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The Hot Springs Police Department would like to provide the citizens of Hot Springs with information and suggestions to aid in the prevention of identity theft.
Large cities throughout the United States as well as Hot Springs have witnessed an increase in identity thefts within the past few years. The Federal Trade Commission received 516,740 complaints from consumers in 2003. Of these, 214,905 (42%) were identity theft reports. In a recent poll, only one fear topped respondents’ fear of having their identity stolen: that of another attack like the one on the World Trade Center. The 2003 Federal Trade Commission survey found that the total annual cost of identity theft to its victims was about $5 billion. It is important to realize that anyone can become a victim of identity theft. Research shows that the average age of the victim is 42 and, typically, these crimes go unnoticed for 14 months.
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your name, address, Social Security number, bank or credit card account number, or other identifying information without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes.
Identity theft became a federal crime in the United States in 1998, with the passage of the Identity Theft Assumption and Deterrence Act. It is also classified as a criminal offense in the State of Arkansas; listed as a class “D” felony. Upon being convicted of the crime, a person could receive a sentence of imprisonment within the Department of Corrections and be ordered by the court to pay restitution.
Identity thieves use a variety of low and high-tech methods to gain access to your personal information. Offenders generally extract people’s information from four locations:
- In wallets or purses;
- In homes, cars, or other designated “safe” places;
- At businesses or institutions that maintain customer records;
- People purchasing items over the Internet. (Many companies offer their consumers identity theft protection).
The main idea of crime prevention is to minimize your risk and exposure. Citizens should adopt a “common sense” approach concerning identity theft. By following a few simple guidelines, a person can greatly reduce their odds of becoming a victim.
- Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact.
- Don’t carry your Social Security card; leave it in a safe place.
- Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes or at your local post office.
- Tear or shred your charge receipts, credit applications and other type of personal information.
- Be wary of promotional scams that sound too good to be true. Identity thieves may use phony offers to get you to give them your personal information.
- Keep your purse and wallet in a secured location.
If you become a victim of identity theft there are preliminary steps you should take as soon as possible:
- Call the toll-free fraud number of any one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit report. This can help prevent an identity thief from opening additional accounts in your name. (Note: As soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus will automatically be notified to place fraud alerts).
Equifax; phone: 800.916.8800
Experian (formerly TRW); phone: 888.397.3742
TransUnion; phone: 800.916.8800
- Contact the creditors to close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Ask to speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each creditor, then follow up in writing.
- File a report with the police department.
For more information concerning identity theft a person can access the Federal Trade Commission website at www.ftc.gov
Information for this press release was provided by the National Crime Prevention Council, United States Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission.
Contact Info:
Ofc. McCrary Means
Public Information Officer/Hot Springs PD
501.321.6740
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