Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) plays a vital role in supporting victims of identity theft by providing comprehensive resources and guidance. Through its specialized platform, victims can report incidents of identity theft, obtain personalized recovery plans tailored to their specific circumstances, access pre-filled letters designed for communication with credit bureaus, businesses, and debt collectors, and receive clear, step-by-step instructions for effectively managing the recovery process. Although the FTC does not have the authority to conduct criminal investigations, it actively collaborates with more than 1,400 law enforcement agencies, sharing identity theft reports to assist in their investigative and prosecutorial efforts.

The FTC collects complaints on a wide range of consumer protection issues, including identity theft and fraud (unauthorized use of personal information), deceptive advertising (false or misleading marketing claims), privacy violations (improper handling of personal data), unwanted communications (Do Not Call Registry violations), and financial scams (such as pyramid schemes and phishing attacks). These complaints enable the FTC to identify patterns of misconduct and take enforcement action against violators.

The length of FTC investigations depends on their complexity and scope. The FTC strives to respond to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests within 20 working days, but investigations into consumer complaints often take longer. For instance, employment discrimination cases must be resolved within 180 calendar days of the complaint being filed. However, for most other investigations, there is no set timeline, and they may extend beyond this period.