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Identity theft

January 2025 Featured Resources

This featured news content includes information about National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, National Stalking Awareness Month, and Identity Theft Awareness Week.

Identity Theft

Victims of identity theft experience a wide variety of incidents such as the misuse of existing credit card, bank, or other accounts; the creation of new accounts; and the misuse of personal information. Victims may face seemingly insurmountable hurdles as they work to address the crimes they are currently experiencing and prevent their future victimization.

The following resources provide information on identity theft.

Fraud

Financial and economic crimes cost American individuals and businesses billions of dollars every year, causing both financial and emotional distress.

Financial fraud occurs when someone uses deception or misrepresentation for financial gain. With ongoing technological breakthroughs and the globalization of commerce, today’s con artists have a new arsenal of weapons to use in defrauding consumers and stealing personal information.

The following resources provide information on fraud.

Mobile Apps for Crime Victims and Providers

The following mobile applications (apps) provide information and resources about various types of victimization.

The inclusion of a mobile app on this page does not constitute an official endorsement, guarantee, or approval by OVC.

Before downloading any app, you may be interested in reviewing information from the Safety Net Project, a project of the National Network to End Domestic Violence.

OVC-Funded Apps

CheckDEC
© National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (see reuse policy).

CheckDEC

CheckDEC...

National Elder Fraud Hotline

If you or someone you know is a victim of elder fraud, we encourage you to call the Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). Professional case managers will assist you with reporting the crime and connect you with other resources as needed. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., eastern time.

Funding Opportunity: 2018 National Identity Theft Assistance Network Expansion Program

The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), through a cooperative agreement with U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), announced a new grant opportunity under the National Identity Theft Assistance Network Expansion Program (NITVAN II).

Through NITVAN II, ITRC awarded six grants to coalition leaders across the nation in 2017. Learn more about these identity theft and cybercrime coalitions.

ITRC anticipates making up...

Research Brief: Identity Theft and Fraud

Date Published
March 2019
Publication Type
Report (Technical Assistance), Report (Grant Sponsored), Issue Overview, Instructional Material (Programmed)
Agencies
OVC-Sponsored

National Identity Theft Victims Assistance Network

This OVC-funded program seeks to expand and improve the outreach and capacity of victim service programs to assist victims of identity theft and cybercrime. This national network seeks to build capacity to provide assistance to victims of these crimes and encourage the expansion of existing victim service programs and coalitions.

2016 Victim Needs Assessment

Date Published
April 2017
Publication Type
Research (Applied/Empirical), Report (Summary), Report (Study/Research), Report (Grant Sponsored), Program/Project Description
Agencies
OVC-Sponsored

Mobile Apps for Crime Victims and Providers Compiled by OVC

This section of the OVC site contains a list of free apps that provide information, support, and resources about various types of victimization. These apps were created by government agencies and non-profit organizations, and some apps were developed with funding support from OVC.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC): IdentityTheft.gov

IdentityTheft.gov provides a comprehensive collection of resources for identity theft victims, including information on how to know if you're a victim and what steps should be taken if your identity has been stolen.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The FTC is the U.S. Government's central website for information about identity theft includes government reports and Congressional testimony, law enforcement updates, and consumer alerts. Victims of identity theft will find useful information on how to report identity theft and steps to protect their credit.

When Your Child's Identity is Stolen

This site provides information on how to protect your child's identity, provides information on signs that your child's identity may have been stolen, and what to do if your child is an identity theft victim.