HAZEL HECKERS: One of the things that we know about identity theft is that it doesn't matter if you're male or female, what your ethnic background is, what your socio-economic background is, what your age is. Identity theft is an equal opportunity crime.
[telephone rings]
WOMAN: CBI Identity Theft Hotline, how may I help you?
HAZEL HECKERS: Colorado is the first state to establish a 24-hour hotline for victims of identity theft and fraud. The youngest victim was six months old. The oldest victim of identity theft that I have seen was 97. And I've seen every one in between. In working with people who are victims of identity theft, it's important to understand that even if that person is arrested, convicted and is doing jail time, the identity theft could continue.
CHRISTINA McSORLEY: When I first came here and met with Hazel, I had a lot of emotions, a lot of anger. She explained what I'd have to go through, let me know how extensive it would be.
HAZEL HECKERS: Correcting criminal history can be quite complex, requires fingerprinting and photographs and other pieces that have to be done by professionals who are highly trained. Most victim advocates are not aware of those skills and those techniques.
CHRISTINA McSORLEY: She's really helped me from being a victim to becoming a survivor.
HAZEL HECKERS: We see a lot of people, once they move out of that victim frame of mind, they'll integrate that experience into their lives and they'll help other victims. When I first became a victim advocate, the movement was new and young and fresh and I got to come in on the ground floor and be part of shaping that movement and creating it into what it is today. What we do is help victims find a way to reclaim their own power and their own strength so that they can restore their own scales of justice.
