Below, find resources to help protect yourself from identity theft and some steps you can take if you have become a victim of identity theft or unemployment insurance fraud.
The threat of identity theft looms large in the United States. Consider the numbers: In 2021, about 23.9 million U.S. residents aged 16 or older (9% of the population) had experienced identity theft in the past 12 months, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ report Victims of Identity Theft, 2021. As of 2021, about 1 in 5 persons (22%) had experienced identity theft in their lifetime. American adults lost a total of $43 billion to identity fraud in 2023, according to Javelin Research and AARP.
Resources to get started
Below find free resources you can access from anywhere, anytime, that inform you on the steps to take to protect yourself and what to do if you are a victim.
General resource
- Illinois Attorney General Identity Theft: general resource page with tips for preventing identity theft, restoring your digital identity after identity theft, and protecting yourself after a data breach; toll-free Identity Theft Hotline: 866.999.5630 (for individuals with communication disabilities, dial 711)
Credit union websites
To check on your reports or freeze your accounts:
Reporting unemployment insurance fraud
- Report a fraudulent claim to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
- Report the fraud to your employer. Keep a copy of any confirmation you get.
- Report the fraud to the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) by completing an NCDF Complaint Form online or calling 866.720.5721.
- Protect your credit by considering the actions listed at identytheft.gov.
Websites recommended by our librarians
Want to go more in-depth on online privacy, identity, and security? Try these websites:
- Consumers Union
- Electronic Privacy Information
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): home page and identity theft page
- Identity Theft Resource Center
- National Consumer Law Center
- Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
- USA.gov
- Village of Oak Park Police Department
Library resources
The topic of identity theft is constantly evolving. To stay current, use trustworthy online resources to search for articles and periodicals on the topic.