Financial Crimes Unit
Victims of financial crime often describe a tremendous violation of their personal integrity and sense of trust. Because these psychological "wounds" are not perceived in the same way as wounds to the body, nor as generally understood as the emotional scars of a sexual assault, the effects on financial crime victims are often, and very inappropriately, minimized.
Financial crimes are a personal violation. Your trust in your own judgment, and your trust in others, is often shattered. You may feel a sense of betrayal, especially if the perpetrator is someone you know.
You may have hesitated to tell family members, friends or colleagues about your victimization for fear of criticism. If they then were exploited by the same fraud, you might feel guilty and suffer a sense of isolation.
Fraud crimes can destroy your financial security and sometimes that of your loved ones. If you are elderly, disabled, or on a fixed income--and you lack opportunities to recover your losses--you may face additional trauma, even the loss of your independence.
The CMPD's Financial Crimes Unit investigates several different fraud related crimes that include counterfeit and forged checks, credit card fraud, embezzlement, financial identity fraud and the different scams that may be used to trick unsuspecting people into handing over their money. Each of these crimes cost each victim time and money trying to rectify the situation. As consumers and business owners, we must each take steps to protect ourselves. The only way to avoid the cost and inconvenience of being a victim of these crimes is to strive to prevent them from happening to you.
What is ID Theft???
Financial Identity Fraud (North Carolina General Statute 14-113.20), more commonly known as ID Theft, is the fraudulent use of someone's name and a personal identifying number to obtain credit, merchandise or services.
Personal identifying numbers include:
- Social security number
- Drivers license number
- Checking or savings account number
- Credit or debit card numbers
- Any other number that can be used to access a person's financial resources
ID Theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States.
If you believe that you are a victim of identity theft and want to put a security freeze on your credit,
visit the NC Department of Justice site for more information to protect your identity. Even if you do not believe you have been a victim of identity theft, you have the option to “freeze” your credit as a proactive measure against fraud. When you know you will be making a large purchase, you can then “unfreeze” it so a legitimate creditor can access your records and you can obtain a loan for a car or house, etc.