Look How Often Fraud Is Reported in Batavia

We read about credit card fraud, scams and identity theft all the time, but perhaps we don't realize just how often it happens locally. The Batavia Police Department gets reports of fraud virtually every week and very close to every day.

The following is a roundup of fraud reports collected during September from the Batavia Police Department, plus some advice from the Federal Trade Commission about how to make sure it doesn't happen to you.

Rewards Points Taken From Credit Card

Someone reported that an unknown person used rewards points from his credit card between Sept. 4 and Sept. 5. The report was filed at 2:59 p.m. Sept. 24 in the 100 block of First Street.

Unauthorized Use of Debit Card

Three unauthorized charges were made to a debit card, according to a report filed at 7:17 p.m. Sept. 24 in the 800 block of Spruce Lane. According to the report, the charges “seemed to be originated in Africa.”

$370 in Unauthorized Charges

Credit card fraud was reported at 4:02 p.m. Sept. 19 in the 800 block of North Forest Avenue, reports said. An unknown offender used the victim’s debit/credit card at various businesses totaling $370.51.

$654 TV Purchased Illegally

Victims who live in the 2700 block of Sperry Court reported that an unauthorized purchase was made on their credit card in the amount of $653.89 for a television sold at Sears in Des Moines, IA. The report was made at 4:53 p.m. Sept. 13.

Mississippi Charges Total $2,005

A victim who lives in the 300 block of North VanNortwick told police someone made eight unauthorized purchases using his credit card in the state of Mississippi totaling $2,005.20. The victim has contacted the credit card company and cancelled his card.

Debit Card Used at Restaurant

A complainant reported that an unknown offender used his debit card at a restaurant in the amount o $118 in unauthorized charges. The report was filed at 12:42 p.m. Sept. 6 at the Old Second National Bank, 1991 W. Wilson St.

Hacked into E-Mail 

The victim reported that an unknown offender accessed her email. She contacted her provider, and the provider advised her to file a police report. The report was filed at 2:14 p.m. Sept. 6, and the fraud was recorded in the 1200 block of Raddant Road.

13 Charges on Card Total $2,263

The victim told police her credit/debit card was missing and had been used 13 times for $2,262.92 in unauthorized charges. The report was filed at 7:51 a.m. Sept. 6 in the 1200 block of East Wilson Street.

Additional Advice From the FTC

• 10 Ways to Avoid Fraud

Report Scams

If you think you may have been scammed:

• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. If you are outside the U.S., file a complaint at econsumer.gov.
• Visit ftc.gov/idtheft, where you’ll find out how to minimize your risk of identity theft.
• Report scams to your state Attorney General.

If you get unsolicited email offers or spam, send the messages to spam@uce.gov.

If you get what looks like lottery material from a foreign country through the postal mail, take it to your local postmaster.

• Using Money Transfer Services
• Investment Risks