Alabama Ranks 10th Highest Identity Theft Complaints In Nation: How Do You Protect Yourself?
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What would happen if someone stole your identity and bought thousands of dollars worth of items under your name? It’s a problem law enforcement officials say is common here in Alabama and they want to prevent your from being another victim. It’s the call or message you don’t want to get, saying your federal tax returns have been rejected. It’s news Montgomery resident, Nakisha Murry, got back in 2006 when someone stole her and her son’s identity. “I had to go through the process with the preparer that I use in order for them to give me the information on why it rejected and it said identity issues,” Said Murry. Thieves got away with about $7,000, money she was counting on; money she didn’t get back until much later. “It took about two years to actually receive it,” Said Murry, who is just one of many Alabamians who became victims of identity theft. The Federal Trade Commission says Alabama ranks as the 10th worst state in the nation for identity theft. Of 100,000 people, there are about 105 theft complaints. Montgomery ranks as the 16th city with the most complaints in the nation. Tom Williams has been filing taxes for almost 40 years and says it hasn’t always been this way. “Because the refunds are so large, criminals have decided that it’s much easier to sit in front of a computer and do a tax return with bogus information or information that they have obtained illegally and make a lot more money,” Said Tom Williams. With identity theft being such a big problem during tax season, Crimestoppers director, Tony Garrett has some advice: “Be careful with your social security number or tax ID number. Make sure it’s secure and that you don’t give that number out to just anyone that asks,” Said Garrett. Garrett says normally when thieves steal information it averages between $1,500 to about $3,000. He’s seen someone lose as much as much as $17,000. So how do you prevent yourself from being a victim of identity theft? Crimestoppers Tips to follow: Robbery – Criminals are waiting for your good news. Do not announce that you are receiving a refund in public venues, such as work, social media, or social gatherings. 1. Have your refund electronically drafted into your bank account. 2. Do not count or show your money in public. 3. Remain alert and observe people around you. At Home – Home Invasion and burglary are other ways for criminals to attack. 1. Do not allow strangers into your home, Keep door locked and call the police for them. 2. Be alert when checking your mail, to and from the mailbox. 3. Do not advertise that you live alone. (Check on elderly family members) 4. Keep curtains and shades closed at night. 5. Never give information to an unknown stranger over the phone 6. Do not place boxes from large purchases on the curve for long periods of time. Scams – There are hundreds of con-artist waiting for the right person to become their victim. 1. Don’t carry your Social Security card or any documents with your SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) on it. 2. Don’t give a business your SSN or ITIN just because they ask. Give it only when required. 3. Protect your financial information. 4. Check your credit report every 12 months. 5. Secure personal information in your home. 6. Protect your personal computers by using firewalls, anti-spam/virus software, update security patches and change passwords for Internet accounts. 7. Don’t give personal information over the phone, through the mail or on the Internet unless you have initiated the contact or you are sure you know who you are dealing with. Finally, make sure to check on our elderly. These con artist target the elderly by offering them money for their church, or advising them that they have found money and would like to share it with them, or offer a home service or repair at an unbelievably low rate. They target them outside of banks, financial institutions, shopping centers, or grocery stores. These crimes increase towards the spring. In many occasions, the victim is too embarrassed to tell anyone. Law Enforcement is notified months later. Central Alabama CrimeStoppers is a nonprofit agency that needs and appreciates monetary donations from the community. Make a fast, safe, and secure tax deductible donation at www.215STOP.com.
