Wellington Police Identity Theft

A lost or stolen purse is a gold mine of information for a new kind of crook the IDENTITY THIEF.

The Wellington Police Department investigates several cases of this nature on a monthly basis and given the type of crime, the thieves are hard to catch.

Identity thieves can use information found in your wallet / purse from credit cards, checks, social security cards, health insurance cards and various other personal documents to establish new accounts in your name. This could create an identity crisis that could take months to detect and even longer to unravel.

If your wallet / purse is stolen the Wellington Police Department suggests the following:

1. Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus and report that your identity has been stolen.

2. Request that a "Fraud Alert" be placed on your file and that no new credit be granted with out your approval.

3. The three major creditors are:

a. Equifax (800) 525-6285 www.equifax.com

b. Experian (888) 397-3742 www.experian.com

c. TransUnion (800) 680-7289 www.transunion.com

d. To request a " Fraud Alert access the internet site www.consumer.gov/idtheft/victim and the affidavit to report an identity theft can be accessed.

4. Immediately file a report with your local Police / Sheriff's Department

5. Report the lost to your bank and cancel checking accounts and all credit / charge cards. Get new cards issued with different account numbers

6. Report your missing drivers license to the motor vehicle department. It is recommended that you not use your social security number as your state drives license number.

7. In the event your keys were stolen. Change your locks on your residence. You don't want to give the identity thief access to even more personal property and information.