Law enforcement officers and prosecutors may be unfamiliar with relevant laws. Arrests and prosecutions for identity theft are rare. For example, in San Diego, only 50 out of 783 reported cases resulted in an arrest in 1999. Even when prosecutions proceed, victims may have no rights to be notified of court hearings, submit victim impact statements, or apply for compensation. Violations of the 1998 Identity Theft Act are investigated by various federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service, the Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General, FBI field offices, or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Civil lawsuits seek to assess civil liability for injuries and losses arising from the crime.
Request that a victim's statement be put on file asking creditors to call you before opening new accounts or changing existing accounts. Request copies of your credit reports in writing. You are entitled to a free copy if the report is inaccurate as a result of fraud. Monitor activity monthly. Check your credit reports carefully.