Colonial Settlement

The Federal Trade Commission has named Jan.  13-17, 2014, Tax  Identity Theft Awareness Week.  The FTC will host national and regional  events designed to raise  awareness about tax identity theft and provide  consumers with tips on  how to protect themselves, and what to do if they become  victims.

Accounting for more than 43 percent  of the Commission’s identity  theft complaints in 2012, tax identity theft was the  largest category  of identity theft complaints by a substantial margin. In  addition, the  percentage of tax ID theft complaints nearly doubled, from just  over 24  percent in 2011.

“Tax identity  theft is a significant and growing issue,” said  Jessica Rich, Director of the  FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.  “It’s critical that we make sure consumers  are aware of how they can  prevent it, and if they are victimized, what steps  they can take to  recover as quickly as possible.”

Events  planned for the week include webinars led by FTC staff in both English and  Spanish, a bilingual Twitter chat hosted by @FTC and @laFTC,  and a series of regional events hosted by the FTC  throughout the  country with a focus on states with the highest number of tax  identity  theft complaints.

In  addition to the FTC-hosted events, the FTC has created an  array of materials  for use by local and state law enforcement agencies,  consumer advocates and  others in creating events of their own or  providing information to consumers on  how to prevent, recognize and  respond to tax id theft.

A  schedule of events is available on the Tax  Identity Theft Awareness Week webpage, along with links to planning  materials and helpful information for consumers.  

The Federal Trade  Commission works for consumers to prevent  fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair  business practices and to provide  information to help spot, stop, and avoid  them.  To file a complaint in  English or  Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).  The FTC enters complaints  into Consumer  Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more  than 2,000 civil and  criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and  abroad.  The FTC’s website provides free  information on a variety of consumer topics.  Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to  press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jay  Mayfield
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2181

STAFF CONTACT:

Steve  Toporoff
Bureau  of Consumer Protection
202-326-3135

Lisa  Schifferle
Bureau  of Consumer Protection
202-326-3377

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