Rhode Island residents hit by cybercrime have a new place to turn to for help. Beginning today, Rhode Islanders can now dial 2-1-1 to report cybercrime, including online fraud, and receive help with the aftermath, such as re-securing electronic devices.
Sen. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., who debuted the helpline at a news conference and called the day “exciting,” described the helpline as “the nation’s first statewide cybercrime hotline,” in a tweet earlier today. Langevin helped secure $280,000 in Federal funding to help create and run the hotline.
The helpline is powered by United Way of Rhode Island. Before launching, United Way of Rhode Island sought out additional cybersecurity training, saying “United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island partnered with the Cybercrime Support Network. Using the National Cybercrime Victim Resource Database, 2-1-1 makes sure that Rhode Islanders have the resources they need while guiding them through the process of reporting, recovering, and reinforcing their security following a cybercrime.”
United Way of Rhode Island already provided cybersecurity resources via a website, which includes tips on what to do to stay safe online as well as guidance on how to recover from cybercrime.
