Surge In Credit Card Fraud Cases Reported In Several Pittsburgh Communities

The Bethel Park Police Department is investigating a surge in credit card fraud cases reported in several Pittsburgh communities.

Last week, police in West Mifflin warned residents about an "exceptional number" of identity theft incidents reported in the area during a span of several days, WPXI reports.

On Tuesday (March 9), the Bethel Park Police Department announced it received nearly 300 reports in the past month in which residents claimed to have received debit cards that they didn't apply for, most of which were sent through Chase Bank.

"The BPPD has taken nearly 300 reports like this in the past month," the department shared on its Facebook account. "We are working with the United States Secret Service and Chase Security in this investigation. If you receive an unrequested credit/debit card in the mail, here are the steps to take to report and protect yourself."

Bethel Park Police are advising residents to use the following information if they believe they are a victim of credit fraud:

• Contact the card company to have the account closed
• Make a report with your local police department
• Report the fraud to the three major credit bureaus
• Equifax: http://www.equifax.com/.../credit.../credit-fraud-alerts/ or 1-800-525-6285
• Experian: www.experian.com/fraud/center.html or 1-888-397-3742
• TransUnion: www.transunion.com/fraud-alerts or 1-800-680-7289
• Request your credit report from any of the credit bureaus or at www.annualcreditreport.com
• Close unauthorized accounts and notify those financial institutions
• Report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• www.identitytheft.gov or 1-877-438-4338
• Report identity theft to PA Office of Attorney General www.attorneygeneral.gov/protect-yourself/identity-theft/ or 1-717-787-3391
• Notify FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) www.ic3.gov

Photo: Getty Images