Police see more counterfeit crimes during the holiday shopping season, according to a release from the Albany County district Attorney’s Office.  Counterfeit groups use the central location of Albany County to quickly use counterfeit currency in exchange for gift cards and merchandise, and then flee, the release says; catching these criminals is difficult once they leave the area.

Identity theft is another crime that occurs more often during the holiday season, according to the district attorney’s office.  Criminals gain access to a victim’s bank account and then spend the money electronically, or even generate fake credit cards in the victim’s name.  The criminals who perpetrate these crimes can be difficult to apprehend, and it is a crime that can be hard to recover from.

Tips

The district attorney’s office provides these tips for both retailers and consumers on how to be safer this holiday shopping season:

— Carefully check your financial statements and report suspicious activity immediately;

— Run your credit report annually and review for accuracy;
— If you are handed an item that appears to be fake currency or a fraudulent credit card, contact your local police department or United States Secret Service field office. Do not return any suspected fake bills to the passer;

— Observe the passer's description, as well as that of any companions, and the license plate numbers of any vehicles used; and

— Limit the handling of the note. Carefully place it in a protective covering, such as an envelope.