Trappe Man Struck By Identity Theft

A 60-year-old Trappe man was victimized by identity theft last month, Pennsylvania State Police said Friday.

The unknown suspect or suspects managed to obtain the credit card number of the Betcher Road resident and used it to make $949 in online purchases, police said.

See the federal Office of the Inspector General's guide to identity theft in this article's PDF section.

Stolen credit card numbers are the most frequently reported form of identity theft. Thieves obtain credit card numbers by stealing a wallet or purse, deceiving victims into giving out credit card information over the telephone, and various other means. Identity theft is a federal crime with penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. Very few identity theft cases are solved, however.

More information:

• Fighting Back Against Identity Theft (Federal Trade Commission)