Identity theft most common type of fraud

The most often type of fraud reported these days is identity theft. There are some things you can do to reduce your risk, services that provide a service to monitor your credit, and ways to report and recover from this crime.

You should be aware that warning signs of identification theft might include credit or debit charges you don’t recognize, bills for accounts you didn’t open and IRS notices that say you filed multiple tax returns. You may get a notice that says a company lost your personal information in a data breach, you might lose your wallet or you might have an online account that was hacked.

Other identity theft issues could include a child, medical records or tax information. You may need to apply for a new or replacement Social Security number or card.

The Federal Trade Commission provides numerous free publications at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/topics/identity-theft.

If you are concerned about identity theft, data breaches or someone gaining access to your credit report without your permission, you might consider placing a credit freeze or extended fraud alert on your report. Active-duty service members can add an extra layer of protection while they are deployed.

If you find you have become a victim of identity theft now or in the future, an identity theft complaint should be filed with the FTC (online is fast and easy). They advise victims to bring a printed copy of this complaint to the police station in order to assist the officer in creating a detailed police report. This will allow any victim to dispute the fraudulent accounts and debts created by the identity thief.

For additional information on identity theft reports or to file a complaint, visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft.

Jan. 5. Civil: The caller states she is out of state and her neighbors have reported the contractor has someone staying in her house at 4:58 a.m. in the 800 block of Cheryl Lane.

Destruction of property: A man reports his vehicle was damaged when another vehicle rolled across the street and struck his at 11:22 a.m. in the 700 block of Canyon Road.

Thought for the day: It’s a good thing to have a neighbor keep an eye on things.

Jan. 6. Parking: I guess the no-parking signs weren’t clear enough at 12:48 a.m. in the 800 block of Utah Street.

Welfare: Numerous callers believe the elderly female who is living on the street needs help at 5:40 p.m. near the corner of Elm Street and Nevada Way.

Thought for the day: The elderly lady does not like people and certainly doesn’t like police. She is quick to point out that being homeless is not a crime.

Jan. 7. Parking: Once again, the no-parking signs were a bit confusing at 4:15 a.m. in the area of Utah Street and Avenue H.

Parking: Another vehicle falls victim to the infamous no-parking signs at 6:35 p.m. in the 900 block of Utah Street.

Thought for the day: No parking in a temporary construction zone means no parking.

Jan. 8. Traffic: The driver receives stern warnings on driving on the wrong side of the road to view holiday lights and obeying curfew at 3:07 a.m. in the area of The Dillinger.

Fire: The vent motor livens up the pre-lunch crowd with a little smoke and shrill alarm at 11:26 a.m. in the 1400 block of Nevada Highway.

Thought for the day: Where there’s smoke there’s lunch, according to the old saying.

Jan. 9. Juvenile disturbance: The youngsters think jumping into the street is funny but the passing drivers do not at 4:14 p.m. in the 800 block of Adams Boulevard.

DUI: The view of the open road is calling; however, the voice sounds inebriated at 10:42 p.m. at mile marker 10 on U.S. Highway 93.

Thought for the day: Sometimes I wonder how any kids survive to adulthood (ourselves included).

Jan. 10. Fire: The driver is next to the pumps before spotting the smoke coming from under the hood at 2:22 a.m. in the 1000 block of Nevada Way.

Petty theft: The caller wants to report the theft of a newsstand from in front of the business at 10:38 a.m. in the 1500 block of Foothill Drive.

Thought for the day: I’m not sure who would want a newsstand for their home décor.

Jan. 11. DUI: No matter how far you are from home, get a designated driver, folks, at 1:52 a.m. in the area of Aztec Drive and Fifth Street.

DUI: The vehicle owner is inebriated when she retrieves her vehicle for a “tow only” home and now the vehicle is back in impound at 3:46 p.m. in the area of Canyon and Industrial roads.

Thought for the day: Alcohol does not increase your brain cell production folks. It’s best to make prior arrangements.

Call of the week: Assist other agency: The taxi driver is at the station requesting assistance with a scantily clad woman who has racked up a huge bill driving all over the valley and now has no money to pay. While waiting for the appropriate authorities to arrive she decides to call 911 to ask for help. She gets new charges for misuse of an emergency number and that’s before the pepper spray falls from a hidden region at 8:03 a.m. Jan. 5 in the 1000 block of Arizona Street.

Tina Ransom is a dispatcher with Boulder City Police Department. She is coordinator of the Boulder City Citizen’s Academy.