1. Destroy or shred all checks and documents with account number, social security numbers and credit card numbers
2. Report stolen credit cards and checks to 9-1-1 immediately.
3. If some one tells you to call a 900 number to win/receive something of value, think first! You can pay as much as $10 a minute for a call placed to a 900 number.
4. Use extreme care when placing your outgoing bills in your mailbox. Mail theft, and the fraudulent use of stolen checks, is a huge problem. We had an incident last year on Cooper Street. Consider placing your outgoing bills in the mailbox as close to pickup time as possible, or taking bills directly to the Coronado Post Office.
5. You can call 1-888-567-8688 to be taken off the ?“pre-approved?” credit card mailing list. This is good for three years
6. If you think you have been the victim of fraud, even if it is minor, report it to local law enforcement. Even if your case does not meet TPD?’s criteria to be assigned to a detective it still may be linked to a series of acts committed by one criminal and could result in arrest.
If your credit cards have been stolen call the following numbers and ask to be put on their fraud alert list. They are major reporting agencies. Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experience: 1-888-397-3742 Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
Check out the TPD Fraud Web page for more information: http://www.ci.tucson.az.us/police/Organization/Investigative_Services_/Special_Problems_Section/Fraud_Detail/fraud_detail.html