In Identity-theft cases, the victim often has to prove his or her innocence. This shocks most new identity-theft victims. They naturally expect the police, the credit grantors, the credit-reporting agencies and others in high places to help them. Maybe it should be that way?but often it isn't.
What if the police won?t take a report?
Many police departments are reluctant to write a report on this type of crime. First of all, they may tell you that you are not the victim, because the credit grantor, who lost the money, is the victim. They often want the report to come from the creditor who many times will not cooperate because it is not cost effective for them to spend the time and energy to assist the police. They may have already lost thousands of dollars. They view fraud loss as a cost of doing business. It is not fair to you as the victim, and things have to change, but that is the situation in many places.
Even if the creditor won?t prosecute, you must insist that the police take a report. Speak to the head of the fraud unit, (or white-collar crime unit) of the police department in the county(s) or cities where the fraud accounts were opened. (If accounts were opened all over the nation, you may be able to get the secret service involved) You will need a report to clean up the credit mess.
Take a report and classify it under your jurisdiction's identity theft or fraud code. A police report is critical in helping victims get rid of fraudulent debts and clear up their credit reports. If your state doesn't have an identity theft statute, take a Miscellaneous Incidents report or your jurisdiction's equivalent. |
