Towns Co. Sheriffs Desk Identity theft and identity fraud have become fast-growing crimes and can impact significant portions of the population. Related crimes can include check and credit card theft, check and credit card fraud, and theft of telephone and other utility services. In some cases, thieves may take out loans or mortgages under the victim’s name or file for bankruptcy as the victim. They may submit fraudulent tax returns and collect the refunds. They may even submit applications for services, such as for social security, and collect the payments. Studies conducted by the Federal Trade Commission indicate that thieves may collect identity information from various sources, including information searched out on the internet, through records of legitimate business transactions, from trash bins or discarded files, from mail boxes, or from thefts of wallets or purses. Listed below are several ways you can help protect yourself from identity theft or identity fraud. • Invest in a paper shredder. Shred documents such as credit solicitations, statements, or records that contain sensitive information. • Drop outgoing mail containing checks in a postal drop box or at the post office, rather than your mail box. • Guard your wallet, purse, or bag when you’re out in public or when people are in your home, such as service or maintenance personnel. • Limit the release of your personal information, including your birth date. If you discover that you have been the victim of identity theft, contact your Sheriff’s Office to file an incident report immediately. Some banks or credit card companies may require you to file an “identity theft affidavit,” along with the copy of the incident report. Contact the major credit reporting agencies to flag your account. (Equifax, PO Box 74021, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241, Telephone 800-916-8800, equifax; Experian, PO Box 8030, Layton, UT 84041-8030, Telephone 888-397-3742, experian; TransUnion, PO Box 390, Springfield, PA 19064, Telephone 800-916-8800, transunion). For more information, contact the Federal Trade Commission at consumer.gov/idtheft and ftc.gov or at 877-IDTHEFT. If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft, contact your Sheriffs Office at 706/896-4444.
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 17:23:18 +0000
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