Police: How Do You Report An Identity Theft?

Question

A few years ago, I was notified by my bank that my account had been compromised. A person made out a fake check with my account information and wrote out a big amount (a few thousand dollars) to himself. The bank put a hold on this and until they contacted me. I verified that I had not even used that check with that check number yet. So, technically, the money was returned to me.

But that is as far as it went. I asked the bank whether I could file charges against the unknown criminal with the police and I was told that they (the bank) weren't obligated to go any further with an investigation. This led me to believe that someone in the bank did this to me. How else would a person know how much was in my account and the range near the check numbers I was using?

So, for informational purposes, how are identity theft crimes to be reported? In my case, was I suppose to call the local police or the state's attorney general? And since I didn't know who did this to me, how could I give information to the police? And was I supposed to have the police call the bank to force them to give the information about the criminal's bank account that was trying to get my money? What are the proper procedures?

Answer 1

You can call local,county or state police you should have reported this when the bank notified you. Also the bank knows all that info because it is all recorded the check number and how much money in your account plus other things are in the computers.  

Answer 2

The bank is not in the law enforcement business.  If you wanted to call the cops, you were free to do so and should have done so.  If you wanted the bank to do it, or to use their money to conduct an investigation, they were under no obligation to do as you asked.   Banks cannot "file charges" against anyone.  That decision is reserved to the district attorney or prosecutor.  The bank cannot force the prosecutor to spend taxpayers money on a criminal prosecution.  

Answer 3

I think the best step would be to contact the local police and let them know about it. Identity theft is pretty common and they will know the next step for sure. The next thing would be to call your credit report people I guess.