The Kenosha Police Department Financial Crimes Unit is responsible for investigating all financial crime cases that are received by the Kenosha Police Department. A financial crime can be forgery of a check, issuing a worthless check, credit card crimes, computer fraud or any other crime where cash or services were obtained fraudulently. There are currently four detectives assigned to the Financial Crimes Unit.
Identity Theft
Identity theft, the theft of personal information for the purpose of committing crimes, is becoming more prevalent. Help protect yourself from identity theft by taking a moment to read this information. Learn what you can do to keep thieves from stealing your money, applying for credit and charging merchandise – all in your name.
Is someone trying to steal your identity?
Do not respond to suspicion requests.
Look at what is being claimed and whether or not it makes sense.
Call the company directly and ask why they're requesting the information
How thieves steal your identity
- Theft – taking wallets or purses and using IDs and bank/credit cards.
- Mail – stealing mail or sending fraudulent mailers.
- Phone – making unsolicited calls requesting private information.
- Trash – digging through trash for receipts, statements, credit card offers, etc.
- E-mail – sending fraudulent e-mails that look like legitimate corporate communication. “Phishing” scams involve unsolicited professional-looking e-mails sent by thieves that alert customers to provide their confidential information (Social Security number, account numbers, PINs). Identity thieves then use this captured information to commit crimes under the victim’s identity.
- Online – creating counterfeit websites to capture your confidential information.
Are you a victim?
If you think your identity may have been stolen, contact the following immediately:
- Credit Bureaus: Alert the credit bureaus of the fraudulent activity that has occurred
Equifax 1-800-525-6285
Experian 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion 1-800-680-7289 - Other Financial Institutions: Notify all of your banks or credit issuers.
- Federal Trade Commission: File a complaint with the FTC by calling the Identity Theft Hotline toll-free at 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).
Worthless Check Program
As consumers and taxpayers, we all pay higher prices because of the losses associated with people issuing worthless checks. Law enforcement spends significant resources investigating and prosecuting people who issue worthless checks. Along with this, the number of worthless check cases increase every year.
In response to concerns regarding worthless checks, the Kenosha Police Department and the Kenosha County District Attorney's Office, in conjunction with Financial Crimes Services (FCS), have implemented a worthless check diversion program.
The main goals of the program are:
- Restitution for victims
- Increase accountability of people who issue worthless checks
- Educate and assist Kenosha County merchants and residents in reducing the number of worthless checks written
- Reduce the costs for investigating and prosecuting worthless check cases
The program is at no cost to the taxpayer or area merchants. It is solely supported by the people who issue the worthless checks.
If you have any further questions after reviewing the packet, please contact the Financial Crimes Services, Inc. (FCS) check diversion program at 1-800-906-8182.