March 29, 2023 Your Source for Brentwood News

Los Angeles Identity Theft Reports Hit Record High in 2022

LAPD data shows 130 percent increase in identity theft in City of Los Angeles

In 2022, the City of Los Angeles was hit with a surge of identity theft reports that had not been seen for years. According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), there were 19,852 identity theft reports in 2022, a 138 percent increase from the 8,335 cases reported in 2021. 

Law enforcement representatives believe one element contributing to this increase is thieves preying on recipients of electronic benefit transfers (EBT). EBT cards are used by low-income California residents to access funds for various state programs. Skimming devices have been placed over card readers at stores and banks to steal card numbers when the unsuspecting victim uses their card.

“Thieves are able to get information off the magnetic strip of the EBT card. Thieves then upload it to a ‘clone’ card,”  Captain Alfonso Lopez, the head of the LAPD’s Commercial Crimes division, told Crosstown

The LAPD recommends using contactless forms of payment and tap options whenever possible to reduce the risk of skimming. It should be noted, however, that EBT cards do not have a tap function or security chip.  Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed, however, that the California Department of Social Services pay $76.5 million over the next three years to heighten the security of EBT cards. 

According to the LAPD data on identity theft, the most heavily impacted communities are Westlake (860 reports), Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw (628 reports), Downtown (604) and Boyle Heights (592). These neighborhoods all have large populations of low-income residents—in eight of them, 30 percent of people have a median household income below $20,000. 

The LAPD also noted that identity thieves also tend to target multi-unit dwellings as they provide easy access to mailboxes that can contain personal materials used for identity theft.

“Thieves are getting people’s identification, and are able to work backward to get their information,”  Lopez told Crosstown

According to the data, women were the victim in nearly two-thirds of identity theft reports in 2022, up from 51.7 percent in the previous year.

in News
Related Posts

Los Angeles Clippers Join Local High Schoolers for Medical Training at Cedars-Sinai

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Students gain hands-on experience with virtual reality tools, CPR training, and surgical equipment at Cedars-Sinai’s Women’s Guild Simulation Center For...

Mount Saint Mary’s University Releases 12th Annual Report on the Status of Women and Girls in California

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Los Angeles’ women leaders gather to discuss Report on Status of Women and Girls in California and share actionable insights...

Brentwood Community Council Partners with LASAN and Volunteers to Promote Composting

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

Approximately 400 kitchen pails distributed to L.A. residents at Brentwood Farmers Market with the Help of The Archer School for...

Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness to Restructure Operations

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

Non-profit organization to phase out fiscal operations and community engagement by 2023, remaining funds to be managed by The People...

Large Tree Falls Narrowly Missing Brentwood Home

March 27, 2023

March 27, 2023

Eucalyptus tree crushes car and grazes garage in Sunday morning incident. Residents of Brentwood had a narrow escape early Sunday...

Millions of Southern Californians Face Food Insecurity as Benefits Under CalFresh End

March 27, 2023

March 27, 2023

Local food banks urge community support as Southern Californians face heightened food insecurity Local food banks in Southern California are...

Office Building Sales Plummet by 76% in Los Angeles

March 27, 2023

March 27, 2023

Transfer tax and low interest rates contributing to decline in L.A. office sales By Dolores Quintana In the city of...

Luxury Brentwood Chateau-Style Estate Owned by Handbag Designer Tyler Ellis Listed for $42 Million

March 26, 2023

March 26, 2023

Ellis is selling her stunning 6-bedroom, 10-bath French-inspired mansion in Brentwood, LA, for nearly $30 million more than what she...

LA County Board of Supervisors Rejects Extending Residential Tenant Protections After Heated Debate

March 26, 2023

March 26, 2023

County Board of Supervisors votes down measure affecting landlords in unincorporated areas. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted...

Ride-Share Companies Win Appeal, Can Continue to Classify Drivers as Contractors

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

Proposition 22 exempted ride-share companies from certain labor laws, court rules in favor of the companies By Sam Catanzaro ​​A...

Toscana Brentwood Hosts Exclusive Tuscan Food and Wine Event Featuring Bolgheri’s Acclaimed Chef Omar Barsacchi

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Two top tuscan winemakers join Barsacchi for an evening of fine dining in Toscana’s private wine cellar By Dolores Quintana...

Survey: Do You Think Elected Officials Should Help Keep Outdoor Dining Options Available for Restaurants?

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the way we live our lives, and one of the most significant impacts has been...

San Diego-Based Healthy Eatery to Open Soon in Brentwood

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

Parakeet Cafe puts up signage in Brentwood Town Center  Parakeet Cafe, a popular healthy eatery based in San Diego, is...