and data breaches, the ability to access
the toll-free call center, and tips and
resources to protect your identity. The
app is available free at the Apple store
and Google Play store.
Funding
A ;;;(c)(;) organization, the ITRC
receives its funding through federal
grants from the Department of Justice
and private corporate and foundational
grants, as well as fee-for-service sponsor-ships and donations.
Partners
The ITRC partners with corporations
like Google, Experian, LexisNexis and
Symantec. According to the nonprofit,
these industry leaders believe that the
services the organization provides to
victims are essential, especially since all
consumers have the right to access the
resources they need, regardless of their
financial situation.
A voice
for
victims
The Identity Theft
Resource Center
can help
by AMANDA HOROWITZ
he mission of the Identity Theft
Resource Center (ITRC; idtheft
center.org) is to be a voice
for identity crime victims and
to provide free help and information to
consumers. If you or a loved one has been
a victim of identity crime, here are some
ways that the organization can help.
No-cost victim assistance
The ITRC Victim Assistance Call
Center, at ;-;;;-;;;-;;;;, provides
toll-free, no-cost case remediation and
assistance to consumers who hold U.S.
identity credentials. The call center can
help navigate simple or complex identity
crime cases, fraud or scams that involve
communication with credit issuers,
financial services, credit reporting
agencies, and local and federal
law enforcement.
Consumer education
Their website provides information
on scams and fraud in general and breaks
down identity crime into child, criminal,
elderly, financial, government, medical
and military. You can sign up for the
organization’s weekly newsletter for
ongoing tips and information.
Live chat and app tools
The ITRC’s free ID Theft Help app
( idtheftcenter.org/itrcapp) features a
log to track your case, live chat with an
identity theft specialist, the option to
receive notifications about recent scams
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Consequences explained
The long-term e;ects of
identity crime can cost victims
psychologically and can a;ect
employment, interpersonal
relationships and
educational opportunities.
You can read the ITRC’s
Aftermath® studies (idtheftcen
ter.org/aftermath2018) to learn
more about some of the
emotional, psychological and
sociological issues that victims
face.—AH
COSTCO
CONNECTION
Learn about Costco’s ID
protection services by visiting
Costco.com and clicking
"Services," then clicking
"Identitiy Protection."
Identity theft tops the
list of complaints to the
Federal Trade Commission
by consumers nationwide.
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Amanda Horowitz
is a writer, businesswoman and owner
of Fight Back! She is
the daughter of Fight
Back!’s founder, David
Horowitz. Fight Back!
has received multiple
Emmy Awards and
over 400 awards
from government and
citizen groups and
has helped to draft
over 50 pieces of
consumer-related
legislation in America.
