Recover From Identity Theft with Help From IdentityTheft.gov

The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) has tracked data breaches since 2005. In the first seven months of 2015 (through July 28th) there were 450 significant data breaches in the U.S., with over 135 million reported records breached. And in the majority of breaches, the number of exposed records is not even known. 

Breaches can be caused by insider theft, hacking, data on the move, subcontractors/third parties, employer errors/negligence, accidental web exposure and physical theft. What breaches have in common is that they usually compromise personal identifying information, such as Social Security number, credit/debit card number, email/password/user name and/or protected health information. And this information is easily read by thieves because those entrusted in protecting your personal data have not encrypted (e.g. concealed so that the data cannot be utilized so easily).

I don't know about you, but I'm getting overwhelmed with warnings about my personal information being breached by large organizations that one would think would have adequate safeguards in place. Target, Anthem, UCLA Health, to name just a few. One source for helping alleviate this feeling is IdentityTheft.org.

IdentityTheft.gov is the federal government’s one-stop resource for identity theft victims, providing checklists and sample letters to guide you through the process of recovering from identity theft.

The website is simply laid out to help you quickly address the following matters if you believe your identity has been compromised:

What Should I Do Right Away? In order to quickly address issues resulting from identity theft, there’s a checklist that covers 1) calling the companies where you know the fraud occurred; 2) placing fraud alerts at the major credit bureaus; 3) reporting identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission and 4) filing a report with the police.

What Do I Do Next?  The next steps in the process include 1) closing accounts opened in your name; 2) removing fraudulent charges from your accounts; 3) correcting your credit report; and 4) requesting extended fraud alerts or credit freezes with the credit bureaus. The site provides a variety of form letter templates to help expedite this process for you.

What Other Steps Should I Take? There are a variety of other actions highlighted that may apply to your situation, including 1) resolving tax-related identity theft; 2) reporting misused Social Security numbers; 3) responding to debt collectors trying to collect on debts that are not yours; 4) replacing government IDs, like driver’s licenses, passports and Social Security cards; 5) resolving the particular issues of child identity theft; 6) resolving medical identity theft and 7) clearing your name of criminal charges if the thief used your personal information while committing a crime.

And there’s a section covering additional steps that might be needed for identity theft used to initiate utilities, checking accounts, student loans, investment accounts and bankruptcies filed in your name.

Visit www.IdentityTheft.gov to learn more.

Now, if you want to cut off one type of identify theft in it tracks...credit theft, strongly consider doing a security freeze!

Vacation House Checks Available in Cities Throughout Ventura County

A number of cities provide free Vacation House Check services upon request to help keep your property secure while you are out of town. Here is a compilation of such services.

Thousand Oaks

The City of Thousand Oaks Volunteers in Policing organization perform vacation checks, including checking the backyard, windows, garage and doors for signs of disturbance and paying particular attention to your property while out on patrol. Request a vacation house check by calling the Thousand Oaks Community Police Resource Center with at least three days notice at 805.449.2760. Visit www.toaks.org/departments/police/citizen-resources/community-resource-centers for more information.

Camarillo

The Camarillo Police Department offers residents a vacation house watch program, scheduled by calling 805.388.5100 Monday through Friday, between 8 AM and 5 PM. cms7files.revize.com/camarilloca/Departments/Police/VACATION%20HOUSE%20CHECKS.pdf.

Simi Valley

The Simi Valley Police Department offers vacation checks to residents. Call 805.583.6938 to learn more and schedule one.

Ventura

City of Ventura residents can schedule vacation checks online at secure.coplogic.com/dors/en/crupfilingperson?dynparam=1428788603502.

Moorpark

Business owners and residents may request extra patrol of their property while they are on vacation or if they have reason to suspect being extraordinarily victimized by a crime. Moorpark Volunteers in Policing and Deputies are informed of the extra patrol locations and make an effort to check those areas for suspicious or criminal activity. If you would like an extra patrol of your property, you may submit a form at the Moorpark Police Station, located at 610 Spring Road, Moorpark.

Westlake Village

The Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station will send a patrol car or Volunteer on Patrol member by your home while you are out of town. To schedule a free vacation check, call the station at 818-878-1808 and provide your address and travel dates.

Port Hueneme

Port Hueneme Police Department Volunteers in Policing provide home vacation checks. Visit www.ci.port-hueneme.ca.us/index.aspx?nid=897 for more information.

For other cities, visit the Ventura County Sheriff's Department website at www.vcsd.org for more information.

There's of course a whole host of other things to consider to protect your home when you're out of town...locking doors and windows, asking the neighbors to keep an eye out, stopping newspaper/mail deliveries (or having someone collect them), setting automated light timers around the house and activation of home security systems come to mind.

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Thousand Oaks Police Department Reminds Drivers to Slow Down

According to the Thousand Oaks Police Department, in the past 12 months there have been seven fatal traffic collisions in the City of Thousand Oaks. Four of these fatalities have occurred on Westlake Boulevard. Three of the fatalities were motorcycle riders and the one this week was a solo vehicle into a power pole. Speeding was a factor in all of the accidents. The victims were boys 21 years of age and younger.

As a result of the latest traffic collision, a 17-year-old passenger is still in critical, but stable condition. Both boys in the last accident were scheduled to start their senior year at Thousand Oaks High School this week.

The Thousand Oaks Traffic Division would like to put an end to these tragedies. Therefore, the traffic division will be increasing enforcement in this area and other areas prone to speeding in an effort to make the roadway safer.

Please take the time drive safely. Most importantly, reduce your speed and obey all traffic laws.

Source: Thousand Oaks Police Department

Speaking of speeding teens, less than two weeks ago my wife and kids were driving on Lynn Road near the 101 in the late afternoon when another local teen managed to lose control of the car he was driving and barrel across the median into oncoming traffic, totaling both cars. SLOW DOWN indeed and don't even think about texting while driving!

Sign Up With Nixle to Receive Thousand Oaks Police Department Crime Updates

The Thousand Oaks Police Department will be transitioning to a new way of providing information to the public.  Since 2007, the Thousand Oaks Police Department has used "City Watch" as a way of providing crime prevention tips, crime trends, new scams and community events.

City Watch was limited to an e-mail base system only.  Due to the number of members on City Watch, TOPD has outgrown the database, causing a tremendous slowdown in the dissemination of information.  As a result, the TOPD is transitioning from City Watch through Nixle.

Nixle is a web-based service that will deliver updates to you instantly via text, email and/or web message. Notifications can also be accessed online at www.Nixle.com. This information will include crime prevention tips, crime trends, scams as well as other relevant safety and community information.

The service is secure, reliable and easy to use. YOU decide what information you want and whether you want it sent to your cell phone, email, or just simply over the web.

Visit www.nixle.com and sign up if you are interested in receiving these updates.