Protecting Your Money: Sheriff's Office and Financial Institutions Team Up

A new coalition has formed in Pasco County and it's interested in protecting your money. The Pasco Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Division has teamed with Pasco's banks, credit unions and other financial entities to combat robberies, fraud and similar criminal activities associated with the financial sector. The idea formed in light of the recent bank robberies and the anticipated rise in fraudulent criminal activity taking advantage of some Pasco citizens linked to a downturn in the economy. More specifically, with more individuals on the market in search of a source of income, scam artists have taken this as an opportunity to devise fraudulent schemes promising income. The goal of the coalition is the education of Pasco's financial entities so they are more effective in protecting their clients' money.

Sgt. Jeff Peak talks on the growing "work at home" scams of which banks should be aware.

In their first meeting on March 25, Sgt. Jim Sessa of the Major Crimes West Division presented the coalition's initial goal of a free flow of information between law enforcement and financial institutions. The Pasco Sheriff's Office will help these institutions understand the BOLO (Be On the Look Out) process for suspected criminals and fraud schemes, and create a method of communication for any applicable criminal activity that members of the coalition may find pertinent to their entities. This can include everything from fraud scams and stolen identities to bank robbers at large. The coalition is being headed by Cathy Long of GTE Federal Credit Union and will meet quarterly. Initial attendance at the first meeting exceeded 35 bankers and law enforcement personnel from multiple agencies.

The Pasco Sheriff's Office is committed to protecting its citizens on all fronts and looks forward to an effective partnership with Pasco's financial industry. For more information regarding potential fraud and criminal activity in the financial sector please visit the following websites: Better Business Bureau - www.bbb.org/us/Consumer-Business-Reviews/ Florida Bankers Association Fraud Site - www.fraud-net.com Federal Trade Commission - www.ftc.gov - Click "Internet Fraud and Safety"
		Sgt. Jim Sessa addressing the coalition at the opening of the first meeting.