Crime Prevention Tips and Services

 

Credit Card/Identity Theft

During the 1990s a new type of fraud, commonly known as identity theft, emerged as a new way for criminals to prey on citizens.  Identity theft continues to be a growing problem today. Consumers probably cannot completely prevent themselves from becoming victims of identity theft, but there are several things you can do to prevent yourself from becoming an easy target.

 

Ways to Prevent Credit Card/Identity Theft

• Shred everything:Before discarding any documents, which list personal information, shred them. Examples include:

 

1.         Canceled checks

2.         Pre-approved credit card applications

3.         Payroll check stubs

4.         Credit card receipts

5.         Mail order forms

6.         Any other documents containing personal information such as social security number, date of birth, and account numbers.

 

• Guard your mail from theft: Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after it has been delivered.  An identity thief would have all the information necessary to make you a victim if he stole your outgoing bills from your mailbox.

 

• Don’t release information by phone or Internet: Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you initiated the contact and know whom you are dealing with.

 

• Pay attention to billing cycles: A missing credit card bill could mean an identity thief has taken over your credit card account and changed your billing address to cover his tracks. Follow up with creditors if your bills don’t arrive on time.

 

• Do not use your social security number as your drivers license number: Only use your Social Security Number for Social Security purposes.  Remember, a driver’s license has all the information a thief needs to steal your identity, guard it closely. Do not carry your Social Security Card; leave it in a secure place.

 

• Conduct annual credit report checks: Order a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit-reporting agencies every year. Make sure it is accurate and includes only those activities you’ve authorized. There is a fee for each report and you should inquire about the cost when you request the report.

 

For more information about identity theft and obtaining your credit report you can call the Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-IDTHEFT, or log onto their web site at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/