PAVictimsHelp.org
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Cyber Stalking and Harassment
This resource provides information for victims of cyber/virtual stalking on where to call for support and advice, how to create a personalized safety plan to secure your data, and steps to take to protect yourself from virtual stalking.
Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
This brochure includes tips on how to prevent identity theft, how to recognize the signs that your personal information may have been compromised, and the steps to take if you think your identity has been stolen.
Your Detailed Rights as a Crime Victim
Descriptions of the rights you have as a victim of crime in Pennsylvania
Warning Signs of Identity Theft
The Federal Trade Commission provides these clues that someone may have stolen your personal information.
Identity Theft Report
Filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission is one of several important steps that victims of identity theft should take. This can help you in recovering from identity theft and help law enforcers catch identity thieves.
Identity Theft Report
Filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission is one of several important steps that victims of identity theft should take. This can help you in recovering from identity theft and help law enforcers catch identity thieves.
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
How to File a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, provides an explanation of what In Forma Pauperis is (a request to file legal papers without having to pay the filing fee because you cannot afford to pay the fees) and line-by-line instructions on completing a petition to request permission to proceed without paying filing fees. Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
How to Fix Criminal Identity Theft On Your Pennsylvania State Police Record
Information from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia on how to deal with criminal identity theft - where someone who is arrested gives your name, date of birth, and/or Social Security number to the authorities. [PDF] (Updated 1/6/22)
How to File a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, provides an explanation of what In Forma Pauperis is (a request to file legal papers without having to pay the filing fee because you cannot afford to pay the fees) and line-by-line instructions on completing a petition to request permission to proceed without paying filing fees. Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Recognizing and Preventing Identity Theft
Consumer Legal Information Pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
Five Ways to Help Protect Your Identity (Video)
Identity theft affects millions of people each year. This video provides information you can use to learn how to make protecting yourself from identity thieves part of your daily routine.
Warning Signs of Identity Theft
The Federal Trade Commission provides these clues that someone may have stolen your personal information.
IdentityTheft.gov - Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Website
This website is a one-stop national resource to learn about the crime of identity theft. It provides detailed information to help you deter, detect, and defend against identity theft.
Identity Theft - Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General has created a comprehensive web-based Identity Theft Toolkit to help the people of the Commonwealth protect themselves from predators and begin the recovery process.
Get an Identity Protection PIN from the IRS (Video)
The Internal Revenue Service has expanded the Identity Protection PIN Opt-In Program to all taxpayers who can verify their identities. The Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit code known only to the taxpayer and to the IRS. It helps prevent identity thieves from filing fraudulent tax returns using a taxpayers' personally identifiable information. Learn how to get one to protect your identity.
Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number
Information from the Social Security Administration on protecting your Social Security number and preventing identity theft. [PDF] (July 2021)
Identity Theft: A Recovery Plan
Where to report identity theft and get a recovery plan.
Payment/1099G FAQs
Answers to frequently asked questions from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry about Form UC-1099G related to unemployment compensation and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).
People should be on the lookout for identity theft involving unemployment benefits
Scammers took advantage of the pandemic by filing fraudulent claims for unemployment compensation using stolen personal information of individuals who had not filed claims. Payments made as a result of these fraudulent claims went to the identity thieves. This Tax Tip from the IRS offers advice on what to do if you receive an incorrect form 1099-G regarding unemployment benefits.
Report a Mail Crime
If you have witnessed or fallen victim to a mail-related crime, take action by filing a report of the incident. Find the right form, appropriate for your situation, to file in order to report the criminal conduct.
Identity Theft: Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information
The Federal Trade Commission offers these resources outlining steps you can take to help minimize the damage to your account and credit when Identity Theft occurs.
Identity Theft Central - Internal Revenue Service
Tax-related identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information to commit tax fraud. This website from the Internal Revenue Service offers information and services for people who have been victims of tax-related identity theft.
Medical Identity Theft
Medical identity theft is when someone steals or uses your personal information (like your name, Social Security number, or Medicare number), to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare and other health insurers without your authorization. Learn more on how this occurs and what to do if you are a victim.
Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
This brochure includes tips on how to prevent identity theft, how to recognize the signs that your personal information may have been compromised, and the steps to take if you think your identity has been stolen.
Cyber Stalking and Harassment
This resource provides information for victims of cyber/virtual stalking on where to call for support and advice, how to create a personalized safety plan to secure your data, and steps to take to protect yourself from virtual stalking.