Frequently Asked Questions

• What is identity theft?
• If I become a victim of identity theft, what can I expect?
• Will the person who stole my identity be charged?

• Am I financially responsible for the forged checks or fraudulent credit transactions?
• I have gotten notices from merchants demanding payment of returned checks I did not write or credit balances I did not incur. What should I do?

• What kind of evidence establishes the elements of the offense?
• What kind of evidence establishes the identity of the offender?

• Someone ordered merchandise by mail/Internet using my financial information, and I have the address where it was delivered. What can be done?

• My bank has sent me cancelled checks, which I did not write or authorize. What should I do?
• Someone has been forging my name on stolen or counterfeit checks. I know one of the checks was cashed at a merchant that had video surveillance. What will happen?
• When someone forged my checks, the person's driver's license number was recorded. Why isn't that good enough to establish their identity?
• I keep receiving "bad check" notices from merchants. What am I supposed to do?
• Why is the original document required to file charges?
• My checks or credit cards were stolen in the mail. Can I report them stolen?
• What if my checks or credit cards are stolen from my purse?
• What do I do if someone uses my identity to open a charge account or checking account in my name?
• How do I contact the credit bureaus or the check verification companies?
• How can I reduce my risk of becoming a victim of fraud?
• My driver’s license was stolen and someone is using my number. What do I do?
  
  Financial Crime
  

  What is identity theft?

  Identity theft involves acquiring key pieces of someone's identifying information, such as the name, address, date of birth, social security number, driver's license number, biographical attributes, or electronic addresses and numbers, in order to impersonate them. Identity thieves obtain this information primarily to commit various forms of fraud and obtain money, goods or services. In Washington State, the Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information is a Felony.

  
  

  If I become a victim of identity theft, what can I expect?

  The investigation of identity theft crimes is a time-consuming process. Many of the investigations require documentary evidence, which can take time to compile. For victims of identity theft, the immediate priority is to prevent and minimize further harm.  In the Financial Crimes section of our website there are a number of resources to assist victims in this long process.

  
  

  Will the person who stole my identity be charged?

  The Fife Police Department and the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office must work within the guidelines set forth by the Washington Revised Statute; therefore, investigators can only file charges on suspect(s) if your case has sufficient evidence to establish the elements of the offense and the identity of the offender.

  
  Financial Responsibility
  

  Am I financially responsible for the forged checks or fraudulent credit transactions?

  As a general rule, and provided you act with due diligence, no. In most cases, the account holder is not held financially responsible for losses as a result of fraudulent activity. Normally, the business who accepted the fraudulent transaction is the loss victim. However, if you become aware of fraudulent activity or should have been aware of the activity and do not report the fraud to the bank or credit card company within a reasonable period of time, the bank/credit card company may hold you responsible.

  
  

  I have gotten notices from merchants demanding payment of returned checks I did not write or credit balances I did not incur. What should I do?

  First, advise the business/merchant that the transactions involved were fraudulent and encourage the merchant to report the incident to the police. If they don't call us, you should call your local police department.

  
  
  Evidence
  

  What kind of evidence establishes the elements of the offense?

  That depends on the offense. Often, documentary evidence is required. The nature of the evidence depends on the crime, but in all cases, original documents or certified copies are required. In credit card/debit card abuse cases, original receipts or computer records documenting the transaction are required. In instances where identifying information has been used, the original or certified document, completed by and upon which the offender used the identifying information, must be provided to the police.

  
  

  What kind of evidence establishes the identity of the offender?

  A witness or evidence must be obtained to identify or lead to the identification of a suspect. There are several means of establishing the identity of the offender. They are as follows: Positive identification of a suspect by a reliable witness. The witness must testify in any court proceedings. Positive identification of the suspect's fingerprint impressions. Recorded (inked) impressions must have been made at the time of the offense in the presence of a witness. The video image of a suspect, committing the offense, with a supporting identifying document A video image alone is insufficient. The video image must have sufficient resolution and clarity to clearly identify the offender. Additionally, the offender's identity must be established by comparison with an identifying photograph (booking or driver's license photo) or by a witness to whom the suspect is known by sight and name. The videotapes must be dated and time stamped reflecting the exact time and date the offense was committed. Written confessions made by suspects to a law enforcement agency. If the suspect confessed to the victim verbally or in writing, the suspect must also provide a confession to the police.

  
  
  Internet
  

  Someone ordered merchandise by mail/Internet using my financial information, and I have the address where it was delivered. What can be done?

  The individual who lives at a reported address cannot automatically be charged with the offense. We must prove that the person living at the location was the individual who used your information. A witness must be able to make a positive identification of the suspect from a photo array. Frequently, the addresses to which fraudulently ordered packages are delivered are vacant residences; often the driver leaves packages at the residence, and the offender later recovers the packages.

  
  
  Checks
  

  My bank has sent me cancelled checks, which I did not write or authorize. What should I do?

  If you have not already reported the fraudulent activity, make a police report. Return the checks to the bank and provide the bank with a forgery affidavit and the police report number. The bank will then return the checks to the bank/business/merchant who accepted the check.

  
  

  Someone has been forging my name on stolen or counterfeit checks. I know one of the checks was cashed at a merchant that had video surveillance. What will happen?

  Each check passed or presented for passing is a separate offense. That incident will be investigated when the merchant reports the offense. If video images of the offense are available, the merchant should provide the evidence to the police. Keep in mind, there must be some means of establishing the identity of the suspect in the video

  
  

  When someone forged my checks, the person's driver's license number was recorded. Why isn't that good enough to establish their identity?

  Frequently, offenders will assume stolen or fake identities when cashing a forged check. Often, offenders use fake identification with either fictitious information or another person's information.

  
  

  I keep receiving "bad check" notices from merchants. What am I supposed to do?

  Contact the merchant and advise them that someone is forging your checks and supply them with the police report number and have the merchant send the original check to the police department.

  
  

  Why is the original document required to file charges?

  We have to be able to tie the suspect to the forged check. This is often done by processing the prints on the forged check and comparing them to the suspect. No charges can be filed if the suspect can not be linked to the check.

  
  

  My checks or credit cards were stolen in the mail. Can I report them stolen?

  Yes, however, you must report this to the U. S Postal Inspector. They have jurisdiction for investigating thefts involving the U.S. mail (206-442-6300).

  
  

  What if my checks or credit cards are stolen from my purse?

  If your checks are stolen from anywhere other than the mail, you should call 911 or call your local police business line to make your report.  A detective assigned to that division will work the offense.

  
  

  What do I do if someone uses my identity to open a charge account or checking account in my name?

  You may reduce your risk of being victimized and minimize the loss if you do the things listed below. Charge or Credit 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 who works in the "LOSS PREVENTION" department for the company, instead of someone in their customer service department. When 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 who works 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)

  
  

  How do I contact the credit bureaus or the check verification companies?

  Credit Bureaus: Trans Union Fraud Victim Assistance 800-680-7289 TRW/Experian Consumer Fraud Assistance 800-301-7195 Equifax Consumer Fraud Unit 800-525-6285 Check Verification Companies:   Telecheck 800-366-2425 National ProcessingCo. 800-526-5380 *** Make ALL your notifications by telephone, and in writing

  
  

  How can I reduce my risk of becoming a victim of fraud?

  You can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of fraud by following the advice 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. Be careful to whom you give it. Do NOT put it or your driver’s license number on your checks. Shred your credit card receipts and bank statements before throwing away in the trash. Request credit reports from each of the credit bureaus, checking for discrepancies, on a regular basis.

  
  

  My driver’s license was stolen and someone is using my number. What do I do?

  If your driver’s license number is compromised you must contact the Washington Department of Motor Vehicles. Their phone number varies depending on where you live. You can find their phone number in the WHITE pages of the telephone book under "State of Washington ". You should call the office nearest your residence.