Identity Theft is fastest growing crime in US

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes reported in the US today. Our community has not escaped the growth and many of our citizens have already been affected by the theft or fraudulent use of their personal or financial information.

The Sheriff Department will assist you in completing an incident report which you may use to provide to creditors, credit bureaus, and other parties. You will need to provide sufficient information for the deputy to complete a report including documentation of the reported fraud provided by the bank or other facility at which your identity was used.

After you have filed a complaint with this department, you need to notify the FTC of the incident. They will need the report number provided to you by the deputy. The link below will take you to the internet site provided by the Federal Trade Commission on Identity Theft. It includes addresses to notify credit bureaus that you are a victim of identity theft.



If you want to submit the complaint on line, you can also go to the FTC's website. Additionally, you may call the FTC by phone to file a complaint by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT.

Banks, businesses and other agencies often require an affidavit of fraud in order to process your complaint. The FTC has a basic general purpose affidavit available at their website for you to use. Once you complete the affidavit, you may want to have it notorized as a means of adding authenticity to the document. Do not send the affidavit to the FTC. Keep it for your use in working with creditors to clear your financial identity.

A copy of the FTC affidavit can be obtained from the FTC site by clicking here.

If you would like to read more about the crime of identity theft and what you can do to help reduce the liklihood you will become a victim, take a few minutes to read the information provided here.




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