KGVY Radio, Monday, May 19, 2008

Green Valley Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers

Bill Roskey

SAV continues to receive reports from Green Valley residents who are victims of identity theft and credit card fraud. This past week, one Green Valley man received a letter from the IRS stating that he owed taxes on more than $16,000 paid to him by a company in Cave Creek, Arizona. Since he has never worked for the company and never been in Cave Creek, it appears that someone has been using his name and Social Security number. In another case, a woman reported to SAV that someone has been using her name and credit card number to finance some exotic travel. On receiving her last statement, she found charges for a stay at a hotel in Singapore and for an airline ticket to Jakarta, Indonesia.

Several thefts were reported to SAV this past week in Green Valley. One was the theft of approximately $2,500 in tools from a construction trailer. To gain entry, the thief had cut off the lock. Another theft occurred at Desert Meadows Park at Abrego and La Huerta, where thieves stole stuffed animals that were wired to a park bench. A yellow cactus was also taken. In still another theft, a ring appraised at more than $14,000 was taken from a woman’s apartment. These thefts, in three different types of locations, illustrate the fact that they can happen anywhere. They can also happen at any time. Recent national crime statistics show that as many burglaries are committed during daylight hours as at night.