What is Fraud?
Fraud schemes have been around since recorded history. Several of the old methods have been modernized and are still in use today victimizing individuals as well as businesses, both large and small. With the development of the Internet and wireless transactions, some financial based crimes have become a new challenge for law enforcement world-wide. Certainly anyone with an e-mail address has received an unsolicited e-mail describing some plight of a royal family, a charity in need of support, or an ill child needing donations for treatment. With on-line banking and quick access to funds, thieves have moved their methods into the 21st Century to commit their crimes. If you have been victimized, you are not alone.

What to do if you are a Fraud Victim
If you are the victim of identity theft, forgery or other fraud please have prepared copies of all documents concerning the offense, these may include financial statements, credit reports, canceled checks, etc.; and contact the Federal Trade Commission at www.FTC.gov. Prior to filing your police report, please complete the fraud affidavit on the above FTC website and follow the recommended steps. Keep a copy of the fraud affidavit for your records and make a copy to provide to the police. Please provide all copies of the above mentioned documents to the Round Rock Police Officer at the time of the report. It is strongly recommended that you also contact the three credit reporting bureaus located below and place a fraud alert on your personal information.

Never give out your personal information or financial account numbers to unknown persons over the phone, or in response to unsolicited e-mails or unsolicited offers received through the mail or overnight delivery companies.

Remember the old adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

The Office of the Attorney General of Texas' identity theft web site contains a wealth of helpful information for identity theft victims, including an Identity Theft Kit. This information will help stop a perpetrator from continuing to use a stolen identity and help a victim recover from the effects. The site explains how to report the crime, work with businesses, close fraudulent accounts, and place a security alert and/or freeze on a credit report.

For more information or questions regarding fraud, forgeries, embezzlements or other financial crimes, contact Detective John Rowe by e-mail or phone at (512) 218-3260.

Federal Trade Commission: Your National Resource About Identity Theft

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241. Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 62790, Fullerton, CA 92634