May 2, 2007

NEWS: Shakopee Woman Nabbed for ID Theft

Ida Mae James, 35, of Shakopee, Minnesota, stands accused this week of committing identity theft and fraud by buying houses in other peoples’ names. James was so organized in her efforts, that she even hired an assistant to field calls and deal with lenders, in exchange for living in one of the fraudulently purchased homes, say prosecutors.

James is accused in Hennepin County District Court of stealing the identities of several consumers to attain housing loans. Not only did James turn to identity theft to get the mortgages, she then double-dipped, as it were, by collecting brokers’ fees, sales commissions, and rents! James, a real estate agent licensed in the state, managed to accrue some $6 million in mortgages by using the filched identities of six people. The victims only discovered their predicament when mortgage companies began calling up, demanding payments on loans that the victims never had a clue were taken out in their names.

Along with James, police arrested Holly Jo Jackson, 44, James’ secretary and alleged accomplice in the crimes. Jackson is said to have helped James close the sales, as well as living in one of the homes. Police seem to think that James targeted people she had met at church. She now faces 17 counts of identity theft, although James’ attorney says that she plans to fight the charges. Jackson, for her part, faces two counts.


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