Madigan warns against identity theft

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is urging vigilance against identity theft as her office announces charges against two women.

Madigan says her office received more than 3,800 identity theft complaints last year. They included fraudulent charges on victims’ accounts and unauthorized people opening new accounts in their names.

People who think they have been victimized can call Madigan’s Identity Theft hotline. The number is 866-999-5630 to get help. Madigan’s office says it has gotten 33,000 calls at the hotline since it was launched in February 2006.

The attorney general’s office also recently announced charges against two Chicago area women. Madigan alleges the two made more than $40,000 in fraudulent charges after stealing the identities of more than 30 people.