Tag:

Identity theft

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…
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…
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…
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 …
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 …
George Santos Announces Comeback Bid For NY Congressional Seat: 'Off To The Races' George Santos Announces Comeback Bid For NY Congressional Seat: 'Off To The Races'
George Santos Announces Comeback Bid For NY Congressional Seat: 'Off To The Races' Disgraced former New York Rep. George Santos is mounting a comeback campaign. The Republican ex-lawmaker from Long Island – who was ousted from his 3rd District seat representing parts of Nassau County and Queens – announced a primary challenge against Rep. Nick LaLota for his 1st District seat. In a statement on X shared during President Biden’s State of the Union address Thursday night, March 7, Santos said New York hasn’t had “a real conservative represent them” since he left office “thanks to RINO, empty suits like Nick LaLota.” Earlier Report: Exiled Congressman Turned Reality …
Man, 30, Poses As CT Landlord, Demands Money From Resident, Police Say Man, 30, Poses As CT Landlord, Demands Money From Resident, Police Say
Man, 30, Poses As CT Landlord, Demands Money From Resident, Police Say A 30-year-old man has been charged with burglary after allegedly breaking into a Connecticut home posing as a fake landlord. Hampden County resident Precious C. Okorie, age 30, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was arrested around 4:40 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 28 in South Windsor, Connecticut.  According to Sgt. Mark Cleverdon of the South Windsor Police, Okorie broke into a home and remained there while the resident and her two children were present as part of a fake landlord-tenant dispute. An investigation into the incident found that Okorie created and forged leasing documents using…
Man Accused Of Trying To Cash Forged Checks At Bank In Wilton Man Accused Of Trying To Cash Forged Checks At Bank In Wilton
Man Accused Of Trying To Cash Forged Checks At Bank In Wilton A 48-year-old man was captured after a months-long investigation into identity theft and larceny at a Fairfield County bank.  James Greco, of Wynantskill, New York, located in Rensselaer County, was charged on Tuesday, Nov. 21 on a warrant for the July incident at a Wilton bank. According to Lt. Anna Tornello, of the Wilton Police, Greco entered the bank and forged checks in the victim’s name, and then deposited the cash into other accounts. After an extensive investigation, and with the help of several other law enforcement agencies, Greco was identified as the suspect and …
Do You Know Him? Police Say He Stole From Banks Across Mass Do You Know Him? Police Say He Stole From Banks Across Mass
Do You Know Him? Police Say He Stole From Banks Across Mass Police are asking for the public's help to track down a man they say is behind multiple cases of identity theft and thefts from multiple banks.  Shrewsbury police say he's stolen money from UniBank and Rockland Trust, but they have reports of a man matching his description pulling similar scams in Worcester, Milford, Grafton, Quincy, and Braintree.  The suspect wore the same baby blue long-sleeve shirt and aqua blue scaly cap with sunglasses on top during each incident. He also uses the same fake Connecticut driver's license at each bank.  Shrewsbury police ask any…
CT Woman Fakes Elaborate Harassment Hoax, Gets Restraining Order, Police Say CT Woman Fakes Elaborate Harassment Hoax, Gets Restraining Order, Police Say
CT Woman Fakes Elaborate Harassment Hoax, Gets Restraining Order, Police Say A Connecticut woman was charged with allegedly carrying out an elaborate harassment hoax, convincing police and even getting a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend. Hartford County resident Amy E. Hull, age 35, of South Windsor, was charged on Monday, April 17 following an extensive investigation by police. According to Sgt. Mark Cleverdon, of the New Windsor Police, Hull’s charges stem from an early 2022 ongoing harassment case in which she claimed she was being harassed by the victim, an ex-boyfriend.  During the investigation, it was determined Hull orchestrated an …
Identity Theft, Fraud Scheme: 36-Year-Old CT Man Faces Multiple Charges, Police Say Identity Theft, Fraud Scheme: 36-Year-Old CT Man Faces Multiple Charges, Police Say
Identity Theft, Fraud Scheme: 36-Year-Old CT Man Faces Multiple Charges, Police Say A Connecticut man was charged with larceny and identity theft after allegedly stealing more than $11,000 from a business. Justin L Kies, age 36, of Hartford, was arrested on Tuesday, March 28 on a warrant for the December 2022 incident in which he cashed four fraudulent checks in South Windsor. An investigation found that Kies cashed four fraudulent checks totaling $11,535.25 from Valley Boarding Kennels at 47 Patria Road, said Sgt. Mark Cleverdon, of the South Windsor Police. It was determined that one of the checks was legitimate and intercepted in the mail and then used t…
Police Issue New Warning For 'Difficult To Investigate' Scams Police Issue New Warning For 'Difficult To Investigate' Scams
Police Issue New Warning For 'Difficult To Investigate' Scams Police are warning the public about a new increase in scams that are "difficult to investigate." The scams, which take place all over the country, have also been reported region. "Even though the police may be made aware of these types of cases, they can be difficult to investigate because many times the suspects are in another country or quickly leave the scene where very little suspect information is available," the Trumbull Police Department in Fairfield County, Connecticut, said. Here's a list of the types of scams: The caller claimed to be a family member that has an illness or was …
Cyberattack At Massachusetts-Based Healthcare Group Jeopardizes 2 Million People's Information Cyberattack At Massachusetts-Based Healthcare Group Jeopardizes 2 Million People's Information
Cyberattack At Massachusetts-Based Healthcare Group Jeopardizes 2 Million People's Information A security breach at a Quincy-based healthcare company has potentially put two million people's personal information at risk.  Shields Health Care Group Inc., or Shields, recently became aware of suspicious activity on its servers stemming from an incident on March 28, the company said in an online statement. An investigation revealed that "an unknown actor" accessed Shields' systems and acquired confidential information from March 7 to March 21, Shields said.  The information included people's Social Security number, birth date, address, provider information,…
Wanted Man Caught After Stealing ID Of Woman At Verizon Store In Fairfield County, Police Say Wanted Man Caught After Stealing ID Of Woman At Verizon Store In Fairfield County, Police Say
Wanted Man Caught After Stealing ID Of Woman At Verizon Store In Fairfield County, Police Say A 24-year-old man is facing multiple charges in Connecticut after allegedly stealing his victim’s ID at a Verizon Wireless store in Fairfield County and using it to make fraudulent eBay orders and Venmo transactions, police announced. In Darien, an investigation was launched in September 2020 after a woman reported that her identity had been stolen after she visited the Verizon store to upgrade her iPhone. A spokesperson for the Darien Police Department said that while she was at the store, she was instructed to write down her account ID and password to allow an employee to transfer data fr…
COVID-19: New England Woman Admits To Role In Pandemic Fraud Scheme COVID-19: New England Woman Admits To Role In Pandemic Fraud Scheme
Covid-19: New England Woman Admits To Role In Pandemic Fraud Scheme A Massachusetts woman admitted to stealing unemployment funds while she was a teenager during the COVID-19 pandemic. Worcester County resident Destinee Snay, age 20, of Leicester, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for securing cash earmarked for those in need with co-conspirator William Cordor. At the time of the scheme, Snay was 19 years old.  Earlier story - COVID-19: Massachusetts Woman, Man Charged For Pandemic Scheme Prosecutors said that between June 2020 and October 2020, Snay and Cordor schemed to file false and fraudulent claims for unemploym…
Massachusetts Man Admits To Attempting To Buy Jeep With Counterfeit Check Massachusetts Man Admits To Attempting To Buy Jeep With Counterfeit Check
Massachusetts Man Admits To Attempting To Buy Jeep With Counterfeit Check A Massachusetts man is facing years behind bars after admitting to purchasing a Jeep using a counterfeit check. David Hogan, age 58, of Worcester, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud Monday, April 25, in federal court in Boston. Prosecutors said Hogan visited a Newton dealership in March 2021 and gave them a $56,000 check for a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, which he then drove off the lot. But when the dealership tried cashing the check, they were told the bank account had been frozen, prosecutors said. When they confronted Hogan about the bad check, he promised to wire them the money, but…
Man Wanted For Using Fake CT ID Card, Police Say Man Wanted For Using Fake CT ID Card, Police Say
Man Wanted For Using Fake CT ID Card, Police Say Recognize him? Law enforcement agencies in Western Massachusetts are seeking the public’s assistance as they attempt to identify and locate a man wanted for identity theft involving an altered Connecticut ID card. In Hampden County, local police in Chicopee released a photo of a man who was found in possession of an altered identity card before fleeing the region. According to police, the ID card had the real identification of another person, but the photo had been altered to match the wanted suspect. After being caught with the card, police said that the man then left the area in a blac…
Don't Fall For It: Alert Issued For Scam Emails Claiming To Be From IRS Don't Fall For It: Alert Issued For Scam Emails Claiming To Be From IRS
Don't Fall For It: Alert Issued For Scam Emails Claiming To Be From IRS Tax Day has come and gone, but the Internal Revenue Service is cautioning of opportunistic fraudsters who have been targeting taxpayers through email scams. In recent weeks, some Americans have reported that they've received emails purportedly from members of the IRS phishing for personal information through both professional and personal accounts. According to reports, the emails have been coming from spam accounts and address taxpayers at the top of the email with the term “dear user,” and no specific name. Related story - IRS May Charge Penalty If You're In One of These Categories…
Massachusetts Man Admits To Attempting To Buy $83K Sports Car Using Stolen IDs Massachusetts Man Admits To Attempting To Buy $83K Sports Car Using Stolen IDs
Massachusetts Man Admits To Attempting To Buy $83K Sports Car Using Stolen IDs A Massachusetts man pleaded guilty to attempting to buy an $83,000 Chevrolet Camaro using two victims' stolen identities. Worcester County resident Brandon Brouillard, age 28, of Worcester, made the plea on Thursday, April 8, said the US Attorney’s Office District of Massachusetts.  According to court documents, in February 2021, Brouillard used the identity of a New Hampshire resident to open a bank account at Avidia Bank by wiring $108,000 from another individual’s Bank of America account.  Brouillard also fraudulently obtained a New Hampshire driver’s license in the …
Teen Nabbed For Making Charges On Credit Card Stolen From Car, CT State Police Say Teen Nabbed For Making Charges On Credit Card Stolen From Car, CT State Police Say
Teen Nabbed For Making Charges On Credit Card Stolen From Car, CT State Police Say A 16-year-old boy was arrested and accused of using a woman's stolen credit cards in Connecticut.  Troopers responded to a Litchfield County home in New Hartford on Sunday, Oct. 24, and a woman told police that she had been notified by her bank of potential fraudulent activity on her account, and discovered her purse had been stolen from her vehicle, according to Connecticut State Police.  The woman found that the charges were being made using her stolen credit cards at businesses in the area. State police obtained surveillance footage from the businesses, where fraudulent credit…
CT Man Charged With Tax Fraud, Obstruction, ID Theft Offenses CT Man Charged With Tax Fraud, Obstruction, ID Theft Offenses
CT Man Charged With Tax Fraud, Obstruction, ID Theft Offenses A Connecticut man is facing a host of federal charges for alleged tax fraud, obstruction, and identity theft offenses, officials announced. Tolland County resident David Kamal, age 60, of Stafford, formerly of Hebron, was charged in an 11-count indictment and will face years in prison if found guilty, US Attorney Leonard Boyle announced. Specifically, Kamal was charged with: Two counts of tax evasion; Four counts of filing a false tax return; Obstruction; Four counts of unlawful use of a means of identification. It is alleged that Kamal evaded taxes for the 2012 and 2013 tax years by fil…
Woman Nabbed For ID Theft Scheme In Fairfield County, Police Say Woman Nabbed For ID Theft Scheme In Fairfield County, Police Say
Woman Nabbed For ID Theft Scheme In Fairfield County, Police Say A woman is facing charges after police in Fairfield County said she opened cellular accounts using a victim's identity.  Annedlasia Porter, of Hartford, was arrested by New Canaan Police on Tuesday, Dec. 7, for two counts of conspiracy and four counts of third-degree identity theft, according to the New Canaan Police Department.  Police said Porter also uses the alias Jennifer Johnson, and on separate occasions told police that she is 28 years old and 21 years old. Police said investigators found that Porter had opened multiple cellular accounts at T-Mobile and Verizon wireless u…
Nine Charged With Stealing $1.3M Worth of Vehicles In NY, NJ, CT, MA, PA Shipping Them Overseas Nine Charged With Stealing $1.3M Worth of Vehicles In NY, NJ, CT, MA, PA Shipping Them Overseas
Nine Charged With Stealing $1.3M Worth of Vehicles In NY, NJ, CT, MA, PA Shipping Them Overseas An international ring of identity thieves stole $1.3 million worth of vehicles and watercraft from dealerships in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, using fraudulently obtained digital driver's licenses, authorities charged. Nine defendants used the stolen identities of US citizens in Puerto Rico -- along with fake Puerto Rico driver’s licenses, Social Security cards, debit cards, and birth certificates -- to obtain the licenses from motor vehicle agencies in Jersey City and North Bergen, Acting New Jersey Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck said. They used tho…
CT Man Sentenced For Fraud, Identity Theft Offenses CT Man Sentenced For Fraud, Identity Theft Offenses
CT Man Sentenced For Fraud, Identity Theft Offenses A Connecticut man has been sentenced to 60 months in prison for fraud and identity theft offenses stemming from involvement in a scheme to use stolen identities to lease and purchase vehicles and motorcycles. Hartford County resident, Jamie Pinto, age 45, of Manchester, was sentenced Wednesday, Oct. 27 to prison time followed by three years of supervised release, said Leonard C Boyle, acting US Attorney for the District of Connecticut, According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in late 2017, Pinto, Domingo St. Hilaire Rosario, and another individual conspired …
Alert Issued For Fraudulent FEMA Claims In Westchester Alert Issued For Fraudulent FEMA Claims In Westchester
Alert Issued For Fraudulent FEMA Claims In Westchester With many still seeking federal assistance in the wake of the destruction caused by Hurricane Ida, some law enforcement agencies have reported an uptick in fraudulent FEMA claims. An alert was issued by police agencies cautioning about a rise in fraudulent FEMA claims filed in the name of people who did not experience disaster-related damage and who did not file any legitimate claim. According to police, companies have been contracted by fraudsters to appear at individuals’ homes or to contact people about the claims to collect personal information or compensation. It is believed that the …
Wanted Woman Allegedly Involved In Identity Theft Case In Region, Police Say Wanted Woman Allegedly Involved In Identity Theft Case In Region, Police Say
Wanted Woman Allegedly Involved In Identity Theft Case In Region, Police Say Investigators in the region are asking the public for help identifying a suspect believed to have picked up a package related to an identity theft case. Investigators in Hampden County with the Westfield Detective Bureau released a photo of the woman on Wednesday, Sept. 15. Authorities said anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Williams at 642-9384 or ja.williams@cityofwestfield.org. We are attempting to identify the female party shown in this post. We believe that she picked up a package that was... Posted by Westfield Detective Bureau on Wednesday, September 15, 20…
COVID-19: Alert Issued For Child Tax Credit Payment Scams COVID-19: Alert Issued For Child Tax Credit Payment Scams
Covid-19: Alert Issued For Child Tax Credit Payment Scams Opportunistic fraudsters have taken advantage of some consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic, this time targeting child tax credit payments that have been sent out to assist families. The IRS recently issued an alert after it began sending tens of millions of dollars to families, though scammers have been attempting to pull a fast one over on some to steal thousands of dollars in federal benefits. According to the IRS, scammers have been reaching out to families using emails, text messages, and through social media, asking to verify personal information to receive the child tax credit payme…
COVID-19: Massachusetts Woman, Man Charged For Pandemic Scheme COVID-19: Massachusetts Woman, Man Charged For Pandemic Scheme
Covid-19: Massachusetts Woman, Man Charged For Pandemic Scheme A 26-year-old man and teenage woman in Massachusetts are facing charges for their alleged roles in a scheme to secure unemployment funds during the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities announced. The Department of Justice is charging Leicester resident Destinee Snay, 19, with one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, after co-conspirator William Cordor was charged with four counts of wire fraud, and four counts of aggravated identity theft in April for alleged fraud during the pandemic. It is alleged that between June and October last year, Cordor and Snay conspired with others to file f…
Police In Western Mass Issue Alert To Residents After Reports Of Callers Posing As Cops Police In Western Mass Issue Alert To Residents After Reports Of Callers Posing As Cops
Police In Western Mass Issue Alert To Residents After Reports Of Callers Posing As Cops Police agencies in Western Massachusetts are cautioning that opportunistic fraudsters have been running a scam using “spoofed” phone numbers to pose as cops. The Northampton Police Department issued an alert following reports from city residents that they have been receiving calls from (413) 587-1100, the department’s non-emergency number. According to investigators, the scammers pose as police and claim that there has been an identify theft, or an outstanding warrant, and the only way to clear up the issue was to pay through gift cards exchanged over the phone. “The number is able to show…
NY Man Indicted In $700,000 Investment Scheme NY Man Indicted In $700,000 Investment Scheme
NY Man Indicted In $700,000 Investment Scheme A New York man has been indicted for scamming investors out of more than $700,000, authorities announced. Long Island resident Matthew Gallagher, age 37, of Rocky Point, used various investment schemes to scam 24 victims over a period of about four years, according to an investigation by Suffolk County Police and Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini. “We have 24 people here who gave their savings to this defendant with the promise of sound investments only to be lied to and swindled out of their hard-earned money,” Sini said. “He was allegedly selling them on investing in b…
NY Man Accused Of Scamming Investors Of Over $700K NY Man Accused Of Scamming Investors Of Over $700K
NY Man Accused Of Scamming Investors Of Over $700K A New York man has been accused of scamming investors of more than $700,000 over the past year and a half, authorities announced. Long Island resident Matthew Gallagher, age 37, of Rocky Point, used investment schemes in fraudulent startup business ventures and insurance-related frauds to scam 16 victims between November 2019 and April 2021, according to an investigation by Suffolk County Police. Gallagher was arrested just before 10 p.m. Wednesday, April 28 at the Seventh Precinct in Shirley, according to police. He was charged with: Two counts of first-degree schemi…