Madera and Merced are highest rated areas for identity theft according to the Consumer Sentinel, a complaint database maintained by the Federal Trade Commission. Around 3 in 10 families find fraud by missing money in accounts or other monetary losses.
Dwight McPherson, a patient admissions rep on the night shift at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York, allegedly sold information on about 2,000 patients for a total of $1,350, according to federal court documents cited by the New York Post.
Postal inspectors searching an identity-theft ring in Atlanta found 221 documents that had come from New York-Presbyterian Hospital, the Post reported. Hospital officials found McPherson used his computer login to improperly access the files of 49,841 patients. The stolen documents included patients’ names, phone numbers and Social Security numbers.
The Fresno Chamber of Commerce states it requires social security numbers and a credit check before they will endorse a candidate in an election. The Chamber promises only a few people see the information and the information is shredded afterwards. I believe this is an abuse of power by a Chamber of Commerce. There is no reason for the disclosure to be made. Should the candidates be able to do credit checks on the Chamber officers, to ensure they are of good character also?

Everyone wants your private data. Younger people are much more likely to give it out without much question, since all of their data has been put into computers years ago. I urge everyone to keep some part of your identity private. The only people who need your correct birthdate and social security number are the government ([IRS, DMV, Passport Office, Medical Office (if your using insurance) etc.], your employer, the bank and other related financial groups that report to the IRS, and even then many use Employer Identification Numbers etc.. Don’t give this info to lay businesses or others who may request it.

Consumers reported losses of nearly $1.2 billion from fraud. Don’t let businesses automatically withdraw funds from your bank accounts. If you allow a business to withdraw money automatically from your credit card, you must get rid of that card – report it as lost to the credit card company – and tell them no charges on a new card. Do not let AOL get your checking information. They will be stealing from your account for years after you have tried to stop them. Again, you may have to close the bank account to get them out of your money.

You are entitled to a free annual credit report. Annualcreditreport.com Credit reporting companies often have incorrect information in their files. Unfortunately mant businesses use credit reports when hiring new employees, so get your free annual report. Insist that corrections be made – and you can insert a letter of explanation if they refuse. You can take them to court if they are continuing to distribute false information about you and you are suffering negative repercussions.

Madera police have historically not done much about home and vehicle burglaries. So, for many years this type of crime has been, and continues to be, an open and lucretive endeavor for many. Backpacks in cars, purses at home and in cars, personal papers lying about are all fair game for fraud. Even if you are in your home garden, or other spot nearby, the thieves will enter your home, hoping they will not be seen, and take what they can - which can be alot.