Rhode Island Launches The First Statewide Cybercrime Hotline

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island unveiled a first-of-its-kind resource to report cyber crimes. 211 is the first statewide hotline in the country where residents can report cyber crimes, including cyberstalking, identity theft, financial fraud, cyberbullying and more.

Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) helped secure $282,600 in federal funding to support the project, which will be run through a partnership between the Cybercrime Support Network, The Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center and United Way Rhode Island 211.

"Victims of cybercrime often find themselves unsure of where to turn for help,"said Langevin, who co-founded and co-chairs the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus. "Thankfully, Rhode Island is leading the way to address this growing issue with the launch of the nation’s first statewide cybercrime hotline. This system will improve cybercrime victim services, increase access to recovery resources, and serve as model for the rest of the country. I was pleased to help secure the federal funding that made this project possible, and I commend the Cybercrime Support Network, United Way Rhode Island 2-1-1, and the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center for their ongoing work on behalf of Rhode Island cybercrime victims."

Those who call the hotline will be connected with an operator who is trained to connect the victim with the proper organization to help. These include government organizations, local nonprofits, and local, state and federal agencies and resources to help protect them from further attacks and recover any money that may have been lost. Because many perpetrators of cyber crimes are not local, local police departments are often unable to properly address the situation.

"The Rhode Island State Police is honored to be a partner of the Cybercrime Support Network, and to pilot the program here in Rhode Island," said Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni. "Rhode Islanders, like individuals across the country, are falling victim to cybercrime. In many cases, victims do not know who to call for help. Embarrassment and confusion deter victims from reporting instances of cybercrime and online fraud, and in many cases they never receive assistance recovering or preventing further victimization. Rhode Island State Police is pleased to work with CSN, United Way 2-1-1 and the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center as they provide support to cybercrime and online fraud victims in Rhode Island, and serve as an example for future programs nationwide."

State officials including U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and Attorney General Peter Neronha have all supported the hotline and called for increased security in the digital age.

"While ideally we could prevent cybercrime entirely, unfortunately this type of criminal activity is an ever-evolving reality of our world today and becoming more and more prevalent," Neronha said. "The new hotline will give victims a centralized place to advise law enforcement of cyber-related crime and misconduct and connect them to resources available to address this threat."

In 2018, more than 350,000 complaints from individuals and small businesses were filed with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, totaling more than $2.7 billion in financial losses. Financial experts said this number represents only a fraction of actual instances of cybercrime.

"Rhode Island is taking the lead as the first state to launch this national support system, and we are grateful to all the partners in the state who have come together to make it happen," said Kristin Judge, the CEO of the Cybercrime Support Network. "This program is a true public-private partnership that brings a coordinated federal, state and local response to serve victims of cybercrime in a simple, effective manner. Being a victim of cybercrime is stressful enough. Together with our partners, we are taking the stress out of finding help."