The Harris County Sheriff's Office, Financial Crimes Section is made up of a team of investigators who are primarily assigned to investigate cases of Forgery and Credit Card Abuse. The rapid increase in incidents of Identity Theft, however, has necessitated the inclusion of those cases. These offenses may be briefly described as follows:

Forgery: The vast majority of Forgery cases involve checks that either have been counterfeited or stolen and passed fraudulently. Other Forgery cases involve documents such as wills, powers of attorney or business contracts that have been fraudulently prepared and presented as though they were authentic.

Credit Card Abuse: This offense occurs when a person uses the credit card, debit card or number of a credit card or debit card of another person without authorization, or uses a credit or debit card he/she knows is invalid.

Identity Theft: Identity Theft occurs when a person acquires or possesses the identifying information of another with the intent to use that information to harm or commit fraud. Here, identifying information includes, but not limited to a persons name, social security number, date of birth, drivers license number, address or other forms of information that identify a specific individual.

Listed below are some guidelines to follow in order to minimize the risk of becoming an Identity Theft victim:

Minimizing the Risk of Identity Theft and Credit Card Abuse

• Before you reveal any personal identifying information, ask how it will be used and if it will be shared with others.
• Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with creditors if they don't arrive on time. A missing bill could mean a thief has taken over your credit account and changed your billing address.
• Guard your mail from theft. Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection boxes. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery. If you are on vacation call the U.S Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777 to request a vacation hold until you can pick up the mail.
• Put passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, last four digits of your SSN, phone number or a series of consecutive numbers.
• Only carry the credit cards you actually need.
• Do not give out personal information over the phone, through mail or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact or know whom you are dealing with.
• Shred all charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, banks checks and statements that you are discarding, expired charge cards and credit offers you get in the mail.
• Be cautious about where you leave personal information in your home, especially if you have roommates or employ outside help.
• Make sure your employer maintains your personal records in a safe location.
• Give out your SSN only when necessary. Don't carry your SSN with you.
• Order your free credit report from each of the three Credit -Reporting Agencies every year. Make sure you check it for accuracy.

Important Steps for Victims of a Financial Crime

First: Contact the fraud departments of each of the three Major Credit Bureaus. Tell them you have been a victim and request a "Fraud Alert" to be placed in your file. This will help to prevent a thief from opening additional accounts in your name.

Second: Contact the creditors of the fraudulent account or accounts that have been tampered with and close them. If you open new accounts, create new passwords.

Third: File a report with your local police. Additionally file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).

Important Information for Police Report

• Prepare a list of fraudulent accounts with transactions containing the credit card numbers and or the information, which was compromised. Include addresses and contact information.
• Dates, times and location of credit card usage or dates and location when fraudulent accounts were opened.
• Bank or Credit Card statements regarding the fraudulent use.
• Copy of Bank or Creditor Affidavit.

Credit Bureaus Contact Information

Equifax
http://www.Equifax.com

To order your report call 1-800-685-1111 or write:
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, Georgia GA 30374-0241

To report fraud call 1-800-525-6285
TDD: 800-255-0056 and write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta GA 30374-0241

Experian
http://www.experian.com

Transunion
http://www.transunion.com

To order your report call 1-800-916-8800
Or write: P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022

To report Fraud call 1-800-680-7289
TDD: 877-553-7803 and write:
Fraud Victim Assistance, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634-6790