Names of possible fraud victims posted to VPD website

The Vancouver Police Department posted to its website the names of more than 400 people whose personal information may have been compromised, according to a press release.

The names, as well as dates of birth and social security numbers, were discovered in a plastic bin inside a home in the 19000 block S.E. 19th Way on April 9 during police response to a disturbance, the release said. The tub was filled with credit cards, driver’s licenses and stolen mail.

It is unclear if any of the 402 individuals on the lists have been the victims of identity theft, according to the release. The list, which will include only first and last names, is available at http://www.vanpolice.org (under “Current Topics,” click “Ledger List”).

Anyone whose name appears on the list is encouraged to:

? Check their credit report for signs of fraud or theft.

? Check bank and credit card statements for unauthorized withdrawals or unusual charges.

? If you discover an unauthorized charge, report it to your bank or credit card company.

? Report it to police.

The list mostly includes names of individuals from the Vancouver-Portland metro area, but does include the names of people as far away as Idaho and Pennsylvania.

Vancouver residents should who find their names and have documentation signaling identity theft are encouraged to visit the department’s West Precinct, 2800 N.E. Stapleton Rd., or call 360-487-7355.

A fraud unit designated to investigate identity theft was a casualty of budget cuts, according to the release. That means that all information will be taken, but not all individuals will be called back. A minimum loss amount must be met to trigger an investigation.

The release said financial institutions often require a police report as part of their documentation.

Citizens outside of Vancouver whose names appear on the list are encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency.