What Is Identity Theft
Identity Theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. According to the Federal Trade Commission, approximately 9 million Americans have their identity stolen each year. Identity thieves may use your personally identifying information to establish lines of credit, bank accounts, credit card accounts and other forms of credit. You may not find out your identity has been compromised until you receive a bill in the mail or are contacted by a debt collector.
Criteria For Filing An Online Report:
- This is not an Emergency
- The incident does not involve personal violence nor a hate crime
- You must have a valid email address to use this system. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose.
- There are no known suspects either person or vehicle and there is no visible physical evidence at the scene
- If the incident occurred on a provincial highway or outside the Saskatoon Police Service jurisdictional limits refer to the FAQ.
- Only the below types of reports are allowed to be completed online see definitions for each type.
- Reports may not be filed on behalf of a 3rd party except in the case of children. Reports must be filed by the actual complainant, owner or authorized representative.
If your incident falls within the above criteria, you are ready to file your report online. Please make sure to turn off your pop-up blocking software before filing the report.
Note: Only information fields noted with the red * are mandatory.
If Youve Been Scammed
If you think you may be a victim of a fraud or scam, there are some key steps you should take immediately to reduce your risk of losing more money, protect your personal information and avoid being scammed again.
You should:
- stop all communication with the fraudster or scammer
- report the scam or fraud to your local police, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and any regulatory bodies
- notify financial institutions and other companies where you have an account that may have been affected
- avoid making any major financial decisions until you feel youve taken action to secure your accounts
- put an alert on your credit report by contacting a consumer reporting agency, such as Equifax Canada or TransUnion Canada
- gather all records you have of the fraud or scam, such as:
- correspondence with the scammer
- financial statements
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Will The Police Prosecute Someone
When a fraud is investigated by the police in the UK, there is no guarantee it will result in a prosecution. In cases such as this, the decision to charge is made by the Crown Prosecution Service based on the guidance set in The Code for Crown Prosecutors. The prosecutor applies a test to decide if the evidence is strong enough to secure a conviction and that prosecution is in the public interest. The Prosecutor will also refer to CPS guidance on charging practice for Fraud Act offences. For example, the guidance states:
The borderline between criminal and civil liability is likely to be an issue in alleged Fraud Act offences particularly those under Section 1. Prosecutors should bear in mind that the principle of caveat emptor applies and should consider whether civil proceedings or the regulatory regime that applies to advertising and other commercial activities might be more appropriate. Not every advertising puff should lead to a criminal conviction but it is also the case that fraudsters prey on the vulnerable.
Prosecutors should guard against the criminal law being used as a debt collection agency or to protect the commercial interests of companies and organisations. However, prosecutors should also remain alert to the fact that such organisations can become the focus of serious and organised criminal offending.
I’ve Been A Victim Of Fraud Now What
If you lost money as a result of the fraudulent communication, you may file a report online.
To prevent further loss of monetary funds, please ensure you take the following steps:
If you have provided personal information but have not lost any money, please contact the Police Reporting Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 7300 to file a report as a report cannot be filed online.
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Secure Your Information And Accounts
It is important to take action to secure your personal information as soon as you can if you think it has been used without your permission.
This can include:
- reporting missing or stolen identity documents such as your driving licence and passport
- closing any accounts which have been set up in your name such as phone, gas, electricity, water, department stores and banks or other financial institutions
- securing or shutting down social media and online accounts that have been hacked or set up in your name.
Most organisations’ websites have information available for people on what to do if their account is not secure or an account has been set up in their name.
What Can You Do If You Get Scammed
If you have recently been scammed, take comfort in knowing that there are multiple resources out there to help. However, scammers come in all shapes and sizes, and reporting them may look different depending on the crime. If youve been scammed over the phone, the process of reporting it will look a bit different than if you have been scammed on a website or by a local scam artist.
Regardless of the details of the crime, you will want to notify your bank immediately if a debit or credit card was used to make the fraudulent purchase. When you call, ask to speak to the fraud department. The fraud representative will ask you several questions about the scam, such as when it took place, how much money you have lost, and if you have noticed any other suspicious transactions that resemble fraud. Many banks will investigate on your behalf and reimburse you if they find the purchase was indeed a scam.
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What To Do If You Suspect Fraud In A Transaction
Submit your report. After you have gathered all of the necessary information and gotten it structured, you should file a report with the local police station detailing everything that took place. Include a chronological narrative of everything that took place, including any behavior or words that would have prompted you to suspect that the transaction was fraudulent.
How To File A Fraud Report With Police
Reporting fraud, from embezzlement to identity theft, is important for two reasons: it can help you as a victim recover personal losses, and it can prevent other people from falling victim to the same scheme. Sometimes, whether because of the high volume of fraud reports or because your local police force is ill-equipped to deal with such cases, filing a fraud report with local authorities can be difficult. Still, you should always report a crime, including fraud, to the local police, as a police report will help protect you in the future. If youre the victim of a fraud, close your affected bank accounts and credit cards, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission , place an alert on your credit report and begin the process of filing a police report with your local law enforcement agency.
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Why Report Fraud To The Police
Fraud, corruption and bribery have reached epidemic proportions across the globe. The scale and complexity of the cheating is such that many of those who fall prey to these crimes, question whether there is any value in reporting such crimes to the police.
The United Kingdom encourages victims to report all fraud and has the most advanced systems in the world for recording and managing crime and intelligence. Here we provide a short guide to reporting fraud in the UK and some things to consider.
Are There Any State Laws About Identity Theft
Massachusetts identity theft law requires businesses and others that own or license personal information of residents of Massachusetts to notify the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation and the Office of Attorney General when they know or have reason to know of a breach of security. The law also requires that the breached entity notify consumers of any breach of their personal information that creates a substantial risk of identity theft or fraud as soon as practicable and without unreasonable delay after a breach occurs, except when a law enforcement agency determines that notice may impede a criminal investigation.
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Would A Criminal Court Award Compensation
A guilty verdict at court will lead to the sentencing process for the defendant. Depending on the circumstances this may happen immediately or after several weeks. Victims are given a voice in the sentencing process by way of a Victims Personal Statement. This will explain how the fraud has affected the victim, whether financially, emotionally, psychologically, etc. The statement may be taken during the investigation stage, or at any point before sentencing.
After sentencing the court will move to consider any compensation. Provided the defendant has the means to pay, the court may make an order for the defendant to pay the victim the amount defrauded by the offence .
Confiscation proceedings may also be launched. These allow for the use of intrusive powers . The purpose of these proceedings is for the state to deprive the defendant of any benefit they have obtained from their criminal conduct . If the defendant has only sufficient means to pay either money to the victim or to the state, but not to both, then the victim comes first and the compensation order will be satisfied before the confiscation order.
What Are The Benefits Of Reporting The Fraud To The Police
There are several benefits to reporting fraud these include:
The possibility the State will investigate, seize assets and prosecute the offenders When a fraudster is prosecuted and found guilty, the Court may order the confiscation of assets and award compensation Alerting the police to the identity and activities of fraudsters may help to protect others from being defrauded Reporting fraud shows others that you take the matter very seriously
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Can You Recover Money From A Scammer
You might want to think about lodging a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.If you have been a victim of fraud, identity theft, or deceptive business practices, filing a consumer complaint with the Federal Trade Commission may be a good option for you to potentially recover money from a scammer.If you have been a victim of fraud, identity theft, or deceptive business practices, click here to learn more.
First Report To The Ftc
The first step after you lock down your accounts and credit is to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission online at ftc.gov. Fill out the FTC ID Theft Complaint form, which will grant you some protection against fraudulent information on your accounts and credit report. The FTC will provide you with guidance as to how you can stem the negative effects of the fraud and what steps you should take next. The FTC recommends filing a police report.
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Take Part In Our Research
Are you interested in sharing your feedback on the new reporting tool? If so, we’d like to speak with you to better understand what Canadians and Canadian organizations need from a scam, fraud and cybercrime reporting service.
If you would like to help us, or know someone else who can, please take part in our research.
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If you received an email from a sender posing as Public Health Ontario offering you next steps for signing up for a vaccine certificate or asking for your private health information: Do not open it or click on any links.
*A phishing scam is an attempt to deceive you into giving sensitive information to someone posing as an individual or company that you know .
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What Are The Risks Of Reporting The Fraud To The Police
Many victims who report fraud in the UK are critical that no action is taken even when suspects are known. This is especially so in the case of investment frauds such as boiler room fraud , Ponzi schemes and dating scams.
When you decide to report fraud to the police, you are providing information that helps the police build a better intelligence picture that may prevent others falling prey to criminals. However, there is a likelihood that the police will not investigate your individual case, even when youve suffered a substantial loss.
You should also be mindful that if the matter does go to crown court it may attract media attention. Publicity highlights the plight of victims and alerts others of the risk.
Place Flags On Your Accounts And Check Your Credit Report
In addition to reporting suspected fraud or identity theft to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, you should also contact both of Canadas national credit bureausEquifax Canada and TransUnion Canadato order a free credit report immediately and ask that a fraud alert be put on your file.
Place a fraud alert on your file :
Order your credit report :
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Report Fraud And Related Cybercrime Directly To Action Fraud Unless You Are Requesting A Call For Service
What do we mean by Call for Service? It is when: a fraud is being committed, or recently occurred or, where you know the suspect and they reside in Northern Ireland or, where the victim is perceived to be vulnerable or, finally where you believe that it is important to report the incident to police in order that police can secure and preserve evidence, or prevent loss .Action Fraud is the UK’s national fraud and internet crime reporting centre.
They provide a central point of contact for information about fraud and financially motivated internet crime.
If you’ve been scammed, ripped off or conned, there is something you can do about it.
Report fraud to Action Fraud and receive a police crime reference number.
Remember: Action Fraud is not an emergency service – dial 999 if you are in immediate danger.
Report online or call on 0300 123 2040. If it is a Call for Service report it direct to the PSNI. Call 101, or in an emergency 999.
This is what happens to your information when you report it to Action Fraud:
Do You Have To Report Fraud To The Police
No. In the UK there is no legal obligation to report fraud to the police or to any other body, unless you and/or your business are part of a regulated sector that has a duty to do so .
Government encourages the voluntary reporting of fraud and cybercrime to law enforcement agencies, particularly Action Fraud, to help build a better national intelligence picture and to create advice to stop others from falling victim.
Even if you havent actually lost any money to a fraudster you can still make an information report to Action Fraud to tell them about an unsuccessful attempt to scam or defraud you. The police encourage this as information may help to protect others from being defrauded.
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How To Report Fraud
Fraudulent or suspicious activity can be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, through its website at www.antifraudcentre.ca, or by telephone at 1-888-495-8501.
Report instances of misleading or deceptive marketing practices to the Competition Bureau using the online complaint form or by telephone at 1-800-348-5358. If you are a victim of fraud, let your local police force know.
If you decide to file a complaint, it is important that you keep any evidence you may have related to your complaint. Evidence may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- cancelled cheques
- printed or electronic copies of emails
- printed or electronic copies of web pages
- wire receipts
- notes taken as events take place
Keep evidence items in a safe location in the event that you are requested to provide them. This information may form an important part of any investigation. The information you provide could be used as evidence during a prosecution.
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Reporting To The Federal Trade Commission
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