U.S. DOJ to honor people, programs for service to victims of crimes

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – The U.S. Department of Justice will honor a dozen individuals and programs for service to victims of crime, including a San Diego resident who heads the Identity Theft Resource Center, it was announced today.

Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, will be honored Friday during the National Crime Victims Service Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The Identity Theft Resource Center, a nonprofit organization founded in 1999 in San Diego, aims to support victims of identity theft in resolving their cases and raise awareness about identity theft, data breaches, cyber security, scams, frauds and privacy issues, according to the organization’s website.

Velasquez spent 21 years working for the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and also served as vice president of the San Diego Better Business Bureau prior to joining the Identity Theft Resource Center in 2013.

She will receive the National Crime Victim Service Award, according to the Department of Justice.

In April each year, the Department of Justice observes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and hosts events to bring awareness to the services available to victims.