Identity Theft & Scam Prevention Resource Hub

Welcome to the Martin Police Department’s

Identity Theft & Scam Prevention Resource Hub

Identity theft and scams can happen to anyone. These crimes occur when someone steals or manipulates you into revealing your personal information, which they then use without your consent. The consequences can be severe, affecting your finances, credit, and reputation. Resolving these issues often takes significant time, money, and patience. In today’s digital age, it’s essential to protect your personal information and know how to respond if you become a victim. This hub offers valuable resources, tips, and insights into current scams and fraud trends, along with steps to help you and your loved ones stay safe from fraud.

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information to commit fraud or other crimes in your name. This includes using your name, social security number, bank account details, or credit card information without your permission.

What is a Scam?

A scam is a dishonest or fraudulent scheme designed to deceive people and often involves tricking them into giving up money, personal information, or assets. Scams can take many forms, such as fake offers, phishing emails, investment frauds, or deceptive sales tactics. The goal of a scam is usually to exploit someone’s trust or lack of knowledge for personal gain, often at the victim’s expense.

Nearly Every Scam Follows the Same Pattern.

• First, the scammer either establishes a relationship with you or relies on a relationship you have with someone else, uses a scare tactic or leads you to believe you have something to gain in an effort to get you to divulge information.
• Then, the scammer creates a sense of urgency the information has to be provided right now and cannot wait.
• What follows after depends on whether or not you share any information and varies depending on the scam itself.

How to Spot a Scam?

Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, so it’s important to stay vigilant. Here are some red flags to help you identify a scam.

• Unsolicited contact through phone calls, emails, or text messages.
• Too-good-to-be-true offers such as prizes or job opportunities.
• Requests for money upfront before services are rendered.
• Pressure to act quickly, imminent deadlines or urgent threats.
• Poor grammar and spelling in messages.

For examples of common fraud and scam trends visit:

https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams

Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC)

The Martin Police Department is now partnered with the Identity Theft Resource Center to effectively triage victims where identity theft is a primary or secondary crime. This helps our agency to effectively respond to community concerns and reports of identity theft.

Identity Theft Victim Benefits

• The ITRC’s Victim Advisors are trained using knowledge gained from the ITRC’s 25+ years of experience.
• Individual recovery plans are created in partnership with each victim and constructed in a way that gives the victim a voice in the restoration process.
• Victim Advisors are uniquely qualified to meet victims where they are and provide thoughtful, victim-centric and trauma-informed assistance.