Facts About Identity Theft

Identity Theft is a growing crime that affects many hundreds of thousands of citizens each year. How can you help protect yourself from this serious crime and its devastating effects? The Federal Trade Commission is a terrific resource and reporting center for Identity Theft and other Consumer Fraud.

We invite you to visit the Federal Trade Commission's web pages on "Identity Theft" and "Phishing"

For information on how you can put a "fraud alert" on your files at the credit reporting bureaus, and for other advice for ID theft victims, contact the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft Clearinghouse by visiting www.consumer.gov/idtheft/ or call 877.438.4338.

For information about phishing scams, visit www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt127.shtm

Even if you didn't get hooked, you should report any phishing attempts by contacting the National Fraud Information Center/Internet Fraud Watch. Visit www.fraud.org or call 800.876.7060. You also should alert the company the phisher was impersonating, and your local law enforcement agency.