“We believe there are more in this area,” he said.
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The credit union — Illinois’ largest — told the Dayton Daily News the victims did not incur any financial losses or see an impact to their credit score, but warned other financial institutions involved may not have caught the fraud.
Accordingly, Alliant recommends all Huber Heights residents check their credit report to ensure no accounts have been falsely opened in their name.
Earlier this year the credit union sent letters requesting verification of the accounts to the suspected fraudulent account holders, but received few answers back from consumers, according to police. Authorities suspect many who received the letters may have thought it was some kind of credit card offer or scam itself.
“There’s a possibility people get these mailers and just automatically throw them away instead of doing some research,” Taylor said.
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Alliant said the handful of fraudulent accounts opened were closed. Typically, the credit union said, such fraud is designed to steal money from the financial institution, not the person with the stolen identity.
Consumer advocates said this type of fraud remains a favorite of tricksters.
"Still, the most common way they get your information is a scam like this," said John North, president and chief executive officer of the Better Business Bureau of Dayton and the Miami Valley. "We get a lot of junk mail, but it's important you look at that junk mail."
North also said it's important to look at junk mail to ensure it's not an important letter, but also to properly shred junk mail to prevent fraudulent accounts in one's name.
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“That information that they throw away, simply tearing it up and throwing it into the trash can, is not enough,” North said. “They can take it out, they can change the address, and they can establish credit in your name.”
North said police, financial institutions and the three credit reporting bureaus should be contacted by people who suspect they may be the victim of fraud.
Anyone who received a letter from Alliant Credit Union about the fraud, observed an unauthorized account on their credit report, or thinks they may be involved in the incident should contact Huber Heights Police at 937-233-1565.
To contact Alliant Credit Union, call 1-800-328-1935.
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CRIME CONCERNS
The Dayton Daily News is a source for the latest information about ways to protect your family from fraud. This credit card fraud ring could involve hundreds of customers, Huber Heights police said.
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