Pittsfield Charter Township

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Matthew E. Harshberger

Director of Public Safety
6227 West Michigan Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 harshbergerm@pittsfield-mi.gov
Phone: (734) 822-4911 y Fax: (734) 822-0744 Telephone: (734) 822-4921
Website: www.pittsfield-mi.gov

To: Pittsfield Twp. Public Safety Watch Groups

From: Ritchie Coleman, P.S.C.C. Pittsfield Twp. D.P.S.

Nixle Alerts: www.nixle.com to sign up

Subject: Identity Theft/Fraud- Protecting Your Personal Information

Date: 2/25/11

The Pittsfield Twp. Police has responded to an increase in reports of “Identity Theft and Fraud” and reports of
“unauthorized credit card accounts being opened”. This increase in fraud is occurring nationwide and Pittsfield Twp.
Police is investigating one subdivision with five residents whose personal information was comprised within the last month.

It is unknown at this time if these incidents are involving, mail theft, electronic “phishing scams”, or “ward driving- someone
with a wireless system accessing wireless routers that are not secured with WPA2 security and password protected”. Also
when you are making online purchases always make sure that at the checkout, it is secure and that in your browser it has
“https” the (s) means it is a secure site and encrypted.

The Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) has reported two significant data breaches that are impacting consumers
nationwide. On February 3rd, 2011, “Credit Report resellers settle with the FTC charges: Security Failures allowed
hackers to access consumers’ personal information”.

“As a result, hackers accessed more than 1,800, credit reports without authorization via the clients’ computer networks. In
addition, even after becoming aware of the data breaches, the companies didn’t make reasonable efforts to protect against
future breaches.” http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2011/02/settlement.shtm

Banking Scam- Patriot Act violation: The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has received numerous reports
from consumers who received an e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC. The e-mail informs the recipient
that "in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security, federal, state and local governments…" the FDIC has
withdrawn deposit insurance from the recipient's account "due to account activity that violates the Patriot Act." It further states
deposit insurance will remain suspended until identity and account information can be verified using a system called "IDVerify."
If consumers go to the link provided in the e-mail, it is suspected they will be asked for personal or confidential information, or
malicious software may be loaded onto the recipient's computer.
http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2011/sa11010.html

It is recommended that you check your credit card statements at the end of each month to verify and challenge any charges
that were not authorized. If you are a victim of Identity Theft/Fraud please file a police report, you will need this number for
your creditors.

You also have access to one free credit report a year that will provide you with your account(s) history and if any accounts
have been open without your authorization.

Free Credit Report Form: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/resources/forms/requestformfinal.pdf

Pg. #2

You can also file a report with the FTC (https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ ) to have your credit monitored.

Michigan Law also provides consumers with the ability to freeze your credit and to lift it when you need it. Please go to the
Michigan Attorney Generals Website at: http://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,1607,7-164-34739_20942-182414--,00.html

Online Tax Fraud Prevention: (www.irs.gov) Do you file your federal/state taxes over the Internet? If so, it’s important to
remember some rules about protecting your privacy and preventing identity theft. There a number of scams and phishing
emails that are sent out daily promoting the use of their E-Tax filing services that are fake. The IRS does not use e-mail to
communicate any personal information. If you’ve been contacted by someone claiming to be from the IRS, you can call 1-800-
829-1040 to find out if the call was authentic. Never respond to unsolicited requests for information. Tax Preparation
software, for more information about e-file partners and tax software; visit the IRS E-file Partners for Taxpayers page. Use a
Secure Link: If you are filing your taxes on the Web, make sure that the web address begins with “https” and check to see if a
tiny locked padlock appears somewhere on the screen.

Office of the Inspector General-Social Security Number theft: (http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10064.html) if you are a
victim of Social Number theft the IRS has specific recommendations on how to notify them and what to do. Please call the
Fraud Hotline 1800 269-0271 from 10am-4pm EST.

March 6-12, 2011, is the National Consumer protection week. There are two events being planned that the community will be
invited to March 5th, 2011, Open House from 11am-2pm, 6227 W. Michigan Ave. There will be resource materials for the
family on Internet safety, wireless security, Identity Theft/Fraud and more. On March 9th, 6:30-7:30pm, Identity Theft/Fraud
update 2011, workshop, 6227 W. MI Ave, D.P.S. Multipurpose Room.

Pittsfield Twp. D.P.S. is a member of the Washtenaw County Cyber Citizenship Coalition (WC4) and the website has
information for families and businesses. Please put this website in your favorites. Meetings notices and resources are available at
the website: http://washtenawcybercoalition.org/

Internet Safety Tips and Data privacy Resources:

National Data Privacy Day Jan. 28, 2011: http://dataprivacyday2011.org/

Wireless Internet Safety tips: If you are using a Wireless router please make sure that your system is password protected
to avoid any unauthorized users from using your router as well as harvesting your personal information while online.

Data Privacy Day- Securing your wireless! http://www.secureyourwireless.org/

“OnGuardOnline” has provided great security tips while at Wi-Fi hot spots: “Wise Up about Wi-Fi hot spots-
http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/hotspots.aspx

Securing your Mobile Device: Data privacy and “Smart Phones”: http://www.staysafeonline.org/blog/data-privacy-day-
approaching-your-mobile-device-secure

Please feel free to contact the agency for assistance on any of the information listed. Residents are encouraged to sign up for
the Nixle alerts at http://www.nixle.com.

Thanks.