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How can I file charges against someone for taking my checkbook and writing checks out of my account, are the banks liable

Asked over 3 years ago - Seattle, WA

While I was away someone stole a checkbook from my home and forged a check for almost $1000. My bank will not file charges and the police will not take my report for the theft as the "bank was the injured" party. Is there anything I can do to get either the police or bank to find the person/s responsible for the theft? They also stole some small things from the house and I filed a report with the police but I have serious doubt they will do anything since the value of items stolen was under $400.

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Attorney answers (1)

Thuong-Tri Nguyen

Reputation Level 20

Answered over 3 years ago. Family Law Attorney in Renton, WA.

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Unless the bank has clear evidence as to who the guilty party is, the bank likely is not going to spend the time and money to find the person. The expenses involved likely will exceed $1000. The reality is that thieves usually do not have any assets that their judgment creditors can seize.

Have you been reimbursed by the bank for the lost money?

Do you know who the thief is? If you do, supply the information to the police and the bank. You may even have a civil cause of action as the known thief.

Have you checked all your belongings? Sometimes, because there are so many things in a house, people do not find out things are missing.

Have you talked with your neighbors? Perhaps the neighbors saw something.

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