HCSO Sheriff's Office Banner
Facebook

HCSO Recommends You Like

Facebook

HCSO Recommends You Like

Facebook

HCSO Recommends You Like

Latest Trends In Hernando County Fraud / ID Theft
Social Security Payment Diversion:
There have been numerous victims throughout Hernando County and the Tampa Bay area that have had their Social Security Payment diverted to “Green Dot” credit/debit cards. Please contact Social Security immediately to create a password to protect your account from online/telephone access. Follow this link immediately to protect yourself: https://secure.ssa.gov/acu/IPS_INTR/main.jsp
Elderly residents information being used for Income Tax fraud:
Elderly residents and deceased persons identities are being used to commit income tax fraud. If you, a relative and/or friend are no longer required to file an income tax return (by qualifying per IRS rule: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96623,00.html ) but suspect your information may have been used to file a fraudulent return can check your last few years income tax activity from the IRS by using this link: https://sa1.www4.irs.gov/irfof-tra/start.do . If you find any fraudulent returns contact your local law enforcement and/or the IRS to make an Identity Theft report. (The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office will take a police report and investigate as far as possible, some agencies may refer you directly to the IRS). If your identity was used for income tax fraud be sure to file a fraud alert with all 3 major credit reporting agencies (information can be found at: http://www.fightidentitytheft.com/flag.html)
INTERNET AND E-MAIL FRAUD
  • Keep you internet security software upto date
  • Set a password on your interent wireless router
  • Beware of Phishing sites that look like legitimate websites
  • Do not open unsolicited e-mail.
  • Beware of using cell phones to access interent. Get anti-virus software if available.
  • Click for more detail...
HCSO VIDEO LIST

Choose From List on Right
  • * Video Guide to online fraud report with Internet Crime Complaint Center.
  • * National Insurance Crime Bureau Video's (will take you to external site)
  • * Nigerian Scam Computer Room Bust
  • * How to obtain free credit reports by US Treasury Dept.
TELEPHONE FRAUD
  • Telephone lottery scams. Use common sense, you can't win if you didn't play.
  • Don't trust caller ID. Information can be faked.
  • Be careful of inheritance scams. Remember if you had a rich relative then you most likely would have known about it during your life.
  • If contacted about bail money for someone you know, contact the arresting agency yourself and verify it is true. Don't accept number given to you over the phone, look it up yourself.
  • Click for more detail...
HANDYMAN / REPAIR SCAMS
Potentially the largest threat to the elderly in Hernando County
  • NEVER ACCEPT THE FIRST ESTIMATE ON ANYTHING
  • NEVER PAY MORE THAN A 10% DOWN PAYMENT
  • NEVER PAY MONEY THAT IS NOT DUE UNTIL A CERTAIN PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THAT PHASE IS COMPLETE
  • BEFORE MAKING PAYMENT(S) FOR CONSTRUCTION MAKE SURE ALL SUBCONTRACTORS HAVE BEEN PAID IN FULL
  • Click for more detail...
TIPS FOR BUSINESS
 
RECOMMENDED LINKS FOR YOU
Research
General Reading
ID THEFT / CREDIT CARD FRAUD
  • Check you balance online as often as possible
  • Use credit monitoring software to determine who is accessing your credit
  • Examine ATM and Gas Pumps for covert cameras aimed at the keypad or tampering evidence before using.
  • Check kids S.S. number. Children can be victimized and go undetected for years.
  • Click for more detail...
Your Hernando County Sheriff's Office Major Case Investigators
FLE Accreditation Site HCSO Web Footer