The ITRC provides free help to anyone who wants to identify if they are a victim of identity theft, protect their personal information and/or prevent themselves from becoming a victim of an identity crime, or recover from identity misuse. The ITRC’s Victim Advisors will walk all victims through what steps they need to take and are happy to serve as a resource for as long as they are needed. The ITRC does not collect sensitive personal information, only basic contact information and demographic information, if the individual is willing to share. Individuals may want to know how to protect their information if their purse/wallet/phone/tablet/ laptop/documents were stolen or if they were a victim of a data breach. The ITRC can help if a US-based account was opened in an individual’s name, or one of their accounts has been taken over. Accounts include but are not limited to social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, etc.), government accounts (IRS, SSA, etc.), financial accounts (bank, credit card, etc.), and utility accounts (cable, electricity, phone, etc.)

This division addresses things like: consumer complaints, consumer protection, elder financial abuse, scams, identity theft, consumer alerts, lottery scams, insurance fraud, and more. This bureau has a Consumer Protection Hotline for people to call.

Information on telemarketing and Internet scams. Takes complaints and reports, via online form, on telemarketing, Internet scams and fraud. Provides tips for avoiding being a victims of scams.

1. The FTC handles and provides information on: filing a consumer complaint, reporting Identity Theft, getting a free Credit Report, registering for the Do Not Call list, scam alerts, Debt Collectors, settlements and more. 2. The FTC's website IndentityTheft.gov helps individuals report and recover from identity theft. Individuals make complete an online form to report identity theft or call a toll free number.