Cha-ching! Merchants learn about fraud
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Responding to requests made by Delphi Chamber of Commerce members and other local merchants is something the chamber intends to do frequently according to president Krista Watson.

The latest response came in the form of a free seminar addressing theft, counterfeit money, fraud and returned checks. Carroll County Sheriff Tony Burns, prosecutor Tricia Thompson, Lafayette Police Department Investigator Jeff Rooze and consultant Dave McDowell provided a two-hour program of information and examples.

"I was very pleased with the program," Watson said. "The presenters really gave a lot of good information."

Watson said chamber members were interested in establishing communication among themselves in order to share crime information to combat multiple incidents.

Merchants were encouraged to report inappropriate credit activities, returned checks, theft and suspicions of fraud to the appropriate local authorities immediately. Businesses in Delphi were directed to report activity to the Delphi City Police Department and those businesses in the county to turn to the sheriff's office for help.

Burns told all residents it was recommended they shred all unnecessary documents, never put bills with checks in rural mailboxes to be mailed, never carry a social security card, do not put a social security number on checks and drivers' licenses and never provide a social security number over the telephone, unless it is known definitely who is on the other end of the line.

Burns further recommends obtaining a copy of personal credit reports every four months from one of three free services.

Thompson reported that approximately 50 percent of 2007 cases filed by her office are identity theft cases.

"The effects of these cases are pretty broad," she said. "Identity theft cases have a huge impact on victims, but also the police, the courts, the probation department, the jail, landlords and merchants."

"Protecting your social security number is most important," she added.

Thompson urged the public to be suspicious about bad checks when someone presents a counter check, refuses to present identification or has a low-numbered check.

"Follow your gut about when to be suspicious," she said. "When in doubt, contact law enforcement."

Thompson advised merchants they could establish a bad check alert between them as long as they did not share individuals' social security numbers.

Rooze provided samples of counterfeit checks, currency and identification to give merchants hands-on experience in what those items look like.

Rooze explained many times several businesses in a small town will be targeted on the same day. He stressed the most important thing is to trust the "gut instinct." He said that if something "doesn't feel right" to stop the transaction, ask questions and get others involved.

Former Indiana State Police Investigator McDowell provided technical information about how to find an individual who owes money, known as "skip tracing."

McDowell also told audience members hotel room key cards contain registration in- formation, including the method of payment. If payment was made with a credit card, the account number would be stored on the magnetic strip according to McDowell.

Chamber member and Salin Bank Sales Manager Cheryl Blickenstaff said she would like to see the seminar repeated to allow other merchants and residents the opportunity to learn about the subject.

"It was very nice and very informative," Blickenstaff said. "The presenters gave good useful information for business owners. It's just too bad more people didn't attend."

Watson said the chamber plans to offer four to six more seminars this year. She said the fraud seminar could be offered again if the chamber received a significant number of requests for it.

To request the fraud seminar be repeated or to learn about other chamber-hosted learning experiences planned, call the chamber office at (765) 564- 3034.