Protecting yourself from identity theft

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Story Published: Oct 27, 2008 at 4:19 PM PDT

By Erica Rush

NORTH BEND, Ore. - Protecting yourself from identity thieves has become increasingly more difficult, but local law enforcements say your vote this November could have an effect on your safety.

More than eight million Americans have their identities stolen each year.
In hopes of reducing the number of victims here on the South Coast, The Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Coos-Curry held a "Free Confidential Document Shred Day" at the Pony Village mall this Saturday, with guest speakers from the local law enforcements.

Credit Counselors handed out brochures, while officers from local police departments provided useful information on how to protect yourself, such as never leaving any documents in your car and buying a locking mailbox. But Sergeant Dave Hermann says what's really going to deter these thieves is tougher sentencing... which is available for you to vote on during this election, with state measures 61 and 62.

"I'm not going to tell you which one to vote for but I will submit to you that I have investigated aggravated thefts, which in Oregon, aggravated theft is over $10,000 of fraud and the suspect got 30 days in the county jail. It is extremely difficult to get any amount of time and these people, a lot of them, crime pays for them," says Hermann.

If you'd like to learn more on how to protect your identity, contact the Consumer Credit Counseling Service at 267-7040

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