NITVAN Coalitions and Identity Theft Resource Center Partner to Help COVID-19 Victims

The ITRC and local ID theft assistance coalitions will host a phone bank Sept. 28-30 toll-free at 888.400.5530 for victims of COVID-19-related scams and identity crime

SAN DIEGO, September 28, 2020 – Today, the Identity Theft Resource Center® (ITRC), a nationally recognized non-profit organization established to support victims of identity crimes, is kicking off a three-day phone bank to help victims of COVID-19 scams and identity crimes.

Some COVID-19-related scam and identity crime topics the ITRC will focus on during the phone bank include:

• Unemployment benefits identity theft
• Romance scams
• Payment platform scams
• Small Business COVID-19 loan relief scams

 “COVID-19 has created this opportunity for scammers that is unparalleled, said Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. “This phone bank is a great opportunity for the ITRC to empower and guide the thousands of victims of a scam or identity theft due to COVID-19.”

The phone bank, which will be held September 28-30 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST, will include participation from the following National Identity Theft Victim Assistance Network (NITVAN) coalitions:

New Mexico Office of the Attorney General (NMOAG), NMOAG Identity Theft Coalition – serving New Mexico, (505) 318-1008 (local) or 888.660.8801

• Monday 1-5 p.m. EST/10 a.m.-2 p.m. PST
• Tuesday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. EST/6-10 a.m. PST

The National Cybersecurity Society – serving nationwide, 703.340.7757

• Monday 11 a.m.-1 p.m. EST, 2-8 p.m. EST/8-10 a.m. PST, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. PST
• Tuesday 9-11 a.m. EST, 2-8 p.m. EST/6-8 a.m. PST, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. PST
• Wednesday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. EST/ 6 a.m-5 p.m. PST

Vera House, Onondaga County Elder Identity Theft Coalition – serving New York, 315.425.0818 ext. 2219

• Monday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. EST/7-11 a.m. PST

Texas Council on Family Violence, Texas Coalition on Coerced Debt – serving Texas, 210.880.5424; [email protected]

• Tuesday 12-2 p.m. CST, 4-6 p.m. CST/10 a.m.-12 p.m. PST, 2-4 p.m. PST

Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Identity Theft Advocacy Network (ITAN) of Colorado – serving Colorado, 303.239.4242

• Tuesday-Wednesday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. MST/ 7 a.m-3 p.m. PST

Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Finger Lakes (NY) Identity Theft Coalition – Serving New York, 585.287.6371

• Wednesday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. EST/6-11 a.m. PST

ITRC on behalf of Minnesota Alliance on Crime, Minnesota Identity Theft and Cybercrime Information and Resource Network (MITCIRN) – serving Minnesota, 888.400.5530

• Monday-Wednesday 8 a.m.-3 p.m. CST/ 6 a.m-5 p.m. PST

ITRC on behalf of Cybercrime Support Network, Cybercrime Support Network of West Michigan – Serving West Michigan, 888.400.5530

• Monday-Wednesday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. EST/ 6 a.m-5 p.m. PST

Victims of a COVID-19 scam or identity crime can contact the ITRC toll-free at 888.400.5530, or live-chat with an expert advisor on our website https://www.idtheftcenter.org/.

NITVAN was launched in 2010 with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime, through the Crime Victims Fund. This unique fund is financed by fines and penalties paid by convicted federal offenders, not from tax dollars. The ITRC became the network leader in October 2016. Through the grant project, 11 new coalitions have been established to expand and improve victim assistance services in their respective states or regions. Through the development and enhancement of these coalitions, victim service providers can better address the rights and needs of victims of identity crime.

For additional information on the coalitions, visit http://www.nitvan.org/.

About the Identity Theft Resource Center®

Founded in 1999, the Identity Theft Resource Center® (ITRC) is a nationally recognized non-profit organization established to support victims of identity theft in resolving their cases, and to broaden public education and awareness in the understanding of identity theft, data breaches, cybersecurity, scams/fraud and privacy issues. Through public and private support, the ITRC provides no-cost victim assistance and consumer education through its contact center, website, social media channels, live-chat feature and I.D. Theft Help app. For more information, visit http://www.idtheftcenter.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Identity Theft Resource Center

Alex Achten

Earned & Owned Media Specialist

888.400.5530 Ext. 3611

[email protected]