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1. 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.

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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 at 206-442-6300. They have jurisdiction for investigating thefts involving the U.S. mail.

7. 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.

8. 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 3 of the credit reporting companies and report the incident to each of them. See contact information for the credit bureaus.

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

Credit Bureaus Contact Information

• Equifax Consumer Fraud Unit: 800-525-6285
• Trans Union Fraud Victim Assistance: 800-680-7289
• TRW/Experian Consumer Fraud Assistance: 800-301-7195

Check Verification Companies

• National Processing Company: 800-526-5380
• Telecheck: 800-366-2425

Making Notifications

Make all your notifications by telephone, and in writing.

10. 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 following advice:

• 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.

11. 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 to your residence.