Identity Theft

Consumer Federation of America (CFA) has released new tips and a short, funny video to help you spot and avoid phishing.

Each year, thousands of people will face a consumer problem with a legal dimension – for example homeowners dealing with loan modification scams, or people with debts incurred because of identity theft or a medical emergency. Finding help with these issues can be challenging, and for families with limited means, a single incident of identity theft or being victimized by a scam can wipe out hard-earned resources and put their financial stability at risk. 

FTC staff has a proud history of collaborating with legal services and victims’ rights groups, sharing legal resources and information and training hundreds of advocates throughout the country about a number of important consumer protection issues. Along the way, we’ve gotten many questions about how to help people reduce their risk of identity theft — and how to help them recover from the crime. 

This new video describes two comprehensive FTC resources for dealing with identity theft:

Got questions about debt collection, identity theft or online safety? Here’s your chance to get them answered, live, by consumer protection experts.

On Wednesday, March 6 at 2:00 PM EST, the Federal Citizen Information Center of the U.S. General Services Administration and the Federal Trade Commission and will host a Twitter chat to answer your questions about debt collection, guarding against identity theft, protecting yourself and loved ones online, and other consumer protection topics.