How to catch an identity thief?

Question

How do identity thieves get away with what they do, assuming that they do not leave the country?
Example: a person signs up for a credit acct in someone elses name. They order a package online. Obviously, they have to have the package shipped somewhere if the thief wants to collect the package. Cant the police just trace where the package went to and question the house owner, or is it not that simple?

Answer 1

Not always that simple. There is still such a thing as "general delivery" i.e. pick up at the post office. There is still such a thing as shipping by non-USPS carrier and stating, "Leave it on the porch, no signature required." Then give an address of a house that is abandoned or recently sold.

If you are getting the bill, you must work with the company that issued the card to have them "flag" it - as "Hold the card and call police." That is a possible request that some carriers will honor.

If it ever happens, IMMEDIATELY let the card company know and IMMEDIATELY notify your bank and any related Savings and Loan banks. It wouldn't hurt to advise the big three credit rating companies that an identity theft has occurred.

Answer 2

That only catches the stupid identity thieves ... just like the Border Patrol checkpoints in Southern California only catch the stupid illegal immigrant smugglers.

People who steal identities for a living tend to be extremely smart when it comes to investigative techniques used by credit fraud investigators and law enforcement. I know an easy way to get away with not having your identity known is to make the purchases with the stolen identity over the internet (from a public computer with no surveillance), and have the package delivered to a known non-occupied residence. Most parcel delivery companies (USPS, USP, Fed Ex, etc ...) will just leave the package on the doorstep half the time (unless it requires a signature).

It really is a lot easier than you think ... that why so many people do it.

Answer 3

First off I'm hoping you're not speaking from a victim's perspective because people I've know to whom this had happened have spent thousands of dollars and still linger in the aftermath of such a travesty--good luck

9 times out of then they will never be caught since these people are operating from outside borders..

Answer 4

properly if the police are heavily dedicated to the case, then they could do something like have yet another credit card variety obtainable interior an identical way that your buddy's became and probably, in some unusual coincidental way, an identical thief might retrieve the help, purchase products and deliver them to an identical handle. Then whilst they went to p.c.. it up, the police could be waiting for them. yet that looks fairly complicated and time eating for something like credit card fraud. i think of that it fairly is conceivable, yet regrettably i don't think of that is going to ensue. good success on your buddy

Answer 5

they can use a milbox that is also in the name of the stolen id