West Hennepin Public Safety is issuing an alert to residents to be aware of gas siphoning, which has been on the increase in the cities of Maple Plain and Independence.  West Hennepin has received three reports of gas siphoning occurring within the last week in residential areas in the city of Maple Plain and a commercial business in the city of Independence.  This type of crime has hit numerous surrounding areas but until lately it has not impacted the West Hennepin Public Safety area.  This trend is likely to continue and/or increase with the high cost of fuel.

Residents are encouraged to park vehicles inside when able or park in well lighted area and use locking gas caps or tanks when possible.  Residents are also urged to call 911 with any suspicious activity and an officer will respond to check it out.

Another trend that law enforcement has seen and one Maple Plain resident has possibly become a victim of is a computer scam, in which suspects use a ‘trojan horse’ to enter a victim’s computer.  The computer program then downloads personal information, including account #’s and/or PIN numbers if they’re recorded on the computer and the suspect then makes fraudulent financial documents and/or credit cards/debit cards.

This type of theft is reportedly on the increase and banking officials have urged people to make sure their spyware programs are up to date.  This latest type of scam is yet another way that criminals will use to continue to commit identity theft.

If you think you’ve become the victim of identity theft or need to report identity theft, call West Hennepin Public Safety at (763) 479-0500 or visit the Federal Trade Commission website at www.FTC.gov.  The website has excellent information and suggestions on how to prevent identity theft and how to respond to it if you become a victim.