Monday, February 12, 2007
Pair Used a Debit Card Sent to Them, Arrested
Sometimes identity theft starts with a Trojan sent to an unsuspecting internet user's computer. Sometimes it starts with dumpster diving and recovering confidential data put out with the trash. And sometimes, it may be delivered in the perpetrator's mail box. Such was the case between Regions Bank and Fred Stringer.
Stringer had lived at Baldwin County 55 in Foley, AL seven years before. When he and his wife moved, she sent in a change of address. But only her address was changed at the bank, not Fred's. When Regions reissued Fred's Visa debit card, they mailed it separately from the PIN, but both went to the old address. When the card and later the PIN arrived, Somaud Koy and Michele Lannett Cox were willing to accept and use the card. Having protections to activate the card only for the authorized user failed here. As a result, Regions reimbursed Stringer the $17,320 which had been taken from his account between October and December, 2006.
Stringer had reported the theft to local law enforcement who also brought in the postal inspector. By paying Stringer's EFT claim, the bank now stands as the complainant. Koy and Cox have been charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud with stolen mail. They have been allowed to remain free pending trial.
Sometimes identity theft starts with a Trojan sent to an unsuspecting internet user's computer. Sometimes it starts with dumpster diving and recovering confidential data put out with the trash. And sometimes, it may be delivered in the perpetrator's mail box. Such was the case between Regions Bank and Fred Stringer.
Stringer had lived at Baldwin County 55 in Foley, AL seven years before. When he and his wife moved, she sent in a change of address. But only her address was changed at the bank, not Fred's. When Regions reissued Fred's Visa debit card, they mailed it separately from the PIN, but both went to the old address. When the card and later the PIN arrived, Somaud Koy and Michele Lannett Cox were willing to accept and use the card. Having protections to activate the card only for the authorized user failed here. As a result, Regions reimbursed Stringer the $17,320 which had been taken from his account between October and December, 2006.
Stringer had reported the theft to local law enforcement who also brought in the postal inspector. By paying Stringer's EFT claim, the bank now stands as the complainant. Koy and Cox have been charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud with stolen mail. They have been allowed to remain free pending trial.
