Protecting yourself is key to prevent ID theft
Oregon - Identity theft is the fastest-growing crime in Washington County, police say.
Identity theft occurs when unauthorized persons use someone else’s bank account information or other personal information to secure loans, credit cards, checks or merchandise, said Washington County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson David Thompson.
The most effective and least prosecuted thieves get people to give up the information voluntarily. Identity thieves often attach tantalizing offers to phone calls or e-mails. Be wary of any phone call or e-mail offering anything that sounds too good to be true. Particularly popular are travel deals, pyramid schemes and prize offerings, Thompson said.
Most people are familiar with the “Nigerian” scheme, e-mail that claims recipients can share the fortune of some deposed African nobleman or politician if only they supply their personal account information to facilitate depositing the money there.
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