Identity
Theft Extremely Difficult to Investigate Rather than taking out guns and robbing convenience stores, many criminals have found an easier way to get money- by cashing in on your identity. Samantha Hayes joins us, with one woman's struggle A story, that will make a believer out of you. Yes, the victim in this case works day in and out to protect your money from thieves... "I GET THIS FROM THE BONNEVILLE COLLECTION AGENCY." Brandy Farmer is getting unwanted phone calls- collection agencies demanding money she didn't spend. BRANDY FARMER:" FROM THE LAW OFFICES THAT REPRESENT SHOPCO, WALMART, KMART, HARMONS." 3 weeks ago, her purse was stolen out of a shopping cart at a Smith's grocery store in Murray. BRANDY:" I REMEMBER TURNING AWAY FROM MY BASKET 2 TIMES AND THERE WERE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE AISLE." She cancelled her credit cards, alerted her bank, and reported the incident to police- but the investigation didn't get far. Detective Rob Hall/Murray Police Department:"THEY ARE FRUSTRATING CASES TO WORK BECAUSE MOST OF THE TIME YOU HAVE FEW LEADS TO GO ON." BRANDY:" MOST OF THE TIME YOU HAVE TO BE YOUR OWN DETECTIVE." But unlike most of us in this situation- Brandy Farmer knows people in high places. BRANDY:" I WORK IN THE FRAUD DEPARTMENT, IN MEDICAID FRAUD FOR THE A.G.'S OFFICE." SAMANTHA HAYES/EYEWITNESS NEWS:" BRANDY FARMER TRACED A PURCHASE OF HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS MADE ON HER CREDIT CARD AT THIS FORT UNION TARGET..SHE EVEN OBTAINED PICTURES OF THE SUSPECTS THROUGH A SURVEILLANCE CAMERA." BRANDY: "THEY ARE USING MY DRIVER'S LICENCE I DON'T UNDERSTAND...BECAUSE I'M HISPANIC! I HAVE BLACK HAIR, AND THIS WOMAN IS BLONDE AND YOUNG AND DOESN'T MATCH MY DESCRIPTION!" Those pictures were handed over to investigators-but still- no results. ROB HALL: "MOST OF OUR WITNESSES IN THESE TYPES OF CASES ARE PEOPLE WHO WORK IN RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS THAT DEAL WITH DOZENS AND DOZENS OF CUSTOMERS EVERY DAY." "GETTING THE SUSPECT IDENTIFIED A LOT OF TIMES IS REAL DIFFICULT." Farmer says she spends 3-4 hours a day trying to clean up this mess..she hopes someone recognizes the suspects and comes forward. Courtesy of: http://tv.ksl.com/index.php?sid=119821&nid=39&template=print |