October 15, 2003 Media Contact: Jenn Meale Phone: (850) 245-0150

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TALLAHASSEE — Attorney General Charlie Crist and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Guy Tunnell today launched Florida’s official Web site for victims of identity theft to obtain information and victim assistance. The new Identity Theft Resource and Response Center offers a comprehensive collection of tools for Floridians to use in the immediate aftermath of becoming victims of ID thieves.

"Identity theft is a rapidly growing crime that is victimizing millions of individuals across the country, turning their lives upside-down," Crist said. "This site gives citizens a place to go. It's a one-stop shop that very clearly and simply lets victims know who to call and what to do when they discover that their identity has been stolen."

The online center features an Identity Theft Victim Kit, a step-by-step resource guide for Floridians who have been victimized. The kit outlines specific actions an individual can take to respond to identity theft, and directs victims to key resources offered through Florida state agencies.

One component of the Victim Kit is FDLE’s process to issue "Compromised Identity Certificates" to victims whose names or personal identifiers appear in a criminal record for a crime they did not commit.

"On a daily basis, we're getting calls from citizens who have been denied employment, refused housing, or even turned down for child adoption," Tunnell said. "Their lives have been adversely impacted, and it's our job to work with our law enforcement partners to resolve the situation and help avoid further hardship."

The identity theft initiative also includes public seminars in major Florida cities. The first of these will be held Oct. 28 in St. Augustine in conjunction with Capitol for a Day. Additional seminars will be announced at a later time.

The Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will also provide a series of single-day training courses across the state for local law enforcement agencies starting November 4 in Orlando. FDLE will coordinate future training sessions with local agencies.

Florida's Identity Theft Resource and Response Center can be located at: http://myfloridalegal.com/identitytheft

More information from FDLE regarding the Compromised Identity Certificate can be located at: http://myfloridalegal.com/mediabrief.pdf