This system uses facial recognition software. Also under the system, applicants do not receive their license at the DMV office. Instead, their old license is hole-punched and given back to the applicant, along with a paper document to be used as an interim license for up to 30 days. A permanent license or identification card is produced at a secure, central facility and mailed to the customer within 10 working days.
- The Fight Fraud Task Force is a clearinghouse for the latest scams, many of which are related to Nevada identity theft. To get the latest information on identity theft scams, visit Fight Fraud Task Force
