Identity theft continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States.
In 2010, identity theft complaints made up nineteen percent (19%) of all fraud complaints
in the United States. Currently, Virginia ranks 23rd in the nation in the total
number of known victims of identity theft. Technological advances have created
an information revolution that has transformed government, business, commerce, education
and communication. Unfortunately, the increased use of computers has also
increased opportunities for criminal activity. Our Computer Crime Section
receives reports about identity thieves and con artists every day who use technology
as a tool to perpetrate crimes.
In Virginia, identity theft is a serious crime. Currently, an identity thief
whose crime results in financial loss up to $200 faces a misdemeanor conviction
and confinement for not more than 12 months and/or a maximum fine of $2,500.
An identity thief, whose crime results in financial loss greater than $200,
faces a felony conviction and a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor
more than five years. For more details, please refer to
§18.2-186.3 of the Code of Virginia.
For answers to frequently asked questions regarding identity theft, please click
on the links below:
What do I do if I believe I am the victim of
Identity Theft?
First contact your local police or sheriff’s department and
file a criminal complaint. Next, you should contact one of the three credit
bureaus: Equifax,
Experian or Trans Union, to notify
them that you believe you are a victim of an identity crime and to request that
a fraud alert be placed on your credit report. Please feel free to contact
this Office or your local Commonwealth’s Attorney for assistance in prosecuting
identity theft cases.
If you fall victim to identity theft while using the Internet, you should file a
report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center
(IC3). This is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). Its mission is to receive,
develop and refer criminal complaints regarding the rapidly expanding area of cybercrime.
Our Office is dedicated to assisting all Virginians to avoid becoming victims of
an identity crime and providing them with the necessary knowledge in order that
they may be proactive should they become a victim of identity theft. In that
effort, we have published a booklet "How
To Avoid Identity Theft – A Guide for Victims of Identity Theft"
which includes helpful advice to avoid falling victim to identity theft as well
as providing victims with information on the specific steps they can take when they
become a victim of identity theft.
The Identity Theft Affidavit is available to you if you are involved in a dispute
regarding fraudulent debts and accounts opened by an identity thief. Rather
than completing several different forms, you can use the Identity Theft Affidavit
to alert businesses to the fraudulent accounts opened in your name. The company
can then investigate the fraud and decide the outcome of your claim. The Identity
Theft Affidavit is located at the back of the booklet, “How to Avoid Identity Theft – A Guide for Victims of Identity
Theft.” You may print a copy of this booklet by clicking on
the link, or request a hard copy by e‑mailing us at
cybercrime@oag.state.va.us.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is also actively involved in fighting identity
theft. You may find it helpful to visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website
found at www.ftc.gov for more information.
The Metro Richmond Identity Theft Task Force is a coordinated state/federal law
enforcement effort combating identity theft in the Central Virginia Region.
The Metro Richmond Identity Theft Task Force website, contains helpful information
on avoiding becoming a victim of ID Theft and what to do if you become a victim.
Where can I order a copy of my credit
report?
Federal law requires that each of the three credit bureaus (Equifax,
Experian and
Trans Union) provide one free credit report per year to individuals upon
request. You may order your free credit report from each of the three bureaus
at the Annual Credit Report
website.
What is the Attorney General's Identity Theft
Passport?
The Identity Theft Passport is a card that you can carry and present to law enforcement
or other individuals who may challenge you about your identity should you become
the victim of identity crime.
How can the Identity Theft Passport Help Me?
The Passport is designed to serve as notification to help protect victims from unlawful
detention or arrest for crimes committed by anotherunder a stolen identity.
How do I get an Identity Theft Passport?
An Identity Theft Passport may be available to any Virginian who:
- Has filed a police report because they believe they are a victim of identity crime;
and/or has obtained a court order expunging their record as a result
of identity crime
You may download a PDF version of
the application for an Identity Theft Passport. You can then print,
complete, sign and mail to this Office; OR
You may write to this Office for an application for an Identity Theft Passport:
Office of the Attorney General
Victim Notification Program
900 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219
