Scams

The Erie Police Department has recently experienced an increase in reported scam and fraud incidents. Below are some of the types of scams in the Town of Erie and throughout the metro area:

Are You a Victim?

Please complete the scam packet if you feel you have been a fraud or identity theft victim. Next, contact Dispatch at 303-441-4444 and ask to speak to an officer.

  • Embezzlement: Use when an employee is accused of stealing funds from their employer. There are two separate packets. One contains the instructions on how to complete the packet, as well as samples of all the forms. The second contains the blank forms which the victim needs to complete.
  • Forgery: Use when the case involves a forgery. The most common forgery would involve checks, but this could include other documents as well.
  • Identity Theft: Use when the crime involves the stealing of someone’s identity, such as when a victim finds out someone has stolen his or her social security number and is using it for employment. Other examples include: when an account is opened using the victim’s personal identifying information, when a suspect uses a victim’s credit card, or when an account is opened using the victim’s personal identifying information.

Reminders

Remember, never provide your personal identifying information, social security number, credit card information, or banking information to anyone who contacts you unsolicited. If you question the validity of a person calling you, collect their name and contact the company or agency directly to verify if the caller is legitimate. Only use company or agency phone numbers you locate independently by going online or using a phone book. Never use a phone number provided by an unknown caller or a number that shows up on caller ID. Scammers can use a process called "Spoofing" to make your caller ID display a legitimate company name. Scammers can also use "Spoofing" to make email messages appear to come from legitimate agencies or companies.

Additional Steps

Immediately contact all your credit card issuers.
Get replacement cards with new account numbers. Ask that the old accounts be processed as "account closed at consumer’s request." (This is better than "card lost or stolen" because when this statement is reported to credit bureaus, it can be interpreted as blaming you for the loss.)

Call the fraud units of the three credit reporting companies:
Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. Report the theft of your credit cards and/or numbers. Ask that your accounts be flagged. Also, add a victim’s statement to your report, such as, "My ID has been used to apply for credit fraudulently. Contact me at XXX-XXX-XXXX (your phone number) to verify all applications."

  • Notify your bank(s) of the theft.
    Cancel your checking and savings accounts and obtain new account numbers. Ask the bank to issue you a secret password that must be used in every transaction. Put stop payments on any outstanding checks that you are unsure of.
  • If you use the ATM card for banking services, get a new card, account number, and password.
    Do not use your old password. When creating a password, avoid such commonly used numbers as the last four digits of your Social Security number and your birth date.
  • Notify the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General if your SSN has been used fraudulently.
    You may want to have your SSN changed if your number has become associated with bad checks and credit. CAUTION: This step should be reserved for only the most extreme situations. You must be sure to notify all credit grantors and credit reporting bureaus of your new SSN.
  • In dealing with the authorities and financial institutions, keep a log of all conversations, including dates and names. Send correspondence by certified mail. Keep copies of all letters and documents. Provide your police report number to expedite reporting the crime.

Credit Reporting Bureaus

Equifax

Copy of Report:

P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, Georgia 30374-0241


Dispute Report:

P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, Georgia 30374-0256


Order Credit Report:

800-685-1111


Opt Out of Marketing Lists:

800-219-1251


Report Fraud:

800-525-6285




Trans Union

Copy of Report:

P.O. Box 7000
North Olmstead, OH 44070


Dispute Report:

P.O. Box 403
Springfield, PA 19064


Order Credit Report:

800-851-2674


Opt-Out of Marketing Lists:

800-241-2858


Report Fraud:

800-680-7289




Experian

Copy of Report:

Dispute Report:

Experian National Consumer Assistance Center

P.O. Box 2104

Allen, TX 75013-2104


Order Credit Report:

888-397-3742


Opt-Out of Marketing Lists:

800-353-0809

Social Security Administration

To order Earnings and Benefits Statement, or to report fraudulent use of SSN, call 800-772-1213.