Minimize Your Risk of Identity Theft

You may file a crime report or a courtesy report for identity theft at the Laguna Beach Police Department if you are a Laguna Beach resident, a Laguna Beach business owner or if you are the victim of identity theft and the crime occurred in the City of Laguna Beach.

Before filing a report with the Laguna Beach Police Department please complete the IDENTITY THEFT INVESTIGATION SUPPLEMENTAL WORKSHEET”.  To download, click on the two links below:

You can greatly minimize your chances by implementing the safeguards listed below, but be extremely cautious when handling and disclosing the following information:

• Never provide personal information over the phone, unless you have initiated the phone call. If you receive a call and want to confirm that the company is who they say they are, ask for a call back number and match it against the telephone book or directory assistance. Check with the Better Business Bureau to determine the legitimacy of the business.

• Never leave outgoing checks or paid bills in your residential mailbox. Use a blue postal mailbox or your local post office. 

• Consider installing a residential mailbox that is equipped with a locking mechanism and never leave mail in your mailbox overnight.

• When ordering new checks, do not have them sent to your residence. Pick them up at the bank or have them delivered by registered mail.

• Use a shredder prior to disposing of bank and credit card statements, canceled checks, pre-approved credit card offers, and any other financial or personal information. A crosscut shredder offers added security by making it more difficult to reconstruct shredded documents.

• Place your garbage out in the morning on the day of pickup rather than the night before. This gives "Dumpster divers" less opportunity to go through your garbage.

• If you list your name in the telephone book consider leaving out your address, or having an unpublished number. Leave off titles such as "Dr." or "Attorney" or any other signs announcing your apparent affluence.

• Minimize the amount of information you carry in your wallet or purse by taking out extra credit cards and ID's.

• Cancel all unused credit cards and maintain a list of active cards and accounts.

• This list should include account numbers, expiration dates, telephone numbers and addresses for each creditor. Store this information in a secure place.

• Open all bills promptly and check your accounts monthly.

• Save all credit card receipts and match them against your monthly billing. Look for charges you don't recognize and report them immediately.

• Call your credit card company if your card has expired and you have not yet received a replacement.

• Notify your credit card companies and financial institutions in advance of any address or phone number changes.

• Never loan your credit cards to anyone.

• Sign all credit cards upon receipt.

• Report all lost or stolen credit cards immediately.

• Be cautious of "shoulder surfers". Always shield your calling card or pin numbers when entering them during a transaction.

• Keep your eyes on your credit card during all transactions (i.e. restaurants).

• Never leave transaction receipts behind including, ATM receipts on the counter, at the gas pump, at the bank or in a trash receptacle - these should be shredded.

• Ask your creditors to include a security password on your accounts. Refrain from using your mother's maiden name.

• Limit the information printed on your checks to your name and address. If the clerk needs your phone number, write it on the check but do not say it loud enough for strangers to hear.

• Do not allow sales clerks to write your credit card number on your check.

• Never write down personal identification numbers (PINS) or passwords. Memorize them!

• Order a copy of your credit report at least once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus. Review each report to verify that the information is correct and that there are not fraudulent transactions. You can also purchase services that alert you when there are irregularities in your accounts. Check with the three major credit report agencies for further information on these services.

  To Order Credit Reports
  Equifax	(800) 685-1111
  Experian	(888) 397-3742
  Trans Union	(800) 888-4213

  Order credit reports for your child, anyone can be a victim of Identity Theft!

Minimize your risk on-line:

• Limit the amount of information you give out over the Internet (i.e. genealogy sites).

• Use your credit card instead of your debit card when purchasing merchandise through the Internet.

• Only shop at Internet sites that have a secure server. Secure pages begin with "https" instead of "http". A picture of a lock in the locked position should appear on the browser window.

• When you subscribe to an on-line service, you may be asked to give credit card information. Be aware of con artists who may ask you to confirm your enrollment when entering an interactive services site. Don't give out your password, credit card or checking account numbers! Contact your service provider to report such activity.
   

  For additional information on Identity Theft or to obtain a copy of "When Bad Things Happen To Your Good Name", visit the Federal Trade Commission's website at: www.ftc.gov