Mesa No. 3 for ID theft rate; Employment fraud high

Arizona has the highest rate of identity theft in the nation and Mesa is one of the top cities in the state for identity theft, according to Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard.

In the Federal Trade Commission’s annual report released Jan. 25 detailing identity theft in 2005, Arizona had the most victims per 100,000 than any other state with 9,320 cases. Mesa ranked No. 3 in the top 5 cities for identity theft in Arizona in 2005 with 745 victims. Gilbert did not rank in the top cities, but Chandler made No. 5 with 342 victims.

The FTC found 34 percent of Arizona’s 9,320 reported identity theft cases were employment related fraud. The second highest, 23 percent, of the cases were categorized as “other identity theft” and the third highest was credit card fraud at 18 percent. “Other identity theft” includes: evasion of legal sanctions; internet/e-mail; medical; apartment/house rented; insurance; property rental fraud; bankruptcy; child support; magazines; and securities and other investments.

Sgt. Mike Goulet of Mesa Police Department’s Document Crimes Unit said the department does not keep statistics on identity theft specifically, but he informally tracks the crimes.

“I would say I’m getting 50-60 cases per month,” Sgt. Goulet said.

He noted that figure includes cases where the crime is in Mesa, as well as cases where the victim is in Mesa, but their identity is being used in other states.

The U.S. Department of Justice’s definition of identity theft is when someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person’s personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain.

While the Mesa Police Department has not determined trends in Mesa’s identity theft cases, Sgt. Goulet said he has seen a lot of cases originating from vehicle burglaries.

“People leave personal items in vehicles, such as briefcases and purses. There’s so much information about everyone out there. Don’t leave anything in your vehicle like that,” Sgt. Goulet said.

Sgt. Goulet sees employment-related and Internet fraud frequently as well. While credit card fraud was almost 10 percent lower than the national average in Arizona in the FTC’s annual report, the state’s employment-related fraud was nearly three times higher than the national average.

“Social Security numbers are used by somebody getting employment. I see that occurring all over,” Sgt. Goulet said. “Some cases we also get occur over the Internet. Individuals are contacted by someone they think is their bank and they reveal passwords and pin numbers. People should never do that.”

Vickie Owen, crime prevention specialist with the Gilbert Police Department, said stolen computers are also a way thieves steal identities.

“I tell people to use the metal plumber’s tape to secure their computers to the floor. This makes them harder to take and acts as a deterrent,” Officer Owen said.

She also said encryption programs help protect sensitive information on the computer.

According to Officer Owen, the biggest identity theft issues in Gilbert are mail theft and credit card fraud.

“Those are always in the forefront here,” Officer Owen said. “With credit card slips, some places still have the full credit card numbers on the receipts. You don’t want to throw those away. Shred them.”

Officer Owen said the same goes with Social Security numbers on business documents.

Gilbert Police Department frequently works with the Country Attorney’s Office to offer presentations on identity theft. Officer Owen said the County Attorney Office’s upcoming East Valley Neighborhood Summit at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, March 10 at Mesa’s Word of Grace Church, 655 E. University Drive, will feature a presentation on ID theft. People can register online at www.mcaoconference.com or by calling 602-506-5754.

The Federal Trade Commission estimates as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, most people do not realize how easily criminals can obtain personal information without having to break into someone’s home. Listening in on telephone conversations in public places; looking over one’s shoulder when making purchases or withdrawing money; “dumpster diving” for statements with a person’s name, address and telephone number; and using e-mail or the Internet to obtain information are some of the most common ways identity thieves obtain information.

Sgt. Goulet recommends avoiding check fraud by using post office drop boxes when mailing checks.

Identity Theft was officially recognized as a federal offense in 1998, when Congress passed the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act. This act essentially states that identity theft crimes carry a maximum term of 15 years in prison, plus fines.