Crime & Safety

Barrow Residents File Reports of Fraud

Deputies with the Barrow County Sheriff's Office took two separate reports of fraud last week.

Two Barrow residents filed reports of fraud with the last week.

On Tuesday Dec. 6, 2011, a deputy was dispatched to a Tori Drive residence in response to a report of fraud.

The complainant said she had contacted her bank after noticing fraudulent charges on her account and was advised to file a police report.

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The complainant told the deputy she had logged into her bank account online and found four separate charges she had not authorized. The information indicated transactions were made at a McDonald’s, a Ruby Tuesday, a China Town and a Bed Bath and Beyond all in Washington, D.C., for a total of $77.

The complainant said she had suspended the account and canceled the bank card.

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Also on Dec. 6, 2011, a deputy met with a complainant who said he was in the process of buying a house and received a call from the lender advising him a delinquency in payment to Dish Network was showing on his credit report.

The complainant told the deputy he had never used Dish Network’s services and was able to find out someone had used his Social Security number to open two accounts — one using his first and last name and a second using his last name with a different first name.

The complainant said he could not obtain any other information from Dish Network and a company employee advised him to file a police report.

The Better Business Bureau offers the following tips to protect yourself from fraud.

  • Carry only the cards you expect to use, and keep them secure.
  • Secure — in your home — other cards you may not regularly use.
  • Keep a list of account and telephone numbers for your card issuers in case your cards are lost or stolen. Once you report the loss or theft, you will not be liable for unauthorized charges.
  • Keep a copy of this list both at home and at your work.
  • Notify your card issuer(s) in advance if you have a change of address.
  • Notify your card issuer(s) in advance if you plan to travel outside the US and use the credit card.
  • Be very cautious about giving anyone your account number.
  • Do not give your cards to anyone.
  • Keep your pass code and personal pin number secure. Do not put it in writing and do not share it with anyone.
  • Use only reputable companies with secure websites for online shopping.
  • Email is not secure. Never include your credit card number or Social Security number in an email.
  • Shred all paper documents containing your personal identifiers, including account number, name, address, before disposing.
  • When you are expecting a new or replacement credit card or debit card, look for it in the mail.
  • Report a lost or stolen credit card or debit card immediately.

Have you been the victim of fraud recently? Tell us how you handled the situation in comments below.


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