PROTECT AGAINST BAD CHECKS & CREDIT CARDS
Guard your checks, both blank and cancelled. Do not place your old checks (blank or cancelled) in the trash or in recycling. Shred them first.
When using the ATM machine take the receipt with you.
Reconcile your account every month. Do not give your account information over the telephone unless you know who you are dealing with. Do not let anyone copy one of your checks.
Avoid third party, post-dated, and out of state checks. Beware of starter checks that do not have the account name imprinted on the face of the checks. Almost all checks have a perforation along one edge. Counterfeit checks are often copied and may not have the perforated edge. Be cautious in accepting checks with a P.O. Box or a possible mail-drop address (rented box).
Compare signatures, photos, and the information on all identification cards provided. Make sure the picture on identification presented matches the appearance of the person presenting the check.
Is the identification card expired? Be extra careful when accepting newly issued identification. Note the "issue" date on the face of the check being presented. Witness the signature.
Theft of both incoming and outgoing mail is a daily occurrence. Checks mailed for payments (i.e., PGE), are being stolen and chemically treated. This process is called "washing" the check. The payee and dollar amounts will be altered. It is recommended that your outgoing mail be placed in a secure mail box or taken directly to a postal outlet. If you do not have a secured mail box, it is recommended that when you order new checks, you have them delivered to your bank.
Never accept a credit card which is broken, cut, damaged, or expired. Witness the signing of the sales draft. Ask for supporting identification and compare signatures and/or photos.
Keep all credit card receipts and carbons when shopping or dining out. Check monthly statements for unauthorized charges. Do not write your full account number on checks you use to pay bills. Just note the first few numbers in order for the company to identify you.
FOR ADDED PROTECTION...
Give your credit card companies a special security code that only you and the company would know. Request that this code be given before any information on your account is given out.
Never give your credit card number over the phone unless you have made the call to a reputable business.
Credit card companies like to mail pre-printed checks for your use. These could be stolen from the mail and used against your account without your knowledge. Again, check your monthly statements.
WHAT IT COSTS YOU!
Worthless checks are potentially the most devastating white collar crime facing businesses today. Statistics show that losses nationally from check fraud alone increased 40% from $568 million in 1991 to $850 million in 1993. What would you guess the losses are now?
Does crime pay? Did you know that in 1994-1995 total losses for reported robberies were $46.9 million. Guess what? For the same time period total losses for just check forgery was $4.2 billion. Medicare is a $1 trillion dollar business - 10% is fraud. It is estimated that there is a daily loss of $1.3 million to cell phone fraud.
PREVENTION
Enclosed you will find just a few helpful hints on protecting yourself, or your business, against fraud related crimes. We will never completely stop these types of crimes. What we can do is educate and put into place every preventive measure that is available.
The Beaverton Police Department, whose motto is "Partners for a Safer Community", have implemented the Check Print program in an effort to help citizens and businesses help themselves. This is a very unique and successful program. For information on Check Print, we have a brochure entitled "Get Tough On Check Forgery."
WHAT DOES A BAD CHECK OR STOLEN CREDIT CARD LOOK LIKE?
It looks like a good one!
Additional Information
For additional information concerning the CHECK PRINT Program,
contact:
Criminal Investigations Division
Phone: (503) 526-2280
E-mail: beavertonpolice@ci.beaverton.or.us
(not to be used for issues requiring immediate response)
For safeguard tips on other types of fraud related crimes, such as telemarketing scams to home repair scams, you can contact your local police agency or the Consumer Hotline at the State of Oregon Department of Justice in Salem, Oregon, at (503) 378-4320. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
