Keep ID Hidden, Fliers Warn

In an effort to stem the increase in so-called identity theft, police in several central Orange County cities are urging drivers to keep their registration and other personal documents locked in the car trunk.

Police in Anaheim and Garden Grove are also urging residents not to leave mail in unlocked curbside mail boxes and to shred discarded paperwork that might contain personal information.

The steps are in response to an increase in auto burglaries and mail thefts police believe are linked to identity theft.

“What makes this different from other burglaries is that the only loss is paperwork, and in some cases they don’t take anything and just write down the information,” said Anaheim Police Sgt. Rick Martinez.

Anaheim officials placed fliers at libraries and city facilities, and distributed stacks to community groups Tuesday, urging residents to lock important documents--such as registration--in the car trunk or to carry them in a purse or wallet. Even an old speeding ticket left in an unlocked glove compartment can provide data to thieves.

“It’s got pretty good information on it,” said Garden Grove police Det. Scott Yuen, who specializes in identity theft and major fraud cases.

Police said identity theft is relatively simple: Thieves seek personal information, such as Social Security numbers, and use it to create fake IDS that can aid in cashing bogus checks.

In a recent Garden Grove case, a thief broke into a car and took a check from the back of a checkbook, a credit card and an expired driver’s license. The victim didn’t noticed the missing items until the following month when the bills arrived, Yuen said.

“It’s a big problem,” he said.