Second Hazelwood Resident Falls Victim to Income Tax Identity Theft

On April 11, the responded to its second call in the past two months of identity theft. In March Hazelwood Patch reported about in the Riverwood Trails subdivision. 

The same thing has happened again in the Riverwood Trails subdivision. In the 1900 block of Timberwood Crossing Drive the victim's social security number was used by person unknown to file taxes.

Here are some tips that you can use when you're online to keep your identity safe:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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. 

5. When you realize you are the victim of identity theft:

• Call the poilice and file a fraud report.
• Notify your banks and credit card companies and Telecheck.
• File a fraud report with the Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Protection Agency.
• Contact the three major credit bureaus and inform them of the fraud.

Have you ever been an identity theft victim? Tell us about it in the comments section and how you overcame the ordeal?