FBI explains how to beat identity thieves

Ruinous crime can begin with cardboard, glue

Por: Leonel Sanchez 1 Junio 2011 @ 11:35 pm
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Identity theft can happen to anyone.

SanDiegoRed News Services

If you are a victim
Law enforcement agencies recommend you take these steps if you are a victim of identity theft or a scam:
•Contact the three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) to file a fraud alert
•Equifax: 1-877-576-5734; www.alerts.equifax.com
•Experian: 1-888-397-3742; www.experian.com/fraud
•TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com
•Contact the law enforcement department nearest you and obtain copies of any police reports
•Close all tampered or fraudulent accounts
•You may also want to contact the Social Security Administration and the Federal Trade Commission and let them know what has happened


Thinking of walking to your neighborhood mail box this night to drop off that bill?

Think again.

Thieves have been known to fish for mail. They use string to lower pieces of cardboard covered with glue down blue mail boxes and open envelopes that stick looking for personal information they can steal.

An FBI agent shared this method of thievery with a Spanish-speaking audience last week in San Diego to illustrate the lengths criminals go to steal a person’s identity.

Immigrants, in particular, can fall prey to identity theft because they may know American practices or received word of how prevalent it is.

“Why do criminals do it?â€