These crimes include bank frauds, computer and internet frauds, counterfeit checks, credit card frauds, passing stolen checks, home improvement frauds, investment schemes, money laundering, telemarketing frauds, pigeon drops and other confidence schemes. Since many of these crimes involve the jurisdiction of more than one agency, the branch works closely with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as maintaining contact with the many local financial institutions. By the time you find out about it, the thief is long gone and has left a trail of long overdue unpaid bills. You may not have a direct financial loss, but you will spend months trying to straighten it all out and restore your good name and credit.
Many states have laws dealing specifically with identity theft.
An Ounce of Prevention To protect yourself and your credit, be careful to whom you give your social security number or other personal information. Always deposit outgoing mail in a Postal Collection Box , not your residential mailbox. And check your credit history on a regular basis for any unknown or unusual activity. If you are the victim of a financial crime, you must first make a report to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. If you have information regarding a financial crime, call the Organized Crime Branch at 327-3650.