Assemblywoman hosts identity theft workshop By STAFF WRITER SAN
LEANDRO -- Privacy and identity protection starts with informed consumers. Identity theft occurs when someone obtains and fraudulently uses another's personal information. For the second time this year, Corbett will host the popular workshop. More than 200 people attended the event in March, the assemblywoman said. "Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America," she said. "I want the residents of this area to be able to learn from a panel of experts how to prevent this costly crime, and what to do and who to contact if they are victimized."
The panelists who will be on-hand to offer advice will include the United States Postal Service, California Office of Privacy Protection, San Leandro Police Department, Alameda County Sheriff's Department, Alameda County District Attorney's Office and the Identity Theft Resource Center. There will be a question and answer session toward the end of the workshop. According to a study published by the Federal Trade Commission in 2003, 4.6 percent of United States adults, or 9.9 million people, were victims of identity theft. Of that amount, 1.1 million were adults living in California. The study shows that 51 percent of victims don't know how their identity was taken, 22 percent were victims of mail fraud or had their wallets stolen, 13 percent had their credit card numbers stolen, and 14 percent were victimized by someone they knew, such as a relative, friend or household worker. The damage it causes can be devastating, taking victims, on average, 30 to 600-plus hours to clear their records. In addition, Corbett said, it can also cost a victim anywhere from $500 to $700-plus in out-of-pocket costs -- certified mail, photocopies, legal fees. "It's very important to become familiar with steps and techniques to allow someone to protect their identity against a very serious crime," Corbett added. Some of the identity theft safety tips include guarding mail, never giving personal information over the phone, and shredding all receipts and copies of bank statements when done. Space is limited at this time. Please
call Ellen Corbett's District Office at (510) 614-0180 to reserve a space as soon
as possible Courtesy of: http://www.theargusonline.com/Stories/0,1413,83~1971~2405244,00.html |