Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
2 01/24/2011 01/01/201 9 01/01/20 20
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SP106 – Identity Theft 1 SP106 IDENTITY THEFT
SP106.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
Identity theft occurs when someone unlawfully obtains another’s personal information and uses it
to commit theft or fraud. In recent years, it has become more pervasive and sophisticated in the
methods used to obtain this information. This policy is intended to provide guidelines for the
reporting and investigation of such crimes.
SP106.1.2 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This procedure perta ins to the following CALEA Standards: 42.2. 8; 82.2.1
This procedure pertains to the following General Orders: §362; §344
SP106.2 REPORTING
a) In an effort to ma intain uniformity in reporting and in compliance with the requirements set
forth pursuant to C .P.C 530.6(a), officers shall take a police report in instances in which
the victim, or business, falls within this jurisdiction. The complainant shall be provided with
a copy of that report at the time the report is taken. If the suspected crimes occurred within
multiple jurisdictions, the matter may be referred to the law enforcement agencies having
jurisdiction over the associated crime for further investigation of the facts .
1. For victim s of identity theft not residin g within this jurisdiction, the victim may be
encouraged to report the incident to the proper agency, unless the associated crime
is occurring within this jurisdiction. In such cases, a crime report must be taken
documenting the crime (e.g., the personal identifying information belonging to a victim
residing in another city is being used to obtain credit for items purchased within this
jurisdiction, a crime report documenting the crime and location of the point of
compromise would be taken).
b) The report should include all known incidents of fraudulent activity, documenting each
location of the unauthorized transactions, the personal identifier used, fraudulent account
numbers, and any suspect information available. In cases where the compromise occurs
to an existing account, document the circumstances relating to the loss of the personal
identifying information, if possible .
c) The report should include the case numbers of any related reports made by the victim
(e.g., U.S. Secret Service, credit reporting bureaus, U.S. Postal Service, F.T.C ., National
White Collar Crime Center ( www.nw3c.org ).
d) Pursuant to C.P.C. 530.8, the reporting officer should inform the victim of identity theft,
that, upon presentation of a copy of the police report, the entity or s ervice provider with
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
2 01/24/2011 01/01/201 9 01/01/20 20
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SP106 – Identity Theft 2 which the fraudulent account application was filed, must inform the person in whose name
the application was filed, or in whose name the account was opened, the categories of
identifying information that the unauthorized persons used t o complete the application or
to open the account. And must provide copies of all documents, telephone applications
or authorizations, or records of electronic applications or authorizations, within 10
business days of receipt of the person’s request.
1. In addition, the reporting officer shall supply the victim with a form entitled , “Identity
Theft – A Quick Reference Guide,” to assist them in this process. This should be
documented in the report.
e) Following supervisory review and departmental processing, the initial report should be
forwarded to the appropriate detective for follow up investigation and coordination with
other agencies as needed for investigation purposes.
SP106.2.2 REPORTING FOR MS
Officers shall document a report of identity theft on the TPD Identity Theft form using the standard
crime reporting process in the Records Management System . This form is specifically designed
to provide the victim with a tear -off copy of the report at the time of reporting and to comply with
the requirements of C.P.C. 530.6(a).
SP106.2.3 PREVENTION AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE
Fraud prevention materials and publication shall be made available on the City of Tustin website.
The Investigations Supervisor is responsible for causing the materials to be updated when
necessary. Department members should offer an Identity Theft Information Pamphlet to all
victims of identity theft. It contains information to assist victims in reestablishing their credit and
identity.