SEATTLE — A woman convicted in an identity theft ring spilled her secrets to AARP Washington. She rode around showing how she and crew got your personal information. Car break-ins and mail and trash thefts fueled their operation.
AARP called the woman Alice Lipski, which is not her real name.
“A lot of credit card companies you can call in and just have the credit card number which is also on the bill,” said Lipski.
She pointed out they were able to get account numbers even from bills that appeared to conceal the full number.
“Even if it looks like its X'ed out I can find it on the bottom in the code,” said Lipski. “Because when you send your payment stub in they have to know what account it is. So your account number's in there, you just don't see it right off hand. If you look, you'll find it.”
That's why you'll want to shred any document with your personal information. Shredders cost between $25 and $100 depending on features. But a new statewide AARP survey shows one in five people never shred documents with personal information.
Just last week, Jim and Jane Marich learned how devastating it can be to leave personal info in your car. While at church, thieves broke into their car and found documents with their Mercer Island address. Then they broke into the Marich’s home and stole $20,000 in jewelry.
“Every time she thinks of something else, she reaches for something else missing she breaks into tears,” said Jim Marich.
Police recommend you lock your glove box and guard your personal information because the thieves are out there looking.
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