Cole Camp woman charged with identity theft

A warrant was issued for a Cole Camp woman who is accused of using a co-worker’s identity to write more than $12,000 in bad checks at various businesses.

Jeannie M. Bain, 29, was charged Monday with identity theft, a class B felony; forgery, a class C felony; and stealing, a class C felony. 

Bain admitted to stealing the driver’s license and a Social Security card from the purse of a co-worker, according to a probable cause statement written by Sedalia Detective Casey DeVorss. Bain allegedly used the documents to open a bank checking account. 

According to court documents, bad checks were written to 19 Pettis County businesses between April 24 and April 27. Some 40 checks totaling nearly $12,000 were written within the county, DeVorss wrote in his statement.

About a half dozen other businesses in Warrensburg, Warsaw and Lee’s Summit also received checks from the account totaling about $1,000.

DeVorss said he contacted the out-of-town businesses, which will need to file a report with their local police departments. Those officers could contact DeVorss to get all the necessary information, he said.

Bain allowed officers to search her home, where they recovered several small items and a few large-dollar purchases such as a dune buggy, motor dirt bike, trailer, chrome gas grill and a riding lawn mower. Officers returned merchandise to the businesses. 

Bain was arrested May 1 and was booked and released from jail pending the filing of charges.

The class B felony carries a conviction penalty of five to 15 years in prison and each class C felony is punishable of up to seven years in prison.

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COMBATING ID THEFT

Common ways identity theft happens:

• Thieves rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.

• They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.

• They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information. This is known as phishing.

• They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a “change of address” form.

• They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records from their employers, or bribe employees who have access.

Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information:

• Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.

• Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.

• Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with.

• Never click on links sent in unsolicited e-mails; instead, type in a Web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer; keep them up-to-date.

• Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.

• Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your house.

Source: Federal Trade Commission