Mark Thurman knew he was a victim of identity theft when he discovered a pending $600 charge from a Wal-Mart in Maryland on his Washington Mutual check card, which never left his wallet.
“I never thought this could happen to me,” says the senior public communication major. “More people are thinking about their credit score than identity theft. It’s the classic ‘it can never happen to me’ sort of mentality.”

Thurman says although his Washington Mutual check card was on him at all times, someone stole the number, cloned the card and then charged about $75 at unknown locations to check the availability of funds.

After the $600 Wal-Mart charge was made, Washington Mutual called Thurman for his approval.  Shocked that he could be a victim of identity theft, Thurman says he now realizes this could happen to anyone.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if some people we know have had their identity stolen and they don’t even know it,” says Thurman. “Anything created by man can be broken through.”

According to the Consumer Sentinel Network, the Federal Trade Commission’s online database of fraud, Florida has the third largest per capita rate of reported identity theft complaints — more than 24,000 cases in 2008.

Detective John Murray of the Economic Crime Unit at the Broward Sheriff’s Office says that identity theft, like in Thurman’s case, happens every day.
“Economic crimes are increasing with the downfall of the economy,” says Murray, who has been investigating identity fraud cases for 25 years. “Identities are always compromised.”

Thurman is just one of many FAU students who recently became a victim of identity theft.

After his wallet was stolen, junior Dan Mickiewicz found nearly $6,500 in student loan money missing from his Bank of America account.

Mickiewicz left his wallet visibly lying on the passenger seat but returned to his vehicle to find no sign of forced entry. His only theory: The perpetrators entered through the trunk because the lock was broken and climbed to the front of the car to obtain the wallet.
“I didn’t even think to grab my wallet. It was my … mistake for leaving it on my seat, so I guess it’s my fault that it happened,” says Mickiewicz, a public communication major. “I am always on the lookout now.”

Bank of America determined that the purchases were out of Mickiewicz’s normal spending pattern, canceled the card, opened a new account and refunded his money entirely. He says that almost 90 percent of his money was refunded that day, and Wal-Mart refunded the purchases immediately.

Murray, however, says these types of cases almost never go to trial, especially online cases, because the IP addresses often track back to a public computer. 
“Getting an actual identification is the biggest problem,” says Murray, adding that the state attorney takes a case to trial only if there is a victim and a witness. If a case does go to trial, Murray adds that charges for identity theft can range anywhere from a misdemeanor up to a first-degree felony.

Sophomore Chris Ballerano is still waiting for a refund from Bank of America. Two weeks ago, $120 went missing from his checking account over a two-day time period.  “I just think I got really unlucky,” says the undecided major. “I did everything I could to keep this from happening, I think. Hopefully, it won’t happen again.”

Ballerano saw three pending charges appear as random letters on his online statement but, like Thurman, says the card never left his wallet.
“My card was not stolen. I just think someone got lucky and got my account number, or came across my social security number and found out a way to access my account information,” says Ballerano, adding that he occasionally makes online purchases. “It sucks knowing that someone was able to access my information, but I’m glad that I caught it before they spent a lot more [of my money].”

Sophomore Terri Samuels found her entire checking account in the negative, along with additional pending charges and pending overdraft fees. Samuels headed straight to Bank Atlantic, which closed the account and concluded that Samuels’ identity had been compromised. 
“I definitely got a wake-up call,” says the psychology major. “I never knew that this was going on with my account, and I am happy that it was caught before any of the charges
went through.”

Murray highlights that it is important to recognize the several areas of identity fraud: name, date of birth, credit card numbers, bank account number and anything person- or identity-specific. But in general, according to Murray, identity fraud is basically the improper or illegal use of any specific identifier.
“The easiest thing to do is just get to know your bank,” says Thurman. “There are people whose job is just to tell you about these things. Just make use of it [so] you’re not running around like a chicken with its head cut off, asking, ‘What’s my next step?’ “

One possible solution to identity theft, supported by Murray, is increasing the penalties for the crime. Yet he notes that the department can only investigate the cases that are reported to them and says often times people don’t take the time to file a police report.
“The most important thing to do is just be vigilant,” says Murray. “Monitor your credit reports and your bank accounts. Anything out of the ordinary, question or report to your financial institution.”

Think you’re a victim?

First, call your bank immediately and file a report. Then, file a police report with a local agency, and if you know where the compromised card was used without your permission, report it there.

Stay cautious
Five tips from Detective John Murray of the Broward Sheriff’s Office’s Economic Crime Unit

1. Do not leave your wallet or personal information lying around
2. Be vigilant and keep at it
3. Do not put your mail where others can access it
4. If you throw away something with personal information on it, shred it first
5. If you shop online, make sure you purchase from reputable sites

What to do if your identity has been stolen
Tips from FAU’s Bank Atlantic team leader, Kenisha Reynolds

•    Immediately call your bank’s customer service center or its equivalent and file a claim. Their phone number can usually be found on the back of your debit or credit card.
•    Fill out all paperwork and follow all steps necessary for your bank to confirm your identity.
•    Make sure that your bank has frozen your card or your account.
•    Wait for your bank to investigate and determine if fraud was committed.
•    Your bank might issue you a provisional amount of credit if fraud has been detected.
•    If it is determined that you have been a victim of identity theft, then your bank should issue a new debit or credit card or open a new account.