Crime & Safety

Two Westlake Residents Are Victims Of Separate Identity Theft Scams

One woman's social security number and identity was being fraudulently used for years, according to police

Two Westlake residents were the victims of separate identity theft scams, according to Westlake Police.

One has been occurring for years; the other involved racking up a substantial amount of debt in a short amount of time.

In the former incident, a woman who lives on Stonegate Court received a call from a Bolingbrook, IL detective on Feb. 13 concerning the misuse of her social security number.

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Bolingbrook Police had arrested a man who had been using her and others' social security numbers for employment purposes for several years.

The accused identity thief faces charges in Illinois and is also in the USA illegally, police said.

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The Westlake woman made a report with Westlake Police at the request of Bolingbrook detective. She has also checked with the three major credit bureaus and found no illicit activity.

Meanwhile, an unknown thief (or thieves) went on a $,7000 spending spree on February 2 with a Berringer Run man’s Mastercard account.

It was used at Lowe's and Home Depot stores in Elyria, Avon, Sandusky and Fairlawn.

He discovered the losses on Feb. 14 and has had the card in his possession the whole time.


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