Explain the roles of state federal and local public records

Explain the roles of state, federal, and local public records in fraud conversion investigations. Assess the usefulness of the types of records that can be discovered from the above sources in fraud investigative methods

Solution

Answer 1:

The state, federal, and public records records can provide investigators with crime information, financial information, andother personal information not widely available. This information helps investigator to udnertaken qualitative and quantitative analysis of the case and ultimately lead them to conclude their decision or opinions.

Answer 2:

Public records can be accessed by the public. They are documents a governmental agency is required to keep by law.

According to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) , the act governs the availability of governmental records to the general public. The FOIA provides for public access to the following information:

• Tax rolls

• Voter registration (with some restrictions)

• Assumed names

• Real property records

• Divorce/probate suits

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Regulates dissemination of consumer information to third parties by consumer reporting agencies .

An employer who uses a third party to conduct a workplace investigation no longer has to obtain the prior consent of an employee if the investigation involves suspected:

• Misconduct

• Violation of law or regulations

• Violation of any preexisting policy of the employer

Other Laws

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act

• Criminalizes pretexting to obtain financial information

Privacy Act of 1974

• Regulates information maintained by federal agencies

Right to Financial Privacy Act

• Prohibits financial institutions from disclosing financial information about individual customers to government agencies without consent or legal order

HIPAA

• Protects health information.

Local Records

Court Records

Court Records

Probate court records (debts, dispersal of assets)

Federal court records

• Civil and criminal

• Bankruptcy

Federal (National-Level) Records

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