Over the past decade, identity theft and fraud have become an increasing problem throughout the nation. The problem is becoming more complex, challenging, and costly. Due to the large amount of individuals affected by identity theft and fraud, Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center, Inc., with the support of Office for Victims of Crime, will be working in conjunction with other national and local agencies to serve victims to the best of our ability. The funding awarded to MCVRC is being used to enhance its existing practice to provide free assistance to victims of identity theft and financial fraud through increasing direct victim services; self-advocacy and pro bono attorney development. Our services include providing victims with legal representation on the state and federal level.
You may also visit the National Identity Theft Victims Project.
Online Assistance Now Available to Victims of Identity Theft
- A letter to a creditor;
- A letter to a debt collector;
- A letter to a credit bureau.
- Kansas - www.kansaslegalservices.org/node/1523
- Maryland - www.peoples-law.org/node/3338
- Idaho - www.idaholegalaid.org/IdentityTheftPortal/Dealing_With_ID_Theft
- Texas - http://texaslawhelp.org/resource/identity-theft-interactive-interviews
- South Carolina-www.lawhelp.org/documents/clusters/SC/567/English/idtheftforms.shtml
Free Credit Report
You are entitled to a free credit report once each year from the three bureaus. The only official and truly cost free way to obtain this information is by visiting the AnnualCreditReport.com website.
Steps to take if you are a victim of identity theft or fraud:
- place a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting TransUnion, Equifax, or Experian
- close out accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently
- fill out the ID theft complaint form and file it with your local police department
- keep a detailed record of any and all correspondence you initiate and/or receive regarding ID theft
- Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission
- If you have questions or need further assistance, please contact MCVRC
Helpful Forms (PDFs):
Helpful Links:
- Federal Trade Commission
- Identity Theft Resource Center (Nationwide)
- Texas Legal Services (VICARS) (Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado)
- Atlanta Victim Assistance (SAFE)
- Maryland Attorney General (ID Theft Unit)
- FBI/FTC’s Internet Task Force
- ID Theft Action Council of Nebraska
- Dealing with Identity Theft (Letter to: Creditor, Debt Collector, Credit Bureau)
Video Description: Provides an overview of identity theft and outlines the steps consumers can take (10 minutes)
2/6/08 – Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center – Presentation
The ITRC met with representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center to discuss strategic planning for collaborative efforts between these organizations. The primary goal of this meeting was to further the ability of these organizations to better serve victims of identity theft.
Photo (standing/back row): Russell P. Butler, Executive Director, MCVRC; John Pressley Todd, Voice for Crime Victims; Steve Olsen, FBI; Mitchell D. Dembin, U.S. Attorney’s Office; Jason B Buffkin, SC Crime Victim Legal Network; Jani S. Tillery, MCVRC; (front row) Polly Montano, U.S. Attorney’s Office and Jay Foley, Executive Director, ITRC.
