Identity Theft Passport Program
The Identity Theft Passport Act established by Iowa Code section 715A.9A provides identity theft victims with a way to substantiate the crime to creditors and law enforcement.
If you have been the victim of identity theft, the Identity Theft Passport can help you reclaim your identity. Identity theft victims can present their Identity Theft Passport ("ID Theft Passport") to law enforcement agencies to help prevent their arrest for offenses committed by a person who stole their identity. The ID Theft Passport may also be presented to creditors to aid in the investigation of fraudulent charges and to consumer reporting agencies as an official notice of disputed charges on credit reports.
What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal or financial information and uses it without your permission. Criminals can use the information to steal money or obtain false driver's licenses, utility services, credit cards, loans, government benefits, merchandise, and more. Stolen identities can be used to commit crimes and defraud consumers.
Identity thieves can obtain your personal information by:
- Skimming by stealing your credit card or debit card number using a special storage device while processing your card;
- Hacking your personal computer, tablet or phone, or hacking into computer systems operated by retailers, financial companies or companies that process electronic transactions;
- "Phishing" by sending emails that appear to be from legitimate businesses aimed at obtaining personal information or inserting malicious software into a computer system;
- Stealing wallets and purses, mail, bank or credit card statements, pre-approved credit card offers, or personal records;
- Changing your address and diverting your billing statements to another location by completing a change of address form;
- "Dumpster diving" by rummaging through your trash looking for bills or other paperwork with your personal information;
- Using false pretenses to obtain your information from your bank, utility company, or even you.
Identity theft is often very difficult for victims to resolve.
Who Can Apply for an ID Theft Passport
Individuals who were the victim of identity theft that occurred in Iowa or victims who resided in Iowa at the time the crime occurred may apply. A law enforcement report must be filed with the local law enforcement agency before eligibility may be determined for an ID Theft Passport. An ID Theft Passport will not be issued for instances of mistaken identity or loss of documents containing identifying information.
How to Apply
To receive the ID Passport, a victim of identity theft must complete the following:
- Report the crime of identity theft to the local law enforcement agency;
- Make sure that the law enforcement agency files a criminal report;
- Complete the Application for Identity Theft Passport at the time the report is made; and
- Provide documentation to support the claim of identity theft including but not limited to:
- Receipts or bills from creditors showing unauthorized use of credit cards;
- Utility accounts created using the applicant’s name without permission;
- Evidence that the identity has been used without consent to commit a crime
- Provide a current photograph from:
- Copy of a current driver license or state-issued non-operator identification card;
- Copy of a current US Passport; or
- A current photograph of the victim that is certified as valid by signature of the law enforcement investigator who received the report of identity theft.
The law enforcement agency will forward your application to the Victim Assistance Section's Identity Theft Passport Program (IDPP), along with the Law Enforcement Verification form and the agency's incident report. The Victim Assistance Section staff will determine whether the claim is adequately substantiated before issuing an Identity Theft Passport.
Identity Theft Passport Program Forms
Click here to download a PDF Application for Identity Theft Passport.
Click here to download a PDF Law Enforcement Verification form.
How Long Will it Take to Receive Passport?
It may take up to 30 days to determine the IDPP applicant’s eligibility. Once eligibility is determined, applicants will be notified of the eligibility decision in writing. If approved, applicants will receive their Identity Theft Passport with the notice along with information about the use, expiration, and replacement of the ID Theft Passport.
Expiration
An ID Theft Passport will be valid for a period of five (5) years from the date issued or renewed. An identity theft victim whose ID Theft Passport is about to expire or has expired may apply for renewal of the ID Theft Passport 30 calendar days before or after the expiration date on the ID Theft Passport.
Identity Theft Links
Reporting Identity Theft and Placing Security Freezes on Your Credit Reports: a guide by the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Identity Theft page. Includes what to do right away, what to do next, specific types of identity theft, protecting your identity, and sample letters and forms.
Free Credit Report: The only source authorized by Federal law for your free credit reports.
Credit Bureaus:
Iowa ID Theft Victim Assistance Coalition, ID Theft Recovery Informational Flyer: here.
Iowa Code and Administrative Law Links for Law Enforcement
IowaCode Ch. 715A
Administrative Code Ch. 61-35
Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft Resources
IdentityTheft.gov is the federal government’s one-stop resource for identity theft victims. The site provides streamlined checklists and sample letters to guide you through the recovery process. Tell us what happened, get a recovery plan and put that plan into action.
Contact Information
Office of the Attorney General of Iowa
Victim Assistance Section
Lucas State Office Building
321 East 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: 515-281-5044
Toll-Free: 800-373-5044
FAX: 515-281-8199
Email: Program Coordinator Gretchen Brown-Waech
