U.S. Government News

Community Dispatch Gears up for the 13th Annual National Consumer Protection Week

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 23:02:04 PST

This year, Communitydispatch.com will focus on identity theft prevention, government fraud alerts, and internet scams, to show consumers how not get ripped off.

Identity Theft Insurance: LifeLock Victims to Receive Refund Checks from FTC

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:25:55 PST

An administrator working for the Federal Trade Commission began mailing refund checks yesterday to 957,928 people who were victims of allegedly false claims made by LifeLock, Inc., which told consumers it could provide absolute protection from identity theft if they signed up for its identity protection service. The mailings will continue for two weeks.

Identity Theft: How to Deter, Detect and Defend Against ID Theft

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:09:58 PST

This is National Protect Your Identity Week, and the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, has information to help consumers, businesses, and law enforcement officials safeguard personal information and take action if an identity thief strikes.

IRS Alerts Public to New Identity Theft Scams

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:27:15 PST

The Internal Revenue Service reminds consumers to avoid identity theft scams that use the IRS name, logo or Web site in an attempt to convince taxpayers that the scam is a genuine communication from the IRS. Scammers may use other federal agency names, such as the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Auction Fraud: Don't Let it Happen to You -The FBI reports

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:55:05 PST

One in four complaints in 2008 to the Internet Crime Complaint Center involved online auction fraud.

Free Mother's Day Idenity Theft Card

Fri, 01 May 2009 16:05:03 PST

Mom has given out lots of good advice over the years. On Mother’s Day, let her know you’re looking out for her, too. Send her a musical e-card with tips from the Federal Trade Commission on keeping personal information secure.

Identity Theft:Federal Financial Regulators Issue Revised Identity Theft Brochure

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 11:53:26 PST

The federal bank, credit union, and thrift regulatory agencies today announced publication of a revised identity theft brochure – You Have the Power to Stop Identity Theft – to assist consumers in preventing and resolving identity theft.

Put Identity Theft Awareness on Your Shopping List This Season

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:03:38 PST

Holiday shoppers can reduce the chance of becoming an identity (ID) theft victim this year by taking some simple preventative measures, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

Identity Theft: East Texas woman arrested on identity fraud charges

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:28:33 PST

A 41-year-old Mount Pleasant, Texas, woman was arrested Thursday on charges of identification document fraud. Allegedly, the woman conspired to provide identification documents to applicants for employment who did not have proper identification documents.

Identity Theft: Red Flag regulations Require Financial Institutions and Creditors to Have Identity Theft Prevention Programs

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:54:56 PST

Financial institutions and creditors are now required to develop and implement written identity theft prevention programs under the new "Red Flags Rules."

Tax Scam: State Taxpayers Warned of Email Scam

Sun, 25 May 2008 09:16:19 PST

Franchise Tax Board (FTB) today warned taxpayers of two current scams involving FTB and identity theft

Online Account Intrusion: SEC Takes Action to Halt Online Account Intrusion and Identity Theft Scheme

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:13:01 PST

The Securities and Exchange Commission today took action to stop a sophisticated Internet scheme that stole the identities of unsuspecting individuals and netted more than $66,000 in illicit profits in just seven weeks.

Student Identity Theft:What is it and how can you avoid it?

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 08:05:27 PST

Identity theft is becoming increasingly common and can result in significant damage to your personal and financial credibility and reputation, including for example, damage to financial credit history, difficulty in obtaining student educational or other loans, and poor credit that could impact future job opportunities. Once identity theft has occurred, the victim can spend an extensive amount of time correcting information and working out information problems with credit reporting agencies, creditors, banks and credit unions and other impacted agencies.

FTC Cautions Consumers About Tax and Rebate Scams

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 07:55:11 PST

The Federal Trade Commission is cautioning consumers looking forward to rebate checks from the government that they may be targets of scammers out to steal their identity. The agency has issued an alert to help consumers avoid this situation.

More scam phone calls are targeting Empire Bank customers, others in southwest Missouri, Nixon warns

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:05:37 PST

Attorney General Jay Nixon said his office’s Consumer Protection Division has taken dozens of calls and e-mails this week from residents of the Springfield area who are receiving phone calls from people claiming to be with Empire Bank but who, in reality, are trying to steal bank account and other financial information. Nixon issued a similar warning yesterday for mid-Missouri after consumers contacted his office about scam calls claiming to be from Central Bank.

Internet Thieves and Electronic Scams: Don't Be an On-line Victim: How to Guard Against Internet Thieves and Electronic Scams

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 07:50:11 PST

The presentation provides information on steps consumers should take to secure their computer and protect themselves from identity theft, as well as actions consumers should take if they become a victim of identity theft. Financial institutions are encouraged to make the link available to their customers from their websites.

Cyber Safe California Summit 2008 - March 4

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 17:29:57 PST

Join leaders from business, government, law enforcement, education, and community organizations for a two-day summit on cyber safety, privacy, and identity theft.

Credit Freezes and Identity Theft: FTC Staff Seeks Comments

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:29:14 PST

Federal Trade Commission staff is seeking comments on the impact and effectiveness of credit freezes as part of a multi-pronged approach to combat identity theft.

DHS Begins Collecting 10 Fingerprints from International Visitors at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:27:32 PST

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that it has begun collecting additional fingerprints from international visitors arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Hartsfield). The change is part of the department’s upgrade from two- to 10-fingerprint collection to enhance security and facilitate legitimate travel by more accurately and efficiently establishing and verifying visitors’ identities.

Identity thieves preying upon loved ones of recently deceased, Nixon warns

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 06:48:30 PST

Attorney General Jay Nixon says some Missourians who have lost a spouse recently are getting strange phone calls asking for the Social Security number of the deceased loved one. Nixon says the calls are coming mainly to consumers in the Kansas City area, but could soon reach other parts of Missouri.