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

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 Maryland agency; Md. Crim. Law § 8-304 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

Md. Crim. Law § 8-301 grades by benefit: misdemeanor (up to 18 months) under $1,500; felony (up to 5 years) $1,500-$25,000; felony (up to 15 years) over $25,000.

4. State Identity Theft Passport / Victim Notification

Maryland does not issue a formal passport, but the AG's Identity Theft Unit and the Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center provide assistance and document recovery.

5. Restitution & Civil Remedies

Civil suit available under common-law fraud and the Maryland Consumer Protection Act, Md. Com. Law § 13-408 (actual damages, attorney's fees). Criminal restitution under Md. Crim. Proc. § 11-603.

6. Tax-Related ID Theft

File IRS Form 14039 and request an IP PIN at IRS.gov; notify the Comptroller of Maryland.

7. Child ID Theft

Md. Com. Law § 14-1212.1 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 8-301 reaches "personal identifying information"; Regulation E (12 C.F.R. § 1005.6) covers EFTs.

10. Statute of Limitations

Civil tort claims have a 3-year SOL under Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101.

This is legal information, not legal advice.