When you report identity theft to the police in Wisconsin, they will typically follow these steps:
- File a police report. This is the first step in any identity theft investigation. The police will need to file a report in order to track the crime and investigate it.
- Gather evidence. The police will need to gather evidence in order to build a case against the identity thief. This evidence may include things like financial statements, credit reports, and police reports from other jurisdictions.
- Identify the suspect. Once the police have gathered enough evidence, they will try to identify the suspect. This may involve interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage, and running fingerprints and other databases.
- Make an arrest. If the police are able to identify the suspect, they will try to make an arrest. This may involve serving a warrant or conducting a traffic stop.
- Charge the suspect. Once the suspect is in custody, the police will charge them with a crime. The specific charges will vary depending on the nature of the identity theft.
- Conduct a trial. If the suspect is charged with a crime, they will have a trial. The trial will determine whether or not the suspect is guilty.
- Sentence the suspect. If the suspect is found guilty, they will be sentenced. The sentence will depend on the severity of the crime.
It is important to note that the police may not be able to investigate every case of identity theft. If the police do not have enough evidence to build a case, they may not be able to investigate the crime.
If you have been a victim of identity theft, it is important to take steps to protect yourself. You should:
- Place a fraud alert on your credit reports. This will make it more difficult for someone to open new accounts in your name.
- Review your credit reports regularly. This will help you identify any unauthorized activity.
- Report any unauthorized activity to the credit bureaus and your creditors immediately. This will help you minimize the damage caused by the identity theft.
- File a police report. This will help the police investigate the crime and track down the identity thief.
- Contact your insurance company. You may be able to file a claim with your insurance company to recover some of the financial losses caused by the identity theft.
- Consider hiring an attorney. An attorney can help you understand your rights and options, and can help you recover damages from the identity thief.
Attorney Nathan DeLadurantey offers free consultations to explain your legal rights in Wisconsin. Free consultations can be scheduled online.