Central Bank offers seminar on preventing identity theft

Identity theft and financial fraud are becoming one of the fastest growing crimes in America. Knowing how to protect one’s personal data and privacy is the best way to prevent most of these types of crimes. Recently the Central Bank on North Shepherd conducted an informational seminar for its customers and others on identity theft and ways to prevent it. The speaker was Officer Jacob Webb, an investigator with the Houston Police Department’s financial fraud division.

Webb talked about the various methods used to commit identity and credit card theft. He said that stealing personal files from businesses or institutions is one of the easier ways a thief can get identity information. Another is “dumpster diving,” where copies of checks, bank statements and other records are carelessly discarded.

The theft of mail, wallets and purses gives a thief instant access to personal information. Thieves also use technology and cameras to get personal data. On the internet, they can use e-mail messages to trick consumers into providing personal information, a tactic known as “spoofing” and “phishing.” Cameras hidden around ATM machines have been used to record the numbers punched by users in accessing their accounts. These cameras are disguised and not easily detected by those using the ATM machine.

Webb said one of his cases involved a waiter who carried a data collection device or skimmer in his pocket. He was able to steal credit card numbers as the cards were being scanned to pay for purchases.

The HPD makes the following recommendations for preventing identity theft:

1) guard your Social Security number; 2) carry minimal personal financial information and credit cards and memorize PIN numbers; 3) keep financial documents in a secure place and shred before throwing away; 4) do not give sensitive information to unsolicited callers; 5) shield your hand when entering your PIN at a bank ATM; 6) pick up new checks at your bank rather than having them delivered; 7) check your credit report each year; 8) do not give personal information over the internet or through the mail unless you are certain of the business’s trustworthiness; 9) keep duplicate records of your wallet’s contents; 10) mail payments from a safe location and do not place them in your mailbox.

If you become an identity theft victim contact the Houston Police Department immediately at 713-884-3131, notify credit reporting agencies and the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-IDTHEFT.