The fastest growing crime in the nation, identity theft,is alive and well in Southwest Lower Michigan. In response to this growing trend, the Michigan State Police has released an informational pamphlet, designed to both help victims and offer prevention tips.

Every 79 seconds a thief steals someone's identity, opens an account in the victim's name, and goes on a spending spree. The average victim can spend anywhere from six months to two years and over $1,400 recovering from identity theft. "This pamphlet will assist those victims with information they need on what to do and who to call", said Sergeant Kathy Morton of the Paw Paw Post. 

At the present time Paw Paw Post is investigating numerous cases of Identity Theft. In many of the these cases, paper trails lead back to other states and even foreign countries, making it difficult to capture those responsible. Because of this, law enforcement is forced to focus and prevention.

Some prevention tips include: 

• Never giving out identifying information in response to unsolicited offers by phone, mail, internet, or in person unless you initiate the contact.
• Ordering and reviewing your credit report yearly.
• Reviewing financial and credit card statements monthly for unauthorized activity.
• Shredding or tearing up discarded paperwork containing personal identifiers.
• Protecting your mail by removing it from your mailbox as soon as possible.
• Being aware of where your personal identification is kept and who has access to it, at work and at home.
• Not carrying your social security card in your wallet.
• Limiting the number of credit cards you carry and canceling the ones not being used.
• Subscribing to the identity protection services offered by your bank.