Capital One campaign targeting fraud, identity theft

Capital One has designed a fraud and identity theft campaign to help businesses and individuals recognize international Internet scams and to avert criminal attacks on finances.

The Louisiana banking system is committed to helping the communities it serves understand more about fraudulent schemes and identity theft scams used by criminals trying to gain access to the financial assets of individuals and businesses, according to bank officials.

Capital One’s Area President Robert Naquin said the campaign is for the 342 Capital One locations in Louisiana and Texas. He said a recent study by Capital One and Consumer Action, an advocacy group, indicated that an overwhelming majority of Americans have a general awareness of identity theft and resulting fraudulent acts of crime, but many consumers are still unaware of the specific effects of these crimes and the steps they should take if they fall victim.

Naquin and other Capital One bank managers encourage the people in the Tri-parishes to learn more about identity theft and fraud by visiting the company’s Web site at www.capitalonebank.com. Information can also be obtained through MoneyWi$e Financial literacy partnership provided by Capital One and Consumer Action or visiting www.money-wise.org.

“Consumers need to know how to protect themselves from identity theft, and they need to learn more about the growing number of Internet and email schemes that criminals are using to steal money,” said Steve Lousteau, south Central Louisiana regional chair for Capital One’s Banking segment. “Anyone can become a victim of fraud of ID theft. It’s important for people to know what to do if this happens to them.”

Nationwide, Capital One has comprised a checklist for its customers to review monthly to ensure that no unknown purchases have been made and to help prevent identity theft. Capital One recommends the following:

• Check your credit report by looking for unusual information such as accounts you don’t recognize and companies with which you do no business.

• Monitor and safeguard your mail, any missed bills and credit card statements should be investigated. Criminals may have taken over the account and changed the address. Never leave outgoing checks or statement information in your mailbox.

• Investigate mysterious purchases by reviewing your credit-card purchases, and call your credit company immediately to explore any irregularities.

Naquin said he personally encourages all the Tri-parish Capital One customers to be more vigilant for check and debit fraud, and international Internet scams. He said identity theft is the lynchpin to many scams. Criminals often use false premises or misrepresent their identity to entice consumers to hand over Social Security numbers, account number information or personal identification numbers that can be used to access the victim’s money.

“For victims, it can take a considerable amount of time and effort to clear up credit records and repair the financial damage ID theft and fraud can cause,” he explained. “It is critical to catch problems early. We want consumers to recognize the danger signs so that they take steps to help minimize the risk and prevent themselves from falling victim.”

“If you become a victim, you should take immediate action to try and contain the damage to your finances,” Lousteau added. “Call your bank or your credit card company for help and file a police report.”

Consumers can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft or by calling the FTV at 1-877-438-4338.