Identity Theft:
Common sense best defense
by Lenny Roberts

An identity thief is someone who acquires some piece of your personal information with the intent of committing theft or fraud. And identity theft is the fastest-growing criminal offense in America, according to Ojai-based Sheriff's Detective Rick Jones, who said that it's both a white-collar and street-level crime.
"The types of crooks we mostly see here are relatives or acquaintances who open up accounts in the victim's name," he said. But other means that have been reported locally are the thefts of mail, dumpster diving at businesses, and breaking into cars to steal wallets and purses left behind when unsuspecting victims park at unpopulated areas such as trailheads.
Jones said the rash of recent vehicle break-ins throughout the city and surrounding areas was not an organized effort, but rather the work of a group of individuals who got together to share ideas.
Jones cited a recent arrest that was the result of a traffic violation. The suspect, a Ventura parolee, was arrested on North Ventura Avenue after a deputy, entitled to search the man's vehicle, found a binder full of allegedly stolen driver's licenses and account numbers hidden under the floorboard.
"I'm pretty sure his previous arrests were for fraud," Jones said. "This is such an easy crime to commit that street-level drug users are getting into it, and we're seeing a lot more of it locally."
Criminals turn stolen identities into cash in inventive ways. For example, they can order an expensive item and have it shipped to the home of an unsuspecting relative, acquaintance, or just about anybody. If the suspect knows that a particular house may be unoccupied during the day, he may sit outside the residence and wait for the package to be delivered by a postal carrier, or get on the Internet and track the item if it is being delivered by a ground carrier. Either way, he gets the package without the knowledge of the homeowner or the identity theft victim.
One Ojai resident's credit was almost destroyed earlier this year when his identity was stolen and the suspect actually got approved for the purchase of a vehicle at a Valencia dealership. All the crook needed to get the loan - and the brand new car - Jones explained, was the person's name and Social Security number.
"Just with a name and birth date, they can open credit card and other accounts, or get a cell phone," Jones said. "Don't give out personal information to anyone by mail, over the phone or on the Internet unless you have initiated the contact. Shred your mail because criminals dumpster dive, and don't put outgoing mail in your mailbox and put the flag up. It's like saying 'here I am and here's my identity.'"
Jones said that an inexpensive paper shredder is a necessity in every household because shrewd identity thieves have been known to paste together pieces of torn-up checks and print new checks - in their automobiles - by using easily purchased check paper, scanners, lap-top computers and printers. Last week, a clerk at an Arcade business actually cashed a modified deposit slip after believing it to be a $200 legitimate check.
"A lot of businesses are being victimized because of people coming up here and cashing fake checks. Businesses can help by requesting a thumb print on the checks and requiring identification for credit card transactions. And citizens can help by not getting irritated when asked for ID. They should be thanking them," Jones said.

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© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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