As a victim of identity theft, believe me this IS the time of year…
I will tell you, you REALLY don’t want to have to deal with that. Two plus years, changing EVERY account you own, getting involved with multiple agencies fraud units, etc… NOT fun!
And it’s becoming more and more sophisticated… THIS story out of San Diego is probably ‘a’ tip of one iceberg!
According to the release the pair ran a large-scale, sophisticated ID theft and mail theft ring out of their home where they stole the identities of more than 1,500 individuals. Much of the personal information is believed to have come from stolen real estate files. The extent of the information and items found indicate that this was a sophisticated group. The question remains: Are there more thieves that are part of this ring that have not yet been identified or prosecuted.
The release stated that investigators found numerous items involved in the ID theft scheme at the defendants’ home including computers, printers, dozens of stolen credit cards, card scanners and readers, lists describing how to make counterfeit IDs, mail, and stolen briefcases. Also found were handwritten binders with detailed personal identifying information of the victims’, credit card numbers, and credit information applied for by defendants in their names.
Also, this is the BIG time of the year for card skimmers…
Especially when you’re traveling and not familiar with the ATM machines in other locations!
I always ‘try’ to use machines that are in bank lobbies, but as THIS story points out some of these assholes are pretty brazen!!!
Again, if something doesn’t look right, let somebody know!
I will tell you, you REALLY don’t want to have to deal with that. Two plus years, changing EVERY account you own, getting involved with multiple agencies fraud units, etc… NOT fun!
And it’s becoming more and more sophisticated… THIS story out of San Diego is probably ‘a’ tip of one iceberg!
According to the release the pair ran a large-scale, sophisticated ID theft and mail theft ring out of their home where they stole the identities of more than 1,500 individuals. Much of the personal information is believed to have come from stolen real estate files. The extent of the information and items found indicate that this was a sophisticated group. The question remains: Are there more thieves that are part of this ring that have not yet been identified or prosecuted.
The release stated that investigators found numerous items involved in the ID theft scheme at the defendants’ home including computers, printers, dozens of stolen credit cards, card scanners and readers, lists describing how to make counterfeit IDs, mail, and stolen briefcases. Also found were handwritten binders with detailed personal identifying information of the victims’, credit card numbers, and credit information applied for by defendants in their names.
The “money” quote, so to speak…
“These individuals were sophisticated enough to know the local agency thresholds on the amount of money that would require an open investigation. Using this knowledge, they stayed under this dollar amount to avoid law enforcement detection,” said Chula Vista Chief of Police David Bejarano.
Also, this is the BIG time of the year for card skimmers…
Especially when you’re traveling and not familiar with the ATM machines in other locations!
I always ‘try’ to use machines that are in bank lobbies, but as THIS story points out some of these assholes are pretty brazen!!!
Again, if something doesn’t look right, let somebody know!
I know it’s a whirlwind right now, but for your own good, check those credit card and bank statements WEEKLY at the minimum… And if you’re not sure about a purchase, call somebody!!!
FWIW, you can also get fraud watch placed on your credit cards/debit cards. That does work, even if it is a PITA to call and pre-authorize larger purchases. Doing that saved me about $4000 in charges against my debit card…
Other than that, Happy Holidays… sigh
