When I come across three similar ID theft stories within five minutes, I start worrying that it’s a portent—or, of course, it could be paranoia. Whatever else, it’s weird.
What these folks have in common—besides being sleazy, lowlife identity thieves—is that they were all in positions of trust. I mean, who worries that their dad, their grandpa, their bank teller, or the nice lady who gives the flu shots would steal their identities?
Story One: Paul Kelly, a former district attorney in Wisconsin, was convicted yesterday on 35 counts fraud, forgery and identity theft for stealing the identities of his adult daughter and then-8-year-old grandson. He bought a car, a van and a house with his daughter identity … then did her the huge favor of filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy … in her name, of course.
Despite Kelly’s best efforts, his grandson got off a little easier. Kelly used the kid’s Social Security number on the application for a $56,000 loan. Kelly said his grandson was a 25-year-old construction worker—and he had the manufactured W-2s and employment records to prove it. He even brought a grown guy to the bank to pose as his grandson.
Story Two: Jeffrey Gautreaux was indicted on 17 counts of bank fraud, one count of access devise fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
The former Bank of America teller stole Boston-area bank customers’ identities and withdrew more than $334,000 from their accounts, according to the indictment. He even sold off some of the information to other lowlifes.
Story Three: Jameelah Josiah’s job as a temp with the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department in West Virginia gave her access to the personal information of more than 11,000 people who received flu shots.
Josiah admitted in court last week that between October and December 2008, she used some of the information to buy more than $4,000 of goodies.
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2 Comments
I’ll bet the Kellys have other family problems too. The teller and nurse? I’m thinking about getting LifeLock.
I’ll never complain again about my parents, but I’m definitely getting Life Lock. At first I thought you were making this up, but googled their names and it’s all true.