Fraud

In the event that you or your business receive a bad check the Police Department will assist you with restitution and/or a criminal investigation. Please adhere to the following procedures and remember the old saying about an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.

1. Always obtain IDENTIFICATION when accepting checks. A New York State Drivers License is the best form of ID. Record the nine digit motorist ID on the left hand side of the license above the picture. Compare the photo on the license with the party passing the check. Make sure you record a current phone number if not already printed on the check.
2. If a check is returned you must first make a good faith effort to contact the person for payment.
3. Should this effort fail then you must bring the check to the bank upon which is was issued and obtain a certificate of protest (may require a bank fee).
4. Bring the check along with the certificate of protest to the Hyde Park Police Department at which time assistance will be rendered.

If you suspect you received a counterfeit bill:

1. Do not return it to the passer
2. Delay the passer if possible
3. Observe the passer's description, as well as that of any companions, and the license numbers of any vehicles used
4. Contact your local police department or the United States Secret Service filed office.These numbers can be found on the inside front page of your local telephone directory
5. Write your initials and the date in the white border areas of the suspect note
6. Limit the handling of the note. Carefully place it in a protective covering , such as an envelope
7. Surrender the note or coin only to a properly identified police officer or a U.S. Secret Service special agent.

(from "Know Your Money" United States Secret Service)

When someone else uses your personal information to apply for credit, open bank accounts or make unauthorized puchases, that is identity theft. Personal information includes your social security number, date of birth, driver's license number and credit card numbers. Over 40,000 people have their identity stolen each year, costing consumers and the financial industry billions of dollars.

To protect yourself against identity theft:

• Never provide personal, bank account or credit card information to a telephone solicitor. Ask that information about their product or service be mailed to you.
• Use care in giving out personal information such as your mother's maiden name. When you do give it out, ask how it will be kept confidential and with whom it will be shared.
• Destroy documents you no longer need that have personal and financial information on them such as ATM receipts, old insurance forms, expired credit cards and especially pre-approved credit card solicitations.
• Keep personal information in a safe place. Keep a list of all credit cards, account information, expiration dates and customer service numbers so you can report lost or stolen cards quickly.
• Mail bills and other letters containing checks from the post office or postal mail drop rather than leaving them in your home mailbox for pickup.
• Protect your social security number. Give it out only when necessary. Ask to use other forms of identification if possible. Do not keep your Social Security Card in your wallet.
• Protect passwords and PINs (Personal Identification Numbers). Do not use easily discovered numbers and words such as the last four digits of your social security number of phone number, your birth date, your name, your mother's maiden name or your address.
• Review your credit card statements monthly and your credit report at least once a year.
• Do not let merchants record your credit card number on a check. It is prohibited by law for them to require a credit card number but they may ask to see a credit card to verify credit worthiness.

Take the US DOJ Identity Theft Quiz (PDF).