Identity Theft

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…

• Notify your local law enforcement.
• 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
• Notify all of your credit card companies and other debtors of your situation so that they can assist you with maintaining your current bills.
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission 1-877-IDTHEFT.
• Contact your local United States Postal Inspection Service.  They can be reached on the web at www.usps.gov/postalinspectors
• Contact the Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline 1-800-269-0271.

How Can I recognize a Scam?

One IMPORTANT question to ask yourself; Did I enter a contest in the first place to be declared a winner?  If you didn't, then YOU AREN'T!!

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.

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 your full report.

• Equifax:
  P.O. Box 105873
  Atlanta, GA 30348-5873
  1-800-525-6285
• Experian Information Solutions
  P.O. Box 949
  Allen, TX 75013-0949
  1-888-397-3742
• TransUnion
  P.O. Box 390
  Springfield, PA 19064-0390
  1-800-680-7289

For additional information , you may contact the Investigations Division of  the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office.

They can be reached at 828-759-1554 or by emailing Caldwell County Detectives.

This site was last updated 09/01/09