Credit Card Identity Theft

Police of Morgan Hill, California received a call for a potential DUI, but instead three people were arrested for numerous incidents of identity theft. The driver of the Camaro, Charles Allen, didn't have a license and the passenger, Arena Adanandus, had a suspended license and neither one had ownership documentation of the Camaro. Allen was arrested on suspicion of driving with a suspended license. In the meantime, they impounded the Camaro and found merchandise totaling $800+ from Home Depot. The passenger, Adanandus, had used a customer's account number where she had fraudulently added her own name and the grand total of charges is suspected to be around $3,400. Not only that, but the Camaro was rented using a stolen credit card. During this time a third party, Aaron Fields, came to the station to meet with Allen and Adanandus and the kicker -- he drove to the station in a Ford Fusion which he rented using stolen credit card information. All three were arrested and booked (Read the full story here).

Identity theft is a recognized problem and credit card identity theft is one of the forms it may take. As in the prior case, the thief can use details of another person's credit card and wrack up debts which the unsuspecting customer ends up with. They may also use the person's name and information to open up new credit cards where they charge to the victim's name. So how can they even get this information? Through stealing mail from your mailbox or trash, credit card skimming, or stealing information from records where your details are kept (such as a crooked employee or a thief breaking into hospital records etc).

Some simple tips to prevent identity theft are:

1. Shred any documents with personal information before putting in the trash.
2. Opt out of mailing lists where credit card offers are sent through the mail.
3. Keep your eyes on your credit card at all times especially at stores and restaurants. It's not just on the internet where you need to be careful.
4. Identity theft insurance services.

Identity theft is a growing problem but gradually people are becoming more aware of it and are protecting and educating themselves against these types of crimes. As in the case cited, some of these losers do get caught and we're all happy when they bring their 'friends' along for the ride.