Jackson Police Department
Jackson, Wisconsin
Service Since 1912   

 

 

Prevent Thefts-Lock Vehicle Doors Overnight
 

ID THEFT AND INTERNET FRAUD RESOURCES

Identity theft and internet fraud are becoming epidemic across the country. No one is immune, including residents of smaller communities like Jackson. If you use a credit card, write checks, use email, shop on the Internet, you are at risk if you're not careful. This department handles financial crime complaints every week. Many times, we can't do anything for the victim because the suspect is in another state... or another country. Sometimes the bank will cover the loss... but we had one victim who lost thousands of dollars.

This page provides all of the information at our disposal to help you prevent a loss, and what to do if you've been victimized.

First, file a complaint with a law enforcement agency. Determining the "venue" of the crime can sometimes be complicated, but call here and if the complaint shouldn't be filed with us, we'll tell you where it should be.

Check out http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft for information to both prevent and remedy an ID theft situation.

If you've been victimized, go here for publications that include instructions on contacting credit union, banks, etc: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/data/idt.shtm

The International Association of Chiefs of Police offers this new web page on ID theft:
http://www.idsafety.org/

TWO STEPS THAT WILL KEEP YOU OUT OF TROUBLE:

1. DO NOT ANSWER AN EMAIL MESSAGE FROM YOUR BANK

PHISHING: Bait or Prey?
(From the Federal Trade Commission)

“We suspect an unauthorized transaction on your account. To ensure that your account is not compromised, please click the link below and confirm your identity.”

“Phishers” send spam or pop-up messages claiming to be from a business or organization that you might deal with — for example, an Internet service provider (ISP), bank, online payment service, or even a government agency. The message usually says that you need to “update” or “validate” your account information. It might threaten some dire consequence if you don't respond. The message directs you to a website that looks just like a legitimate organization's, but isn't. The purpose of the bogus site? To trick you into divulging your personal information so the operators can steal your identity and run up bills or commit crimes in your name. Don't take the bait: never reply to or click on links in email or pop-ups that ask for personal information. Legitimate companies don't ask for this information via email. If you are directed to a website to update your information, verify that the site is legitimate by calling the company directly, using contact information from your account statements. Or open a new browser window and type the URL into the address field, watching that the actual URL of the site you visit doesn't change and is still the one you intended to visit. Forward spam that is phishing for information to spam@uce.gov and to the company, bank, or organization impersonated in the phishing email. Most organizations have information on their websites about where to report problems.

2. DON'T WIRE MONEY TO STRANGERS.
This one is really bad, because your money will disappear, often in Latvia or Canada. Yes, overseas thieves have targeted residents of "sleepy little Jackson". The schemes can be complicated. The victim is told that he won a lottery but must pre-pay the taxes; someone is sent a check, told to cash it, keep some, and send the rest. It never makes sense when analyzed afterwards... but by then it's too late.

The common denominator is wiring money to someone... usually by Western Union. The money can't be traced. No identification is needed to pick it up. Your bank may demand compensation.

Do not wire money as a down-payment for a vehicle (or anything else) purchased in an on-line auction. When buying a vehicle on EBay, follow that company's instructions carefully regarding escrow services. Fraudulent sellers have been steering people into using phony escrow companies, with the usual results.

More information:
http://onguardonline.gov/crossborder.html
http://onguardonline.gov/auctions.html



 
Copyright 2008 by The Village of Jackson