Newlyweds targeted in identity theft scam

April 17, The News Journal (DE) — Newlyweds targeted in identity theft scam.

The latest identity theft scam targets newlyweds, said New Castle County, DE, Clerk of the Peace Ken Boulden. The unwitting couple receives a letter saying they are required to register their name change with the federal government. They are asked to supply a wealth of personal information −− address, birth date, even Social Security number. A fee of $15 to $20 is needed, payable by check or credit card.

"Not only have you given them your entire life on this registration card,
you've given them copies of your signature, your routing number or your bank account number, and you're paying them to take it," Boulden said. "There is no federal or state requirement or law that mandates that you register or record your change of name after marriage, period," he said. Boulden first learned of this relatively new scam while attending a conference. He said he was surprised to hear of it, and even more surprised that newlyweds have started calling his office to ask about mailings from entities with official−sounding names such as National Record Service Corp. and U.S. Record Service Corp.

Source: http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/local/2005/04/17newlywedstarget.html