Fraud/Forgery/Identity
Theft Crimes Investigations
This Unit investigates crimes such as fraud,
forgery, embezzlements, and identity theft crimes. The
fraud investigators investigate all types of frauds, forgeries, identity thefts,
high-tech crimes, and embezzlements. We also provide training for businesses and
community groups on identifying white-collar crimes and ways to protect against
them. In
the computer forensic area, two Detectives complete forensic computer examinations.
The detectives use specialized computers and software to examine computers and
components in an attempt to identify and seize evidence. They also investigate
Internet related crimes and illegal pornography on the Internet. Check
out the following links for more information: Typical
Offenders A
majority of the persons committing identity theft and forgery are also drug offenders.
They finance their drug habits by picking through trash or stealing mail looking
for pre-approved credit card applications and receipts, canceled checks, bank
statements, expired charge cards and other documents or information they can use
to counterfeit or order new checks or credit cards. They look for any documents
containing your personal information or banking information. Avenues
Criminals Obtain Your Information - Coming
into possession of your lost or stolen wallet or purse.
-
Stealing your mail, or diverting it to another mailbox via a change of address
request.
- "Dumpster
Diving" into your trash and gathering important documents.
- "Pretext"
calls where the thief poses as your bank, internet service provider, or other
organization with which you may or may not have had financial dealing and they
call you to "verify your account information" because of a problem they had with
their "records system."
Other
crimes such as burglary or breaking into a vehicle where the thief looks to steal
financial information, wallets, purses, or other items containing such information.
Helpful
Links
US
Postal Inspections Service
IFCCFBI
Federal Trade Commision Identity Theft
Identity Theft Resource Center
Federal Trade Commision | 
