Light Drizzle 48°
Tag:

Identity theft

News
Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams
Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams As the holiday shopping season begins, the IRS reminds everyone that it’s not just your credit card balance you need to watch — it’s also your personal information. As part of its ninth annual National Tax Security Awareness Week, the IRS is warning taxpayers about a rise in holiday scams.  The scammers aren’t interested in gifts under your tree; they’re after your Social Security number and financial information instead. Here’s how scammers are getting creative—and how you can stay safe: Phishing Emails: Be wary of emails pretending to be from reputable retailers, shipping companie…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Man Accused Of Attempted Identity Theft At Oxford Bank Man Accused Of Attempted Identity Theft At Oxford Bank
Man Accused Of Attempted Identity Theft At Oxford Bank A man was caught in Connecticut after allegedly using a fake driver’s license to try to access another person’s bank account information at a local bank, according to police. The incident occurred on Friday, Nov. 22, at approximately 3:40 p.m., when Oxford Police responded to the bank after a report of suspicious activity. Officers found a man, later identified as Oronde S. Homan, age 42, seated at the customer service desk.  Police said no other customers were present at the time. According to authorities, a bank employee told officers that Homan presented a Connecticut driver’s lice…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
News
Warning Issued For Nationwide Automated 'Sextortion' Scam: Here's What To Know Warning Issued For Nationwide Automated 'Sextortion' Scam: Here's What To Know
Warning Issued For Nationwide Automated 'Sextortion' Scam: Here's What To Know Authorities are warning the public of a nationwide automated scam in which scammers use people’s email addresses to coerce payments by intimidating them with threats of embarrassment. Victims of the "sextortion" scheme, usually children and teens, are manipulated to photograph or video material for extortionists. "After receiving the sexually explicit content from the child, the offender threatens to release that compromising material unless the victim produces additional explicit material," said the FBI in issuing the warning to parents, educators, caregivers, and children. In a sepa…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Babysitter Stole $35K In Cash, Goods From CT Home: Police Babysitter Stole $35K In Cash, Goods From CT Home: Police
Babysitter Stole $35K In Cash, Goods From CT Home: Police The crime was coming from inside the house. Allegedly.  A 27-year-old Connecticut woman is accused of ripping off a Fairfield County family for more than $35,000 in stolen items and money illegally charged on their credit card, authorities said.  Fairfield County resident Brigid Stanley, of Stamford, is charged with first-degree theft, illegal taking of a payment card, spending more than $500 on a revoked payment card, first-degree identity theft, and third-degree forgery, her arrest report shows. The client called Darien Police earlier this summer to report that $19,546.54 …

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Politics
Ousted Rep. George Santos Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case Ousted Rep. George Santos Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case
Ousted Rep. George Santos Likely To Face Prison After Pleading Guilty In Fraud Case Former Republican Congressman George Santos admitted to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a federal court on Monday, Aug. 19, authorities announced.  The 36-year-old former inhabitant of New York's 3rd Congressional District seat on Long Island was facing 23 felonies, and a trial set to begin next month.  A federal judge will sentence Santos on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York said. According to federal sentencing guidelines, aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year minimum sentence.&n…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Politics
Ex-Rep. Santos To Plead Guilty In Federal Trial: Reports Ex-Rep. Santos To Plead Guilty In Federal Trial: Reports
Ex-Rep. Santos To Plead Guilty In Federal Trial: Reports Former Republican Rep. George Santos is expected to plead guilty to federal charges weeks ahead of his upcoming trial, multiple news outlets are reporting.  The 36-year-old Santos, who represented New York's 3rd Congressional District, faces 23 federal charges including identity theft, wire fraud, money laundering, and lying to Congress.  NBC News reported that Santos' lawyers and federal investigators are hammering out a plea deal on some of those charges that will be presented to a judge on Monday, Aug. 19. The details on that agreement, which charges he will admit to, and …

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Politics
Ex-Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You' Ex-Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You'
Ex-Rep Santos Celebrates 'Squad' Member's 'Humiliating' Loss: 'We're Coming To Get You' Former Rep. George Santos may have been banished out into the political cold, but he's kept his grudges hot.  The 36-year-old former Republican who served New York's 3rd District posted a video Tuesday night, Aug. 6, celebrating after another member of the so-called "Squad" lost her primary. Related: Santos Announces Comeback Bid After Being Ousted From Congress Rep. Cori Bush, who has served Missouri's 1st District since 2021, lost her bid on Tuesday to remain on the Democratic ticket to local prosecutor Wesley Bell, who garnered 51 percent of the vote to Bush's 45, according to NBC …

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Attempted Fake Transaction At Darien Bank Lands Man In Jail, Police Say Attempted Fake Transaction At Darien Bank Lands Man In Jail, Police Say
Attempted Fake Transaction At Darien Bank Lands Man In Jail, Police Say A man who was wanted for allegedly attempting to make a fraudulent bank transaction in Fairfield County turned himself in to the police. Steven Guardindo, age 56, of Wilmington, North Carolina, was arrested on July 11 by Darien Police for the March 2023 incident. According to Darien Police Sgt. Mauricio Vigil, officers responded to the Fairfield Country Bank in Darien for a report of a man attempting to make a fraudulent transaction using a fake passport. By the time officers officers arrived, Guardino had already left. But bank employees told police he gave them the fake ID in t…

SHARE

by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Weston 20-Year-Old Accused Of Stealing Wallet From Westport YMCA, Using Credit Cards Weston 20-Year-Old Accused Of Stealing Wallet From Westport YMCA, Using Credit Cards
Weston 20-Year-Old Accused Of Stealing Wallet From Westport YMCA, Using Credit Cards A Fairfield County man was charged with larceny after allegedly stealing a wallet from a gym and using the credit cards inside. Massimo Zhong, 20, of Weston, was arrested on Monday, July 8, for the June incident at the Westport/Weston YMCA. According to Lt. Eric Woods of the Westport Police, officers started an investigation after the theft was reported, and they found that the credit cards were used in Norwalk shortly after being stolen. The investigating officer reviewed surveillance footage and identified Zhong entering the YMCA, entering the locker room, and leaving. Woods said he…

SHARE

by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
Woman Embezzles $47K From Darien Medical Practice: Police Woman Embezzles $47K From Darien Medical Practice: Police
Woman Embezzles $47K From Darien Medical Practice: Police A woman has been arrested on charges including larceny after she allegedly used stolen and forged checks to steal tens of thousands of dollars from the medical practice where she worked. The Fairfield County arrest occurred on Wednesday, May 29 in Darien, police said. A medical practice in Darien reported a former employee, 34-year-old Anisa Ymeri, for an alleged yearlong embezzlement scheme. From August 2022 to August 2023, Ymeri used stolen and forged checks to steal approximately $47,000. Investigators reportedly were able to link multiple checks, missing check stubs, and discrepan…

SHARE

by Sophie Grieser