East Bay Police Seek Fraud Suspect

WALNUT CREEK, CA — The man in the photo above is accused of fraud at several stores in downtown Walnut Creek. Police are asking for the public's help in revealing his true identity. If you recognize him, call Sgt. Rangel at 925-256-3573 or send an e-mail to rangel@walnutcreekpd.com.

Sgt. Rangel also reminds you to protect your identity so you don't become a victim. Specific recommendations include keeping tabs on your credit cards; shredding bills and documents that you no longer need; and not giving any personal information over the phone.

Here are tips from the Walnut Creek Police Department website, if you think that you're the victim of identity theft:

1. Immediately call the fraud units of the three credit reporting companies — Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union. Report the theft of your credit cards or numbers. Ask that your account be flagged. Find out how long the fraud alert is posted, and how you can extend it if necessary. Ask credit bureaus to provide you with free copies every few months so you can monitor your credit. Check your credit report periodically, even if you are not a victim of identity theft. Federal law allows you to receive one free copy of your credit report each year from each of the major credit reporting companies.
2. Contact all creditors immediately with whom your name has been fraudulently used. Get replacement cards with new account numbers and monitor your mail and credit card bills for evidence of new fraudulent activity.
3. Report the crime to all police and sheriff’s departments with jurisdiction in your case. Give them as much documented evidence as possible. Request a copy of your police report, as credit card companies and banks may require you to show the report in order to verify the crime.
4. If you have had checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, put stop payments on any outstanding checks. Cancel your checking and savings accounts and obtain new account numbers.
5. If your ATM card has been stolen or compromised, get a new card, account number, and password. Do not use your old password.
6. Call the Social Security Administration to report fraudulent use of your Social Security number. As a last resort, you may want to change your number. The SSA will only change it if you fit their fraud victim criteria.
7. Sometimes, victims of identity theft are wrongfully accused of crimes committed by the imposter. If a civil judgment has been entered in your name for actions taken by your imposter, contact the court where the judgment was entered and report that you are a victim of identity theft. If you are wrongfully prosecuted for criminal charges, contact the state Department of Justice and the FBI.

-Image via Walnut Creek Police Department