Special Coverage Guide: Identity Theft - Middletown Thrall Library

Government Information for Consumers about Identity Theft and Related Issues

Deter, Detect, Defend: Avoid ID Theft - Described as a "one-stop national resource to learn about the crime of identity theft. It provides detailed information to help you Deter, Detect, and Defend against identity theft." From Consumer.gov.
Don't Be an On-line Victim: How to Guard Against Internet Thieves and Electronic Scams - from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
Electronic Fact Sheet: Identity Theft - From the Social Security Administration (SSA)
FTC Consumer Alert: How Not to Get Hooked by a "Phishing" Scam. This is also available in Spanish/en español: Alerta de la FTC: "Phishing". (Requires the free Adobe Reader.)
Glossary of Terms of interest to those wanting to learn more about the words involved with computer-based identity theft. Also available in Spanish/en español.
Identity Theft - Sections include: Fraud Hotline, ID Theft, How ID Theft Happens, Reduce Your Risk, What to Do if a Victim, OIG Investigates, School Responsibility, Scholarship Scams, Lessons Learned from Identity Theft Investigations. From the Office of Inspector General. (Some documents require the free Adobe Reader.)
Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number - From the Social Security Administration (SSA)
Identity Theft and Your Tax Records - from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Identity Theft Resource Page - Sections include: Strengthening Federal Efforts To Protect Against Identity Theft, The President's Identity Theft Task Force, Remarks By The President After Meeting With Victims Of Identity Theft. From the Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Compliance Policy, U.S. Treasury.
In the Spotlight: Identity Theft - Sections include: Facts and Figures, Legislation, Publications, Programs, Training and Technical Assistance, Grants and Funding, Related Resources. From National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS), U.S. Department of Justice.
New York State Attorney General's "Consumer Issues" Page - Scroll down and see both "Computer/Internet Issues" and, further down, the "Identity Theft" section.
Onguardonline.gov - "OnGuardOnline.gov provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information." Sections include: Stop/Think/Click: An Overview of Safer Computing, Identity Theft, Internet Auctions, Spyware, Wireless Security, Phishing, Social Networking Sites, Spam Scams, Online Shopping, Peer-to-Peer File-Sharing, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), Cross-Border Scams. (To view some documents you may need the free Adobe Reader.)

Onguardonline.gov is also available in Spanish/en español at Alertaenlinea.gov : "Alerta en Línea ofrece recomendaciones prácticas brindadas por el gobierno federal y la industria tecnológica para ayudarlo a protegerse contra el fraude en el Internet, mantener su computadora segura y proteger su información personal."
Phishing, Identity Theft and Scams - from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Suggested Steps to Reduce Your Vulnerability to Identity Theft - from the U.S. Treasury. (Requires the free Adobe Reader.)
Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft - Sections include: How Identity Theft Occurs, Identity Theft Victims: Immediate Steps, Resolving Specific Problems, Staying Alert, Minimizing Recurrences, Appendix (It's the Law, Federal, State, Instructions for Completing the ID Theft Affidavit, The ID Theft Affidavit, Annual Credit Report Request Form. From the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
U.S. Postal Inspection Services: Identity Theft - "Tips to help you avoid identity theft."
You Can Fight Identity Theft - from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)