Identity Theft
Press Kit

 

Identity theft is the fastest growing white-collar crime in the U.S.—86,000 Americans fell victim in 2001 alone. It can take years for victims to get their good names back. Businesses also feel the brunt of this crime. Losses to credit card fraud, the most popular form of identity theft, totaled $1.1 billion in 2000. ID theft is a difficult crime to prosecute. Some consumers don’t even realize they’ve been victimized until they are denied a home mortgage or arrested for a crime they never committed.

Though no one is completely safe from this crime, consumers and businesses can take steps to secure their information. The National Consumers League’s new public education campaign, “Invasion of the ID Snatchers,” provides these steps as well as common scenarios of identity theft and information about what thieves can do with bank account numbers, addresses, and other personal information.

             With this packet, we hope to give you an idea of the state of the problem of ID theft and resources for consumers. We’ve included new NCL information with tips for consumers and businesses that hold consumer information, a backgrounder on the problem, and a copy of our new public service announcements. You’ll also find materials from the Federal Trade Commission, including a fact sheet about what the agency does with identity theft complaints, a copy of the affidavit consumers must fill out to get their good names back, and a postcard with information about the Federal Call Center.

 

For more information, please email media@nclnet.org, or call Carol McKay at 202-835-3323.

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