When bad things happen to your good name

Identity theft crimes are on the rise, causing nationwide concern.  In Iowa, the Department of Transportation's Office of Motor Vehicle Enforcement is taking an aggressive stand on identity theft relating to your driver's license, identification and motor vehicle title(s).  When someone uses your identity to obtain an Iowa driver's license, ID or title, the Office of Motor Vehicle Enforcement's Investigative Unit may be able to help you.

How does identity theft occur?

Identity thieves steal or obtain Social Security cards and numbers, birth certificates, immigration documents or personal information that is unique to you.  The identity thief can then use this information to:

• obtain a driver's license or ID card;
• open a bank account or obtain credit in your name;
• purchase an automobile or real estate;
• drain personal financial accounts;
• obtain fraudulent driving and criminal records;
• secure fraudulent government benefits; and/or
• obtain employment.

As a result, your driving privileges can be suspended and your credit rating destroyed.  In addition, you may have trouble obtaining government benefits, and you may be held liable in civil suites or criminal cases for motor vehicle incidents.  You may also be accused of not reporting wages, which can result in a substantial tax liability.  All of these problems will require countless hours of telephone and written communications to resolve the problem.

How to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

• Carry only those items needed in your purse or wallet.  Avoid carrying your Social Security Card, your birth certificate, blank checks, numerous credit cards or a motor vehicle title.
• Check your driving and credit record on an annual basis.
• Replace your Social Security number on your driver's license with an "assigned" number.
• Shred all bills and records you no longer need that contain personal identifying information.
• Check your Social Security records for unexplained earnings.
• Report lost or stolen documents, such as driver's license, ID card or vehicle titles, to law enforcement officials.
• Place "fraud alerts" on your credit file to warn creditors not to open a new account until they contact you.
• Use your "assigned" driver's license number on your checks.

Are you a victim of identity theft?

If you are a victim of identity theft relating to your Iowa driver's license, ID or motor vehicle title, the Iowa Department of Transportation's Office of Motor Vehicle Enforcement has an investigative unit that may be able to assist you with this crime.  If an investigation is conducted, it may result in clearing your driving record and determining proper ownership of vehicles.  If necessary, the Office of Motor Vehicle Enforcement may assist you by notifying other private and government agencies of the results of the investigation.  In addition, the investigation may result in filing of criminal charges and administrative sanctions against the offender.

Office of Motor Vehicle Enforcement

In order to deter identity theft, the Office of Motor Vehicle Enforcement requests your assistance in reporting anyone you may know who is using a stolen identity.  To report the misuse of someone's identity or to file a complaint, please contact:

Office of Motor Vehicle Enforcement, Investigations
Iowa Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 10473
Des Moines, IA  50306-0473
Telephone:  515-237-3247
Fax:  515-237-3387
E-Mail:  omve@dot.iowa.gov
Website: www.iamvd.com/omve

More information can be obtained from:

Iowa Attorney General Office
Consumer Protection Division
1300 E. Walnut
Hoover Building
Des Moines, IA  50319
515-281-5926
www.state.ia.us/government/ag

Additional government agencies to contact about identity theft are:

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Consumer Response Center
600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC  20580
877-438-4338
www.ftc.gov

Social Security Administration
Office of Inspector General
210 Walnut St
Des Moines, IA  50309
800-772-1213

Internal Revenue Service
Criminal Investigation Division
P.O. Box 7909, Stop 900
Shawnee Mission, KS  66207-7909
800-829-0433

To obtain information concerning your driving record, you must personally appear at your local driver's license station and be able to prove your identity.

To obtain information concerning registration and title records, you may contact your local county treasurer's office.

ŠIowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division
Last Updated:  July 03, 2008