Fairfax County Police Crime Reporting System to Streamline Investigations

Victims of embezzlement, credit card and check fraud and theft in Fairfax County no longer have to wait for a uniformed officer to arrive at their homes to take a report.

From a computer, they can send a report to police telling them exactly what happened. From that message, police are called and can respond to the home or business that has been victimized.

“The system is here to provide citizens of the county with a better service,” said Fairfax County police Det. Clinton Beach who said the new system streamlines the investigations.

Rolled out in September after more than six-months of research and development, the new Financial Crime Online Reporting System (FICOR) allows victims to report crimes instantly. Designed by Fairfax County IT employees and former Financial Crimes Unit supervisor Lt. Bob Blakely, it cuts back on elapsed time compared to the original reporting method. In the past, residents called police and messages were left on a phone line, but due to staffing, holidays and weekends, victims may have perceived delays in response. Beach said the Financial Crimes Unit only has 12 detectives and three civilian investigators. He said the unit also investigates construction fraud and identity theft.

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, Beach said the new reporting system will play an important role in apprehending suspects. With a small unit as is, the public can give a report online without pulling an officer off another case. Since 2009, Beach said his unit have investigated more than 2,500 identity theft cases. Since the new system has been implemented, more than 300 people have used it to report financial crimes.

“Overall with the economy it’s been an increase in credit card fraud and theft,” Beach said. “In November and December, we’ve seen an increase in credit card fraud and theft.”

Beach said there have also been reports of people applying for credit cards using stolen applications mailed to people’s homes. Beach said suspects intercept the mailed applications from mailboxes and trash. The new reporting system doubles as an educational piece as it offers information on how to avoid financial scams.

“We’re trying to put something out to the public to make them aware of possible scams,” Beach said.

Like anything new, there are bugs that have to be worked out.

Lucy Caldwell, a spokeswoman with the Fairfax County police, said you have to be quick when filling out the online report.

“The only issue we’re having is there is a 30-minute window before you’re timed out,” she said.

The public can access the FICOR section by visiting the Fairfax County home page, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police and clicking on financial crimes reporting.