Under the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission is tasked as the lead U.S. government agency for matters related to Identity Theft. The FTC maintains the Consumer Sentinel and Military Sentinel ID Theft reporting databases, though it
has no investigative or law enforcement powers related to individual cases. The FTC provides the FTC Identity Theft Affidavit, a five-page document for reporting fraudulently opened new accounts, and also provides basic Identity Theft and related fraud information and statistics for consumers and businesses.
FTC General Business ID Theft Site:
www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/business/index.html
FTC ID Theft Affidavit: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/affidavit.pdf
the FBI, and individual cases are only reviewed if there is strong evidence that it is part of a much larger pattern of fraud. The FBI maintains local field offices that serve designated areas.
Main FBI Website:
www.fbi.gov
FBI Field Office Locater Website:
www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm
FBI field offices can also be found in the Blue (Government) Pages of the telephone directory.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable, including cellular phones and long distance telephone service. Consumers having difficulty getting fraudulent charges removed from their cellular or long distance telephone service accounts can seek assistance or file a complaint with the FCC.
Main FCC Website:
www.fcc.gov
Website for Online Complaints:
www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html
Toll Free Number: 1-888-CALL-FCC
Hearing Impaired: 1-888-TELL-FCC
FCC Mailing Address:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer Information Bureau
445 12th Street, SW, Room 5A863
Washington, D.C. 20554
E-mail address for General Questions:
fccinfo@fcc.gov
For disputes involving fraudulent charges for local telephone service, consumers should contact the appropriate state Public Utility Commission.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the U.S. government organization that receives reports of cases involving the misuse of Social Security numbers. The SSA does not investigate Identity Theft cases, only the actual misuse of Social Security numbers or fraud
involving Social Security numbers, Social Security Benefits, or Social Security cards. The SSA generally only issues a new Social Security number to Identity Theft victims in extreme cases, and where the victim can clearly document substantial harm caused by the misuse of his or her SSN. A new SSN will not correct existing problems, and can potentially cause further unexpected problems if legitimate records are not appropriately transferred to the new number. Unfortunately when a SSN is stolen, many of the cures can cause as many problems as the theft situation itself.
Main SSA Website:
www.ssa.gov
SSA OIG Website:
www.socialsecurity.gov/oig
SSA OIG Hotline Website:
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/oig/hotline/
SSA OIG Website: www.socialsecurity.gov/oig/public_fraud_reporting/index.htm
SSA OIG Hotline Toll Free Number: 1-800-269-0271
Social Security Administration OIG Mailing Address:
SSA Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235
You may also visit your local Social Security Administration office.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is responsible for administering and enforcing federal tax laws, and it investigates issues relating to fraudulent tax matters in a victim’s name, such as employment and earnings and fraudulent tax returns.
Main IRS Website:
www.irs.gov
I.R.S Toll Free Number to Report ID Theft Involving Tax Matters: 1-800-829-1040
I.R.S Taxpayer Advocate Service Website: www.irs.gov/advocate
I.R.S Taxpayer Advocate Service Toll Free Number: 1-877-777-4778
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) was established as a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). It is used to receive and process online reports of actual and attempted fraud and criminal activity involving the Internet (including email scams). Complaints received are reviewed and may be forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the matter.
Main IC3 Website:
www.ic3.gov
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is the federal law enforcement agency that investigates mail theft and diversion, and fraud that occurs or is attempted through the U.S. mail. The USPIS maintains regional offices throughout the nation. Though the local U.S. Post Office can
assist a consumer with cancelling a fraudulent mail forward or change of address, it does not investigate incidents of mail fraud or theft, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service does.
Main Website:
www.usps.com/postalinspectors
USPIS Regional Office Locator: www.usps.com/ncsc/locators/find-is.html
There are a number for options for consumers who need to file a report of Mail Theft or Mail Diversion (PS Form 2016):
Consumers can securely complete and submit an online report of Mail Theft at: https://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/mailthft/mlntrcvd.htm
Consumers may securely complete and submit an online report of False Change of Address (or Mail Diversion) at:
https://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/mailthft/fcoa.htm
If the consumer prefers to submit a physical copy of their mail theft or mail diversion report, PS Form 2016 can be obtained at their local U.S. Post Office or online at:
https://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/mailthft/2016.pdf
This form may be submitted to their local U.S. Post Office for forwarding the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, or mailed to the USPIS at the address provided
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
The Department of Justice includes U.S. Attorneys that prosecute significant identity theft cases at the federal level. The DOJ also provides basic Identity Theft information.
DOJ ID Theft Website:
http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/websites/idtheft.html
The U.S. Secret Service Financial Crimes Division is a federal law enforcement agency that investigates crimes associated with financial institutions. The division’s jurisdiction includes bank fraud, access device fraud involving credit and debit cards, telecommunications and
computer crimes, fraudulent identification, fraudulent government and commercial securities, and electronic funds transfer fraud. Generally, only major cases of identity theft (and related fraud) involving criminal activity would be investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, and
individual cases are only reviewed if there is strong evidence that it is part of a much larger pattern of fraud.
Main USSS Financial Crimes Division Website:
www.treas.gov/usss/financial_crimes.shtml
Regional U.S. S.S. Field Office Locator Website:
www.usss.treas.gov/field_offices.shtml
Main NIST Website:
www.csrc.nist.gov
For information on financial institutions relevant to whom you maintain accounts, please call us for assistance. Call 610-444-5295
has no investigative or law enforcement powers related to individual cases. The FTC provides the FTC Identity Theft Affidavit, a five-page document for reporting fraudulently opened new accounts, and also provides basic Identity Theft and related fraud information and statistics for consumers and businesses.
FTC General Business ID Theft Site:
www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/business/index.html
FTC ID Theft Affidavit: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/affidavit.pdf
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a federal law enforcement agency that, among many other crimes, also investigates substantial Identity Theft cases. Generally, only major cases of identity theft (and related fraud) involving criminal activity would be investigated bythe FBI, and individual cases are only reviewed if there is strong evidence that it is part of a much larger pattern of fraud. The FBI maintains local field offices that serve designated areas.
Main FBI Website:
www.fbi.gov
FBI Field Office Locater Website:
www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm
FBI field offices can also be found in the Blue (Government) Pages of the telephone directory.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
(Identity Theft cases involving fraudulent communications accounts or charges)
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable, including cellular phones and long distance telephone service. Consumers having difficulty getting fraudulent charges removed from their cellular or long distance telephone service accounts can seek assistance or file a complaint with the FCC.
Main FCC Website:
www.fcc.gov
Website for Online Complaints:
www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html
Toll Free Number: 1-888-CALL-FCC
Hearing Impaired: 1-888-TELL-FCC
FCC Mailing Address:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer Information Bureau
445 12th Street, SW, Room 5A863
Washington, D.C. 20554
E-mail address for General Questions:
fccinfo@fcc.gov
For disputes involving fraudulent charges for local telephone service, consumers should contact the appropriate state Public Utility Commission.
U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA)
(Identity Theft cases involving misuse of SSN and Social Security cards)
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the U.S. government organization that receives reports of cases involving the misuse of Social Security numbers. The SSA does not investigate Identity Theft cases, only the actual misuse of Social Security numbers or fraud
involving Social Security numbers, Social Security Benefits, or Social Security cards. The SSA generally only issues a new Social Security number to Identity Theft victims in extreme cases, and where the victim can clearly document substantial harm caused by the misuse of his or her SSN. A new SSN will not correct existing problems, and can potentially cause further unexpected problems if legitimate records are not appropriately transferred to the new number. Unfortunately when a SSN is stolen, many of the cures can cause as many problems as the theft situation itself.
Main SSA Website:
www.ssa.gov
SSA OIG Website:
www.socialsecurity.gov/oig
SSA OIG Hotline Website:
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/oig/hotline/
SSA OIG Website: www.socialsecurity.gov/oig/public_fraud_reporting/index.htm
SSA OIG Hotline Toll Free Number: 1-800-269-0271
Social Security Administration OIG Mailing Address:
SSA Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768
Baltimore, Maryland 21235
You may also visit your local Social Security Administration office.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
(Identity Theft cases involving federal tax matters)
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is responsible for administering and enforcing federal tax laws, and it investigates issues relating to fraudulent tax matters in a victim’s name, such as employment and earnings and fraudulent tax returns.
Main IRS Website:
www.irs.gov
I.R.S Toll Free Number to Report ID Theft Involving Tax Matters: 1-800-829-1040
I.R.S Taxpayer Advocate Service Website: www.irs.gov/advocate
I.R.S Taxpayer Advocate Service Toll Free Number: 1-877-777-4778
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
(Identity Theft cases involving Internet fraud)
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) was established as a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). It is used to receive and process online reports of actual and attempted fraud and criminal activity involving the Internet (including email scams). Complaints received are reviewed and may be forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the matter.
Main IC3 Website:
www.ic3.gov
U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)
(Identity Theft cases involving mail theft and fraud)
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is the federal law enforcement agency that investigates mail theft and diversion, and fraud that occurs or is attempted through the U.S. mail. The USPIS maintains regional offices throughout the nation. Though the local U.S. Post Office can
assist a consumer with cancelling a fraudulent mail forward or change of address, it does not investigate incidents of mail fraud or theft, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service does.
Main Website:
www.usps.com/postalinspectors
USPIS Regional Office Locator: www.usps.com/ncsc/locators/find-is.html
There are a number for options for consumers who need to file a report of Mail Theft or Mail Diversion (PS Form 2016):
Consumers can securely complete and submit an online report of Mail Theft at: https://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/mailthft/mlntrcvd.htm
Consumers may securely complete and submit an online report of False Change of Address (or Mail Diversion) at:
https://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/mailthft/fcoa.htm
If the consumer prefers to submit a physical copy of their mail theft or mail diversion report, PS Form 2016 can be obtained at their local U.S. Post Office or online at:
https://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/mailthft/2016.pdf
This form may be submitted to their local U.S. Post Office for forwarding the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, or mailed to the USPIS at the address provided
U.S. Trustee Program
(Identity Theft cases involving fraudulent bankruptcy)
The U.S. Trustee Program (USTP) is the component of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for overseeing the administration of bankruptcy cases, and also for investigating reported or suspected bankruptcy-related fraud. Cases involving fraudulent bankruptcy filed in
the victim’s name should be reported to the U.S. Trustee regional office servicing the victim’s area, or the area in which the bankruptcy was filed—with the exception of Alabama and North Carolina as noted below. If the consumer provides sufficient documentation to substantiate the claim of fraud, the U.S Trustee may make a criminal case referral to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. The U.S. Trustee does not provide legal advice or representation, and the consumer may need to retain the services of a qualified attorney.
Main U.S. Trustee Program Website:
www.usdoj.gov/ust
the victim’s name should be reported to the U.S. Trustee regional office servicing the victim’s area, or the area in which the bankruptcy was filed—with the exception of Alabama and North Carolina as noted below. If the consumer provides sufficient documentation to substantiate the claim of fraud, the U.S Trustee may make a criminal case referral to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. The U.S. Trustee does not provide legal advice or representation, and the consumer may need to retain the services of a qualified attorney.
Main U.S. Trustee Program Website:
www.usdoj.gov/ust
Website to Access U.S. Trustee Program’s Regional Office Locations:
www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/ust_org/region_websites.htm
U.S. Trustees are also listed in the Blue (Government) Pages of the telephone phone directory under U.S. Government Bankruptcy Administration.
For bankruptcy cases in Alabama and North Carolina, consumers can write to:
Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
Bankruptcy Judges Division
1 Columbus Circle, N.E., Suite 4-250
Washington, D.C. 20544
Telephone Number: 1-202-502-1900 for Alabama and North Carolina
www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/ust_org/region_websites.htm
U.S. Trustees are also listed in the Blue (Government) Pages of the telephone phone directory under U.S. Government Bankruptcy Administration.
For bankruptcy cases in Alabama and North Carolina, consumers can write to:
Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
Bankruptcy Judges Division
1 Columbus Circle, N.E., Suite 4-250
Washington, D.C. 20544
Telephone Number: 1-202-502-1900 for Alabama and North Carolina
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
DOJ ID Theft Website:
http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/websites/idtheft.html
U.S. Secret Service—Financial Crimes Division
The U.S. Secret Service Financial Crimes Division is a federal law enforcement agency that investigates crimes associated with financial institutions. The division’s jurisdiction includes bank fraud, access device fraud involving credit and debit cards, telecommunications and
computer crimes, fraudulent identification, fraudulent government and commercial securities, and electronic funds transfer fraud. Generally, only major cases of identity theft (and related fraud) involving criminal activity would be investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, and
individual cases are only reviewed if there is strong evidence that it is part of a much larger pattern of fraud.
Main USSS Financial Crimes Division Website:
www.treas.gov/usss/financial_crimes.shtml
Regional U.S. S.S. Field Office Locator Website:
www.usss.treas.gov/field_offices.shtml
National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST)
Computer Security Resource Center
The mission of NIST's Computer Security Division is to improve information systems security by:
- Raising awareness
of IT risks, vulnerabilities and protection requirements, particularly
for new and emerging technologies;
- Researching,
studying, and advising agencies of IT vulnerabilities and devising
techniques for the cost-effective security and privacy of sensitive
Federal systems;
- Developing standards,
metrics, tests and validation programs:
- to promote, measure, and validate security in systems and services
- to educate consumers and
- to establish
minimum security requirements for Federal systems
- Developing guidance to increase secure IT planning, implementation, management and operation.
Main NIST Website:
www.csrc.nist.gov
Various Financial Institutional Links
(Too numerous and hard to figure out without assistance)
(Too numerous and hard to figure out without assistance)
For information on financial institutions relevant to whom you maintain accounts, please call us for assistance. Call 610-444-5295
Note: Excerpted
from the Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist (CITRMS)
Reference Manual or Course. Used with permission from the author and The
Institute of Fraud Management.
For Assistance Call 610-444-5295