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Reporting Fraud

PennDOT is committed to mitigating the risk for fraud and identity theft by continuing to strengthen its driver's license and motor vehicle products and processes. PennDOT has built a strong and collaborative working relationship with state and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure a comprehensive approach is used to mitigate the risk for fraud and identify theft.

If you witness, suspect or know of fraudulent, improper or suspicious activity at any PennDOT location, please contact PennDOT immediately. When you contact PennDOT, please provide as much detail as possible. Please include your contact information as PennDOT may need to contact you for additional information. All reports will be kept confidential.

Here are a few examples of helpful information to include:

  • Who committed the fraud? (name, address, phone number and the individual's description, if possible)
  • What did the individual do?
  • Where did the fraud take place?
  • When did it happen?
  • How was the fraud committed?
  • Who else has knowledge of the fraud?

Driver's License or Identification Card Fraud

PennDOT is committed to ensuring the integrity and security of the Pennsylvania driver's license and identification (ID) card. PennDOT uses state-of-the-art facial recognition technology​ and other processes to mitigate the risk for fraud and identity theft. In addition, customers applying for a Pennsylvania driver's license or ID card for the first time are required to provide proof of identity and residency. When someone else obtains a PennDOT product using your personal information, identity fraud has occurred. Report this type of fraud to PennDOT by completing Form RMO-1DL (PDF), "Fraudulent Misuse of ID/Driver License Credentials," or by contacting PennDOT's Customer Call Center at 717-412-5300.

Please be sure you include the following when completing the form:

  • Complete a statement describing the fraud that occurred.
  • Indicate in the statement whether you ever had a Pennsylvania driver's license or an ID card or if you ever had a driver's license or an ID card from another state.
  • Also, if known, indicate how someone could have obtained knowledge of your personal information.
  • Attach a copy of your birth certificate and Social Security card.
  • Attach a copy of your driver's license or ID card or a recent photograph.
  • Attach copies of any other relevant documentation, such as a Police Report.
  • Mail the completed Misuse Form and attachments to:
PennDOT Risk Management Office
P.O. Box 69005
Harrisburg, PA 17106-9005


Vehicle Fraud

If you believe fraud has been committed regarding your vehicle, such as odometer fraud; title fraud; misuse of dealer plates and temporary license plates; curb stoning; or insurance rate evasion, report this to PennDOT by completing Form RMO-1VR (PDF), "Fraudulent Misuse of Motor Vehicle Credentials," or by contacting PennDOT's Customer Call Center at 717-412-5300.

Please be sure you include the following: 

  • Complete the form in its entirety and provide all pertinent vehicle information.
  • Attach copies of any other relevant documentation, such as a police report.
  • Mail the form and any attachments to :
PennDOT Risk Management Office
P.O. Box 69005
Harrisburg, PA 17106-9005
 

IMMEDIATE STEPS YOU SHOULD TAKE IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT/CONSUMER FRAUD

Below are the immediate steps you should take if you believe you are a victim of identity theft/consumer fraud.

  1. Contact the fraud department of any one of the three major credit bureaus listed below, to place a fraud alert on your credit file. The fraud alert requests creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts. As soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus will be automatically notified to place a fraud alert and all three credit reports will be sent to you free of charge.
  2. Contact your bank or financial institution. Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Use the ID theft affidavit​ (PDF) when disputing new unauthorized accounts.
  3. Contact your local police or state police and file a police report. Get a copy of the report to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime.
  4. File your complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases for use by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint also identifies the hardships victims experience as a result of identity theft. For more information on recovering from identity theft and help with specific problems, contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).

 

Additional Resources

You should alert one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your record.

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

Experian: 1-888-397-3742

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289

When the fraud involves personal checks, contact the following agencies:

  • Scan Check Verification: 1-800-262-7771
  • Chex System: 1-800-428-9623
  • TeleCheck Customer Service: 1-800-366-2425

Consumer Protection - PA Residents Only

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General 
Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: (717) 787-339
Toll-free: 1-800-441-2555
Fax: (717) 772-3560

U.S. Department of Justice 
615 Chestnut Street
Suite 1250
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: (215) 861-8200

Social Security

The Social Security Administration (SSA) OIG Fraud Hotline is a clearinghouse for violations affecting Social Security.

SSA Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17785
Baltimore, MD 21235
Phone: 1-800-269-0271
Fax: 410-597-0118
Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Hearing impaired customers should call 1-866-501-2102.

Mail Fraud - PA Residents Only

Notify the U.S. Post Office when you have been a victim of mail fraud or if someone has changed your address.

U.S. Postal Inspector (Philadelphia Area)
P.O. Box 3001
Bala Cynwyd, PA 
19004-3601
1-877-876-2455
 

U.S. Postal Inspector (Harrisburg Area)
P.O. Box 3001
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004-3601
1-877-876-2455

U.S. Postal Inspector (Pittsburgh Area)
5315 Campbells Run Road, Ste. 300
Pittsburgh, PA 15277-9000
1-877-876-2455

Secret Service - PA Residents Only

The Secret Service investigates crimes dealing with credit card fraud, financial institution fraud and crimes dealing with the false use of personal identifiers.

U.S. Secret Service (Philadelphia Area)
600 Arch Street
Room 7236
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 861-3300

U.S. Secret Service (Pittsburgh Area)
2 Chatham Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 281-7825

U.S. Secret Service (Scranton Area)
235 N. Washington Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503

Passports

Report any lost or stolen passports to:

U.S. Department of State
National Passport Information Center
2201 C. Street NE
Washington, DC 20570
Telephone: (202) 955-0430