Exploitation of the Elderly
Report abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the elderly call: 9-1-1 in an emergency, or the State of
Florida Abuse Hotline 1-800-342-9152.
Worthless/NSF Checks
Complaints may be filed in person or by mail directly with the:
State Attorney's Office
Check Division
401 North Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
If you have any questions, call (561) 355-7110.
Bad Check Complaint Form (Adobe Acrobat Required)
Forgery
The crime of Forgery/Uttering Forged Instrument occurs wherever the document (check, credit card slip,
other document) was either signed and/or passed. The offense must be reported to the agency with
jurisdiction over that location.
Identity Theft
1. Credit bureaus. Immediately call the fraud units of the three credit reporting companies -- Experian,
Equifax and Trans Union. Report the theft of your credit cards or numbers. Ask that your account be flagged.
2. Creditors. Contact all creditors immediately with whom your name has been used fraudulently -- by phone
and in writing. Get replacement cards with new account numbers for your own accounts that have been used
fraudulently.
3. Law enforcement. Report the crime to all police and sheriff's departments with jurisdiction in your case.
4. Stolen checks. If you have had checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to the check
verification companies.
5. ATM cards. If your ATM card has been stolen or compromised, get a new card, account number and password.
6. Fraudulent change of address. Notify the local Postal Inspector if you suspect an identity thief has filed
a change of your address with the post office or has used the mail to commit credit or bank fraud.
7. Social Security Number misuse. Call the Social Security Administration to report fraudulent use of your
Social Security number.
8. Phone service. If your long distance calling card has been stolen or you discover fraudulent charges on your
bill, cancel the account and open a new one.
9. Drivers license number misuse. You may need to change your driver's license number if someone is using
yours as identification on bad checks. Call the state office of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to see
if another license was issued in your name. Put a fraud alert on your license.
10. False civil and criminal judgments. Sometimes victims of identity theft are wrongfully accused of crimes
committed by the imposter. If a civil judgment has been entered in your name for actions taken by your imposter,
contact the court where the judgment was entered and report that you are a victim of identity theft. If you are
wrongfully prosecuted for criminal charges, contact the state Department of Justice and the FBI.
Internet Fraud
In most cased the crime occurs where the victim sends either a check or money order to the suspect and the suspect
receives the cash. A report should be made with the agency with jurisdiction over the suspects location. Contact
can also be made with the states Attorney General Office, the FBI, and the Postal Inspectors Office (if the crime
occurred utilizing the U. S. Postal Service).
Counterfeit
Contact the Law Enforcement Agency with jurisdiction over the area where the counterfeit item was passed/uttered. Most
complaints of counterfeiting can be made to the United States Secret Service.
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