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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: What Do I Do?
While there are no guarantees about avoiding identity theft, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk and minimize the damage if a problem occurs.
Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
This brochure from Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General 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. Victims’ rights ensure that individuals have a voice in the criminal justice system, allowing them to be informed about case proceedings and share their views with prosecutors and the court.
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.
What To Know About Identity Theft
The Federal Trade Commission provides information about Identity Theft and how you can identify clues that someone may have stolen your personal information. Learn what identity theft is, how to protect yourself against it, and how to know if someone stole your identity.
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 (Video)
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. (2020) 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.
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.
How to File a Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Video)
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. (2020) 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. August 2012.
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.
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.
1099G Tax Form - FAQs
The Statement for Recipients of Certain Government Payments (1099-G) tax forms are mailed by January 31st of each year for Pennsylvanians who received unemployment benefits. This tax form shows your total benefits from the Office of Unemployment Compensation for the previous year, along with any adjustments or tax withholding. Benefits paid to you are considered taxable income. You must include information from this form when filing your taxes for the applicable year.
Identity Theft and Online Security
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. Learn how to protect your personal information and privacy, stay safe online, and help your kids do the same.
Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number
Information from the Social Security Administration on protecting your Social Security number and preventing identity theft. Learn how to prevent identity theft and what you can do if you fall victim to these criminals. [PDF] (March 2026)
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.
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. IdentityTheft.gov can help you report and recover from 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.
Medical Identity Theft (Video)
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. Medical identity theft can disrupt your medical care, and wastes taxpayer dollars. You should protect your personal information, check medical bills and statements, and report questionable charges or fraud.
Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
This brochure from Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General 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.
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 with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Find the right form for your situation, and file a report in order to report the criminal conduct.
Report Unemployment Compensation (UC) Fraud
Unemployment Compensation fraud increases unemployment taxes for businesses, threatens the availability of funds for people with legitimate Unemployment Compensation claims, and strains the Commonwealth's unemployment trust fund. Unemployment Compensation fraud typically falls into one of three categories: 1. Identity Theft; 2. Claimant Fraud; and 3. Employer Fraud. Learn how to report it from the Department of Labor & Industry.
What To Know About Identity Theft
The Federal Trade Commission provides information about Identity Theft and how you can identify clues that someone may have stolen your personal information. Learn what identity theft is, how to protect yourself against it, and how to know if someone stole your identity.