Hazelwood Identity Theft Cases Not Related

In March and April of this year, the (HPD) responded two calls of identity theft. Due to the nature of the crimes and the residential closeness of the victims, Hazelwood Patch reached out to the HPD to see if there was any relation.

A Tale of Two Cases

March 8, Hazelwood Patch reported about in the 2200 block of Riverwood Trails Drive in the Riverwood Trails subdivision. 

The same thing happened again on April 11 in the 1900 block of Timberwood Crossing Drive in the Riverwood Trails subdivision. The victim's social security number was .

Hazelwood Police Sgt. Andy Eagan said the two cases seem not to be interrelated.

"We have no evidence supporting that the two identity theft cases are related or how the information was obtained," he said. "Both are being investigated by the IRS."

Virtual Identity Theft

Here's a few tips to avaid your personal information being stolen on the Internet:

• Only Make Purchases On Trusted Sites : There are lots of small online retailers that don't have adequately secure payment systems. Stick with trusted, well-known online retailers, or smaller sites that use reputable payment processors like PayPal. Make sure to look for the padlock icon on the bottom of your browser to verify the page is safe.
• Order Your Credit Report: The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, the Federal government passed in 2003, mandates each of the major credit bureaus supply consumers with a free copy of their credit report each year. You can get yours at AnnualCreditReport.com. Your credit report allows you to see whether someone has opened new accounts under your name.
• Know How To Spot Phishing: Phishing is a technique identity thieves use to get your sensitive information by pretending to be a site you trust. Phishing schemes are successful because you believe that you're just signing into your bank or credit card account, when it's really a ploy to get your important information. Social security numbers and addresses are often red flags. Also, check the url of the site. If you're accessing a Bank of America account at a web address that isn't at bankofamerica.com, it probably a phishing site. 
• Secure Your Network: If you have a wireless network at home or work, make sure that you secure it. A hacker can gain access to anything you do over an unsecured network in a matter of seconds. If you look at the documentation for your wireless router, you'll be able to find out how to lock your router and encrypt your information.

Real Life Identity Theft

Patch blogger and financial advisor to avoid your personal information from being stolen in day-to-day life:

• Shred it don't trash it: It's best to either burn or shred any personal information you may recieve in the mail that has account numbers, social security numbers or anything else that can be used to open line of credit, utilites or other billable accounts. Professional thieves go through trash.
• Be Smart About Checks: When you order checks, don't use your full first or middle names; use your initials with your full last name instead. Who's going to guess that "B" stands for "Barbara" or "Bertram" when attempting to forge your signature?
• Be Incognito: Instead of using your home phone number on your checks, put your work number.   In addition, if you have a PO Box, use it for your address and never, ever publish your Social Security number on your checks.
• Backup Files: Make photocopies of every piece of identification that you carry with you daily and be sure to copy both sides. Keep the copies in a safe and handy place. If your wallet is ever stolen, all the information you'll need auto license and registration, credit card account numbers, and customer service hot lines, will be available to you in one place.
• No Account Numbers: Don't write account numbers on check in the "memo" section.
• Lock It Up: Lock away private information either in a safe or at a banking facility in a safe deposit box.

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