San Diego County Sheriff's Office: Fraud and Identity Theft

In response to the recent increase in fraud, particularly affecting seniors, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office has shared some tips and resources to reduce risk and help prevent fraud and identity theft. These reminders can help all community members.

Check Information:

Check what information is already out there. Scammers and fraudsters often find their information from online sources. Do you know what is displayed online about you? Google yourself. If you find yourself on websites that list any of your personal information, then ask them to remove it. 

Are your social media platforms set to private? Each of your social media platforms should have minimal information about yourself and be set to the highest privacy setting so that your information does not get compromised.

Reduce Risk:

1. Never pay for anything with gift cards—scammers like to ask for unusual forms of payment so they won't get caught. You cannot pay off warrants with a gift card.
2. Do not give out information if you do not have to. Do not sign up for giveaways or programs that will sell your information.
3. Shred all documents that have personal information on it if you are disposing of them. Promptly remove your mail from your mailbox after it is delivered.
4. Keep track of packages and when they will be delivered.
5. Never carry your social security card or your passwords with you. Keep both in safe places where only you can find them if they are needed.
6. Do not always believe your caller ID. Scammers can mask their phone numbers to be anyone they want to be and will try to get to know you via telephone.
7. Do not leave behind receipts. Keep track of all your paperwork.
8. Never give out personal information over the phone. Do not give anyone your social security number or credit card numbers over the phone.

Check Your Credit Report:

Did you know that you can check your credit for free three times a year?

Each credit bureau offers a free credit check and you do not have to do them all at once. For example, ask for one credit check with Transunion at the beginning of the year; Equifax in the middle of the year; and Experian at the end of the year.

Consider a Credit Freeze:

If you have ever been a victim of identity theft, then you are entitled to freezing your credit. Even if you have not been a victim of identity theft, it is a good idea to freeze your credit.

A credit freeze puts a hold on creating new credit lines. It does not affect any current credit cards that you own and use, it simply makes it so no one else can create credit in your name. To do this, you must contact each credit bureau and ask for a freeze.

For more information about fraud and identity theft, contact North Coastal Station at (760) 966-3500.
See the official brochure here.

Credit Bureaus

Equifax
www.equifax.com
(888) 548-7878

Experian
www.experian.com
(888) 397-3742

Transunion
www.transunion.com
(800) 916-8800

Additional Resources

Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov

US Postal Inspection Service
www.uspis.gov/report

Identity Theft Resource Center
www.idtheftcenter.org

FBI Internet Crime Complaint
www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx

FBI Scams and Safety Info
wwwfbi.gov/scams-and-safety

Do Not Call List
www.donotcall.gov