IDENTITY THEFT IN THE NEWS – WEEKLY UPDATE

Tax-related identity theft is growing problem
Detroit Free Press
Tax-related identity theft is a hot spot for quick cash — and the National Taxpayer Advocate says it’s now one of the top problems facing taxpayers. Taxpayers must keep ID theft in mind as they gather paperwork and prepare tax returns.

Consumer Reports: Needless identity theft protection
WRBL
That fear has helped drive sales of identity-theft protection services. Americans are spending an est (more) Lauren Mirsky considers herself lucky. Thieves tried to use her credit card on two different occasions, but each time they were thwarted.

New identity theft scam aimed at Medicare recipients
Keokuk Gate City Daily
MONTROSE – The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Better Business Bureau of Kansas are warning consumers about a new identity theft scam aimed at Medicare recipients. The Better Business Bureau says that Medicare recipients are being contacted by …

Ex-AZ man indicted on ID theft, tax fraud charges
KPHO Phoenix
24 on identity theft and tax fraud charges, according to the US Attorney’s Office in Phoenix. A federal grand jury in Phoenix returned an indictment on Jan. 3, 2012, charging Adrian Espiridion Lugo with using stolen identities to file false tax returns …

Woman convicted of identity theft learns fate
WDRB
(WDRB) — A woman convicted of stealing the identities of several people and impersonating them on Facebook has been sentenced to five years of probation. Police said after Crystal Vanarsdale was arrested that she used the names and images of her …

Police seek woman for identity theft, ‘financial destruction’
KSL-TV
By Amy Joi O’Donoghue CENTERVILLE — Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a woman accused of a string of property crimes and identity thefts that have left a trail of “financial destruction.” Lt. Paul Child said Julia Amelia Higbee, 41

Eatontown Police Arrest Woman for Identity Theft
Patch.com
By Amy Byrnes Eatontown Police arrested a woman Thursday and charged her with identity theft and fraudulently obtaining credit cards in someone else’s name. Stacey L. McBride, 41, admitted in a statement to police on Feb. 2 that she used an Eatontown …

Identity theft
St. George Daily Spectrum
Identity theft poses a serious risk to the victims. Thanks to the actions of another person, a victim of identity theft can face years of hefty expenses, time and heartache cleaning up the mess. And the victim’s credit report can remain in a shambles.

Have you been a victim of identity theft?  Do you have a story to share with us about identity theft or consumer fraud?  Contact us 24/7 at 1-800-263-9091 and ask attorney Micah Adkins and tell us about your story. 

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