Residents can guard against identity theft

It is another Monday morning and another victim eniers the Moorpark Police Station carrying their credit reports and bank statements. The victim approaches the counter to report that someone used their identity to purchase goods or obtain credit. Identity theft is a crime that has increased at alarming rates around the country and here in Moorpark.

In the course of the busy holiday season, people will write checks, use credit cards, use debit cards, mail their bills or apply for credit cards.

In each of these transactions people will reveal bits of personal information like bank account numbers, credit card numbers or name, address or phone number. A thief now has all the information necessary to commit identity theft. Once the thief has this information, it can be used without the victim's knowledge to commit fraud or theft.

Citizens need to do all that they can to protect themselves. Protecting personal information seems like an easy task, but identity theft can happen anywhere and to anyone.

People who take a few extra steps to secure passwords, account numbers and identity are less likely

to become a victim. The computer can be protected as well by obtaining software to protect the most sensitive information.

The Moorpark Police Department has Sheriff's service technician Amy Garcia whose knowledge and training in identity theft has assisted the citizens of Moorpark who have become victims of this type of crime. Her abilities and expertise in turn help the deputies in arresting the suspects who commit identity theft crimes. Sheriff service technicians are a civilian position and can work in a number of different assignments within the Sheriff's Department.

Although most of the identity cases Garcia has investigated come from outside the Ventura County area, Garcia wants the citizens of Moorpark to know how to protect themselves from this increasing crime:

Purchases made over the Internet should be made with a credit card and never a bank debit card. A credit card is not linked to a bank account like a debit card. Debit cards when used come directly out of a bank account. If fraud occurs, the banks have been known to stop all activity, causing problems for the victim to withdraw funds or pay bills. The credit card can be easily closed and investigated without interfering with daily financial means.

People should check their bank statements. Those who check their bank statements are aware of what type of activity is occurring. If anything seems amiss the bank can be contacted right away.

Check the personal credit report a least once a year. Those who have been a victim of identity theft should check more often. This will provide information on who or how many times people have applied for credit using this information.

Garcia has taken her experience in identity theft to the citizens of Moorpark by conducting fraud presentations for the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce, the Moorpark Rotary Club, the Senior Center, the Women's Fortnightly Club and the Arroyo Vista Mobile Home Park.

Garcia also created the Moorpark Fraud Pamphlet for deputies to give to citizens of Moorpark when they have become victims of these crimes. She also initiated the inkless thumbprint on the back of checks for the Moorpark business community to reduce fraud at its source.

The technician's experience has been successful in obtaining leads which turn into arrests for identity theft.

One such case that Garcia investigated at a local Target Store lead to several thefts that had occurred throughout Ventura County and ended with the arrest of the suspect in Ventura. The theft involved numerous stolen checks and the suspect using someone else's identity.

Although Garcia has added that not all cases are similar and that identifying a suspect can be a difficult task, it is always a good feeling to help victims and have closure with an arrest.

Because the holiday season is here and people tend to do more purchasing this time of year, the chances of becoming a victim increase. Don't leave personal information exposed, whether it is at the checkout counter, market or department store.

Garcia also strongly cautions people against leaving purses and wallets in vehicles. Leaving personal items in a car will only give the thieves the opportunity they are looking for, their next victim.

For more information on identity theft or protection from this crime, call Garcia at the Moorpark Police Station, (805) 532-2650.