Identity Theft Rogues Gallery

Earlier this year we disclosed to you how
Arizona was the number #1 state for identity
theft. Today we help expose a select few of
the worst identity thieves, fortunately, now
under custody of law enforcement.

By getting a small glimpse into their
shadowy world, we trust you will seek
active protection against identity theft.

Identity theft criminal #1













Our first identity theft fraudster specialized
in cashing phony checks using her victims
checking accounts. This highly productive
identity thief was arrested with a virtual
goody bag of stolen identities indicating
a dozen or more recent victims:

• 15 fraudulent university id cards
• 12 fraudulent driver licenses
• 14 checks to be drawn on various accounts
• Maps with directions to local area banks

To illustrate how dedicated this identity
thief was, when arrested she was already
on probation for identity theft.
The judge evidently took her prior identity
theft crimes into consideration as the
woman was sentenced to over 13 years in
prison.

Identity theft criminal #2













This identity thief, a woman, was no stranger
to high tech means to defraud her victims.

When this identity thief was arrested, she
had a number of items indicating her specialty
was in committing fraud in large volumes:

• Several laptop computers
• An ID manufacturing machine
• ID counterfeiting credit card machine
• 500 profiles of people (intended victims)

Not only was identity thief #2 high tech
savvy, but she was also evidently mobile.
When arrested at the Phoenix airport, she
had in her possession a plane ticket bought
with a stolen credit card and several
fake identifications.

For her identity theft crimes, #2 was sentenced
in 2.5 years in prison.

Identity theft criminal #3













This last identity thief in today's rogue
gallery, specialized in automobile related
identity theft. He used his job at a local
area auto dealer to obscure his real cash
making endeavor as an identity thief who
created fake drivers licenses.

Identity thief #3 then would sell them to
other employees for $75 apiece. The fake
ID’s would then be used to obtain loans
on used vehicles on behalf of illegal
immigrants.

For his identity theft crimes, #3 was
sentenced to 2 years in prison.

While the damage these identity thieves
brought far exceeded their prison time
awarded, it's comforting to know at
least there are a few less criminals
out on the loose.

However, as you can observe, the very
light sentences these dedicated identity
thieves received tell us there is not
much disincentive for them to
stop their criminal ways.

Also on the short sentences
of less than 3 years in prison,
identity thieves know not only are
they unlikely to ever be arrested,
but if they are caught the amount
of jail time actually served will be
far less than if they had used a gun
and robbed a store for only $50 in
cash.

So, our tip for today is to arm yourself
against identity theft criminals who
specialize in a variety of techniques
and equipment to steal your financial
future. Get enrolled in a credit and
bank monitoring service which
will generate exception alerts to
you when suspicious activity
occurs.

Special end note:

Special thanks goes out to the
Arizona law enforcement community
who made the mug shots stories
available.