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Identity Theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. Most
victims do not realize they have been "had" until the crime is over.
Here are some ways to recognize potential thieves.
What
you need to do if you suspect you are a victim?
The moment you suspect
that you are a victim of identity theft, you should do the following…
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Notify your local law enforcement.
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Get a complete credit check on yourself
as well as others in your home and tell them you are a victim of identity
theft. |
| Fill out the ID Theft Affidavit
available for free download here: ID
Theft Affidavit |
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Notify all of your credit card
companies and other debtors of your situation so that they can assist you
with maintaining your current bills.
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Contact the Federal Trade Commission
1-877-IDTHEFT.
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Contact your local United States Postal
Inspection Service. They can be reached on the web at
www.usps.gov/postalinspectors |
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Contact the Social Security
Administration Fraud Hotline 1-800-269-0271.
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How Can I recognize a Scam?
It sounds too good to be true
| You've won a big prize in a contest that you don't recall entering.
You're offered a once-in-a-lifetime investment that offers a huge return.
You're told that you can buy into a lottery ticket pool that cannot lose.
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You must pay or you can't play
| “You’re a winner!” but you must agree to send money to the caller in
order to pay for delivery, processing, taxes, duties or some other fee in
order to receive your prize. Sometimes the caller will even send a courier
to pick up your money. |
You must give them your private financial information
| The caller asks for all your confidential banking and/or credit card
information. Honest businesses do not require these details unless you are
using that specific method of payment. |
Will that be cash... or cash?
| Often criminal telemarketers ask you to send cash or a money order,
rather than a check or credit card. Cash is untraceable and can't be
cancelled. And, crooks also have difficulty in establishing themselves as
merchants with legitimate credit card companies. |
The caller is more excited than you are
| The crooks want to get you excited about this “opportunity” so that
you won't be able to think clearly. |
It's the manager calling
| The person calling claims to be a government official, tax officer,
banking official, lawyer or some other person in authority. The person
calls you by your first name and asks you a lot of personal or lifestyle
questions (like how often do your grown children visit you). |
The stranger calling wants to become your best friend
| Criminals love finding out if you're lonely and willing to talk. Once
they know that, they'll try to convince you that they are your friend –
after all, we don't normally suspect our friends of being crooks. |
It's a limited opportunity and you're going to miss out
| If you are pressured to make a big purchase decision
immediately, it's probably not a legitimate deal. Real businesses
or charities will give you a chance to check them out or think about it.
What can I do to protect myself? |
Remember, legitimate telemarketers have nothing to hide
| However, criminals will say anything to part you from your hard-earned
money. |
| Be cautious.
You have the right to check out any caller by requesting written
information, a call back number, references and time to think over the
offer. |
Legitimate business people will be happy to provide you with that
information. After all, they want the "bad guys" out of business too. Always
be careful about providing confidential personal information, especially
banking or credit card details, unless you are certain the company is
legitimate. And, if you have doubts about a caller, your best defense is to
simply hang up. It's not rude – it's smart.
If you're in doubt, it's wise to ask the advice of a close friend or
relative, or even your banker. Rely on people you can trust.
Remember, you can Stop Phone Fraud - Just Hang Up!
I suspect that a relative or friend is being targeted by unscrupulous
telemarketers. What can I do?
Watch for any of these warning signs
| a marked increase in the amount of mail with too-good-to-be-true
offers |
| frequent calls offering get-rich-quick schemes or valuable awards, or
numerous calls for donations to unfamiliar charities |
| a sudden inability to pay normal bills |
| requests for loans or cash |
| banking records that show checks or withdrawals made to unfamiliar
companies |
| secretive behavior regarding phone calls. |
If you suspect that someone you know has fallen prey to a deceptive
telemarketer, don't criticize them for being naïve. Encourage that person to
share their concerns with you about unsolicited calls or any new business or
charitable dealings. Assure them that it is not rude to hang up on
suspicious calls. Keep in mind that criminal telemarketers are relentless in
hounding people – some victims report receiving 5 or more calls a day,
wearing down their resistance. And, once a person has succumbed to this
ruthless fraud, their name and number will likely go on a "sucker list",
which is sold from one crook to another.
How can you get your credit report?
Contact one of these
three credit bureaus for you full report.
For additional information , you may contact Detective
Corporal A. S. Barlowe at the Caldwell County Sheriffs Office.
He can be reached at 828-759-1525 or by emailing
abarlowe@caldwellcountync.org.
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This site was last updated
07/01/08
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