Indiana: ID theft scam: 2 accused of stealing $289K in tax refunds

[kirniki <kirniki () gmail com>]

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/03/2-women-accused-of-using-tax-data-to-file-false-returns.html

IDtheft2.jpgTwo women pocketed nearly $300,000 in state and federal
tax returns after stealing the identities of more than 60 customers of
an Indiana H & R Block branch, federal prosecutors say.

The alleged scheme was uncovered after Rosetta Buchanan, 35, and
Francesca Foster, 32 -- an H & R Block worker -- were stopped last
week in Highland, Ind. on suspicion of drunken driving, according to
police and court records.
Highland police searched the vehicle and found more than 100 debit
cards issued in other peoples' names, lists of Social Security
numbers, and H & R Block client information sheets, according to a
criminal complaint filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Hammond,
Ind.

[..]
Foster worked as a tax preparer at an East Chicago  H & R Block
office, where she printed out client information, including names,
dates of birth and Social Security numbers, the complaint states.

Fraudulent tax returns were then filed in the names of the clients
between January and March this year, the complaint alleges. The
refunds were electronically sent to bank accounts set up by the two,
according to the complaint.

IRS agents said they have so far found 17 accounts with deposits
totaling $289,870,64.
[..]
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