Brooklyn Bishop's a Victim of Identity Theft

Here’s one identity thief who won’t be making it past the pearly gates.

According a New York Daily News story last week, Catholic Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio recently told police that scammers attempted to use his Social Security number and birth date to open new accounts in his name.

The theft attempt was discovered when MasterCard called DiMarzio to confirm a request for new cards in the bishop’s name. A New York Police Department (NYPD) identity theft unit investigation is still ongoing.
 
“Crooks have no regard for anyone, even a man of the cloth,” an unidentified NYPD source told the Daily News. Rev. Kieran Harrington, a Diocese of Brooklyn spokesman, told the paper that no diocesan employee has been implicated in the case.

The 64-year-old Bishop, who has spent much of his career working with the poor, appears not to have been taken financially, as no cards were obtained and no money lost, Newsday reported.

Credit and charge card fraud is an all too common occurrence. Avoid being a victim by following this Federal Trade Commission advice:
 
•    Sign cards as soon as they arrive.
•    Carry cards in a compartment separate from your wallet.
•    During charge transactions keep an eye on your card, and get it back into your possession as soon as possible.
•    Notify credit card companies in advance if you’re changing your address.
•    Open bills promptly, comparing receipts against charges.
•    Immediately report any discrepancies on your billing statements.