Financial Investigations

State Bureau of Investigation

Financial Crimes Unit Overview

SBI’s Financial Crimes Unit investigates a wide range of complex financial crimes, including fraud, embezzlement, identity theft, and money laundering. These cases often require extensive analysis and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies to protect citizens and businesses from financial exploitation. The unit is dedicated to uncovering fraudulent schemes and holding perpetrators accountable, ensuring financial integrity throughout the state.

Learn more about financial crimes frequently investigated

Fraud – FAQ

The Special Investigations Section conducts criminal investigations involving “White Collar” and other financial crimes. These include money laundering, fraud schemes, mortgage fraud, forgery and theft by deception.

Why should I report a fraud?

The con artist’s goal is not only to take your money, but also to have you feel shame, guilt and fear. Those feelings make you less likely to report a crime. However, if you don’t file a report there is no chance to recover your loss and you make it easier for them to do it to someone else.

How can I best protect my financial documents?

Treat your checks, bank statements and credit cards as if they were cash. Shred old statements, cancelled checks and credit card receipts. Be careful not to throw away anything with your account number on it. Check your bank and credit card statements closely to see if there are any charges you don’t recognize.

Can someone gain control over my bank account if I give them my account number?

All personal information can be used against you. Your financial account information should be closely guarded and only released if you are absolutely sure it is safe. Your account information can be used by an experienced criminal to gain access to your account within five minutes.

I heard about an investment opportunity that sounds too good to be true. Should I invest?

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. In thousands of cases across the nation high commissions are luring individuals to invest in prime bank notes, promissory notes, real estate developments as well as many other so called “investment opportunities”. Be leery of investments that guarantee you a high interest rate in a short period of time. If you have questions whether someone is licensed to sell securities contact your State Division of Securities.

Where can I find the current laws that apply to fraud?

Utah Code 76-6-501 through 76-6-705
Identity Fraud 76-6-1101
https://le.utah.gov/UtahCode/chapter.jsp?code=76

Identity Theft – FAQ

How can someone steal your identity?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes.

Identity theft is a serious crime. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years – and their hard-earned money – cleaning up the mess thieves have made of their good name and credit record. In the meantime, victims may lose job opportunities, be refused loans, education, housing or cars, or even get arrested for crimes they didn’t commit.

I think I’m a victim of identify theft. What should I do now?

Gather all the information and documentation you can about the crime that’s occurred against you.

- Contact the fraud departments of any one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit file. The fraud alert requests creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts. As soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus will be automatically notified to place fraud alerts, and all three credit reports will be sent to you free of charge.

Equifax (800) 997-2493
Experian (888) 397-3742
Trans Union (800) 680-7289

Notify your bank of the loss of your personal information and close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
Use the ID Theft Affidavit when disputing new unauthorized accounts.
File a police report. Get a copy of the report to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime.
File your complaint with the FTC. The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint also helps us learn more about identity theft and the problems victims are having so that we can better assist you.
Contact the Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse at 1-877-ID-THEFT.
File a report through the Utah Attorney General’s IRIS website.

Cyber Crime Resources

The State Bureau of Investigation collaborates with the Utah State Information and Analysis Center (SIAC) to combat cybercrime. You can visit the SIAC website to:

Report a cybercrime
Access resources and guidance for businesses
Find general information on cyber threats and prevention

Go to SIAC cyber crime page