Research Brief: Identity Theft and Fraud
Date Published
March 2019
Agencies
OVC-Sponsored
Fraud
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Frauds and Scams
The Bureau works to protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices and take action against companies that break the law. This resource page provides guidance to help you prevent, recognize, and report scams and fraud.
VictimConnect Resource Center - Confidential referrals for crime victims
VictimConnect is a 24/7 helpline that serves victims of any crime in the United States. Trained specialists are available to help crime victims with emotional support, information, and confidential referrals for mental health counseling, financial compensation, legal services, and more. Call or text 855-4VICTIM (855-484-2846) or chat online.
Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)-Funded Elder Abuse Programs
In August of 2016, a new VOCA Rule clarified and expanded states’ allowable uses of VOCA victim assistance funding. This rule paved the way for states to identify additional ways to support all victims of crime, including victims of elder abuse. This OVC page highlights examples of VOCA-funded elder abuse programs and the VOCA offices that fund them.
Developing an Elder Abuse Case Review Multidisciplinary Team in Your Community
Date Published
May 2017
Agencies
OVC-Sponsored
Exploring Elder Financial Exploitation Victimization: Identifying Unique Risk Profiles and Factors To Enhance Detection, Prevention and Intervention
Date Published
March 2017
Agencies
NIJ-Sponsored
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Managing Someone Else's Money
This site provides advice to help financial caregivers manage the financial decisions of a loved one, provides information on how to watch out for scams and financial exploitation, and what to do if your loved one is a victim.
National Council on Aging: Steps to Avoiding Scams: Savvy Saving Seniors Financial Education Module
This online course and toolkit provide seniors with information on avoiding scams, which can help them stay secure and independent longer.
National Do Not Call Registry
The National Do Not Call Registry allows you to prevent telemarketers from calling your home or mobile phone with unsolicited offers.
Internal Revenue Service: Identity Theft Central
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides this identity theft resource to help individuals, businesses, and tax professionals when personal information is stolen in order to commit tax fraud. The IRS also provides information on how to prevent and report tax-related identity theft.
Federal Trade Commission: Protecting Personal Information: A Guide for Business
The loss of sensitive customer information can harm businesses by impacting customer trust or even opening your business up to lawsuits. This resource provides the steps businesses can take to avoid security breaches in order to protect sensitive customer data.
Social Security Administration: Office of the Inspector General
Among its responsibilities, this office is tasked with preventing and detecting fraud, waste, and abuse in Social Security Administration programs and operations. The office operates a fraud hotline where you can report suspected cases of fraud, waste, and abuse.
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is responsible for investigating fraudulent use of the U.S. mail and postal system. Victims of mail crime—including identity theft, fraud and mail theft—can file a report with this office.
Federal Trade Commission: Credit Freeze or Fraud Alert: What's Right for Your Credit Report?
Victims of identity theft may want to place an extended fraud alert or a free credit freeze on their credit file. This article provides information on both extended fraud alerts and credit freezes, along with the steps victims can take to implement them.
U.S. Department of Justice: Elder Justice Initiative
This site serves as a resource for victims of elder abuse and financial exploitation and their families, practitioners who serve them, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, and researchers seeking to understand and address this silent epidemic plaguing our Nation's elders. Victims and family members will find information about how to report and get assistance for victims of elder abuse and financial exploitation.
National Victim Assistance Academy Resource Paper: Identity Theft
Date Published
September 2012
Agencies
OVC
Identity Theft Reported by Households, 2005-2010
Date Published
November 2011
Agencies
BJS
Office of Justice Programs: Elder Abuse Special Feature
To address the need for resources and strategies related to elder abuse, the Office of Justice Programs presents this compilation of publications and related materials focusing on physical, sexual, and psychological abuse; neglect; and financial exploitation.
Statement of Rights for Identity Theft Victims
Date Published
July 2011
Agencies
OVC
Cybercrime Against Businesses, 2005
Date Published
September 2008
Agencies
BJS
U.S. Secret Service: Investigations
The Secret Service investigates 21st century’s financial crimes, which are increasingly conducted through cyberspace. These investigations address counterfeit, credit card fraud, wire and bank fraud, computer network breaches, ransomware, and other cyber-enabled financial crimes.
AARP: Scams & Fraud
AARP provides information about ways to protect yourself against scams and fraud.
U.S. Postal Inspection Service: Identity Theft
This site provides consumer tips, instructions on how to get off mailing lists and report unsolicited email, and links to information about identity theft and fraud.
U.S. Department of the Treasury: Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
Through cooperation and partnerships, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network safeguards the financial system from illicit activity, counters money laundering and the financing of terrorism, and promotes national security through strategic use of financial authorities and the collection, analysis, and dissemination of financial intelligence.