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In This Issue...
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Prevent Auto Burglaries and Identity Theft this Summer
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Prevent Auto Burglaries and Identity Theft this Summer
By Santa Cruz County Sheriff Steve Robbins
After a very wet winter season, many of us can’t wait to enjoy the outdoors and the sun in our beautiful county. The beaches and parks are already experiencing large crowds with the onset of our summer season. It is important that you don’t let complacency afford a thief the opportunity to ruin your day by stealing your belongings, including your personal identification.
The Sheriff’s Office continues to receive a steady stream of cases involving identity theft. Many of these crimes occur as a result of thefts from an unsecured vehicle or from auto burglaries (theft from a secured vehicle). Items most frequently stolen from cars are briefcases, wallets and identification, cash, cellular phones, computers, iPods/MP3 players, CDs, stereos, tools, purses, mail, keys, clothing, and garage door openers. If the thief finds a garage door opener or house key in the car coupled with the vehicle registration or mail to the victim, there is a strong likelihood that a home burglary will follow.
In the case of theft of personal identification, credit cards, and checks, you should act quickly and notify your bank and credit card companies.
In most cases in Santa Cruz County, theft suspects will use your credit cards almost immediately. They will go to the gas stations and charge gasoline (a valuable commodity nowadays), cigarettes, lottery tickets, and food on your card. They might also go to grocery stores where credit cards and debit cards are frequently used and charge food and liquor.
In addition, some will purchase gift cards that are available at many markets for later use as these cards tend to be untraceable. They will also visit electronics stores to purchase computers, computer equipment and cameras all on your dime. Since many checks now have proprietary security features on them to prevent “washing of the check” (thieves erase the ink on a check with chemicals and rewrite the checks in their own names for a larger amount), many identity theft suspects have access to check writing software to duplicate your account numbers on a computer-generated fictitious check.
Stealing Your Identity from Your Mailbox
Many modern-day thieves will also victimize the community by stealing mail from mailboxes, especially in the rural areas of Santa Cruz County. The Sheriff’s Office is encountering these thefts on a regular basis and arrests of suspects reveal there are usually several victims.
Not only do they get checks in outgoing mail, they will steal replacement checks, “convenience checks” and credit card offers in your name from the mailboxes. They will complete your credit card offer with a different address and later receive your card with a generous credit limit.
In a few cases, the Sheriff’s Office has investigated cases where the suspect actually has the technology and expertise to make a fictitious California Drivers License or Identification card to allow them to cash checks in your name.
Over 9.9 million Americans have been victims of identity theft in the last year and nearly one in 10 victims last year was from California. Just in the last month, the Sheriff’s Office has arrested five suspects for identity theft.
Why Is Identity Theft Skyrocketing?
Many jurisdictions have seen a correlation between the increased use of methamphetamine and the identity thefts. Also, these crimes allow the thieves the ability to work from their homes or other locations in a clandestine manner, avoid victim identification, are not designated as “three strikes” charges, and the gain can be great with low risk.
Complicating the problem, many creditors make it quick and easy to open new “instant credit” accounts without proper identification to verify the applicant. Some companies do not want to inconvenience the customer by checking identification and are willing to write off the losses they may subsequently suffer.
In our county, these suspects almost always cross jurisdictional lines such that different police agencies will be investigating cases on the same suspect or suspects.
There are a number of steps you can take to help protect yourself from these thieves:
â€" If you are visiting a park, beach, shopping area, or even parked in front of your home, please lock your car! Thieves will go to the most convenient target and an unlocked car is an instant invitation.
â€" Remove visible items from your vehicle. Be aware of your surroundings as someone may be watching you put items under your seat.
â€" Make sure the trunk, hatchback or tailgate is locked.
â€" Close all windows.
â€" If you are going to a beach or park and are away from the vehicle for some time, don’t leave valuable items in the car. Use a backpack or fanny pack to take valuables with you. Thieves know most of the hiding places in your car.
â€" Consider buying an alarm for your vehicle and use it.
If you do see suspects stealing something from a car, call 9-1-1 and get good descriptions if you are able of the thieves and/or any car they may be using. Remember â€" do not jeopardize your safety but be a good witness.
Taking these precautionary steps will reduce your chances of being victimized. Have a fun and safe summer.
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