According to police, mail theft and internet prowling are common ways identity thieves acquire a victim’s personal information. Recently, Shoreline Police Volunteer Crime Analysts have studied several cases of larceny that may be attempts at identity theft. Instead of simply stealing a victim’s mail, the thieves stole entire mailboxes from several victims in the Richmond Beach area. In the same general area, two incidents were reported where trash and recycle bins were removed from victims’ homes, possibly to enable thieves to rummage through them looking for identity information.
“Identity theft involves acquiring key pieces of someone’s identifying information, such as name, address, date of birth, social security number, and mother’s maiden name, in order to impersonate them,” said Paul Scoles, volunteer crime analyst for Shoreline Police. This information enables the identity thief to commit numerous forms of fraud, including taking over a victim’s financial accounts, opening new bank or credit card accounts, and applying for loans to make major purchases such as automobiles. Using the victim’s identification, the thieves leave the victim at least temporarily responsible for the debt.
Preventative action can greatly reduce the possibility of falling victim to identity theft, he said, and gave these tips:
• Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery.
• Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection mailboxes, or at the post office. Never leave outgoing mail in your mailbox, with the flag up, as that’s an invitation to mail theft.
• Never give personal information over the telephone, unless you initiated the call, and are confident of the person or company you’re talking to.
• Purchase an inexpensive crosscut shredder (Radio Shack, Fred Meyer, Costco, and many other stores sell shredders). Shred pre-approved credit applications, credit card receipts and bills, bank statements, and any other financial or personal information. Thus, your financial information doesn’t wind up in the trash or recycle bin, where thieves can steal it.
• Never leave receipts at bank cash machines, teller’s window, trash receptacles or restaurants. Keep track of all your paperwork, and when it is no longer needed, shred it.
• Save all credit card receipts, and match them against your monthly bills.
• Keep track of normal mail delivery dates of financial and credit card statements. Contact the sender if the statements don’t arrive at the normal date.
• Never loan your credit cards to someone else, and never put your credit card number or any other financial account number on the outside of an envelope, or on a postcard.
• Report all lost or stolen credit cards to your bank or credit card company immediately.
• Beware of mail or telephone solicitations disguised as promotions offering instant prizes or awards. These are often designed solely to obtain your personal information or credit card numbers.
• When using the internet be cautious about disclosing checking account numbers, credit card numbers, or other personal financial date, at any web site or on-line service. Deal only with reputable firms if possible.
For further information contact Paul Scoles, Shoreline Police Crime Analysis Volunteer, at 206-546-3636.
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