FTC Identity Theft

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) continues to fight hard against identity theft. It is the highest on various internet auction sites and the number of cases continues to increase each year. In 2004 identity theft accounted for 39% of the complaints filed with the FTC. They investigate crimes relating to credit card fraud, phone fraud, bank fraud, and even employment fraud.

It is believed that 53% of identity theft cases are generated on the internet at a cost of $265 million in 2004. The internet allows easy access to personal information. If you feel you have been a victim of identity theft you need to contact the local authorities and file a complaint. You also need to do so with the FTC Identity Theft Department. They have thousands of resources that they work with and they can refer you to some in your area for assistance.

The also help to prevent identity theft by educating consumers on ways to protect their information. They also help them understand the ways in which identity theft can take place. It is important that you understand how you can place an alert on your credit reports to prevent unwanted activity from taking place. FTC identity theft information can help you with all the steps involved.

It is a good idea to close all accounts that have been compromised as well. It is important to file a complaint with the FTC identity theft unit immediately and take a copy of the filed complaint to the police department. In most cases they will ask you to file a police report as well. The FTC identity theft resource information will assist you with identity theft issues and encourage everyone to fight against this crime.

One way you can protect your identity is  -

In The News...

US News and World Report - As chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, Deborah Platt Majoras is charged with protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive, and illegal business practices. Since her appointment in 2004, she has focused on identity-theft prevention through ...

Forbes - ID Tool ToGo Combines Convenience with Multifactor Authentication Superior to Tokens, Smartcards and Biometrics LOS GATOS, Calif., June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- TriCipher, the leading provider of multifactor authentication solutions that protect online ...

Ledger - KISSIMMEE - Good Samaritan Village has kicked off its inaugural series of education programs for seniors with a seminar on identity theft and fraud - two crimes that often target the elderly. "Older people are very trusting," Carlos Morales, guest ...

TMCnet - As credit card fraud has become one of the most common forms of identity theft today, there's no wonder a number of consumers are demanding enhanced security and increased paying options. In the restaurant business, where credit cards are regularly ...

Patriot Ledger - District Court in Boston charged Johnson with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. It specified that the offenses occurred in Plymouth County and elsewhere in the state. Some of the counterfeit checks were cashed in Stop & Shop supermarkets ...