Identity Theft & Scams

Identifying and reporting potential scams and help save you from identity theft and fraud.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is a serious crime and those whose identities have been stolen have spent months or years and thousands of dollars cleaning up the mess the thieves have made of their credit. In the meantime, victims of identity theft may lose job opportunities, be refused loans for education, housing, or cars, and even get arrested for crimes they didn't commit. There are steps you can take to protect yourself before and after someone has stolen your identity.

Check Scams

Fake check scams could cost you thousands of dollars. It all starts when someone gives you a realistic looking check and asks you to wire them money somewhere else in return. It's phony, and so is the person's story, but that may take weeks - even months - to discover.

Work-at-Home Scams

They promise easy money working at home. If it was so easy, why wouldn't we all be working in our pajamas?

Sudden Riches

They say you won a foreign lottery or sweepstakes. But that's impossible unless you traveled to that country to enter.

Rental Schemes

They claim to be moving from outside the area. Then, unexpected expenses arise. As a favor, they ask you to send some of the deposit back. They never intend to move in.

Overpayments

They don't really want the merchandise, they want your money. They claim they sent the wrong amount by 'mistake', asking you to return the excess to them.

Romance Scams

You think you've found someone special online. But they need you to cash a check to cover travel expenses.

Foreign Business Offers

They pretend to be business people or government officials, promising you millions.