OCC Supports Protect Your Identity Week

WASHINGTON—The Office of Comptroller of the Currency has joined the public-private coalition that supports the second annual Protect Your Identity Week (PYIW), an initiative of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and the Council of Better Business Bureaus (BBB). The week-long initiative, October 17-24, 2009, brings focus to the PYIW national campaign's Website and community events aimed at identity theft protection and education.

"Awareness and education are the first line of defense for assisting consumers in preventing and resolving identity theft problems," said Comptroller of the Currency John C. Dugan. "The OCC has a variety of web resources that help consumers to understand the risks as well as how to safeguard their personal information against theft. OCC's online materials also direct consumers to federal resources that help minimize the impact if they should fall victim to identity theft crimes."

Consumers can find PYIW educational events in their area, hosted by a local member of the NFCC, BBB or other coalition member, by going to www.ProtectYourIDNow.org. Consumers can take advantage of identity theft workshops, onsite shredding, and credit report reviews. The Website also includes identity theft prevention tips, videos, an interactive quiz to assess an individual's risk of identity theft, and resources for victims. The Website is available in Spanish at www.CuideSuIdentidad.org as well. The OCC's resources on identity theft can be accessed from the "Consumer Resources" section of the PYIW Website.

Related Links

• Comptroller of the Currency John C. Dugan
• OCC Fighting Identity Theft
• OCC HelpWithMyBank.gov