| How to leave identity thieves out in the cold
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. � It could happen to you. Somebody swipes your Social Security number, then uses it to open a credit card in your name. Before you know it, you've become a victim of identity theft and have a pile of bills for things you didn't buy. Sylvia Coates has found a way to prevent that unpleasant scenario from happening by freezing her credit reports. ``I can't tell you how wonderful it is. I think it is the only foolproof way,'' she said. Coates, who lives in Orinda, Calif., applied for a credit freeze soon after that option become available in 2003, thanks to passage of a state law there that requires credit reporting bureaus to let consumers initiate a credit freeze. Having a credit freeze means that access to your credit reports and credit scores cannot be shared with potential creditors or lenders unless you give permission.
Alamance ID theft suspect in custody
GRAHAM, N.C. -- The Alamance County Sheriff's Office says it has an identity theft suspect in custody Wednesday morning.
Mario Sosa-Cruz is charged with one count of identity theft for allegedly purchasing the name and Social Security number of a Burlington man without the man's knowledge.
Officers say he used the fake name to get a job with Holt Sublimation and to get a diver's license, which was later revoked for driving while impaired.
Sosa-Cruz admitted to entering the country illegally. Deputies say he has already been deported from the U.S. once before. .
Scam alert: That's not the IRS
If you've been getting unsolicited e-mail from the Internal Revenue Service, ignore it: You've been the target of another Internet scam.The bogus e-mail claims that you are owed a refund and sends you to a Web site at which you are asked to provide your Social Security number and credit card information.Just remember this: The IRS doesn't send out unsolicited e-mail messages.Mark Hanson, IRS spokesman for the Carolinas, said the scam has the potential to confuse people, because it's modeled on a refund program that the agency conducts each year, the undeliverable refund list.The best way to avoid becoming an identity-theft victim is to press "delete," Hanson said."Don't let the idea of free money bait you into the scam," he said.Hanson said the legitimate IRS undeliverable refund list will be posted on the agency's Web page this month.
Bring Identifying Documents if Forced to Evacuate Due to Fire, Urges ...
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire / -- The Identity Theft Assistance Center (ITAC) is urging Southern California residents forced by fire to evacuate their homes to bring along identifying documents, such as social security cards, birth certificates, and passports, if possible. "In a disaster, the first concern is personal safety, but if you have time to make an evacuation plan, protecting your important documents should be part of that plan," said Anne Wallace, executive director of ITAC. "It will be much easier to prove you are who you say you are in the event you need to open new financial accounts, apply for government benefits, or make insurance claims." Individuals who are forced to evacuate high-risk areas often leave behind critical documents used to establish identity, such as social security cards, birth certificates and passports.
Identity theft common around Holidays
Identity theft crimes hit home for more than eight million adults in the US in 2005, according to a new report from the federal trade commission. In ten percent of cases, victims surveyed said they paid at least $1,200 to settle charges to stolen or fraudulent credit cards or bank accounts. Add to that the hours they spent repairing their credit reports. Nearly 40 percent of victims reported being harassed by debt collectors, denied credit or loans, having utilities cut off -- even getting sued. And more than half of victims said they still don't know how the thieves got a hold of their personal information. Experts at the non-profit identity theft resource center say the holidays are prime time for thieves. They recommend you leave your social security card at home -- don't carry it in your wallet.
News 25 Investigation Finds Identity Theft Risk in Peoria County Clerk ...
Government officials are often the first to warn people about the dangers of identity theft.But there's a government office in Peoria County that's exposing people to the risk. Since learning from News 25 of that exposure, local legislative leaders are promising they'll take new legislation to Springfield next year. If you have ever had a court proceeding or violated the law in Peoria County...even something as small as a curfew violation when you were a teen...you could become susceptible to identity theft. Information regarding traffic and criminal offenses is public record...accessible on these computers in the courthouse. But those records not only include information on your case—for countless people there's your name, address, date of birth...and your social security number...personal information available for the public eye, and anyone can walk into the courthouse to access it.
Keep Grinch at Bay During Holidays With 12 ID Theft Tips of Christmas
With the holiday shopping season in full swing, and with the growing threat of ID theft looming, consumers may not know their identities could also be for sale. The intersection of commerce and cyber-crime could be a bumpy road for shoppers over the next month, so don't let the ID theft grinches steal your holiday cheer this year. "Wherever there's information about a person, whether it's retained by a retailer, bank, credit bureau or database, there's someone out there who has the ability to steal it," said Dan Clements, spokesman for ID Secure, a sophisticated new tool that uses leading-edge public records, Social Security number and credit card monitoring technology to fight identity theft. "The more difficult you make it for someone to rip you off, the less chance you have of becoming a victim of identity theft.
Shred-A-Thon Serves Important Role in Keeping Your Identity Safe
Person after person walked up to the monstrous truck, all carrying the exact same thing in their arms; boxes full of paper documents ready to be shred. The Triad S.A.L.T. Council of Montgomery County sponsored a Shred-A-Thon on Nov. 3, at the Christiansburg Recreation Center. The Triad S.A.L.T. is a council consisting of the local law enforcement and seniors in the community that agree to work together to reduce criminal victimizations of the elderly. Christiansburg Parks and Recreation’s Tammy Caldwell was in charge of public relations for the event. Caldwell said the main purpose of the Shred-A-Thon was to allow the citizens of Montgomery County the opportunity to shred documents that contain valuable information such as social security numbers, bank account information or any other personal information that could cause one to fall victim to identity theft.
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