City of Waco, Texas

Computer Crimes Unit

The Financial Crimes Unit investigates cases that involve computers used to commit fraud or harassment.

The Crimes Against Children Unit investigates cases were computers are used to entice a child.

Investigators work in conjunction with local and Federal law enforcement agencies as well as the private sector such as Internet service providers, banks, and credit card companies and on line auction companies.

Types of Crimes Investigated

Identity theft: Possession of information that identifies a person, such as name, date of birth, government issued identifications like social security or driver’s license and financial institution account numbers used to obtain money, goods, services or other thing of value.

Credit Card Abuse: Presenting or using a credit card or debit card that has expired, been revoked, canceled, or not issued to you.

Theft/Fraud: committed by using a computer transaction.

Harassment: sends an email or text message with intent to annoy, alarm, abuse, torment or embarrass another.

Child Enticement: enticing a child from the custody of a parent or guardian or for sexual conduct over the Internet.

IFCC Complaints

Many of the cases investigated come from the Internet Fraud Complaint Center. The IFCC is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). The IFCC's provides a reporting system to alert law enforcement agencies of suspected criminal violations.

All complaints that are within the jurisdiction of the Waco Police Department are sent to the Financial Crimes Unit by the IFCC. http://www1.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF TEXAS

The Attorney General website www.texasfightsidtheft.gov provides citizens information and assistance with identity theft crimes. The ID theft victim’s kit contains instructions and documents victims need.

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

If you believe your Social Security number has been compromised immediately contact the Social Security Administration www.ssa.gov/org 800-269-0271

INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

If you believe your Social Security number was used by another to work for wages or to fraudulently file for a tax refund contact your local Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Assistance Center. www.irs.gov 800-829-1040

U.S. POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE

If you believe items were stolen from your mailbox or the U.S. Postal Service was used to commit a crime, report it to your nearest U.S. Postal Inspection Service. www.usps.com
800-372-8347

Tips to protect yourself from ID Theft

Here are some tips to help you protect your Identity from Theft.

Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact and know whom you are dealing with.
Minimize the identification information and the number of cards you carry to what you actually need.
Pay attention to your billing cycles. A missing bill could mean an identity thief.
Don't carry your SSN card. Give your SSN only when absolutely necessary.
Order a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit-reporting agencies every year.
- Equifax www.equifax.com or call 800 685-1111
- Experian www.experian.com or call 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
- Trans Union www.transunion.com or call 800-916-8800

Tips to protect your children

Protecting your children on the Internet is a responsibility that must be taken seriously. Set up good boundaries and guidelines they must follow in using the computer.

BE AWARE and become more computer literate. Your child may know more about the computer than you do. Let them teach you, and take advantage of this golden opportunity to communicate with them in a new way.
BE SPECIFIC. Define "inappropriate material" for your children so there will be no mistake about what it is. Rude or offensive e-mail, messages, or postings should be reported to you immediately.
BE THERE when your child is online. Never place the computer in your child's room. Put it in the kitchen or den where you are seen frequently, preferably with the screen visible from a doorway or an outside window. Allowing children to use the Internet unattended, particularly talking in chat rooms is the equivalent of dropping them off in Central Park and saying, "Go make some new friends."
BE CONSISTENT. Set limits for your child. Decide together the amount of time they will spend on the computer and what time of day. Never allow them to be "online" late at night, especially after you have gone to bed.
BE VIGILANT!!! INSTRUCT YOUR CHILD TO NEVER TELL ANYONE WHERE THEY WILL BE OR WHAT THEY WILL BE DOING AND NEVER TO MEET SOMEONE FROM ONLINE WITHOUT YOU PRESENT.
BE ALERT. Look for changes in your child's behavior. Mention of adults you don't know, secretiveness, inappropriate sexual knowledge, sleeping problems, etc. may indicate a problem.

Mailing Address:

721 N. 4th Street
Waco, TX 76701
(254) 750-7500
Fax: (254) 750-3616