Community Roll Call

The instances of identity theft are on the rise however the ways that offenders steal our identities for the most part is low tech. Following you will find a list of how identities are being stolen:

• Stealing wallets/purses from shopping carts
• Pick pocketing
• Stealing mail and applying for your pre-approved credit offer simply by changing the address to a vacant home or PO Box
• Rummage through residential and business trash containers
• Posing as someone legally permitted to gain your credit report
• Collude with or bribe employees of businesses or other organizations who have your personal information on file
• Break into homes and find personal information laying about
• Hack into corporate computer systems
• Legally getting access to your credit card while conducting a transaction then copying or electronically scanning your credit card number
• In home service calls where the service provider might see your banking or other personal information on a desk or table

Here is a short list of things to consider when safeguarding your personal information:

• Shred every piece of paper that you do not need to keep that has any personal information on it
• Delete much of the pre-printed information on your personal checks
• Ask your Doctors, banking institutions and even your grocery store how they are safeguarding your information and if they sell any of it
• Change all your banking, internet and computer passwords on a regular basis
• Be careful as to what information you are sharing over cordless phones, cell phones, instant messaging or text messaging
• Sanitize your home before having an in home service visit
• Check you credit report frequently; each major credit reporting agency must provide you with one free report annually.

RAIN OR SHINE...RAIN OR SHINE...RAIN OR SHINE...RAIN OR SHINE...RAIN OR SHINE...

The Wauwatosa Crime Stoppers along with Shred It are hosting a Shredding Day on Saturday September 13, 2008 at the Wauwatosa City Hall parking lot, 7725 W. North Ave, from 8:00am until 1:00pm. This event his being held in conjunction with MMSD's household hazardous waste disposal. Entry to the parking lot will be from North Ave and exit will to Wauwatosa Ave / 76th Street.

The purpose of this event is to help you protect yourself from identity theft by providing, free of charge, the opportunity to shred up to 3 boxes per household of papers that may contain any of your personal identification and account numbers. Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States with 15 million reported victims a year, that means that every 2 seconds an identity is stolen!

Please take advantage of this shredding day to help protect your identity and your future.

RAIN OR SHINE...RAIN OR SHINE...RAIN OR SHINE...RAIN OR SHINE...RAIN OR SHINE...