Chief Joseph M. Donnelly

Identity Theft: Don’t Be a Victim

Many of us have some bad habits of which we are unaware, but that might incapacitate us financially, cause legal ramifications, and definitely haunt us for the rest of our lives.

I am referring to the habits we have acquired that can lead to our own identity theft. There are several ways by which identity thieves commit their crimes. Some steal credit card payments and other outgoing mail from private, curbside mailboxes.

They dig through garbage cans or communal dumpsters in search of cancelled checks, credit card and bank statements, and pre-approved credit card offers. They hack into computers that contain personal records and steal the data. They submit a change of address form in the victim’s name to divert mail and gather personal and financial data. They submit a change of address form in the victim’s name to divert mail and gather personal and financial data. The National Citizens’ Crime Prevention Campaign, sponsored by the National Crime Prevention Council, aims to educate consumers about what they can do to prevent identity theft.

The council offers the following tips:

• Do not give out your personal information unless you initiate the contact or know the person or company with whom you are dealing. Also, never disclose personal information, such as a Social Security number or bank account number, in response to an e-mail. Legitimate businesses will never ask you to do this.
• Do not disclose your credit card number to an online vendor unless it is encrypted and the site is secure. Look at the first part of the Web address on your browser. It should read: "https://."
• Do not write your Social Security number or telephone number on checks or credit card receipts.
• Remove all documents with personal information from your hard drive before discarding your computer or sending it in for repair.
• Shred discarded documents, including pre-approved credit card applications, bank statements store receipts and utility bills “dumpster divers” can gain access to your personal information if such items are thrown in the trash.
• Cancel all credit cards that have not been used in the last six months. Open credit is a prime target for thieves.
• Order your credit report at least twice a year and report any mistakes, in writing, to the credit reporting agency. If you are a victim of identity theft, contact your local police department as soon as possible.

If your identity was stolen in one jurisdiction but used in another, you may have to report the crime in both jurisdictions. These simple precautions will assist you in protecting your identity.

Sincerely,
Joseph M. Donnelly
Chief of Police