BRATTLEBORO POLICE DEPARTMENT SAFETY GROUPS
TIP OF THE MONTH
March
IDENTITY THEFT TIPS
- Identity Theft is a crime in which an impostor obtains key pieces of personal identifying information (PII) such as Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers and uses them for their own personal gain. This is called ID Theft. It can start with lost or stolen wallets, pilfered mail, a data breach, computer virus, phishing, a scam, or paper documents thrown out by you or a business (dumpster diving). This crime varies widely, and can include check fraud, credit card fraud, financial identity theft, criminal identity theft, governmental identity theft, and identity fraud.
- Shred- Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you throw them away
- Protect- Protect your social security number. Don't carry you Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
- Don't give out - personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the internet unless you know who you are dealing with.
- Never click -on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer, keep them up-to-date. Visit ongaurdonline.gov for more information.
- Don't use -an obvious password like your birth date, your mother's maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- Do not mark your keys with your name or address. Separate your house keys from your car keys.
- Keep- your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your home.
- If you feel you have been a victim of identity theft, contact the Brattleboro Police Department 802-257-7950. They have a form you can fill out located in the Central Dispatch Center. You should also contact all three credit bureaus, contact your bank, and place a fraud alert on all of your accounts. Another step you should take is reporting the theft to the Federal Trade Commission; you can do this online at ftc.gov/idtheft or www.brattleboropolice.org/computercrime.html
If you have any questions or comments please contact the Brattleboro Police Department
802-257-7946
