Identity Theft Resources

What is identity theft? Statistics say that Identity theft may well be the fastest growing crime in the U.S. According to Javelin Strategy & Research's 2010 Identity Fraud Survey Report, the number of identity fraud victims in the U.S. increased 12% to 11.1 million adults in 2009 and total annual fraud increased by 12.5% to $54 billion. An earlier report - the 2003 Identity Theft Survey Report prepared by Synovate for the Federal Trade Commission - found that the total cost of this crime is some $50 billion yearly, with the average loss from misuse of a victim’s personal information being $4,800. And, according to statistics, the estimated number of persons affected by the identity theft fraud problem in all of its forms (e.g., credit identity theft, identity theft fraud, business identity theft) was 9.9 million in 2003. And figures detailing the level of this crime are almost certainly much higher than shown on such surveys since "reporting hasn't kept pace with the crime and many ID thefts go undetected." (See article, Identity Theft: What, Me Worry? in PCMag.com)

The remainder of this web page lists a variety of resources, statistics, articles, and links to cases, causes and examples involving the ID theft problem to help you prevent becoming a victim to this modern scourge.

Seminars, Fact Sheets, Publications, Videos

YouTube Video Discusses Identity Theft. Identity Theft Examined - Many Resources and Tips Are Listed in the Description Section.
YouTube Video Showing How to Avoid ID Theft Short informational film for the "Elder Consumer Protection Project, funded in part by the Administration on Aging." Shows how ID theft occurs and how to avoid it.
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. Identity theft resources, including identity theft fact sheets, Publications, Quizzes, and more.
University of Michigan. Protecting Against Misrepresentation and Identity Theft Website.
Law Library Resource Xchange, LLC. Identity Theft: A Bibliography of Federal, State, Consumer and News Resources.
Identity Theft Safety Quiz. How safe are you from identity theft? Knowledge helps you avoid ID theft.
Protecting Privacy Online: A California Identity Theft Summit. California's ID Summit, April 11, 2007.
AARP. Identity Theft Prevention Seminar.

Federal Trade Commission Resources

The Federal Trade Commission provides a wealth of information on protecting yourself from falling victim to the growing problem of identity theft:

www.consumer.gov/idtheft FTC's website gives you detailed information about identity theft to help you "Deter, Detect, and Defend" against identity theft.
OnGuardOnline.gov Click here for 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.
Video for Web. Play this 10-minute educational video for an excellent overview of identity theft and an outline of the steps that consumers can take:
ftc.gov/spyware. Information about spyware.

Additional Information

How Identity Theft Works
Article entitled, "How Identity Theft Works" - from HowStuffWorks.

Identity Theft Defined
Wikipedia notes that The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act (2003)[ITADA] amended U.S. Code, Section 1028 to define Identity Theft as, "Fraud related to activity in connection with identification documents, authentication features, and information".

Identity Theft Articles and Links
Articles and related links on what to do if you're an identity theft victim.

Fight Identity Theft
Free tips, tools, and information. How to prevent and detect identity fraud.

Understanding and Avoiding Identity Theft
How to Avoid ID Theft.

Identity Theft
Article and Resources.

Linking to the Advertising Law Resource Center Web site:

You are welcome and encouraged to link from your Web site to the Advertising Law Resource Center Web site. To link to this specific page, feel free to use your own accurate description or simply copy the following code:

<a href="http://www.lawpublish.com/identity-theft.html">Identity Theft Resources</a>.

Advertising Law-Related Articles

"12 Key Advertising-Related Laws You Should Know": This article examines 12 key advertising-related laws that you should know about before you review your ads to make sure your ads don't run afoul of these laws.
"10 Things to Do So Your Ads Comply With Advertising Laws": This article discusses 10 key areas you should look at when you're reviewing your advertising to determine whether it's in compliance with advertising law's many requirements.
"10 Tactics to Use So Your Ads Comply with Advertising Laws": This article presents 10 tactics you could use to help your ads comply with the many laws, rules, regulations and guidelines that may affect your advertisements.
"10 Major Advertising Law-Related Concepts": This article is a useful review of 10 key areas you should look at when you're reviewing your advertising to determine whether it's in compliance with the numerous laws, rules, regulations and guidelines that may affect your ads.