Cal State East Bay recognizes how serious a problem identity theft has become, and how it can impact its victims in so many different ways. Cal State has always been forward looking, innovative, and community focused, which is why we're proud to be the first university in the nation to create an Identity Theft Council.

You're probably heard about identity theft, but did you know that in 2009 alone there were more victims of identity theft than there were reported burglaries, attempted burglaries, arsons, auto thefts, purse snatchings, and pick pocketings, nationwide, combined?

And no community is immune to this life changing crime. Not even a university.

The goal of the award-winning, all volunteer, non-profit council is to provide greater support to victims of identity theft in Cal State and the surrounding community, by providing students, faculty, and staff with free access to recognized identity theft experts and trained identity theft counselors.

These experts and counselors have volunteered their time to help victims navigate their way through the often complex and long lasting crime of identity theft, and to help achieve the best possible outcome for victims.

The Identity Theft Council was founded in the bay area in 2010 by internationally renowned security expert Neal O'Farrell, an east bay resident, and Hayward Police Inspector Anne Madrid. The Hayward Police Department was the first in the nation to launch an Identity Theft Council, and councils are now being established in cities, communities, and colleges across the country.

Our hope is that not only will this exciting program help residents and businesses in our community, it will serve as a model and example that can be adopted by communities across America, so that by working together, sharing expertise, and supporting our citizens, we can make our communities and nation safe from this crime.