Identity Theft
By: Detective Sgt. Timothy Gerity

 

What is Identity Theft and how does it occur?

Identity theft is the act of assuming another persons name, address, social security number, and date of birth in order to commit fraud. Identity theft affects approximately 350,000 to 500,000 victims every year. Criminals have certainly come a long way stealing wallets to a much more sophisticated method of theft.

Identity theft can occur in many ways, but the most common is to assume another person’s identity in an effort to make credit card purchases. Thieves hunt through dumpsters and garbage to seer out any discarded mail that might contain personal information. Credit card account numbers, and other useful information such as

birth dates and social security numbers can be obtained from medical, financial, and other personal records. The thieves use post office boxes to remain secluded. Thieves who surf the Internet also obtain information. In addition, personal information can be obtained by employees working at medical offices or by any company that has a database containing personal information.

Prevention of Identity Theft

· Shred any documents containing personal information before discarding if possible, or deface documents to make them indecipherable.

· When making Internet purchases, be sure to use a secure site. The site should display whether it is secure or not while completing the transaction.

· Reveal personal information only when necessary.

· Check your credit card report annually to ensure accuracy, report any discrepancies to credit bureau’s to correct the problem.

 

 

What to do if you become a victim of Identity Theft

· Immediately report the theft to police.

· Retain a copy of the police report for credit card companies, banks, and insurance companies.

· Contact your credit card company to advise them of the theft.

· Cancel your old credit cards and order new cards with different numbers.

· Inform the check monitoring agencies and notify the fraud department of the three major credit bureau’s to place a hold on accounts.

 

Identity Theft Resources

• Social Security Administration

Fraud Report: 1 (800) 269-0271

Credit Bureau’s

• Trans Union

Fraud Report: 1 (800) 680-7289

Credit Report: 1 (800) 888-4213

Cancel Pre-Approved credit card offers: 1 (888) 567-8688

• Equifax

Fraud Report: 1 (800) 525-6285

Credit Report: 1 (800) 685-1111 or 1 (800) 997-2493

• Experian

Fraud Report: 1 (800 301-7195

Credit Report: 1 (800) 682-7654

Cancel Pre-Approved Credit Card Offers: 1 (800) 353-0809