A judge sentenced a Minooka man to six years in prison, Friday, Sept.18, when he pleaded guilty in circuit court to an identifty theft charge.

Thomas Merritt, 31, 1724 Waters Edge, Minooka, was given credit for 343 days served in the county jail and ordered to pay $26,016 restitution. He must also pay $200 costs, submit a DNA sample and pay the $200 fee.

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A federal grand jury charged Hassan Nemazee, a New York businessman who has ties to prominent politicians, with defrauding banks of $292 million in part to benefit the Democratic Party. Read the full story

Lynchburg, VA – A Lynchburg woman who pleaded guilty to stealing the identities of elderly people she cared for has been sentenced to 34 months in jail.

Karen Priscilla Jones pleaded guilty to eight counts of identity theft in Roanoke Federal Court back in June.

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A former employee at the Dunn County Jail has been charged in Chippewa County Court with seven counts of identity theft for financial gain for stealing credit card information from a jail inmate.

Michelle S. Arellano, 38, 416 Terrace Drive, Chippewa Falls, is to make an appearance in court on Sept. 22.

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Audrey Jean Callas of Houston drove to the post office on June 21 to mail two checks to pay her bills. She dropped them in a large mailbox outside the postal building.
From there, the checks vanished — and Callas had no idea what became of them until Houston police contacted her several weeks ago to report her checks had been found in the hands of criminals running a large identity theft ring that has victimized 457 people and 83 businesses scattered across 25 states. Read the full story

By Petra Chesner Schlatter; BucksLocalNews.com

Tom Jirele, former chairman of the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors, was the victim of identity theft, according to Newtown Township police chief Henry “Rick” Pasqualini.

In early January, Jirele reported the theft and misuse of a Discover credit card, and theft of his driver’s license from his wallet. Read the full story

By MICHELLE L. KLAMPE
The Press-Enterprise

Police arrested two San Bernardino residents Friday in what Fontana police called one of the biggest counterfeit credit card and identity theft rings they’ve ever encountered.

Police were called to the Hilton Garden Inn in the 10500 block of Sierra Avenue Friday to investigate possible stolen or counterfeit cards being used to rent rooms, Sgt. Jeff Decker said.

Police discovered numerous counterfeit or stolen credit cards and identification cards along with a credit card laminating machine, computers, scanners, an embosser and other equipment, Decker said Saturday. The investigation also led police to a San Bernardino house where they found additional items connected to identity theft, he said. Read the full story

As an Identity Theft Victim you are guilty till proved innocent.  In some cases, the victims are able to resolve the effects of the crime in a couple of hours, but there are some cases in which things get so tangled and complicated.  It takes way more than just making a few calls.  When the debt collectors start calling regarding an account(s) you know you had nothing to do with, it is a little too late.  It happens all the time.  If “junk” debt buyers start calling, then it is way too late.  This is what I would like to address in this post: the “junk” debt buyers, their unethical collection practices, your rights, and laws to protect you. Read the full story