Our information can be obtained, stolen, and misused, in many different ways. This can be your identifying information or financial information. Suspects that obtain this information most often use it to obtain goods, services, or money.
Penal Code Section 530.5 provides that every person who willfully obtains personal identifying information for any unlawful purpose including obtaining or attempting to obtain credit, goods, services or medical information in the name of the other person without the consent of that person is guilty of a public offense.
Personal Identifying Information includes:
· Address
· Demand deposit account number
· Driver’s license number
· Employee identification number
· Mother’s maiden name
· Name
· Place of employment
· Savings account number or credit card number of an individual person
· Social security number
· Telephone number
Filing a Report
If you belief you are a victim of identity theft, file a report with the law enforcement agency where you reside. Agencies work together to determine where the crime happened and will forward your report to the appropriate jurisdiction for investigative purposes. Menifee detectives will investigate identify offense that occurred within the city.
You are the only one who can clear your credit report. Due to privacy laws, creditors cannot share information regarding your accounts - even fraudulent ones - until you have personally notified the creditor of the fraudulent nature of the account(s).
Additionally, if you have been a victim of identity theft, you may be able to place fraud alerts on your credit accounts. For more information and resources, please visit identitytheft.gov
