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.
Some Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: If I report
a burglary to my home or business and later find more items missing, how do I
report the additional loss?
Within 7-10 days of making your report, you
will receive in the mail information, or a phone call advising you of your case
number and asking if there is additional information. You can list any additional
loss on the card and mail it back or you can mail a separate letter to the Police
Department advising of any further information or loss. Be sure to include your
case number so that the information will get to the assigned detective of your
case. You will also want to report this information to your insurance company
as soon as possible.
Q: Can I call in the day after my report and discuss
the case with the assigned detective?
No. It takes several days for your report
to be processed before it is assigned to an investigator. When you do talk to
the assigned detective, do not be offended if he does not immediately recall all
of the details of your offense. Remember, he has a large case load and will need
some minor details from you to isolate your case.
Q: How do I "press charges"?
If you are willing to "press charges" this generally refers to your willingness as a victim to prosecute the crime against the named suspect. This is generally noted in a report by the responding officer. Once your case is turned over to an investigator, you will be contacted for additional follow up. Once this is completed, your case may be turned over to the Prosecutor's Office for formal review of your case, and the Prosecutor's Office will have final review for determination of any criminal prosecution, or what actual charges, if any, may be brought against the suspect in your crime.
