How Law Enforcement Can Help a Victim of Identity Theft

How Law Enforcement Can Help a Victim of Identity Theft - 2 page PDF

The State of Wisconsin, like other states, requires the police to take reports for identity theft.  When a citizen complains they are a victim of identity theft, here are some steps you can take to help them recover.

Take a written report. A police report paves the "road to recovery" for the victim.

Collect and preserve any evidence supplied by the victim, such as:

• Bank statements
• Credit card statements
• Online account information
• Electronic communications

Provide a copy of the official police report to the victim.
Many creditors require an official report to resolve a dispute.  Consumer reporting companies will automatically block fraudulent accounts and bad debts from appearing on a credit report, but often only if they are provided a copy of the police report.

Advise them to close any accounts that they know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.

Consumer Identity Theft Packet  (PDF Downloads) New!
The information in this section is provided to law enforcement for consumers that may need assistance after reporting an identity theft or for those who have questions and need additional information. Law Enforcement offices should feel free to print, distribute or direct consumers to this web site.

As more educational materials are developed updates will be made to this section.

Contact the Wisconsin Office of Privacy Protection at 1-800-422-7128.
By sharing identity theft complaints with the Office of Privacy Protection you provide
important information that can help other law enforcement officials track down identity
thieves and stop them. The office provides law enforcement with investigative assistance
and helps victims resolve financial issues resulting from identity theft. We also assist victims by providing them with an outline of steps to take and the appropriate entities to contact in order to protect themselves from further victimization.

For more information, contact the Wisconsin Office of Privacy Protection at
1-800-422-7128, visit our website at www.privacy.wi.gov, or e-mail us at
WisconsinPrivacy@datcp.state.wi.us.