A Temptation Too Great for Government Drone
It was a cold January morning when MVE officers entered a Salt Lake City hotel room to find evidence of an incredible, carefully planned crime. Stacks of stolen mail; dozens of credit cards with corresponding user agreements, account information and pin numbers; counterfeit state ID cards and multiple credit reports littered the crowded room, along with the receipts for two laptop computers.
The Motor Vehicle Enforcement officers had found what they were looking for; the second half of an elaborate and carefully put together identity theft ring. They arrested Joshua Smith and Michelle Chapman, who would be joining the previously apprehended other two members of the gang.
As the weeks went by and more information came to light, the events leading up to that morning became clear. Identity theft has become common enough, but in this case just who the victims were was a startling revelation.
Anybody Can Be an Identity Theft Victim
It began in early September of 2007. Laura Bustamante, a Department of Workforce Services employee, was working as an eligibility specialist. Through her job she had access to personal information of hundreds of applicants who were awaiting approval for state benefits. It turned out to be too much temptation for the 34 year old woman from Midvale, Utah.
Bustamante started using her clearance to a specialized database to cull through clients’ sensitive information. She had access to the Social Security numbers, banks statement and addresses of nearly 1,775 customers of DWS. Bustamante apparently tested the waters by opening a charge account in one client’s name. She then began selling off information on other clients to Smith, Chapman and John Johnstun, transferring the data via text message or phone.
As a result, at least 33 people suffered varying degrees of identity theft, as the group applied for credit cards in different names. They opened accounts and racked up charges amounting in some cases to over ten thousand dollars per identity.
One doesn’t normally think of people applying for state aid as being targets of identity theft – many people believe it is a rich man’s worry – but this case certainly proves otherwise! The opportunity for identity theft is rampant, and many people simply cannot resist temptation when it is put in their path.
The DWS in Utah is now planning to implement mandatory random drug testing for all employees entrusted with sensitive information, as Bustamante was apparently suspected of being on methamphetamines at the time of the crimes. She was sentenced to up to five years for unlawful access, with a mandatory stacked sentence of two years for the identity theft. The other perpetrators are awaiting trial.
The DWS is has been attempting to warn other clients that their information has been compromised, and has set up a fund to help those who were taken advantage of by their employee. They do point out that this is the first ever such happening in the department, but the message here is clear.
Trust no-one. Be vigilant, and make a note of EVERY time you provide sensitive information to ANYONE – even if it is a government worker. Check your credit report often, and make sure you are alerted if any sudden changes occur. This is the best way to protect yourself and your credit standing from identity theft!
