NCJ Number
113758
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 36 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1988) Pages: 103-105
Date Published
1988
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Cooperation between the Sheriff's Department and banks and savings institutions in the Coachella Valley of California has resulted in improved police/community relations and increased awareness of how to prevent losses from economic crimes and increase bank security.
Abstract
The Desert Banking Association holds monthly meetings with law enforcement officers to learn ways to reduce crimes such as credit card and check fraud, embezzlement, investment fraud, and bank robbery. Speakers have included local and regional law enforcement personnel, Secret Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, and even a printer who demonstrated laser printing techniques used in a local counterfeit check scam. Topics have covered check alteration and kiting, asset seizure powers of police, methods of verifying authenticity of customer identification, and automatic teller machine fraud. Protection of customers also has been covered in presentations on teller machine safety and right-to-privacy laws. Attorneys have addressed recent legislation affecting banking and courtroom procedures and rules. The Association's membership also includes law enforcement personnel involved in the investigation of economic crimes. Costs of running the organization are minimal; $2 donations at meetings are used to cover the cost of meeting notices and refreshments. The group has recently published a working guide that contains information on crime prevention and law enforcement resources.