Identity Theft

Identity theft is the obtaining of the personal identifying information of another person and the use of that information for any unlawful purpose. Never give out any personal identifying information unless you initiated the call and know who you are talking to. To learn more about Identity Theft and how you can protect yourself against Identity Theft, use the following resources:

• Identity Theft Resource Center
• Federal Trade Commission: Identity Theft

Scams

Criminals are targeting victims with numerous scams designed to earn your trust and steal your money. Often these scams seem like legitimate causes, or even opportunities to help the less fortunate. But they are not. Sadly some people make their “living” by using fraud and deceit to trick unwitting victims into giving them money. Always confirm the cause is legitimate before sending any money. An honest person or business won’t mind if you check their legitimacy, a scammer will.

To learn more about scams and how to protect yourself or a loved one, use the following resources:

• FBI: Common Fraud Schemes
• Identity Theft Resource Center: Protect Yourself from Scams

Short Videos on Common Scams

• San Diego Sheriff’s Scam
• Consumer Federation Scam

Embezzlement

Embezzlement is the theft or fraudulent appropriation of the property of another by a person to whom the property has been entrusted. Annual financial losses due to embezzlement are estimated to be in hundreds of billions of dollars in the United States alone. Embezzlement can devastate a business beyond the point of recovery.

To learn more about embezzlement and ways to protect your assets, use the following resources:

• Embezzlement Warning Signs

Fraud / Forgery

Forgery is knowingly signing a name, counterfeiting, altering, making, possessing, passing or attempting to pass as true and genuine any item with the intent to defraud. Check fraud is one of the most prevalent types of fraud in the United States, with annual losses estimated in billions of dollars.

To learn more about forgery and tips on recognizing and preventing forgery, use the following resources:

• Sheriff’s Fraud Flyer

If you or someone you know is a victim of fraud, please contact the Non-Emergency Sheriff's Office Dispatch at 858-565-5200. You should also report any internet-related fraud claims to IC3.gov.
FBI: Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

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