City of Falcon Heights > Police Department > Identity Theft

Identity Theft

An important letter from the St. Anthony Police Department, reprinted from the Falcon Heights newsletter, Spring, 2002

We work hard to make money to support ourselves and our families. We also try to keep our credit history unblemished by making payments on time. There is a recent crime wave that needs to be discussed that is victimizing people of every age group. It is called identity theft. These new-age criminals are very crafty and are making millions by victimizing anybody and everybody they can.

These criminals, using your personal information such as your address, birthdate, Social Security number or credit card number, can acquire false credit cards or siphon money from your checking or savings account, obtain a mortgage, or even establish a criminal record in YOUR NAME! It may take a few months, but eventually you'll start getting calls from creditors demanding payments for charges you never made. It only takes minutes for these thieves to victimize you, but it may take years to clean up the mess they've made.

At the St. Anthony Police Department, we have a publication that deals with identity theft and methods of preventing becoming a victim of this crime. I encourage you to come in and pick up a copy of the brochure. It is put together by the Minnesota Attorney General's Office.

Simple steps you can take to lower your chances of becoming a victim.

Do not share personal information about yourself with anyone you do not know or people who have no reason to know this information.
When on the computer, never send your personal information (social security number, credit card number, birthdate) over a non-secure connection. Although encryption software is used by most online retailers, it is never 100% safe.
Be careful what you throw out in the trash. Thieves will sort through your garbage looking for discarded credit card offers or anything that has your personal information on it. I purchased a paper shredder last year and I shred anything that has my name and address on it. You can never be too careful.
Never put your paid bills in your mailbox for the post office to deliver. Thieves drive around looking for mailboxes that have the red flag up. They grab the contents, drive around the corner, remove the checks from the envelopes and then return the mail to your box. Within an hour, they can actually print up fictitious checks with all of your information and pass forged checks all over the metro area. I suggest that you bring your bills directly to the post office and hand deliver them to the post office employee behind the counter. Thieves can purchase items by just knowing your checking account number and routing number found on the bottom of your checks. Identification is rarely asked checked.
Never leave your personal information (checkbook, social security card, credit cards, etc.) in your vehicle or unattended. We have had many theft reports where a purse or wallet was stolen and by the time the victim noticed, thousands of dollars have been charged.

If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, contact the police. There are three main credit reporting bureaus that you should contact as well. They are Trans Union (800-888-4213), Equifax (800-685-1111), and Experian (888-397-3742). All credit requests get routed to one or all of these companies. For a fee, they can send you an upto-date report of your credit history to see if there are any unauthorized entries. For a separate fee, they may be able to "flag" your file so that you are contacted any time there is a request for credit authorization.

More information from the State of Minnesota

Top | Police and Fire Department | Home