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May 16, 2006
May 16, 2006 - May 29, 2006
Volume , Issue 10
In This Issue...
Neighbors Unite to Clear Schwan Lake of Marsh Pennywort
Proposal Withdrawn for 211 Homes at Aptos Par 3 Golf Course
Retiring Terry McHenry to be Pajaro’s Interim Superintendent until December
On the Record: Kathryn Benson Talks about Her Challenges Behind the Scenes at Pajaro Schools, Part I
Capitola’s Parking Project Could Displace Mobile Home Residents
Trustee Works to Get the Word Out
County Superintendent of Schools Candidates on the Issues
High Dollar Race
Volunteers Help Soquel Creek Go Native
Capitola to Scale Back Proposed Alarm Ordinance
Differences Emerge in Race for Third District County Supervisor
Caltrans Says Highway 1 Merge Lanes Project on Schedule
Santa Cruz City Council Explores Monorail Concept
Ruling May Suspend High School Exit Exam This Spring
County Takes Steps Towards Modernized Voting Systems
911
CRIME BEAT
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
Capitola Police Department Offers Child Safety Seat Inspections
Identity Theft
“Click It Or Ticket”
Around Aptos
Aptos History Museum to Open
How Can a Small Business Manage its Public Relations?
Business
California Fencing Academy Brings Mythic Sport to Santa Cruz County
Opinions
Soquel Village â€" A Closer Look
POSTMARKED
The Mid-County Post > 911
Identity Theft
Educating the Public and Merchants to be Aware of Identity Theft
Law enforcement has seen a significant increase in identity theft and fraud-related crimes in the last several years. Helping the public become aware of these types of crimes and helping to educate merchants to be on the lookout for suspicious transactions has actually decreased the number of fraud cases in Capitola from the previous year. Capitola Police investigated 83 fraud-related cases including identity theft from May 9, 2005 to May 9, 2006. This number is down compared to 128 fraud related cases investigated from May 9, 2004 to May 8, 2005.

How Do Thieves Get Your Personal Information?

Thieves steal your wallets and purses, which contain your identification and credit cards. They steal your mail, including bank and credit statements, pre-approved credit offers and tax information. They complete change of address forms to divert your mail to another location. They pose as landlords and employers to obtain your personal information. They acquire information you share on the Internet.

How Thieves Use Your Personal Information.

Thieves open new credit card accounts using your stolen information. They establish telephone service in your name. They open fraudulent bank accounts and write bad checks. They counterfeit checks or debit cards and drain your accounts.

What Can You Do?

Some preventative measures to help avoid becoming a victim are to maintain confidentiality in all matters. Know your billing cycles and guard your mail from theft. Use passwords and don’t carry unnecessary cards. Make sure work records are kept secure and use a cross cut shredder to destroy important documents. Guard your social security number and order your credit report annually.

If you realize you are a victim of identity theft and fraud take action quickly by contacting the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus. Contact the creditors for any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently and file a report with your local law enforcement agency where the theft occurred.
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Capitola, CA
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