PROVIDENCE – Rep. James R. Langevin, D-R.I., has secured $282,600 in federal funding for a statewide cybercrime support and recovery hotline, which was launched on May 13.
By dialing 211, Rhode Islanders will be able to report and find resources to recover from identity theft, financial fraud, cyberstalking and cyberbullying, among other cybercrimes. Callers will be connected with trained operators who can assess the situation and put them in contact with organizations that can help.
Earlier this month, the Cybercrime Support Network trained 911 staff, victim advocates and referral specialists to properly handle reports of cybercrime.
The system will be managed through a partnership between the Cybercrime Support Network, United Way of Rhode Island’s United Way 2-1-1 and the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center.
In 2018, more than 350,000 complaints from individuals and small businesses were filed with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center for monetary losses of over $2.7 billion, according to a news release.
