Talking About Identity Theft: A How-To Guide contains step-by-step instructions for any organization—large or small, business, community or social—to help its members, employees or audience learn more about identity theft.

This guide was developed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, as part of its ongoing work to educate consumers about identity theft. You may find it helpful to first view the guide’s companion DVD, Deter, Detect, Defend, a brief video that provides an informative overview. This effort focuses on what each of us can do to make a difference, and specifically what you can do to make a difference.

While there are no guarantees about avoiding identity theft, it’s important for you to know how to:

• Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your personal information.
• Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements.
• Defend against identity theft as soon as you suspect a problem.

Awareness is among the most powerful tools in the fight against identity theft. And that’s where you play an important role.

The more you know how to protect your identity and what to do if a problem occurs, the harder it is for identity thieves to commit their crimes.

By educating audiences at work, in your community, at your place of worship or anywhere else, you can help the people you care about:

• Save time and money by reducing their risk of being victimized, detecting any problems quickly and knowing what to do.
• Avoid or reduce the emotional stress that often comes with identity theft.
• Enjoy the peace of mind that comes from better understanding this issue, and knowing how to take action.

Talking About Identity Theft: A How-To Guide provides you with what you need to be an effective communicator about identity theft.

Here, you will find advice and guidance on how to get the word out by organizing a meeting and by reaching out to your local media, and the materials you need, from speeches and presentations to press releases. All the materials, including the guide itself, are available in both English and Spanish.

Talking About Identity Theft: A How-To Guide is one part of the FTC’s ID Theft Consumer Education Kit. The kit also includes:

• Deter, Detect, Defend, an educational DVD
• Deter, Detect, Defend, a consumer brochure
• Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft, a guide for ID theft victims

In addition, the FTC has more comprehensive information available for consumers at ftc.gov/idtheft. Please refer to section 9 of this booklet, Additional Resources, for more information.

Download Talking About Identity Theft: A How-To Guide

PDF format, 6.4MB, 53 Pages.

To learn more about ID theft and how to deter, detect, and defend against it, visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft.

Or request copies of ID theft resources by writing to:
Consumer Response Center
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, H-130
Washington, DC 20580

What is identity theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that as many as 10 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft.

Maybe thieves rummaged through your trash, found a bank statement, and misused your checking account. Or, maybe they rented an apartment using your name. Maybe someone got a credit card using your identity and credit history, and bought expensive stereo equipment. The crime takes many forms.

And maybe you found out about it months later, when your loan application was rejected or when you noticed charges on your credit card statement that you didn’t make.

Identity theft is serious. People whose identities have been stolen can spend hundreds of dollars and dozens of hours cleaning up the mess thieves have made of their good name and credit record.

Consumers victimized by identity theft may lose out on job opportunities, or be denied loans for education, housing, or cars because of negative information on their credit reports. They may even be arrested for crimes they did not commit. The potential for damage, loss, and stress is considerable.

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