Most identity theft cases go unsolved
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YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. -- If your identity is stolen -- justice may be hard to come by. The KIMA Crime Tracker looked into how many cases are actually solved.
We found there were 35 cases of identity theft *reported in Yakima County last year. Of those, three were unfounded. Only four wound up with someone arrested. That's about 10 percent of all reported cases.
Police will also tell you many go unreported.
We talked to a woman who says buying locally can offer some protection.
"I don't do all of my shopping online," said Char Stading. "I prefer buying locally. And I think that's where a lot of the problem lays. Especially if it's a company you're not so sure about."
There are several ways you can protect yourself from identity theft if you're concerned about becoming a victim. You can start by calling your insurance company or bank for their advice.
We found there were 35 cases of identity theft *reported in Yakima County last year. Of those, three were unfounded. Only four wound up with someone arrested. That's about 10 percent of all reported cases.
Police will also tell you many go unreported.
We talked to a woman who says buying locally can offer some protection.
"I don't do all of my shopping online," said Char Stading. "I prefer buying locally. And I think that's where a lot of the problem lays. Especially if it's a company you're not so sure about."
There are several ways you can protect yourself from identity theft if you're concerned about becoming a victim. You can start by calling your insurance company or bank for their advice.
My son got his vehicle broken into November 2011 at Yakima Valley College, they stole his wallet with his information in it. (yes, he now understands not to leave items in his car). The person who stole his wallet opened a Verizon phone account on the internet in my son's name and had it delivered to their address (right by the college). It was signed for by the person who lives there. You are probably wanting to know how I know her name - I went to her home and she told me her name, and we went to Verizon and they have the signature of the person who signed for the delivery, it was the person who lived at the address where the phone was delivered. The total bill they put in my son's name was over $3,000. My son completed a police report for all of this and NOTHING was ever done. Verizon closed the account and did not charge my son since we had all the proof.