Public Safety Report Identity Theft and Fraud

Over 40 million Americans were victims of identity fraud in 2021, costing victims and consumers $52 billion in total losses, as reported by AARP. So many more people are dependent on the internet for day-to-day purchases and activities that personal identification information is “out there.”

Some reports indicate that identify theft and fraud is up almost 80% compared to 2020. A recent AARP article defines identity theft as “the unauthorized use of some portion of another’s personal information to achieve illicit financial gain.” Many victims of online theft may never find out how or when their personal information was compromised.

Scammers Adapt to New Tactics

Identity fraud swindles are still a concern, but statistics published by AARP indicate that these type of frauds are being successfully reduced. They attribute this to increased governmental enforcement and a better community or educational outreach to potential victims. Still, AARP reports the average victim losses were over $1,000 in 2021.

In turn, the decrease in identity scams may have contributed to the rise in incidents of traditional identity fraud.

Fraud involving existing credit cards increased 69%. These fraudulent charges cost consumers an estimated $9.3 billion.

Consumers spent 16 hours on average to dispute charges on fake accounts. Identity fraud in which criminals opened a new account using a person’s stolen personal information affected 4.9 million victims. The losses through this type of fraud totaled $6.7 billion.

Seventy percent of respondents trust fingerprint scanning, facial recognition and retinal scanning to fight fraud. AARP magazine uses a company called “Javelin.” They predict this level of support could encourage more financial institutions to increase use of these technologies.

Identity fraud involving existing checking, savings, insurance or other accounts totaled $7.8 billion. This type of fraud increased 73% from 2020.

Public Safety Blotter

March 12 – March 18, 2023

March 12

Rear of 99 Bellamy Loop

Public Safety Officers observed a vehicle parked in an unauthorized location blocking the exit of Garage 6. Upon investigation, officers observed a firearm inside the locked vehicle and notified NYPD for forensic processing of the firearm. NYPD towed the vehicle and the investigation is ongoing.

600 Baychester Avenue

CCPD responded to a call of a male loitering in the basement. Upon arrival, CCPD observed a non-resident male smoking on the stairwell. The non-resident was arrested and removed from the building.

99 Bellamy Loop

A cooperator reported returning to her vehicle in Garage 6 and observing a large scratch on the driver’s side of her vehicle and one of her tires flat.

March 13

140 Alcott Place

CCPD responded to a call of a person loitering on the 30 th floor stairwell. Upon arrival, CCPD observed a non-resident male sitting on the steps.The male was recognized as the person that had loitered in the past in the lower level of the Bartow Mall. The male was transported to CCPD base where a warrant check was conducted. He was subsequently arrested for trespass.

2047 Bartow Avenue

CCPD responded to the Dollar Tree store where a non-resident male was observed by a store employee lighting candles in the aisle, throw- ing the lit candles while scorching the floor tiles and fleeing the store. The suspect returned to the Dollar Tree store the next day. Dollar Tree management alerted CCPD of his presence and the suspect was promptly arrested and charged with Arson.

129 Dreiser Loop

A Riverbay porter reported the glass of a vacant establishment was broken by unknown means.

137 Dreiser Loop

While on routine patrol, Public Safety officers observed a suspect who was wanted by the 45th Pct. Detective Squad for a past assault. The male was taken into custody and transported to the 45th Pct. at the request of the Detective Squad for further investigation.

March 14

Side of 99 Bellamy Loop

A cooperator reported returning to her vehicle and noticed that her license plates were removed from her vehicle by unknown person(s).

March 15

150 Dreiser Loop

A cooperator reported an unknown individual banging on his apartment door damaging the interior of the peephole while having difficulty locking and unlocking the apartment door, Maintenance was notified for the repair.

March 17

140 Asch Loop

A cooperator reported a confirmed delivered package from Speedy X Couriers that was left in the lobby removed by an unknown individual.

How to Protect Yourself from Identity Fraud

The Javelin report is referenced in an AARP article and highlights observations about how consumers can better protect themselves from becoming victims of financial fraud:

• Use unique passwords for each website. The report notes that if you use the same log-in for every website, “Criminals need to hack, purchase or scam identity [you] only once to obtain a key that literally can open every lock.” Your passwords also should be longer and more complex(using upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols).

• Avoid clicking on links in text messages. Whether it is a message notifying you of lottery winnings, job offers or a potential virus threat to your smartphone, do not click on links that appear in unsolicited text messages. The link could launch malware that collects your information without your knowledge.

• Avoid scanning unknown QR codes. Many QR codes — those square black-and-white boxes that open websites so you can scan them with the camera on your smartphone — will take you to legitimate businesses. However, think twice before you scan an unknown QR code out of curiosity. It “may take [you] to dangerous, malware-infested web addresses,” the report says. In fact, the “FBI recently warned consumers to use more caution when interacting with QR codes that are pasted to ATMs or appear randomly in public places.”

Don’t be a Victim

“Don’t be a victim” is a slogan often used in the context of personal safety and crime prevention. The message behind this slogan is that individuals can take steps to reduce their risk of becoming a victim of crime or other dangerous situations by being proactive and taking responsibility for their own safety.

Some of the key strategies for “not being a victim” include:

1. Awareness: Being aware of your surroundings and potential dangers can help you avoid dangerous situations. This includes paying attention to your surroundings, avoiding dark or isolated areas, and trusting your instincts.

2. Preparedness: Being prepared can help you respond effectively in the event of an emergency. This includes having a plan for what to do in different scenarios, such as a natural disaster or a violent incident, and having emergency supplies on hand.

3. Self-defense: Learning self-defense techniques can help you defend yourself in the event of an attack. This can include taking classes in martial arts or other self-defense techniques.

4. Risk reduction: Taking steps to reduce your risk of becoming a victim can include things like locking doors and windows, using security systems, avoiding risky behaviors like drinking and driving, and being cautious when sharing personal information online.

By being proactive and taking steps to reduce their risk of becoming a victim, individuals can help protect themselves and their loved ones from harm. However, it is also important to remember that no one is immune to crime or other dangerous situations, and seeking help and support from law enforcement, mental health professionals, or other resources may be necessary in some cases.

You can reach the Co-op City Department of Public Safety at 2049 Bartow Ave., (718) 671-3050 (Emergency), (718) 879-6311 (Anonymous Tips), www. ccpd.us (Tips/comments) or @CCPDnyc on Twitter

OPPORTUNITIES AT CO-OP CITY

For information on CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES ONLY, please contact: Lenya Garcia at Lgarcia@riverbaycorp.com; and Anatoliy Budnitskiy at abudnitskiy@riverbaycorp.com. Please note: emails should be sent to both parties.

Please DO NOT email resumes for EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES to the aforementioned emails. For EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES,

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