Identity Theft By, Lindsey Hill

Identity Theft Identity theft is when someone steals your personal information for illegal purposes.

Identity Theft It is a crime that can possibly damage your credit, reputation, and peace of mind. It can be reduced by keeping your belongings secure.

Examples of Identity Theft Couple Sentenced for Stealing Hundreds of Identities to Claim False Tax Refunds On April 28, 2014, in Atlanta, Ga., Justin Cody was sentenced to 87 months in prison. Cody's wife, Aeshia Wilmore was sentenced to 24 months in prison. On Nov. 22, 2013, Cody and Wilmore each pleaded guilty to theft of public funds. Cody also pleaded guilty to aggravated identity fraud. According to court documents, from as early as February 2013 to May 2013, Cody and Wilmore, participated in a scheme to defraud the Department of the Treasury by filing hundreds of fraudulent income tax returns using stolen identities. Cody used stolen personal identification information of hundreds of victims, along with fake wage and withholding information, to prepare numerous fraudulent tax returns, claiming over $600,000 in tax refunds. Cody had the refunds applied to blank prepaid debit cards that he and Wilmore used at various ATM machines throughout the Atlanta area.

Example of Identity Theft Alabama Woman Sentenced for Stolen Identity Refund Fraud On April 24, 2014, in Montgomery, Ala., Ivory Bolen, of Dothan, Ala., was sentenced to 42 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $209,243 in restitution to the IRS. Bolen previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. According to the plea agreement, between January 2012 and June 2013, Bolen was involved in the use of stolen identities to steal money from the IRS by filing fraudulent tax returns claiming refunds in the victims’ names. Bolen obtained stolen identities from various sources, including the Social Security Death Index and jail records, and to filed fraudulent tax returns using those stolen identities. Bolen had the fraudulently obtained refunds deposited onto prepaid debit cards and recruited individuals from a homeless shelter to cash out the cards for her in an effort to avoid surveillance. Bolen also admitted to possessing hundreds of stolen identities in Tampa, Fla. Altogether, the false tax returns filed by Bolen fraudulently claimed more than $800,000 in refunds.

Example of Identity Theft New Jersey Man Sentenced for Scheme to File Fraudulent Tax Returns On April 16, 2014, in Newark, N.J., Badatunde Olugbake, of Perth Amboy, N.J., was sentenced to 18 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $500,422 in restitution. Olugbake previously pleaded guilty to a three-count information charging him mail fraud, filing false claims against the United States and receiving stolen government funds. According to court documents, from February 2008 through December 2010, Olugbake was involved in a scheme to file false and fraudulent tax returns to obtain tax refund checks. Olugbake deposited more than $400,000 in tax refunds as part of that scheme into bank accounts he controlled. Through the unauthorized use of names and social security numbers of unsuspecting victims, along with false addresses, statements concerning income and dependents, and claims for refunds, Olugbake manipulated tax returns so that the purported claimants qualified for the Earned Income Credit. Olugbake then mailed the fraudulent returns to the IRS.

Tips for Avoiding Identity Theft Guard your financial information.

Tips for avoiding identity Theft Keep social security hidden and tell no one.

Tips for Avoiding Identity Theft Keep all mail safe in a spot no one can find.

Tips for avoiding Identity Theft Always check your credit/debit card statements regularly.

Facts of Identity Theft People between the ages of 18 and 24 have the highest risk of ID theft. One of the best ways to prevent identity theft is security freeze. Parents can request for credit card reports for their children to make sure they aren't dealing with a identity theft situation. 47% of victims have trouble getting credit or a loan as a result of identity theft.

Frequently Asked Questions How does imposter take your identity? – All you need is a social security number, birth date, and another identifying information like an address or phone number.  How can you stop fraud? -As soon as you are aware of the fraud, you need to contact three major credit reporting agencies by phone or letter. Get copies of the report. Call the police.

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