"Partners with the Community"

Ocean Shores Police
577 Pt. Brown Ave NW
Ocean Shores, WA 98569
To report a crime: 360-533-8765
Business Office: 360-289-3331

IDENTITY THEFT

Identity Theft can be found almost anywhere

What is Identity Theft ?

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. Washington currently ranks 8th nationally in reported identity theft cases.

Identity theft involves someone acquiring your personal information, such as name, address, date of birth, social security number in order to impersonate you and obtain credit or commit a crime. The thief may steal your mail or use some other methods to obtain your social security number or other personal information. Often, you are unaware that a crime has been committed against you until you receive calls from collection agencies for items you never purchased or receive calls from credit card companies verifying information. The information contained in this guide provides the actions recommended by the Ocean Shores Police Department and financial industry to help reduce your likelihood of becoming a victim of identity theft.

How to avoid becoming a victim.

• Never give out personal information over the telephone, such as your Social Security number or account numbers unless you are initiating the contact.
• Do not place outgoing mail in your mailbox. Take it to collection boxes at the post office. Always remove mail from your residence mailbox as soon as possible. Stop mail if your are going to be away from your house for a long period of time. If you have a post office box, do not discard mail from credit institutions in a garbage can, shred them.
• Keep track of when your bills arrive during the month. If they don't arrive on time call the creditor to be sure your address has not been changed.
• Put passwords on your credit cards and other accounts.
• Memorize your social security number and all your passwords. Do not carry them in your wallet.
• Sign all new credit cards upon receipt.
• If you applied for a credit card and it hasn't arrived in a timely manner contact the card company.
• Shred all credit card receipts, account statements and unsolicited mail from credit companies.
• At least yearly check your credit report to verify information.