FINANCIAL LOSS PREVENTION SEMINAR

Each fall, the Ogden Police Department's Financial Crimes Unit hosts a free financial crimes seminar for Northern Utah businesses. This seminar gives the business community a chance to hear presentations from experts in various fields.
Topics include forgery-NSF checks, credit card fraud, shoplifting, internal theft, counterfeit currency, identity takeover fraud and how to file cases with law enforcement. At the conclusion of the seminar, a roundtable discussion takes place where the presenters and law enforcement address individual questions and concerns from those in attendance. Each seminar attendee receives a training manual that they can take back to their business to assist in training their employees.

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
The Ogden Police Department's Financial Crimes Unit provides presentations to the community and to civic organizations at no cost. If you would like a presentation on current fraud trends in financial crimes and how you can protect yourself, contact an investigator in the Financial Crimes Unit.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Who should I contact when I learn that one of my checks has been forged?

A: If you have lost your checks or had them stolen, you need to immidiately contact your financial institution and make them aware. There is usually no charge to stop the missing checks, or to close your account in these instances. If you have checks that have been forged, ask your financial institution to file a forgery case on your behalf. Many financial institutions will reimburse your account if your checks are forged and then the financial institution becomes a victim of the crime and makes a formal report with the police. It is more efficient if only one police report is made regarding the forgeries. Contact your financial institution on
regulations and requirements for reimbursements, not the police agency.

Q: Where do I report the forgery?

A: If the forged item was presented to a person or business and negotiated in Ogden City, you need to make a police report at the front desk of the Ogden Police Department, located at 2186 Lincoln Avenue. Be prepared with all information necessary.
(See below for required documents)

Q: Can I report all of the forged check with the Ogden Police Department?

A: NO. Only checks that were negotiated in Ogden City can be reported to the Ogden Police Department. If other checks have been passed in other cities, you will need to contact the police departments in those cities and make reports with each of them.

Q: What documents do I need at the time I make the police report?

A: You will need to provide the original checks(s) or a certified copy of the front and back of the check if the original is not available. You will also need an affidavit of fortgery, along with the other items as outlined on this webpage under the section on forgery cases.

Q: Do I have to have an Affidavit of Forgery for each check?

A: You can list several checks on one affidavit, but for a check to be investigated and prosecuted as a forgery, the forged signature must have been viewed, and an affidavit filled out completely by the forgery victim.

Q: If a check is returned marked "INSUFFICIENT FUNDS" or "ACCOUNT CLOSED," can I make a police report and have the police give the 14-Day Notice for me?

A: NO. The 14-Day Notice must be given by the victim. If the person who presented the check pays within the 14-day timeframe, there is no crime and a police report will not be taken.

Q: What if the person only pays me part of the money owed on the check?

A: Once partial-payment has been accepted, collecting the remaining balance is a civil situation between the parties and the police can no longer prosecute the case criminally. The victim has to make the decision as to whether they will accept a partial good-faith' payment and payment arrangements on the remainder of the debt, or demand payment-in-full in the 14-day timeframe.

Q: I have called the financial institution that the check is drawn on and was told there are not siffucient funds to cover the check. Can I report this to the police?

A: NO. Part of the evidence for this crime is the stamp on the check by a financial instituion stating "insufficent funds" or "account closed." Without this stamp, the check does not meet the elements of the crime and it cannot be investigated.


LINKS

Internet Crime Complaint Center www.ic3.gov/

Utah Cybercrime Task Force cybercrime@utah.gov

Federal Trade Commission www.consumer.gov/idtheft