Identity Theft in Borough Park

NEWS FROM

ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

September 4, 2012

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

718-853-9616 (office)

HIKIND PROTECTS VICTIMS OF IDENTITY THEFT

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is warning people to be on the lookout for fraudulent bank accounts, changes to their credit scores, and other indications of identity theft after three community members recently fell victim to potential fraud.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation contacted a number of Borough Park residents who have been identified as potential victims of crimes after finding personal identifying information of these residents in the hands of would-be criminals in New England. While the identity theft investigation remains ongoing, the FBI’s Boston field office advised the potential victims to follow through with all three major credit bureaus, immediately close any fraudulent accounts that may have been opened, and to file police reports. Assemblyman Hikind’s senior aides immediately went into action working with the FBI and the credit bureaus to protect the community members identified as potential victims.

“It’s not every day that someone gets a letter from the FBI,” said the Assemblyman. “These people were frightened and rightly so. When they turned to us for help in protecting themselves, my staff immediately followed up with the Department of Justice and the credit bureaus to make certain these innocent victims were protected.”

Assemblyman Hikind explained that victims can report complaints to the Federal Trade Commission by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338). Constituents who have been victims of identity theft should also contact the Assemblyman’s office.

“You don’t need to use the internet or even have a credit card to be a potential victim of identity theft,” said the Assemblyman. “Thieves grow more and more sophisticated and can obtain your personal information from a driver’s license, bank account number, and many other ways. To best protect yourself, it’s important to regularly monitor your bank and credit accounts and to occasionally check your credit scores. If there’s anything unusual going on, contact my office. My staff and I are here to help.”

SHAIMOS-FILLED VEHICLE LEFT IN BORO PARK

A resident of the community called my office to complain of a van that had been parked in the community since Pesach. When one of my staff members went to investigate, he discovered a van with out-of-state license plates that had received several parking tickets. A look inside revealed that the back of the van was full of boxes containing shaimos (books or other sacred objects which can no longer be used but may not be destroyed).

This is not the first time that con artists have pulled this kind of stunt. The disposal of shaimos is often done around Pesach when people are cleaning and they have no idea who it is that’s accepting their packages of shaimos on the streets. It’s a cash-and-carry business that’s ripe for scammers. What an absolute disgrace.

My staff and I are working with local law enforcement who are looking into the matter. I'll keep you posted as Further announcements will be made as this story develops.