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FTC's New Identity Theft Campaign: A Solid "A"

Posted on Oct 17, 2006 by Tom Fragala

Updated below...

A while back the FTC launched a new identity theft compaign called Deter, Detect Defend. It includes a slick new look and a updated materials for consumers and for people to educate others. I think it is an improvement over what they had previously which had become a bit dated. I feel the materials are well done. Compared to just about everything else I see out there in government, law enforcement and even the private sector, it’s very good stuff. What it doesn’t do is provide super deep or detailed information. But that’s OK, in my opinion, I don’t think they are expected to. The FTC also went to great pains to provide information for spreading the word, not just information directly for consumers—that’s smart. I think they deserve a pat on the back for that.

You can download all their materials for free in PDF format, see an online video presentation and even order in bulk (expect it to take a long time to arrive). You can also get it all in Spanish, so kudos for that. Quite some time ago, I ordered a single set of all their DDD printed materials which came with a CD. I don’t remember how I ordered it. I can’t seem to find a web page for people to easily order a small quantity. There is this page, but it forces you to mail a letter. Not good. Why not have a simple web form for ordering 1 set of materials?

And I wish every local police and sheriff would go online right now and order a bulk set of the brochures to provide victims that file an identity theft police report.

I had seen this “new” material several months ago. But I was recently emailed by the FTC’s PR firm Fleishman-Hillard asking if I’d share these resources with my readers. I figured now was as good a time as any to blog about it. I met Betsy Broder and Chairman Majoras last year and they are serious about making an impact.

I give the FTC an “A” for their new ID theft campaign. I know bloggers are typically all about spewing controversial messages to generate hits. Sorry, not me, not today.  I do think they could do more to put the information into people’s hands, which I assume is why they hired the PR folks. I recommend they send a letter to every police department in the US with a sample and tell them how to order more.

What do you think? Should the FTC get a lower grade?

Update: The FTC responded immediately to my suggestion (within hours) and made it easy now to order small quantities using a simple web form. See the comment below from Nat Wood at the FTC. I am blown away to see a government agency move that fast. Way to go FTC. So now, from the bulk order page, click "Want more copies or fewer copies?".

Update 2: In my first update, I got the URL wrong. Go here for the IDTheft Consumer Education Kit. It will let you order from 1 to 10 copies of the kit at once.