PUBLISHED JUNE 16, 2016
Spate of mail thefts prompts free, public fraud forums
By LOIS KINDLE
LOIS KINDLE PHOTO
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Merry will present a series of free, public forums this month on identity theft to advise residents on simple things they can do to keep their personal information from getting into the wrong hands.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Merry knows firsthand what it’s like to have someone steal your personal information. So when he presents free, public forums on protecting it, he’s trying to help residents avoid going through the same experience.
“Even I was a victim of credit card and debit card fraud,” he said. “My information was taken by hackers during last year’s OPM (United States Office of Personnel Management) data breach.
On June 14, 21 and 22 Merry will present a series of free forums on identity theft to advise residents on simple things they can do to keep their personal information from getting into the wrong hands. Although the meetings will be held in Sun City Center, all South Shore residents are welcome to attend.
The locations, dates and times are as follows:
• Caper Room, Sun City Center Community Association Atrium, 945 North Course Lane, June 14 at 10 a.m.
• Ripple Room, Kings Point North Clubhouse, 1900 Clubhouse Lane, June 14 at 1 p.m.
• Freedom Plaza Auditorium, 1010 American Eagle Blvd., June 21 at 11 a.m.
• American Momentum Bank, 131 Pebble Beach Blvd. S., June 22 at 3 p.m.
Merry said this month’s topic was chosen specifically to address a recent spate of thefts of residential, outgoing mail in an area along E. Del Webb Boulevard. The thefts occurred over a period of three weeks and the perpetrators were looking to use personal information contained in it for nefarious purposes, Merry said.
“The only reason to steal mail is to commit identity theft,” he continued. “They use information from the statements and checks sent as payments to commit account takeovers, where they use the information they got to open new accounts and credit cards, access and use a victim’s current accounts or ‘wash’ checks to produce blank checks and steal funds.
“If you don’t have a locked mailbox, never place outgoing mail in it,” Merry said. “Take it to the post office or nearest U.S. mail receptacle.”
He added incoming mail left in unlocked boxes is also a hazard.
Thieves can take preapproved credit card applications, Social Security Administration correspondence, letters from Medicare or the Veterans Administration or bank/investment statements and use vital information contained in them to commit fraud.
Seniors are especially vulnerable, Merry said.
“Identity theft is rampant in Sun City Center because it encompasses any kind of fraud using any type of personal information. But it happens everywhere and to people of all ages.”
There are other ways to protect your information, Merry said. These include:
• Opt out of all preapproved credit card offers online at www.prescreen.com or by calling 888-567-8688.
• Refuse to give any information to people you don’t know, whether it’s on the phone, via email, online or in person. Never click on links you don’t know.
• Freeze credit if you’re not apt to use it, especially if you’re over age 65.
• Make a copy of your Medicare card to carry in your wallet or purse and black out the first five numbers of your Social Security number on it. Never carry the original.
• Shred all financial documents.
• Check your credit reports annually and review your financial account and billing statements.
• Limit the number of people you give your social security number to, even if it’s to doctors’ office personnel.
“When it comes to identity theft, your Social Security number often is compromised through health providers, including insurance companies,” Merry said. “So it’s important to limit who you give your information to and how many times you provide it.”
Last year Merry addressed 300 to 400 attendees per month at his forums. Topics included IRS impersonation and tax refund fraud; check fraud; sweepstakes scams; internet and email fraud; contractor fraud; credit and debit card fraud; and golf cart safety.
For additional information about his June series or any that are upcoming, email Merry at jmerry@hcso.tampa.fl.us or call (813) 672-7817.