Fighting ID Theft and Fraud

Sheriff Partners with U.S. Treasury and Local Financial Instituitions

Santa Barbara County - January 29th, 2009

Identity Theft and Fraud are growing concerns for seniors and others in Santa Barbara County.   Seniors make up 37% of all fraud victims according to the National Crime Prevention Council. 

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department is encouraging direct deposit of federal benefits to reduce financial and identity theft through "Go Direct" and "Direct Express," campaigns sponsored by the U.S. Treasury.  

It’s estimated that 60 thousand Federal benefit checks amounting to nearly 160 million dollars were fraudulently endorsed nationwide in 2007.  Direct deposit will remove benefits checks from our mail system and reduce one source for financial crime, identity theft and mail theft.   For those without bank accounts “Direct Express” enables individuals to receive benefits automatically each month on a prepaid debit card.

The Sheriff’s Department will also be offering educational crime prevention presentations for senior and community organizations throughout the County.  To request a presentation for your organization, or for more information about senior crime prevention, identity theft or financial crime, please contact the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department at 571-1540 or visit  www.sbsheriff.org.  Sign up for “Go Direct”, direct deposit at your local financial institution or www.GoDirect.org and www.DirectExpress.org.

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For more information regarding news related issues
please contact Drew Sugars, Public Information Officer.

Business Hours: (805) 681-4100
EMAIL:pio@sbsheriff.org