I.C.A.C.

Lake Superior Forensic Technology & Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is a founding member of the Lake Superior Forensic Technology and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. This multi-agency task force is comprised of officers and deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, the Superior Police Department, the Duluth Police Department, and the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office. The goal of the Task Force is to investigate technology based crimes against children and to protect children online. The Task Force provides presentations free to the school districts in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. To request a presentation at your school call Detective Mike Bach @ 715-395-7525.

Detective John Parenteau sitting with children

About the Task Force

The Lake Superior Forensic Technology and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was created by a federal grant in 2010. The task force is comprised of Deputies and Officers from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, the Superior Police Department, the Duluth Police Department, and the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office. This multi-agency task force investigates all types of computer crimes, providing forensic examination of computers, cellular phones, and other electronic devices.. The task force specializes in investigating crimes against children involving the internet and/or electronic devices. The task force also provides proactive education for children in an effort to keep children safer online.

Technology Based Crimes and Children

In today's world our children face crimes that we did not have to deal with as children. Cyber-bullying, sexting, and internet predators are just a few of the technology based issues facing our children. Parents often ask what they can do to keep their children safe online. The following are some tips for parents to assist them in keeping their children safer online:

1. Know your child's technology.

Know how your children's cellular phone and computer works. Set reasonable rules for the use of electronic devices and monitor the use of these devices. Know their social networking sites and monitor them as well. Create your own accounts to learn how these sites work

. Toddler holder a cell phone sitting in front of a computer

2. Use privacy settings.

Lock down accounts to the best of your ability so that internet predators cannot view your children's information. If possible, only let their friends access to view personal accounts. Monitor and make sure that people on your child's friends list are "real" people you would want your children to associate with.

Cell phone with a chain and lock around it

3. Talk to your children.

Talk to your children every chance you get about what is expected of them with technology. Studies have shown that the more a parent talks to their child about the dangers of technology the less likely they will find their children in any type of trouble online or with their cellular phones

2 adults and 1 child sitting in front of a laptop

Other Internet Crimes

Most people think of identity theft when they think of internet crimes. There are many other types of crimes on the internet. The following are some of these types of crimes:

Auction Fraud
Counterfeit Cashier's Check
Credit Card Fraud
Debt Elimination
DHL/UPS
Employment/Business Opportunities
Escrow Services Fraud
Identity Theft
Internet Extortion
Investment Fraud
Lotteries
Nigerian Letter or "419"
Phishing/Spoofing
Ponzi/Pyramid
Reshipping
Spam
Third Party Receiver of Funds

cartoon person running with a credit card Identity Theft older lady looking at a laptop with text saying Nigerian Prince Needs $100K? What's my checkbook? person wearing a ski mask holding a social security card

The Task Force assists in investigating these crimes but often times they originate in other states or in other countries. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) partnered with the National White Collar Crime Committee (NW3C) to form the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). For more information about internet crimes or to report being a victim of internet crimes, click on the link below to access the IC3 site.