Assisting Victims of Identity Theft and Fraud

The purpose of the FY2007 National Program to Directly Assist Victims of Identity Theft and Financial Fraud is to provide support to programs that provide assistance to victims of identity theft and financial fraud nationwide, to encourage expansion of existing services to reach this often underserved population, and to strengthen the ability of local law enforcement agencies and victim service providers to assist these victims.

The Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center (MCVRS) is a grass root victim agency whose purpose is to assist victims with the legal, emotional, and financial consequences of crime. MCVRS will partner with a variety of national programs to serve and assist victims of identity theft and fraud nationwide. The strategic goals/objectives for the MCVRC are:

1. Provide the target victims with direct victim services and legal representation - Partner with the National Center for Victims of Crime, Identity Theft Assistance Center, National Crime Victim Law Institute and others to
- Outreach to victims and victim service providers to receive intakes from target victims
- Provide direct Pro Bono representation to target victims in Maryland and Federal Court to protect their rights in criminal cases
- Make referrals to assist target victims when MCVRC does not provide those services

2. Create self-advocacy and pro bono legal resources for target victims - Partner with the Georgia Legal Service Office, Maryland Pro Bono Resource Center, the ABA Center for Pro Bono, and others to
- Create Pro Se internet packets for target victim self-help.
- Create and pilot test a model Pro Bono program for legal services to target victims.
- Create a model training program to teach model Pro Bono programs legal service providers/attorneys
- Teach the model training program for target victims to legal service providers/attorneys
- Provide support and training to legal service providers/attorney implementing the model program for target victims.

3. Education of the Criminal Justice System Participants - Partner with the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission, International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST), and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and others, to
- Create and pilot test a model training for law enforcement
- Create and implement an outreach and training strategy
- Engage in national training.
- Provide technical assistance to criminal justice participants on issue related to target victims

ca/ncf