Ohio Highway Patrol officers say they are seeing an alarming increase in cases of identity theft.
So far this year, OHP has investigated 248 cases, compared to 114 by this time last year. The cases involve fraudulent identification discovered by officers during traffic stops, or phony paperwork turned in to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles by people seeking driver’s licenses, state identification cards or vehicle registrations.
Officers say they believe the attempt at creating bogus documentation is part of what has become a $10 million identity theft business for organized crime. They also say some of the fraud may be the work of criminals trying to avoid capture by using stolen identities.
Identity thieves often use stolen personal information to apply for payday loans and jobs, as well as obtain credit cards and lines of credit. But they also can and do commit crime – and the victim winds up with the criminal record.
But you can be proactive about protecting your personal information. With LifeLock Identity Alert™ system, you get much broader protection, greater control and early notification of both credit and non-credit related threats. LifeLock will monitor to be sure that your information isn’t traded or sold, as well.
One of the most common ways that thieves get your personal information is by raiding your mailbox for pre-approved credit offers. LifeLock will make sure your name is removed from offer mailing lists, to help reduce the risk of someone getting your mail and stealing your personal information.
Another common scam is to submit address changes, with the criminal often having your mail forwarded to his address. He can then easily get his hands on your most sensitive information.
LifeLock’s TrueAddress™ service, will proactively detect any new address information in address databases nationwide. If any fraudulent changes are found, you’ll be notified immediately, and you can take action to restore accurate address information.
Call LifeLock today.
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