Police: 15 Identity Theft Reports Made in Six Months

Four reports of identity theft were made to St. Charles police last month. In the past six months, 15 reports of stolen or attempts to steal personal information came to the attention of officers. 

A few tips are listed below help you protect yourself. Identity theft remains a problem everywhere so it's up to you to be careful and mindful of how your personal information might be obtained. 

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Tips for preventing identity theft include:

• Shred any trash that may contain; personal information, including charge receipts, credit applications, insurance forms, medical statements, checks and band statements, expired credit and debit cards and direct mail credit offers. 
• Occasionally have your credit reports checked by calling; Equifax (800) 525-6285, Experian (888) 397-3742, or Trans Union (800) 680-7289.
• If a wallet or purse is stolen, notify the local police department to make a report and notify your credit card companies, banks, and social security office as soon as possible.
• Sometimes you may receive e-mails on your computer that are made to look like legitimate requests from financial institutions to verify usernames, passwords and other information.  Never respond!  No legitimate company would conduct business that way.

Stop by the lobby to talk with an officer for more information and to request an Identity Theft Victim Packet.

Information provided by the St. Charles Police Department