Examples of Identity Theft Schemes – Fiscal Year 2013
Thursday, October 17th, 2013 @ 9:17PM
The following examples of identity theft schemes are written from public record documents on file in the court records in the judicial district in which the cases were prosecuted.
Ohio Man Sentenced in Identity Theft and Tax Refund Scam
On September 10, 2013, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dione Howard was sentenced to 12 months and a day in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $30,129 in restitution to the IRS. On March 13, 2013, Howard pleaded guilty to conspiring to file false claims for federal income tax refunds with the IRS and unlawfully using a means of identification. According to court documents, between January 2012 and April 2012, Howard purchased 18 names, social security numbers and dates of birth from a co-conspirator for $3,500. Howard used this information to prepare and electronically file at least nine false claims with the IRS for income tax refunds. Howard attempted to have the income tax refunds deposited on prepaid debit cards, but instead received the income tax refunds in the form of United States Treasury checks. Howard then provided the income tax refund checks to a co-conspirator to be cashed. Once cashed, Howard received a portion of each check, ranging anywhere from $600 to $1,600.
Posted by cfegov
Categories: Government report