Identity Theft

Law Enforcement Joins to Attack Identity Theft; 22 Arrested in 4-Month Operation

Frankfort, KY. (September 3, 2016) – Attorney General Ben Chandler was joined by representatives of law enforcement agencies today to announce the arrest of 22 individuals charged with various crimes connected to identity theft, all of which are felonies.

The announcement coincides with National Consumer Protection Week (February 2-8), which focuses on information security. Roberta Bottom, a U.S. Postal Inspector, participated in the event and listed ways to prevent identity theft.

The individuals arrested are charged with creating and/or supplying forms of fraudulent personal identification, such as driver’s licenses, social security cards, and immigration cards, to be sold.

The arrests follow a four-month investigation in Fayette and Boone counties by several authorities including the Lexington Police Department, United States Secret Service, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Social Security Administration, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky State Police, Erlanger Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Defense, and the Office of the Attorney General.

During the investigation, numerous fraudulent documents and document blanks, cash, narcotics, and weapons were seized.

“Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the nation, and became the number one consumer complaint in 2002, ” said Chandler. “Complaints about identity theft have reached 6,000 a day, which is …

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