A New Melissa McCarthy Movie About Identity Theft!

[Identity Thief movie poster depiction from wikipedia]

Look, just because we are Augusta, Georgia criminal lawyers, and just because I am a former federal prosecutor, it doesn't mean that we don't like to get out sometimes and have some fun, too! And if the fun somehow relates to our work, then that is fine, too!

I plan to have fun on February 8th by attending the premiere of the new comedy movie Identity Thief. The movie stars actors Jason Bateman and Molly McCarthy. I am a big fan of both of these actors, especially Ms. McCarthy. You will recall that Ms. McCarthy, who currently stars in the t.v. series Mike & Molly, stole the show in the movie Bridesmaids. According to previews, in this new flick, Ms. McCarthy's character steals the identity of Bateman's character and he is out to get her!

Although identity theft -- which is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States -- is no laughing matter, here's hoping that this new movie about this nefarious type of white collar crime will be entertaining! What do you think? 

Identity Fraud: Georgia's Fastest Growing Crime

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other news reports, reported cases of identity fraud and theft are sky-rocketing in the State of Georgia, and elsewhere.  For instance, according to reports, the number of reported identity fraud cases doubled in Fulton and Cobb Counties during the past year alone.

As a former federal prosecutor, (currently, I am an Augusta, GA criminal defense lawyer with my sons), I tried to make identity fraud a prosecutorial priority. Also, although I was unable to get my bosses to follow though, as a former AUSA, I had also advocated the establishment of an identity theft  task force.  Fortunately, in federal court, penalties are serious enough to "get the attention" of identity thieves. However, on the state level, identity thieves often receive probationary sentences, at least for their first offenses.

Another problem with combating identity theft and fraud also exists in the State of Georgia. It involves law enforcement budget problems. I'll bet you didn't know that, just a couple of years ago, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, (GBI), was forced to eliminate its identity fraud unit, following state budgetary cutbacks.

As a result, sadly, just when the identity fraud rate is escalating across this state, Georgia law enforcement has been rendered less capable of dealing with it.  What do you think should be done?

Georgia Tax Returns Face New Identity Fraud Screening System

[Photo of GA State Prison from Wikipedia]

As a former federal prosecutor, and, currently, as an Augusta, Georgia criminal defense lawyer, I have handled many cases involving identity fraud. The State of Georgia, like many states, has had a serious problem with fraudulent income tax returns being submitted for tax refunds by con artists using identities of innocent victims.  According to various news reports, the State detected approximately 29,000 fraudulent tax returns in 2009, 52,000 such returns in 2010, and the number has swelled to approximately 100,000 bogus tax returns for 2011. 

But, apparently, help is on the way for the Georgia Department of Revenue in preventing tax refunds from being sent to identity thieves!  According to news reports, the State of Georgia has recently implemented a new computer screening system which will better detect fraudulent tax returns. For instance, the new screening system has better access to millions of legitimate addresses and can apparently better detect bogus addresses.

We can only hope it helps!  Identity theft affects us all, including all of us, as taxpayers, and also all those identity theft victims out there who were expecting quick tax refunds!

An Armenian Bank Fraud Ring Bites the Dust

[Photo from mortgage foreclosure.org]

As a former federal prosecutor, (and, currently, as an Augusta, Georgia criminal defense lawyer), I have often predicted that, sadly, most of us will eventually become victims of identity theft.  But this week, thanks to the good work of federal prosecutors in Los Angeles, at least one organized crime ring, which focuses on identity theft and bank fraud, has "bitten the dust!"

According to various news reports, four members of an Armenian organized crime conspiracy were found guilty in Los Angeles federal court of one of the largest bank fraud and identity theft schemes in California history.  

According to reports, the enterprise was headed by one of the defendants, Arman Sharopetrosian.  The four defendants operated their criminal enterprise out of their prison cells.  They reportedly used cell phones to access Social Security numbers and birth dates of innocent victims and used the information to steal over $10 million from victims' bank accounts.  (Just imagine what they might have accomplished if they had not already been incarcerated!?)  

The defendants will be sentenced at a later date.  And they will face some really tough federal statutory and guidelines sentencing!  Each count of federal bank fraud carries with it a 30 year statutory maximum.  Also, each count of aggravated identity theft carries with it a mandatory two year prison sentence which must run consecutive to any other counts!  Hopefully, these guys also won't be allowed to keep their cell phones!

Have you ever been a victim of identity theft or fraud?  Do you know someone who has?

Scarlett Johansson's Alleged Computer Hacker Arrested

[Photo of Scarlett Johansson from wikipedia]

Did you hear the big news?  According to various news reports, yesterday, F.B.I. agents arrested a 35 year-old Jacksonville, Florida man, Christopher Chaney, on federal charges related to his alleged hacking into the computers and email accounts of various Hollywood celebrities, including actresses Scarlett Johansson, Mila Kunis, and Christina Aguilera.  No doubt, you will recall that, for some time, nude photographs and other information had been posted online about the celebrities.

Of course, Chaney, who was released on a $10,000 bond, is entitled to a presumption of innocence and to his fair day in court.  But, as a former federal prosecutor, I look forward to following what happens in this celebrity computer hacking case!

One lesson to be learned from this matter involves computer email account passwords.  According to news reports, the perpetrator in these cases was able to guess the celebrities' passwords, (and hack into their email accounts), based upon public information which he acquired about each of them.  Therefore, we can all learn that it is important for us to create more complex passwords!  Don't you agree? 

Has your computer even been hacked?  Have you ever been a victim of identity theft?

The Copper Wiring Theft Epidemic



[Photo from tools2parts.com]

While identity theft may be the fastest growing white collar crime in the United States today, I suspect that copper wiring theft might not be far behind.  Everywhere, across the country, thieves are hitting and stealing copper wire from construction sites, abandoned houses, and even churches.

According to news reports, one church, St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church, of San Francisco, has been hit four times by copper wiring thieves in the past four months.  How low will some thieves go -- to steal from a church?!

I did a little checking on some statistics about this growing problem.  According to the Department of Energy, this copper theft epidemic costs crime victims over $1 billion per year.  One reason involves the fact that, according to the New York Times, the salvage price of copper has skyrocketed in recent years, from about $1.25 per pound in 2009 to a whopping $4.00 per pound today!  It is no wonder, then, that crooks are crawling under vacant houses, and even under churches, to steal copper!

What can be done about this growing problem?  As a former federal prosecutor, I would recommend that purchasers of copper wiring be required to maintain better records about those who bring in the copper, (much like the requirements for recording data about pawn shop purchases).  Also, it may be inevitable that some law enforcement agencies will be required to form copper theft investigative units. (Should they be called the "a.c. units?!") These are difficult crimes to solve, aren't they?

Do you know of anyone who is a copper theft victim?  What do you think should be done about this growing problem?

Sad New Credit Card Fraud Case

Credit card fraud, (along with identity theft and fraud), is a serious problem in this country. For instance, credit card companies reportedly post over half a billion dollars in fraud losses each year.

But not all crimes are the same. Some credit card fraud cases are more eggregious than others and it's not always based upon the amount of loss. For example, have you read the news reports about a Pennsylvania couple who have been charged with stealing and using the credit/debit cards from a 40 year old woman who died in their home on their couch?

Of course, at this point, it is important to emphasize that the husband and wife are merely charged, and that no one has been convicted. However, according to police and news reports, the couple allegedly went through the poor dying woman's purse while emergency personnel attended to her. If proven true, then don't you agree that this case is disgusting!?

As a former career prosecutor, (and currently, as a criminal defense attorney), I never cease to be amazed, (and disappointed), at the levels to which some people will stoop. Stealing from dead people? How low can you go? Have you ever heard of similar cases involving thefts from deceased victims?

Identity Theft: Could It Happen To You?

Have you, or anyone you know, ever been the victim of identity theft, or identity fraud? If you haven't yet been a victim, then, unfortunately, the odds may not be in your favor. While Wikipedia indicates that, at least statistically, the identity theft crime rate may have dropped in the past several years in the United States, it is also still reportedly the fastest growing crime in this country.
The consequences of identity theft can be devastating. Consider the case of Michelle Brown. This poor woman not only suffered the impact of the loss of her credit rating, but also was forced to address an arrest warrant after a thief stole her identity and went on a credit card-spending frenzy. Can you imagine the devastating impact on your own life if you were arrested and falsely charged with crimes you did not commit?
So, please protect your personal financial information and check your accounts religiously for unusual activity. Here's hoping you can avoid becoming a victim like Michelle Brown!
Again, do you know anyone who has been a victim? What steps did they take to overcome the problems generated by this crime?