Sheriff's Task Force Catching Identity Thieves

Task Force Devoted To Internet Crimes Making Dent

Rodd Monts, Staff Writer

Wayne County Sheriff Robert Ficano says his office is making strides in cracking down on identity theft, that has victimized consumers locally, across the Midwest and as far away as California.

The Sheriff's Internet Crimes Task Forces made its third felony arrest of identity theft on Thursday. The group received a tip that a suspect was stealing credit card numbers using the Internet and then using those stolen numbers to order thousands of dollars worth of goods and services online.

ID theft

Internet theft ring victimized consumers across the Midwest

Deputies said that they conducted a sting in which officers posed as delivery men. The officers pretended to deliver a package of goods that the suspect had ordered using the stolen credit card information. The suspect was arrested after answering the door.

When deputies arrested the suspect, they also confiscated 11 Social Security cards, four Michigan driver's licenses, two Visa cards and transaction receipts from several American Express cards. Police also confiscated several weapons, included a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun, a sawed-off .22 rifle and an unregistered .25 semi-automatic handgun.

The arrest was the third that the task force has made since July. Spokesman Ralph Kinney said that the group will continuing making an impact in catching identity thieves. Thieves operate locally or target area residents and victims in other states.

Victims caught up in the latest cases handled by the task force included residents of Minnesota, South Dakota and California.

Police estimate that the value of the thefts totals more than $10,000.

Identity Theft Prevention Tips:

  1. Add fraud alerts to your credit files with the three major credit bureaus -- Experian, Equifax and Trans Union.

  2. Remove your personal information from the major commercial marketing databases.

  3. Create emergency phone lists to use immediately after your wallet is stolen.

  4. Never carry your Social Security Card in your purse or wallet.

  5. Learn the facts regarding Internet security.

Are you vulnerable to identity theft? Take our quiz, you could protect yourself against thieves online.


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