Attorney General Mike DeWine…
New Program to Help Identity-Theft Victims Launched 

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a new statewide program designed to help victims of identity theft repair damage to their credit reports and rectify other problems associated with identity theft. 

"The effects of identity theft can linger for years, causing serious problems for the victim," Attorney General DeWine said. "We've created this program to help individuals resolve the damaging effects of identity theft so they can start to move forward with their lives." 

The new Identity Theft Unit is located within the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section. To help identity-theft victims, the unit currently is offering two programs: Traditional Assistance and Self-Help Assistance. 

In the Traditional Assistance program, a specialist will work on behalf of the identity theft victim to contact credit reporting agencies, creditors, collectors, and other entities that may have information obtained under fraudulent circumstances. For the Self-Help program, the office will provide victims with the tools they need to help resolve the issues on their own. 

Individuals interested in Traditional Assistance must file a police report about the identity theft. They also must submit a copy of the police report, an identity theft notification form, and an identity theft affidavit, giving the Attorney General's Office permission to work on their behalf. 

Those interested in learning more about the Identity Theft Unit and its available programs should contact the Ohio Attorney General's Office at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 800-282-0515.