Avoid Identity Theft

October 17, 2021
/ Seniors Today Blog

If you think identity theft is a rare occurrence, think again. It’s a serious crime that affects millions of people each year.

In fact, every week, my detectives at the Volusia Sheriff’s Office respond to a variety of fraud complaints, especially crimes where someone uses victims’ name and personal information to fraudulently apply for bank accounts or credit cards, for example.

Identity theft or identity fraud happens when criminals use a person’s name, Social Security number, credit card number, or other personal information.
These impostors commit crimes, such as: obtaining credit or credit cards from banks or merchants; stealing money from a victim’s existing accounts, applying for loans in the victim’s name, establishing utility accounts, leasing vehicles and homes, filing bankruptcy, and even getting a job.

Here’s a case we investigated recently: A West Volusia resident was notified by mail that an unknown suspect was fraudulently trying to open an unemployment case with the state Department of Economic Opportunity—using her identity. A few days later, a second notice arrived, stating a claim had been filed in her name and info.
The department couldn’t verify the clai- mant’s identity, so no claim was processed.

A month later, our victim was notified by TD Bank that an unknown suspect had fraudulently opened a checking and savings account using her personal information.

Of course our victim called the bank; a customer service representative immediately closed the fraudulent accounts and launched a bank investigation. The employee informed the victim that nearly $6,000 in state unemployment funds had been deposited in the accounts.
Besides contacting the Sheriff’s Office to pursue criminal charges, the victim filed a fraud complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, and alerted all credit bureaus.
Thankfully, no money was stolen from this victim, nor were lines of credit opened in her name. Whoever stole her personal information easily could have stolen thousands of dollars from her.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (http://myfloridalegal.com) offers these tips if you become a victim of identity theft:

Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus. Ask them to flag your file with a fraud alert and include a statement that creditors should ask for permission before opening any new accounts under your name.
Ask the credit bureaus for copies of your credit reports. Credit bureaus must give you a free copy of your report if it is inaccurate because of fraud. Consumers may also receive one free copy of their credit report each year from the three major credit bureaus through www.annualcreditreport.com Review your reports carefully to make sure no additional fraudulent accounts have been opened in your name or unauthorized charges made to your existing accounts. For more info, visit http://www.identitytheft.gov

Report Fraud:
Equifax • 800.525.6285 • 800.685.1111
• www.equifax.com/
Experian • 888.397.3742
• www.exper ian.com/
Trans Union • 800.680.7289
• 800.916. 8800 • www.tuc.com/

If you think identity theft is a rare occurrence, think again. It’s a serious crime that affects millions of people each year.
In fact, every week, my detectives at the Volusia Sheriff’s Office respond to a variety of fraud complaints, especially crimes where someone uses victims’ name and personal information to fraudulently apply for bank accounts or credit cards, for example.
Identity theft or identity fraud happens when criminals use a person’s name, Social Security number, credit card number, or other personal information.
These impostors commit crimes, such as: obtaining credit or credit cards from banks or merchants; stealing money from a victim’s existing accounts, applying for loans in the victim’s name, establishing utility accounts, leasing vehicles and homes, filing bankruptcy, and even getting a job.
Here’s a case we investigated recently: A West Volusia resident was notified by mail that an unknown suspect was fraudulently trying to open an unemployment case with the state Department of Economic Opportunity—using her identity. A few days later, a second notice arrived, stating a claim had been filed in her name and info.
The department couldn’t verify the clai- mant’s identity, so no claim was processed.
A month later, our victim was notified by TD Bank that an unknown suspect had fraudulently opened a checking and savings account using her personal information.
Of course our victim called the bank; a customer service representative immediately closed the fraudulent accounts and launched a bank investigation. The employee informed the victim that nearly $6,000 in state unemployment funds had been deposited in the accounts.
Besides contacting the Sheriff’s Office to pursue criminal charges, the victim filed a fraud complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, and alerted all credit bureaus.
Thankfully, no money was stolen from this victim, nor were lines of credit opened in her name. Whoever stole her personal information easily could have stolen thousands of dollars from her.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (http://myfloridalegal.com) offers these tips if you become a victim of identity theft:

]Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus. Ask them to flag your file with a fraud alert and include a statement that creditors should ask for permission before opening any new accounts under your name.
Ask the credit bureaus for copies of your credit reports. Credit bureaus must give you a free copy of your report if it is inaccurate because of fraud. Consumers may also receive one free copy of their credit report each year from the three major credit bureaus through www.annualcreditreport.com Review your reports carefully to make sure no additional fraudulent accounts have been opened in your name or unauthorized charges made to your existing accounts. For more info, visit http://www.identitytheft.gov

]Contact your creditors for any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Speak with someone in the security or fraud department, and follow up in writing. Following up with a letter is spelled out in the Fair Credit Billing Act for resolving errors on credit billing statements, including charges that you have not made. Find sample letters from the FTC online at www.identitytheft.gov
File a report with local law enforcement officers or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. Make multiple copies to provide to creditors as proof of fraudulent use of your identity. Some creditors may be unwilling or unable to remove fraudulent charges from your account without a police report.
We’re always happy to help. Call our Communications Center a 386.248.1777 if you become a victim.

Please stay safe, Sheriff Chitwood