The latest issue of the Sheriff’s Office’s crime prevention newsletter, “Partners in Crime Prevention,” has been posted. In this issue, the Sheriff’s Office notes the popularity of hiking and enjoying the mountains over the last couple of years. It makes recommendations on how you can prepare for a safe and enjoyable experience.
Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:
https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6841
There has been a lot of emphasis by organizations such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and AARP and others on preventing identity theft. But what can you do if you discover that someone has stolen your identity and is using it in a way that that harms you?
If you take the recommended measures to prevent
identity theft you will have reduced your chances of being victimized by an identity
thief. But there is still a chance that your personal information can be stolen.
Identity thieves can purchase your information on the dark web from someone who
has copied it in a computer breach from a company or organization.
In that case, an identity thief can use your name to apply
for a credit card, take out a loan, or a number of other things that can
negatively affect your credit. When you find out that someone is using your
good name to do bad things, you need to act.
The FTC points out that having a copy of the records
about the ID theft from the company where it happened and information about the
thief who used your personal information would help straighten out the
situation. And the FTC also points out that you have a right to that
information according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq).
It recommends writing the company where the fraud took
place for information about your case. With your request include the following,
·
Proof of your identity, such as a copy of
your driver’s license or other valid form of government identification.
·
A completed FTC Identity Theft Report from
https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/.
·
A police report about the identity theft
from your local police department. When you file the police report, bring your
ID, the FTC Identity Theft Report, and any information you have about the
incident with you.
The IdentityTheft.gov web site can give you guidance
on the steps that you need to take to recovery from your identity theft.
You may want to talk to someone for guidance. Two non-profit
organizations offer free help,
·
The AARP Fraud Watch Network has a free
helpline, (877) 908-3360, where you can report the ID theft or other scam and
ask specific questions about your situation. The hotline is available Monday
through Friday, 8am to 8pm ET. It also has a wealth of information about scams
and fraud at its website- http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/fraud-watch-network/
·
Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) also
has a free helpline, (888) 400-5530. The hotline is available Monday through
Friday, 6am to 5pm PST. ITRC concentrates primarily on identity theft, but it
also has a wealth of information on the subject at its website- https://www.idtheftcenter.org/.
Knowing where you can get help, should you be victimized by an identity thief, is as important as preventing the theft in the first place.
Debt.org:
https://www.debt.org/credit/your-consumer-rights/fair-credit-reporting-act/
Federal Trade Commission:
https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/
AARP:
http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/fraud-watch-network/
Identity Theft Resource Center:
https://www.idtheftcenter.org/
The latest issue of the Sheriff’s Office’s crime prevention newsletter, “Partners in Crime Prevention,” has been posted.
This issue gives some updates on catalytic converter
thefts and gas thefts with some prevention tips.
Check it out at,
Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:
https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6825
