Paul Walsh reports: A Cottage Grove woman turned herself in several days after police circulated surveillance photos of her as a suspect in a case of credit-card “skimming” that netted victims in the Twin Cities area and beyond. The woman, 21, gave herself up Tuesday afternoon at West St. Paul police headquarters, said Lt. Brian…
Category: U.S.
Computer Breach At Southern Illinois University
Ryan Kruger reports: Nearly one thousand former SIU students are at risk for identity theft. University officials say an old computer in the math department was hit by a virus last month. That computer contained the names and social security numbers of 900 students who took a particular math class five years ago. SIU spokesman…
La. man gets 309 years in prison for ID theft scam
The Associated Press reports: A Louisiana man whom prosecutors said was the ringleader of an identity theft scheme with dozens of victims has been sentenced to 309 years in prison. U.S. Attorney David Dugas said the sentence handed down Wednesday to 43-year-old Robert Thompson, of Zachary, is the longest prison sentence for any white-collar crime…
West Memphis Police Department’s computer network compromised
The FBI is investigating a Mid-South police officer suspected of accessing fellow officers’ personal information. West Memphis Police Chief Bob Paudert confirmed Monday an internal investigation underway, and the FBI is investigating, after the security of the department’s computer network was apparently compromised two weeks ago. “We had information that somebody had used a computer…
MT: Gateway woman pleads guilty to fraud, ID theft
A Gallatin Gateway woman pleaded guilty in federal court last week to credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft. Erin Lee Stewart, 50, faces a possible 10 years in prison and three years probation for stealing at least five people’s identities and defrauding them of more than $6,800, according to a statement from the U.S….
St. Petersburg telemarketer eavesdropped to steal credit card numbers, authorities say
Katie Sanders and Kameel Stanley report: A St. Petersburg man has been charged with stealing customers’ credit card numbers from a marketing company he worked for to buy nearly $30,000 in dinners, limos and other luxuries. After a four-month investigation, deputies arrested Christopher Albert Fregapane, 25, of 4544 40th Ave. N on a felony charge…