Arizona AG: Identity theft, scams still big business in state

The Arizona Attorney General's Office is doing its part to put a stop to scamming and identity theft, which have been big business for crooks this year.

To help out, a representative from the attorney general's office came to Yuma Monday afternoon to give a presentation on popular consumer scams and identity theft tactics.

"The purpose of this presentation is to give people the knowledge they need to avoid becoming a victim of these crimes," said Tateum Portales, community outreach coordinator for the Arizona AG. "People need to be more careful about the information they are giving out."

The 45-minute presentation was held at the Heritage Branch Library, located at 350 S. 3rd Ave. A second presentation was given at 6 p.m.

Yuma resident Chris Bailey, who attended the 3 p.m. presentation said she was disappointed more people didn't attend, given how prevalent scams have become.

"It is a shame more people didn't show up," Bailey said. "It was excellent and very informative. I'm definitely going to be more careful."

Arizona leads the nation in the number of identity theft victims.

Portales said due to its large number of retired residents and immigrant population, Arizona is a target for scammers.

"Seniors grew up being more trusting then we are today and immigrants aren't familiar with the types of scams that are out there," Portales said. "It is a bad problem across the board."

Also, Portales said, technology, including the Internet and e-mails, has made it easier over the years for scammers and identity thieves to contact and take advantage of people.

"It used to be limited to the phone and normal mail," Portales said. "These scammers are good at what they do and can easily deceive people. It is their job."

He added that a lot of the newer scams and schemes are also much more complicated and deceptive.

One such example is occurring on popular online job sites. Portales said identity thieves are creating fake accounts on these type of Web sites in order to get information from the applications people fill out online.

"Obviously you would be providing a lot of personal information this way," Portales said. "All I can tell you is to be extremely careful. It has become a lot harder to know who you are dealing with."

Another new twist is getting people to purchase a worthless Web site to sell a product and convince them to continually invest money into it in order to boost sales.

Something else that is happening, Portales said, is that identity thieves, once they have your bank account information are using store-bought computer programs to print up checks with your information.

Portales said despite how well-known they have become, the lottery and advanced fee type of scams snare people year after year.

"If you didn't enter a sweepstakes or lottery, especially if it is out of the country, there is no way to win," Portales said. "You also never should have to send money to collect money that you have already won."

The most well-known of these types of scams, Portales said is the Nigerian Advanced Fee Scams in which the victim receives an e-mail, allegedly from a wealthy, or dying person in another country who is desperately trying to get their fortune out of the country. They promise the victim a sizable percentage if they will help.

"It still works because it preys on people's emotions and greed," Portales said. "It is the most successful scam of all."

The most effective way not to become a victim, Portales said, is to be vigilant in protecting yourself.

Some suggestions Portales gave included shredding all documents that you no longer need that contain any personal information and using secure mailboxes, such as the blue post office mailboxes, when sending mail.

He also suggested no longer carrying your social security card or any other document that may contain any type of personal information.

"Watch what you carry," Portales said. "Your drivers license and social security card give a thief all the information they need to steal your identity."

While prosecuting a scammer may be difficult, Portales urged people who have become a victim to file a report to authorities.

"If people did not complain to us then there is no way for us to go after (the scammers)," Portales said. "Also, by coming forward you would be helping someone else not become a victim."

Something else people can do is register their e-mail address with the Attorney General's Office's Web site to receive scam alerts.

The best advice Portales said he could give is to remember if something sounds too good to be true it probably is.

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TOP 10 CONSUMER SCAMS IN ARIZONA FOR 2008
1) Identity Theft
2) Predatory Lending
3) Door-to-Door Sales
4) Phishing and Pharming
5) International Lottery Fraud
6) Internet-based Business Opportunities
7) Nigerian Advanced Fee Scams
8) Online Auction and Job Site Scams
9) Mortgage Foreclosure "Rescue" Schemes
10) Automotive Purchase and Repair Schemes

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James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbertr@yumasun.com or 539-6854.