Compiled and designed by Mark Fullbright , Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist™ (CITRMS) as a free service for consumers to protect themselves and reduce their exposure to identity theft.
Stay Safe, Stay Secure
*Company names mentioned herein are the property of, and may be trademarks of, their respective owners and are for educational purposes only.
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Police Report Vs. Incident Report
1. Police Report Vs. Incident
Report
A Resource for Identity Theft Victims
2. Advocate Tip
• Requesting a police and investigation is a not
always available to victims of identity theft.
• Victims are often left to gather facts from credit
reports, statements and documented phone calls.
• This document will provide a guideline on steps to
take.
• A well detailed police/incident report will always
help your case and be an important key to resolve
your identity theft case.
• Not every identity theft case is the same. Use what
you need. Don’t feel you have place a fraud alert
and freeze after getting a wrong call about a debt.
3. Police Report
• Basically a police report is a description of facts
detailing a crime written up by the officer or
representative of a police department who was
deployed to the scene.
• A well-drafted report is an important tool in solving
a crime.
• It's important to make sure your report is detailed,
factual and specific to what happened.
• Police reports also require an investigation follow
up. Generally by a detective. However that is not a
guarantee your case will be investigated.
4. Incident Report
• Similar to Police Reports, an Incident Report is a
victims statement regarding a crime.
• Often bank statements, letters and other
supporting documents are included.
• These reports are generally not investigated and
are for insurance purposes or businesses
requesting a police report.
5. Online Police Report
• Many states offer the option to file an incident
report online. Make sure you make a copy
and keep any confirmation numbers for your
records.
• These may or may not be reviewed by an
officer or investigated.
• Generally this option does not allow
documents to be submitted.
• Follow up with supporting documents with
your police department.
6. Key Points
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How much money was stolen?
When did you find out about the crime?
Do you have a suspect?
Which part of your identity was used:
• Name only?
• Social Security Number?
– Have you reviewed your credit report?
– Are you being contacted by a bank or debt collector?
– Are you being accused of:
Opening a checking account
Taking out a loan or line of credit
Committing a crime
7. The Fair Credit Reporting Act
(FCRA)
• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer
protection agency, enforces the FCRA including this
requirement, which is known as Section 609(e).
• The law applies to a business that has provided credit, goods,
or services to, accepted payment from, or otherwise entered
into a transaction with someone who is believed to have
fraudulently used another person’s identification.
• Businesses Must Provide Victims and Law Enforcement with
Transaction Records Relating to Identity Theft
• http://www.business.ftc.gov/documents/bus66-businessesmust-provide-victims-and-law-enforcement-transactionrecords-relating-identity
8. Common Types of Identity Theft
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Utility Fraud
Tax Fraud
Employment Fraud
Driver’s License Identity
Theft
Synthetic Identity Theft
Child Identity Theft
Debt Tagging
Data Breach
• Criminal Fraud
• Document - Benefit
Fraud
• Financial Fraud
• Wire Fraud or HELOC
• Check Fraud
• Medical Identity Theft
• Credit Card Fraud
– New Account
– Account Take Over
9. Credit Reporting Agencies
• All information that is considered part of the
identity theft committed against you should be
listed on your police/incident report.
• It’s imperative to closely review your credit
reports for inaccuracies:
→Names not belonging to you
→Addresses not belonging to you
→Credit Accounts, including collection accounts
10. Identity Theft Affidavit
• The Federal Trade Commission is the
agency to obtain your Identity Theft
Affidavit.
• This detailed report and your
Police/Incident Report are the best tools to
clear your good name.
• Two ways to file your complaint
– Online
– Identity Theft Affidavit
12. Credit Reporting Agencies
National Reporting
Agencies
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Experian
Equifax
TransUnion
Annual Credit Report
IRS
! Remember !
If you are a victim of Identity
Theft these reports are free!
Specialty Reporting
Agencies
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ChexSystems
Clarity Services
TeleTrack
C.L.U.E.® Report
LexisNexis Personal
Reports
Innovis
Medical Information Bureau
Certegy
TeleCheck
13. Fraud Alerts
• After you confirm fraudulent accounts or criminal
charges have been filed against you.
• Per The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act
you can order free credit reports and place fraud
alerts to protect our credit files.
• Financial institutions, Credit Bureaus and
Collection Agencies may require a copy of your
credit report.
• Use caution and only provide one if required.
• If mailing, send certified mail, receipt requested.
14. Free Consumer Resources
• Identity Theft Resource Center, Non-Profit
Organization
• Federal Trade Commission
• OnGuardOnline
• IRS
• The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
• Bureau of Consumer Protection Business
Center
• Consumer Protection
15. Compiled and designed by Mark Fullbright , Certified Identity Theft
Risk Management Specialist™ (CITRMS) as a free service for
consumers to protect themselves and reduce their exposure to identity
theft.
Stay Safe, Stay Secure
* THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT (FCRA)
* IDENTITY THEFT RESOURCE CENTER, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
* FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION