Task force established to fight identity theft Naples ranks No. 2 in the country for complaints
Task force established to fight identity theft Naples ranks No. 2 in the country for complaints Identity theft has stealthily become an epidemic in Southwest Florida, local law enforcement officials and fraud experts say. There were about 12.6 million such crimes in 2013 in the United States, with no state reporting more than Florida, according to…
Read MoreHow to Avoid Tax-Return Identity Theft
How to Avoid Tax-Return Identity Theft Thousands of Americans will not get their tax refunds this year — not because they don’t deserve them, but because identity thieves will have already filed tax returns under their names. All a scammer needs to steal your identity and your tax refund is your name and your Social…
Read MoreID thieves may use your info to apply for unemployment checks
ID thieves may use your info to apply for unemployment checks Tallahassee, Florida – Imagine your employer telling you someone has applied for unemployment benefits in your name. It’s happening in Florida thousands of times a year. 10 Investigates the number of fraudulent employment claims and finds some personal information is easily available. Identity theft…
Read MoreTax refund fraud is a big frustration for victims
Tax refund fraud is a big frustration for victims TOLEDO, Ohio — Laura Hankins knew something was wrong when she filed her daughter’s tax return and it was rejected hours later: An identity thief already had sent in a return using the 19-year-old’s personal information. “This is the first time in her life she has…
Read MoreFlorida brothers sent to prison for $1.6 million tax refund fraud scheme
Florida brothers sent to prison for $1.6 million tax refund fraud scheme MIAMI — Two South Florida brothers will be doing federal prison time for a scheme that netted them $1.6 million in fraudulent tax refunds. A federal judge on Friday sentenced 25-year-old Geto Dorlizier of Boynton Beach to more than nine years behind bars.…
Read MoreLegal Shred Inc. (Florida) earns NAID AAA certification
Legal Shred Inc. (Florida) earns NAID AAA certification Legal Shred Inc., a document destruction firm based in Gibsonton, Fla., has been AAA certified by the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID), Phoenix. The company says it earned its certification after a rigorous and unannounced audit. NAID AAA certification program is recognized by a large number…
Read MoreMailman, lunch lady busted in South Florida tax-ID theft roundup
Mailman, lunch lady busted in South Florida tax-ID theft roundup TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — It’s tax-time, which means it’s open season for Florida fraudsters. Thursday, the good guys got even. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced 25 people involved in 19 separate schemes were charged with stealing identities. Thousands of identities…
Read MoreUS Charges 25 in Florida in ID Theft, Tax Fraud Case
US Charges 25 in Florida in ID Theft, Tax Fraud Case Twenty-five people accused of using thousands of stolen identities to claim $36 million in fraudulent tax refunds have been arrested in the latest South Florida sweep, federal authorities said Thursday. Among those charged in 19 separate cases is a middle school food service worker…
Read MoreMedical Identity Theft: The Fraud That Can Kill You
Medical Identity Theft: The Fraud That Can Kill You When it comes to medical identity theft, more than your money is in danger: This type of fraud could cost you your life. Receiving the wrong blood type, being misdiagnosed, or getting a prescription in error because a fraudster’s medical history is commingled in your chart…
Read MoreID theft bill at least in present form would funnel cash to Florida counties
ID theft bill at least in present form would funnel cash to Florida counties TALLAHASSEE — The Senate Criminal Justice Committee Monday approved a bill (SB 1472) that would toughen penalties for identity theft and send money to three counties in South Florida for beefed-up law enforcement. The bill, filed by Sen. Joseph Abruzzo, D-Royal…
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