The following state government agencies can provide information about any state-specific
identity theft situation and/or help you with any state-specific fraud.
| Agency | Reasons to Contact | Contact Information |
| Texas Attorney General | State credit/security freeze information | Website: www.oag.state.tx.us/
Fight Identity Theft Website:www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/identitytheft |
| TX Secretary of State | Contact for issues regarding state taxes, gun permits, and employment. | Website: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/ |
| TX Department of Public Safety | Issues Driver’s Licenses and vehicle registrations | Website: www.txdps.state.tx.us
Identity Theft Information Guide:www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/idtheft/idtheft2.htm |
| TX Department of Family and Protective Services | Agency for welfare, foster care, disability, and social services. | Website: www.dfps.state.tx.us/ |
Identity Theft Laws
While the ITRC does not give legal advice, we have provided a list of known identity theft laws that may help you.
We suggest that you share this information with an attorney or legal representative if you are going to pursue criminal or civil charges.
| Law | What it Addresses |
| Penal Code §32.51
Business & Commerce Code §48.101 |
Laws outlining identity theft and personal identifying information (PII). Identifies the jurisdiction identity theft can be prosecuted in and the penalties after prosecution. |
| Penal Code: §32.31 | Laws regarding illegal obtaining and use of payment card information. |
| Code of Criminal Procedure: §2.29 | Law enforcement is required to take a report of identity theft for any consumer. |
| Business & Commerce: §35.60 | Use of a scanning device to obtain financial information for fraudulent purposes. |
| Business & Commerce: §48.001 through 005 | Definition of phishing for the purposes of identity theft. Use of spyware software to obtain PII. |
| Business & Commerce Code: §35.585 | A victim cannot be discriminated against obtaining a credit card solely on the fact that they are a victim of identity theft. Creditors cannot continue to peruse a victim of identity theft for payment after being notified and receiving a police report. |
| Business & Commerce: 35.58 | Limits the transmission and posting of Social Security numbers. |
| Business & Commerce: §48.102 | Proper and improper disposal of records and PII. Security Breach Laws. |
| Business & Commerce Code: §35.595 | What banks are and are not required to do and who they are required to notify in the case of check fraud and identity theft. |
| Business & Commerce Code: §20.034-039 | Laws regarding security freezes for credit reports. Consumers can place a security alerts on their credit reports. |
| Business & Commerce Code: §48.202 | Court order to be declared a victim of identity theft due to fraudulent criminal charges. Law enforcement is required to notify a victim of criminal identity theft if that person’s information is given. They are also required to inform the Texas Department of Criminal Justice if a thief is using a known victim’s identity. |
