Pueblog USa
Friday, January 12, 2007
Caveat Emptor
Phoney phone calls from a phoney Health Department ‘official’.
Here’s a blurb from the Pueblo Public Health Department about someone impersonating one of their staff….
From: Bruestle, Sarah
Sent: Friday, January 12, 2007 9:03 AM
Subject: Press Release: Phone Calls Impersonating Health Department Staff
Pueblo City-County Health Department
NEWS
http://www.pueblohealthdept.org
151 Central Main Street, Pueblo, CO 81003
January 11, 2007
Contact: Sarah Bruestle
Public Information Officer
(719) 583-4526 phone
(719) 583-3217 pager
Warning of Fraudulent Phone Calls
Phone Calls Impersonating Health Department Staff
Pueblo, CO - The Sheriff’s office has recently received complaints about a person representing themselves as a Health Department employee. The impersonator is making phone calls to people in the community asking for donations and personal information.
“When receiving an official phone call from the Pueblo City-County Health Department, a staff member will always introduce themselves giving their name, title, and division they work for at the Health Department,” stated Dr. Chis Nevin-Woods, Executive Director of the Pueblo City-County Health Department. She continued, “Employees will already know certain facts that relate to the reason for the phone call. A person can also call the main Health Department number: 583-4300 during normal business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and ask to speak with a particular staff member to verify if the phone call is legitimate.”
Nevin-Woods added, “If you receive a phone call from someone at an odd hour of the night, identifying themselves as working for the Health Department and/or asking for personal information, question the validity of the phone call by asking for their name, title, work number, and division they work for at the Health Department.”
These impersonation phone calls may be an attempt at identify theft. It’s important to keep your personal information secure. According to the Federal Trade Commission, ID theft happens often however you can take simple steps to protect yourself.
Skilled identity thieves use a variety of methods to steal your personal information, including:
1. Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
2. Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
3. Phishing. They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
4. Changing Your Address. They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a “change of address” form.
5. “Old-Fashioned” Stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records from their employers, or bribe employees who have access.
The Federal Trade Commission recommends following the three “D” to eliminate the possibility of ID theft occurring to you:
DETER
Identity theft is a serious crime. It occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time and money. It can destroy your credit and ruin your good name.
Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information.
· Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.
· Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
· Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with.
· Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer; keep them up-to-date. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information.
· Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
· Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your house.
DETECT
Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements.
Be alert to signs that require immediate attention:
· Bills that do not arrive as expected
· Unexpected credit cards or account statements
· Denials of credit for no apparent reason
· Calls or letters about purchases you did not make
Inspect:
· Your credit report. Credit reports contain information about you, including what accounts you have and your bill paying history.
The law requires the major nationwide consumer reporting companies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to give you a free copy of your credit report each year if you ask for it.
Visit http://www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228, a service created by these three companies, to order your free credit reports each year. You also can write: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
· Your financial statements. Review financial accounts and billing statements regularly, looking for charges you did not make.
DEFEND
Defend against ID theft as soon as you suspect it.
· Place a “Fraud Alert” on your credit reports, and review the reports carefully. The alert tells creditors to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have toll-free numbers for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert; a call to one company is sufficient:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free copies of your credit reports. Look for inquiries from companies you haven’t contacted, accounts you didn’t open, and debts on your accounts that you can’t explain.
· Close accounts. Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently.
Call the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or changed without your okay. Follow up in writing, with copies of supporting documents.
Use the ID Theft Affidavit at ftc.gov/idtheft to support your written statement.
Ask for verification that the disputed account has been closed and the fraudulent debts discharged.
Keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft.
· File a police report. File a report with law enforcement officials to help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime.
· Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Your report helps law enforcement officials across the country in their investigations.
Online: ftc.gov/idtheft
By phone: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338) or TTY, 1-866-653-4261
By mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580
To learn more about ID theft and how to deter, detect, and defend against it, visit ftc.gov/idtheft.
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Sarah R. Bruestle, M.P.A.
Public Information Officer
Pueblo City-County Health Department
151 Central Main Street
Pueblo, CO 81003
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
http://www.pueblohealthdept.org
(719) 583-4526 phone * (719) 583-3217 pager * (719) 549-1234 fax
Committed to Promoting the Health and Protecting the Environment of the People of Pueblo County.