November 3, 2009
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News: CC Fraud; How Do They Do It? 21
Nothing is worse than having one of your relatives violate your trust by stealing your identity. A Newark, New Jersey (NJ) man was arrested for using his ailing grandfather's personal information to open up two credit card accounts and then rack up over $8,000 in fraudulent transactions. Arthur James IV worked for the Jerry's Toyota in Baltimore and used one of the fraudulent credit card accounts to pay for an automobile that a customer had purchased with cash and then kept the cash. While his grandfather lay in a hospital bed, James opened the accounts. In addition to the fraudulent automobile charge, James used the cards to purchase several high ticket items at several local merchants including Best Buy and B.J.'s Wholesale Club. James has been charged with 10 counts of unlawful use of a credit card where the victim is 62 years or older, seven counts of forgery, and one count each of identity theft where the victim is 62 years or older, theft by false pretense over $1,500 where the victim is 62 years or older.
Several men became victim of a debit and credit card theft by a group of women while enjoying a night out in downtown Austin, Texas. One of the suspects, Crystal Cooley, was arrested in Georgia on an unrelated charge where authorities learned she was connected to the case in Texas. According to the authorities, the men claimed they were out on the town and left their buddies to spend time with three or four women. Apparently, the women would drug the men and steal their credit cards. Surveillance photos at various ATM machines, showed four unidentified women using the stolen cards. Detectives expect additional arrests will be forthcoming.
Two men are being sought by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office for running up thousands of dollars in unauthorized credit card transactions at the Milwaukie, Oregon Lowe's Home Improvement. According to police the two unidentified men used the stolen cards to purchase gift cards. One of the men is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, 175 pounds, with short black hair and a large build. The other suspect is described as being 5 feet 8 inches tall, 275 pounds, with black short hair and a heavy build.