(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Attorney General Mike DeWine reminded Ohioans today at the Central Ohio Community Fraud Forum that he has launched a new program to assist victims of identity theft.
"Identity theft can be extremely damaging to victims and difficult to recover from," said Attorney General DeWine. "We've created this program to help victims get their lives back on track."
The new Identity Theft Unit is located within the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section. To help identity-theft victims, the unit currently is offering two programs: Traditional Assistance and Self-Help Assistance.
In the Traditional Assistance program, a specialist will work on behalf of the identity theft victim to contact credit reporting agencies, creditors, collectors, and other entities that may have information obtained under fraudulent circumstances. For the Self-Help program, the office will provide victims with the tools they need to help resolve the issues on their own.
Individuals interested in Traditional Assistance must file a police report about the identity theft. They also must submit a copy of the police report, an identity theft notification form, and an identity theft affidavit, giving the Attorney General's Office permission to work on their behalf.
Those interested in learning more about the Identity Theft Unit and its available programs should contact the Ohio Attorney General's Office at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 800-282-0515.
The Central Ohio Fraud Forum was held in Reynoldsburg. It was the last of four forums scheduled this summer. Earlier forums were in Dayton, Toledo and Cincinnati. The forums build on collaboration with law enforcement, social workers and other caretakers, and citizens to fight consumer fraud and protect Ohio's families. Additional forums around the state are being planned.
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