If someone has used your name
and/or credit to obtain goods or services without your permission, the Financial Crimes
Unit of the Houston Police Department recommends you contact the Teleserve Unit
(713-222-3131) to file a report. By reporting this crime to the police, you have completed
the first step in what may be a lengthy and frustrating process to repair your credit and
reclaim your identity. This information is intended to assist you in that process, and to
give you some idea of what to expect over the coming months.
An investigator will review
your report and if additional information is required will contact you. Unnecessary calls
to your investigator will only slow the investigative process. New information about your
case or new fraudulent transactions should be reported under your original incident number
to one of the following:
The Teleserve Unit
(713-222-3131) if your original report was filed with our Teleserve Unit
The Financial Crimes Unit
(713-308-2500) if a patrol officer filed your original report.
Your report of this crime to
the police is the first step in what may be a lengthy and frustrating process to repair
your credit and reclaim your identity. This information is intended to assist you in that
process, and to give you some idea of what to expect over the coming months. Please note
that any damage to your credit can only be corrected with your participation and
cooperation. By completing the following steps, you will help resolve problems with
creditors and merchants, remove inaccurate information from your files at the major credit
reporting agencies, and help prevent future fraudulent use of your credit and identity.
Remember to retain copies of all the correspondence and documentation related to your
case.
A copy of your Incident Report
may be obtained by contacting our Records Division (713-308-8585). You may obtain a copy
of your report by going in person to 1200 Travis, 23rd floor, or by mail. You
should call first to confirm that your report is available and to receive a quote on the
cost of your report. The cost of a report is 12 ½ cents a page and you must submit a
self-addressed return envelope with your request. Your report should arrive about two
weeks from the time they receive your request.
If you have been the victim
of identity theft or credit card fraud:
Explain to each agency that you have been a
victim of fraud and give them your HPD incident number.
Ask each agency to place a "victim of
fraud" statement into your credit file.
Ask each agency to send you a copy of your
credit report.
Upon receipt, examine each report carefully
for unauthorized accounts and inquiries.
Ask each agency for the names and addresses
of creditors reporting the unauthorized accounts and inquiries.
Trans Union, Equifax, and Experian will now
temporarily remove disputed charges from your credit history when you provide them with a
copy of your police report detailing the fraudulent charges. This allows you to still
obtain credit while your case is being investigated.
STEP II: Notify
merchants and creditors.
Contact each merchant and
creditor who accepted the fraudulent charge or opened the fraudulent account.
Advise the merchant or creditor that the
account was opened or the charge was made without your permission.
Ask the merchant or creditor to explain
their process for resolving fraudulent transactions.
Many merchants and creditors accept the
"Affidavit of Fraud" form that can be found online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft/affidavit.htm.
Please do not send affidavits to the Financial Crimes Unit. Your original police report is sufficient.
Maintain contact with all merchants and
creditors until their investigations are completed. Ask merchants or creditor to instruct
the credit-reporting agency to remove all information related to their fraudulent
transaction from your file.
STEP III: Review your
credit report.
Allow 30 days after completion
of a merchant or creditor’s investigation for the credit-reporting agency to send you
an amended credit report. If you have not received an amended report after the expiration
of 30 days, request one from each credit reporting agency that listed the fraudulent
transaction or inquiry in your credit file. Upon receipt, ensure that the fraudulent
transaction or inquiry has been removed from your report.
STEP IV: Contact the
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission
is compiling a nationwide database of complainants and addresses where fraudulent credit
cards and mail orders are being sent. This allows law enforcement agencies around the
country to contact you in case there are other charges or credit cards going to the same
address. The toll-free number is 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338) and the website is www.consumer.gov/idtheft.
If you have been the victim
of check fraud
STEP I: Notify your
bank
Advise your bank or other
financial institution that you have been a victim of fraud, and give them your HPD
incident number.
STEP II: Send checks to
your bank
Return all forged and
unauthorized checks to your bank or other financial institution, along with a copy of the
"Affidavit of Fraud" form.
STEP III: Notify
check-processing companies
The listed check companies require copies of the police report; a
notarized affidavit of forgery filed with your financial institution; and a copy of your
driver license. Advise the agencies you are a victim of check fraud:
ChexSystems only receives
reports from financial institutions. If someone has opened a checking account in your name
or used your social security number to open an account, you may contact them to obtain
addition information. You may order your personal consumer report from Chexsystems via the
Internet.
STEP IV: Inform
merchants
If the merchant that
accepted your forged check contacts you:
Advise the merchant that you have been the
victim of check fraud.
Provide the merchant with your HPD incident
number.
Send each merchant a copy of the completed
"Affidavit of Fraud" form.
Request that each merchant file a police
report with their local police department
Other resources that you
may find useful or informative include the following:
Postal Inspector 713-238-4400
Social Security Fraud Hotline 1-800-269-0271
The Harris County District
Attorney’s Office estimates that the investigation and prosecution of many forgery
and related cases will take upwards of one year to complete. Many cases have insufficient
evidence to permit a complete investigation, and many others are resolved to the
satisfaction of the primary complainant without criminal prosecution. Therefore, you may
wish to explore civil remedies with your attorney. Bear in mind, however, that criminal
charges will not be pursued solely to gain advantage in a civil matter.
If additional information is
needed, a Financial Crimes Unit investigator will contact you. Unnecessary calls to your
investigator will only serve to slow the investigative process. We hope that you will find
this information helpful as you work your way through this difficult situation. You may
contact us at 713-308-5200 if you have any questions.
We hope that you will find
this information helpful as you work your way through this difficult situation.
