Identity Theft Sees Double-Digit Rise in Down Economy
Credit agencies helping people better protect themselves through free seminars
FORT SMITH, Ark. - When Chris Simms of Fort Smith heard about Tuesday's seminar on preventing identity theft, he was more curious than concerned about his own personal information. But he decided to come by and take advantage of the free credit check, something authorities say many people aren't doing enough.
"I wanted to see exactly how my credit report measured up, and get them to go through it with me so that I'd know if I got some issues on it or whatever," said Simms.
Credit counselors say there are countless ways for someone's personal information to be compromised, and it's happening more and more often as the economy worsens.
"In a down economy, identity theft goes up, and that's what we've seen last year is identity theft has gone up about twenty percent," said Mark Foster from Credit Counseling of Arkansas, who put on this seminar and a second one in Fayetteville scheduled for October 22.
Local law enforcement officers say federal authorities are ratcheting back their investigations on fraud cases so they can focus on terrorism. But there are still plenty of resources to help people get their money back and credit back on track.
"Dispute any strange transactions quickly, because if you wait 90 days after it happened you'll be out of luck," said Detective Ron Scamardo, who specializes in financial crimes for the Fort Smith Police Department.
While bank accounts and credit cards are lucrative targets for criminals, Scamardo says they're seeing more identity theft show up in the workplace, where someone will actually get a job using an assumed identity. But he says currently, the punishment isn't strict enough in Arkansas.
"What we're trying to do is get the employment added to that where it would make it a felony if somebody did have your identity and applied for that job," he said. For more information on preventing identity theft and recovering your personal information, visit the Federal Trade Commission's website at www.FTC.gov.
You can be protected for less then the cost of a cup of coffee a day. Click here To Be Protected NOW.
"I wanted to see exactly how my credit report measured up, and get them to go through it with me so that I'd know if I got some issues on it or whatever," said Simms.
Credit counselors say there are countless ways for someone's personal information to be compromised, and it's happening more and more often as the economy worsens.
"In a down economy, identity theft goes up, and that's what we've seen last year is identity theft has gone up about twenty percent," said Mark Foster from Credit Counseling of Arkansas, who put on this seminar and a second one in Fayetteville scheduled for October 22.
Local law enforcement officers say federal authorities are ratcheting back their investigations on fraud cases so they can focus on terrorism. But there are still plenty of resources to help people get their money back and credit back on track.
"Dispute any strange transactions quickly, because if you wait 90 days after it happened you'll be out of luck," said Detective Ron Scamardo, who specializes in financial crimes for the Fort Smith Police Department.
While bank accounts and credit cards are lucrative targets for criminals, Scamardo says they're seeing more identity theft show up in the workplace, where someone will actually get a job using an assumed identity. But he says currently, the punishment isn't strict enough in Arkansas.
"What we're trying to do is get the employment added to that where it would make it a felony if somebody did have your identity and applied for that job," he said. For more information on preventing identity theft and recovering your personal information, visit the Federal Trade Commission's website at www.FTC.gov.
You can be protected for less then the cost of a cup of coffee a day. Click here To Be Protected NOW.
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