OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY

ESPAÑOL || SITE MAP

Attacking Fraud & ID Theft

The Challenge

Fraud, against both government and individuals, has proven to be a pervasive challenge difficult to eradicate. While some scams are as simple as charging victims for work never done, others are more elaborate, and often involve falsification of identities or outright identity theft.

The Response

To supplement its efforts in combating fraud, in early 2006 the Office of the City Attorney established a dedicated prosecutorial unit to focus exclusively on Identity Theft and related frauds. The Identity Theft and Fraud Unit employs a program of Prosecution, Prevention, Education, Legislation and Collaboration to combat these crimes and is at the forefront of an unprecedented partnership with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. By expanding partnerships with other government agencies, financial institutions and others, the City Attorney seeks to dramatically reduce the opportunities for making use of stolen information. The program includes an education campaign for consumers and resources for Identity theft victims as well as proposing legislation calling for enhanced penalties for those convicted on identity theft charges under certain circumstances.

City Attorney Sponsored Legislation – Fraudulent Identification Documents

AB 1069 (Montanez) makes it a crime to possess fraudulent document-making devices and strengthens law enforcement’s capabilities to combat the growing practice of producing and using fraudulent documents.

City Attorney Sponsored Legislation – Identity Theft

AB 424 (Calderon) (Co-Sponsored with the Attorney General) expands the definition of a “person” under existing identity theft law by including businesses. This bill curbs the ability of criminals to steal the identity of legitimate business entities, which poses a serious problem for the victim and the business industry.

Protecting Yourself Against ID Theft
Protejase Contra el Robo de Identidad

The Stats – ID THEFT

Identity theft has been identified as the fastest growing crime in the nation, affecting more than 1 million Californians and nearly 10 million people across the country. It is estimated that ID theft costs individuals and businesses more than $50 billion in 2005. The Los Angeles Police Department reports that of the 1,400 identity theft complaints it receives month, less than 3 percent are closed.

Fighting International Crimes Starts with the Cop on the Beat

In May, the Office of the City Attorney filed criminal charges against a 29-year-old Columbian woman for identity theft, possession of counterfeit currency and possession of a concealed firearm in a vehicle. The charges stemmed from an investigation by Los Angeles Police Department officers at a North Hollywood nightclub where someone was reported as passing suspect $100 bills. A search of the suspect’s car uncovered counterfeit $100 bills, a semi-automatic pistol and seven Colombian passports belonging to other individuals. A review of the passports by the Colombian government found that the passports were legitimate and believed stolen.

“This case is a typical example of how local law enforcement, the cop on the beat, is the first line of defense against terrorism. Equally important is having a good, cooperative relationship with the Secret Service and a strong prosecutor like the City Attorney.”
- Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton.

Protecting Immigrants from Fraudulent Business Practices

Many frauds are perpetrated against recent immigrants. In one case brought by the City Attorney, five Spanish-speaking victims believed that the defendant was a licensed real estate agent. They gave him between $1,500 and $8,850 as deposits for homes, and when the sales did not go through, the defendant did not return the victims’ calls or their deposits. The defendant was charged with grand theft, acting as an unlicensed real estate broker, failing to maintain funds in a trust account, and false or misleading advertising.

“Home ownership is at the heart of the American Dream,” said City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, “My office will continue to vigorously prosecute people who steal from those looking to embrace that dream ….”

Cutting Edge Protection for Unsuspecting Computer Users

In late 2005, in the first case of its kind, the Office of the City Attorney sued two “spyware” companies for deceptively installing unwanted software on the computers of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of California residents. Intermix Media Inc. was alleged to have secretly bundled unwanted software that caused pop-up ads to appear on users’ screens or hijacked pages while users browsed the Web. The spyware would have been downloaded when users linked to Intermix-owned sites which marketed novelty screensavers and cursors. Enternet Media Inc. was also alleged to have deceptively distributed spyware bundled with another software product. Failing to inform consumers about the presence and effect of spyware is a violation of the state’s Business & Professions Code. This case is the first action brought by a California prosecuting authority for spyware activity that victimized the state’s residents.

© Copyright 2007 City of Los Angeles. All rights reserved. For licenses to use these materials or to report infringement, please contact the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office, Intellectual Property Counsel, 200 North Main Street, City Hall East, Los Angeles, CA 90012.