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Fraud and Forgery
The Fraud and Forgery unit of the Detective Bureau investigates:
- Check forgery
- Identity theft
- Counterfeiting
- Credit card theft
You can file a police report for fraud or forgery online or by phone:
Types of fraud
Bad checks
Bad checks are checks written with non-sufficient funds or closed accounts.
The Walnut Creek Police Department participates in the Contra Costa County District Attorney Bad Check Diversion Restitution Program. This program helps local merchants with bad check losses. The goal of the program is to get restitution for the victim without adding to the financial burden of the criminal justice system.
First time bad check offenders are given the opportunity to avoid criminal prosecution by attending:
- Mandatory intervention classes
- Paying restitution
Reports should be made directly to the Bad Check Diversion Restitution Program at 866-639-8093 or Check Diversion Restitution.
Fraud
Fraud is when someone acts with false pretenses, including developing trust in the victim before the plan is executed. Most schemes have a common theme that requires "good faith" or "pre-tax" money to be given.
Other types of fraud include:
- Internet auction fraud - Misrepresentation of a product advertised for sale on an internet auction site, or non-delivery of merchandise.
- Credit card fraud - Through the unauthorized use of a credit or debit card, or card number, criminals fraudulently obtain money or property.
- Investment fraud - An offer using false claims to ask for investments or loans.
- Nigerian letter or "419" fraud - Section 419 of the Nigerian Criminal Code combines the threat of impersonation fraud with a variation of an advance fee scheme in which a letter, e-mail, or fax is received by the victim.