Police Blotter: Credit Fraud

Police are reminding residents to be weary of callers asking for personal banking information after a resident was reportedly the victim of a scam last week. 

According to Lt. John Bakelaar, on Feb. 23 a Courter Road resident received a telephone call from a person claiming to represent her bank, who requested personal information, which the victim provided. 

Police advised the victim was file a fraud alert with one of the three major credit reporting agencies to prevent the unauthorized use of her personal information. 

"At no time will any legitimate business elicit personal information via telephone or email," police said.

"If a resident has provided information and in retrospect feel that they have been the victim of a fraud, they should immediately file a fraud alert with one of the three credit reporting agencies; Equifax, Experian or Transunion."  

The alert can be filed over the phone or through the credit agencies websites.  A free credit report is available once a year from these agencies and authorities also recommended that you review your credit report once or twice a year to ensure that accounts haven’t been opened without your knowledge.  If you feel that you have been the victim of an identity theft or fraud,  contact the police.