Ohio law enforcement officers can refer identity theft victims to two types of assistance available from the Attorney General’s Office.
In 2012, the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section launched an Identity Theft Unit
to help victims address the effects of identity theft, such as fixing credit report errors or clearing up fraudulent
accounts. In general, identity theft occurs when a person obtains and uses someone else’s personal information fraudulently.
Law enforcement agencies should recognize that filing a police report is an important step for most victims of identity theft. Individuals will need a copy of the police report to take advantage of certain rights they have as identity theft victims, and some organizations, including the Attorney General’s Office, require a copy of the report in order to assist.
The Identity Theft Unit offers two types of assistance:
Traditional Assistance
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A consumer advocate will work with credit agencies, creditors, collectors, or other organizations on the victim’s behalf to rectify the effects of identity theft.
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Individuals must have filed a police report to participate in this program.
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This option is ideal for those who are not comfortable trying to correct the effects of identity theft on their own.
Self-Help Assistance
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Victims receive a step-by-step guide to rectify the effects of identity theft themselves.
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The guide includes necessary contact information and form letters to dispute information on credit reports, dispute charges, or take other action.
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This option is ideal for those who prefer to work at their own pace and contact credit reporting agencies and creditors themselves.
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A police report is not required for this program but may be helpful for the victim.
For information: Details about the Identity Theft Unit are available by calling 800-282-0515 or visiting
www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/IdentityTheft.
Programs replace PASSPORT, phone number no longer leads to AG’s office
The new Identity Theft Unit is part of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section, not the Crime Victim Services Section, and has replaced the PASSPORT Program, which is no longer in operation. Additionally, the PASSPORT Program phone number no longer leads to the Attorney General’s Office, and law enforcement agencies should not direct victims to that number.