We recently hosted a panel of experts to hear about the increase in identity fraud during the pandemic, the victim experience, and recommendations to improve the identity fraud redress process.

In case you missed it, here are some important
takeaways from our panelists:

The pandemic exacerbated issues related to digital identity verification and federal program integrity

“We need to really look at how to use social services and legal services, who are already working with populations that are most harmed here, to help get people across the finish line, both to access benefits but also to address harms from identity theft."

- Julia Simon-Mishel, Supervising Attorney at Philadelphia Legal Assistance

Identity fraud is a crime that results in emotional trauma

“We either need to get victim advocates involved in this process at some point – after the fraud report has been taken or the investigation has been conducted – or we need to get more training to these ‘first responders’ who are the first touch that these victims have, so they are getting care that is trauma-informed and culturally competent.”

- Eva Velasquez, President/CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center

Identity fraud prevention requires information sharing among agencies and an understanding that the issue transcends federal programs

“It would be great if, once somebody is compromised in one system, that person gets assistance in locking down everything that they need to lock down. This isn’t just a government benefits problem – it’s a national problem."

- Michele Evermore, Senior Fellow at The Century Foundation

Watch the full video below, and visit our recap page to read more about each takeaway, and the relationship between identity theft and pandemic fraud. You can also read about how the federal government can more effectively help victims of identity fraud in our recently commissioned report.

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