The Newtown-based nonprofit Partners International Foundation (PIF) is working to protect veterans from identity theft. Through its Helping the Heroes program, the foundation is launching an effort to provide all active duty military, veterans, first responders (police, fire, EMS), National Guard, Reserves, and their families two free months of identity theft protection and restoration in the event of a breach.

Colonel Robert Morris, Jr (Ret), a former Newtown resident and founder of PIF, said via press release that the program was started “to fill a critical gap supporting our heroes.”

“Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America today. Children, military veterans, spouses of deceased veterans, and the elderly are the primary targets,” he continued.

“This program is our way of giving back to our heroes and providing them a ‘safety net,’” Col Morris continued. “By the time they are compromised and hurt it is too late to secure protection. Family and acquaintances who were compromised are equally at risk. Our heroes in the military, veterans, first responders, and their families sacrifice a great deal to protect and help us all. This is our way of helping protect them. It is the right thing to do.”

Should the identity of any family member be stolen, Kroll Identity Restoration will perform the bulk of the restoration work required to restore a member’s identity to pretheft status and credit ratings to pre-compromise status at no additional charge. When participants continue after this initial period, commissions will be used to further programs helping the heroes.

Those who qualify and are interested in taking advantage of this offer can find additional information by visiting helpingtheheroes.org (click on Current Projects, then Identity Theft Protection). For information about Partners International Foundation, visit partners-international.org.