What can I do if I'm a victim of identity theft in Colorado?

1. Immediate Steps

(a) File an FTC Identity Theft Report at IdentityTheft.gov with the FTC Affidavit. (b) File a police report with your local Colorado agency; C.R.S. § 18-5-905 requires acceptance in your home jurisdiction. (c) Place a fraud alert with Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. (d) Place a credit freeze at all three bureaus, free under 15 U.S.C. § 1681c-1.

2. FCRA Rights

The Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., provides blocking (§ 1681c-2), disputes (§ 1681i), and records access (§ 1681g(e)).

3. State Identity Theft Statute

C.R.S. § 18-5-902 (Identity Theft) is a Class 4 felony (2-6 years, $2,000-$500,000 fine). Criminal possession of identification documents under § 18-5-903 is a Class 6 felony.

4. State Identity Theft Passport / Victim Notification

The Colorado AG operates an Identity Theft Repository under C.R.S. § 24-31-1303 collecting victim affidavits and assisting law enforcement.

5. Restitution & Civil Remedies

Criminal restitution mandatory under C.R.S. § 18-1.3-603. Civil suits available under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, C.R.S. § 6-1-113 (actual damages, $500 minimum, treble for bad faith, attorney's fees).

6. Tax-Related ID Theft

File IRS Form 14039 and request an IP PIN at IRS.gov; notify the Colorado Department of Revenue.

7. Child ID Theft

C.R.S. § 12-14.3-106.7 allows protected consumer freezes for minors, free of charge.

8. Medical ID Theft

Notify insurer and request HIPAA accounting (45 C.F.R. § 164.528).

9. Synthetic Identity / Account Takeover

Section 18-5-902 reaches use of "personal identifying information"; Regulation E (12 C.F.R. § 1005.6) covers EFTs.

10. Statute of Limitations

CCPA claims have a 3-year SOL under C.R.S. § 6-1-115; tort claims 2-3 years.

This is legal information, not legal advice.