Quick Question regarding making a complaint vs. a police report

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Quick Question regarding making a complaint vs. a police report

If I go down to the Police Station and ask for a written complaint because someone used my identity illegally. Do I have to also press criminal charges? Will the police automatically press charges.

Asked on May 27, 2009 under Criminal Law, New York

Answers:

J.M.A., Member in Good Standing of the Connecticut Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 14 years ago | Contributor

If you go down to the police station you are acting in the capacity of a victim or complaining party.  It is your information/complaint that the police are acting on and would be relying on to investigate and determine whether there is probable cause to charge the person they find with a crime.  So, if you make a complaint, the idea is that the police will investigate.  I suggest that you press charges and ask that the police locate the thief.  In the meantime, you need to cancell your credit cards and put the banks on notice of the theft.  u can use the police report to justify not paying for charges that were incurred as a result of the fraud.  you should also contact the 3 majoy credit bureaus to let them know of the theft.  Make sure you follow up with the police as they are lazy and will not jump unless you light a match under thier feet... :)


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption