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Financial Crimes Frequently Asked Questions 1. If my checks or credit card information are being used fraudulently, why can’t I file charges? The District Attorney requires the person or business suffering the "monetary loss" to make the offense report. This applies to both - forgery and credit card abuse. For Example: If your checks are stolen and one is cashed at a grocery store, it is the responsibility of the grocery store to make the police report, since the grocery store will suffer the monetary loss. If someone uses your credit card to make a purchase without your approval, then the store accepting the credit card or the credit card issuer, must make the police report. 2. What if the bank doesn’t credit my checking account or credit card? If the bank refuses to credit your account - you become the monetary loser – then you must report the offense to us. 3. My checks or credit cards were stolen in the mail. Can I report them stolen? Yes, report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. They have jurisdiction for investigating thefts involving mail. Contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 214-760-4450. 4. What if my checks or credit cards are stolen from my purse? We only investigate the cases that are related to the actual passing of the forged or counterfeit checks, or the fraudulent use of a credit card. If your checks are stolen from anywhere other than the mail, you should call the police to make your report. The offense will be forwarded to the Criminal Investigations Division (C.I.D.). An Investigator working that division will be assigned the offense. The Forgery Unit does not investigate the theft of checks or credit cards. 5. What do I do if someone uses my identity to open a charge account or checking account in my name? You may be able to reduce your risk of being victimized if you follow the guidelines below: Credit Card / Debit Card Account: Immediately contact the issuer of the credit: the credit card company, such as American Express or Visa, a department store, or a bank. We also recommend contacting someone in the "LOSS PREVENTION" department for the company, instead of someone in their customer service department. If your American Express, Visa, or any other card is used to purchase merchandise, you should also contact the store where the card was used. Again, contact someone in "LOSS PREVENTION" for the store and not someone in customer service. Contact all three (3) of the credit reporting companies and report the incident to each of them. (Please refer to phone numbers provided below) Ask them to put an alert on your credit report, this can alert creditors of potential fraud. Have a security statement added to your credit report. Call the Social Security Administration to report the fraudulent use of your number. They may, as a last resort, issue you a new number. Checking Account: Immediately contact the bank where the account has been opened. Again, whenever possible, you should contact the "LOSS PREVENTION" department for the bank, not someone in the customer service department. Contact the store where the check was passed, contacting the "LOSS PREVENTION" for the store, not customer service. Contact Telecheck and other check verification companies reporting the matter to them. 6. How do I contact the credit bureaus or the check verification companies? Credit Bureaus: Trans Union Fraud Victim Assistance 800-680-7289 Experian Consumer Fraud Assistance 888-397-3742 Equifax Consumer Fraud Unit 800-525-6285
Check Verification Companies: Telecheck 800-366-2425 National Processing Co. 800-526-5380 Equifax Check System 800-437-5120 *** Be sure to make ALL your notifications in writing after speaking to them on telephone*** 7. What can I do to reduce my risk of becoming a victim of fraud? You can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of fraud by following the suggestions below: Don’t use your birth date or mother’s maiden name as a password for your accounts. Avoid writing your account numbers on your checks when paying your credit card bills. If a criminal steals your monthly bank statement, these canceled checks will give the criminal all the information he or she needs to commit fraud. Protect your Social Security number. Do NOT put it or your driver license number on your checks. Shred all your credit card receipts and bank statements. Request credit reports from each of the credit bureaus, checking for discrepancies, on a regular basis. DO NOT mail bill payments from your home mailbox. Take them to the post office. 8. My driver license was stolen and someone is using my number. What do I do, and can I get a new driver license number? The Texas Department of Public Safety handles all matters relating to your driver license number, therefore, you must contact them. Their phone number varies depending on where you live. You can find their phone number in the BLUE pages of the telephone book under "State Government". Call the office nearest your residence.
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