What is Identity Theft?
Identity Theft is when someone obtains and uses another person's Personal Identifiable Information (PII), in some way that involves fraud or deception for personal gain.
If your Personal Identifiable Information has been compromised during a traffic violation or accident, and you have received information that your driving privilege has been, or is subject to being canceled, denied or suspended as a result of the Identity theft, do the following:
- File a report with your local law enforcement agency.
- Colorado Residents need to file a motion for a court order of Factual Innocence with the court of where the restraint initiated, once you have a court order of factual innocence, you will provide a copy of the order to the Driver Control section of the DMV.
If your identity was used during an arrest, contact the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Identity Theft. The CBI also offers a Victim Assistance Program for Identity Theft victims. Contact the Victim Assistance Program at 303-239-4649, or visit their Facebook page.
What is Mistaken Identity?
Mistaken Identity is when another person shares the same Personal Identifiable Information (PII) such as your name and date of birth, and a suspension, cancellation or restraint is affecting your record.
- Out of State Residents need to complete the Out of State No Match Clearance (Form DR 2275) letter request form and mail the request with the appropriate payment.
- Colorado Residents need to file a motion for a court order of Factual Innocence with the court of where the restraint initiated, once you have a court order of factual innocence, you will provide a copy of the order to the Driver Control section of the DMV.
Report Identity Theft
SEND US AN E-MAIL
dor_investigationsunit@state.co.us
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
dmv.colorado.gov/fraud/identity-theft/motor-vehicle-fraud
Notify banks and credit card companies
- Equifax: 866-640-2273
- Experian: 888-397-3742
- Trans Union: 855-681-3196
Identify Theft: A Silent Crime With a BIG Impact on Your Future
How identify theft occurs
Identity thieves steal or obtain Social Security cards and numbers, birth certificates, immigration documents or other personal information that is unique to you. The thief can use this information to:
- Obtain a driver license or ID card.
- pen a bank account or credit card in your name.
- Purchase an automobile or real estate.
- Drain personal financial accounts.
- Generate fraudulent driving and criminal records.
- Secure fraudulent government benefits.
- Gain employment.
- Exploit others through human trafficking.
As a result of identity theft, your driving privileges can be suspended and your credit rating destroyed.
In addition, you may have trouble obtaining government benefits, and could be held liable in civil suits or criminal cases for motor vehicle incidents.
You may also be accused of not reporting wages, which can result in a substantial tax liability.
All of these problems can require countless hours of telephone and written communications to resolve the problem.
Protect yourself from becoming a victim
- Carry only those items needed in your purse or wallet. Avoid carrying your Social Security card, birth certificate, blank checks, numerous credit cards or a motor vehicle title.
- Check your driving record on an annual basis online at https://dmv.colorado.gov/
- Shred all bills and records you no longer need that contain personal identifying information.
- Check your Social Security records for unexplained earnings.
- Review your credit report for inconsistencies.
- Report lost or stolen documents, such as a driver license, ID card, or vehicle titles, to law enforcement officials.
- Place fraud alerts on your credit file to warn creditors not to open a new account until they contact you.
- Don't print your driver license number on your checks.
- Only shop on secure, well-known websites online.
- Create strong passwords for websites.
- Never provide personal information over the phone.
Help for victims of identity theft
Are you a victim of identity theft relating to your Colorado driver license, ID, driving record, or motor vehicle title or registration?
The Colorado Motor Vehicle Investigations Unit has an investigative team that may be able to assist you with clearing your driving record and determining proper ownership of vehicles.
An investigation may result in filing of criminal charges and administrative sanctions against the offender.
If you have a police report regarding the fraudulent use of your Colorado driver license/ID number, you may apply for a new driver license/ID number.
Complete the Affidavit of Theft form (DR 2153), have your signature notarized, and take (do not mail) it with the police report to a FULL SERVICE (STATE) driver license office. You can find a list of these office's at: https://dmv.colorado.gov/locations
You should also notify your banks, credit card companies and all three credit reporting agencies:
- Equifax: 866-640-2273
- Experian: 888-397-3742
- Trans Union: 855-681-3196
Additional governmental agency support
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISION (FTC)
Consumer Response Center
877-438-4338
www.identitytheft.gov
COLORADO ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE
Consumer Protection Section
800-222-4444/720-508-6000
www.stopfraudcolorado.gov
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Social Security Fraud
800-269-0271
https://oig.ssa.gov/report
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
Tax Payer Guide to Identity Theft
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/taxpayer-guide-to-identity-theft
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Internet Crime Complaint Center
www.ic3.gov
COLORADO BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Identity Theft & Fraud Investigations Unit
303-239-4211
https://cbi.colorado.gov/sections/investigations/high-tech-crimes/identity-theft-fraud-and-cyber-crimes-unit-prevention
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cbi.idtheft
Your online identity: What footprints do you leave?
Online services, devices, and networks increasingly share personal identity information.
- Create unique passwords for each of your accounts to limit the chances of having multiple accounts compromised.
- Keep your computer up-to-date with the latest versions of your operating system and anti-virus software protection.
- Avoid sharing sensitive information such as credit card or Social Security numbers through text, email or chats.
- Never use public networks to conduct online financial transactions. Remember to log out of personal accounts opened on public devices.
- Ensure that all communications involving online financial transactions are sent through an SSL encrypted connection (https://).
- Decline all social media invitations from people you don't know. It's the cyber equivalent of inviting home the person who just left jail for theft.
- Ignore pop-ups. These can contain malicious software which can trick a user into verifying something. This is known as a drive-by download.
- Take the time to set up a two-step verification for your email or cloud service. Hackers might crack your password, but they should not be able to get past this second line of defense.
- Lock down your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin and any other social media account. Take the time to check your privacy settings.
- Examine the types of data required by dating sites and apps. Use discretion when registering an account. Avoid sharing potentially harmful data.
Report identify theft
To deter identity theft, The Motor Vehicle Investigations Unit requests your assistance in reporting anyone you know using a false identity for a motor vehicle title or on a state issued driver license or identification card.
To obtain your driving record:
https://mydmv.colorado.gov/_/
To obtain information concerning registration and title records, you may contact your county DMV office: dmv.colorado.gov/county-motor-vehicle-offices
These are the REAL websites. Please check before clicking on one of the many fake websites out there!
SEND US AN E-MAIL
dor_investigationsunit@state.co.us