NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Identity Theft Becomes Popular Crime For Scammers

Identity Theft Becomes Popular Crime For Scammers

FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Police said scammers are taking identities for more than just a shopping spree. Arrests in Franklin show the number on the credit card isn't the only thing consumers have to worry about.

During the rush of the holiday shopping season, scammers are just waiting for the shoppers.

"Anything that can be used to assume your identity is a danger to you," said Charlie Warner, Franklin Police Department.

Six people arrested by Franklin Police prove that identity theft comes in many different forms. 

"Some of the suspects were arrested after they attempted to get medical, actually received medical care," said Warner.

Police said Antonio Perez used the social security number of a man living in Ohio to get a job and insurance in Franklin. His wife Claudia used the social of a woman from Georgia to get medical treatment at Williamson Medical Center.

Police said Lori Tomlinson also used a false social security number to get medical help.

Officers also arrested Nathan Thomasson on ID theft. They said he stole his girlfriend's PIN, went to an ATM and cleaned out her account.

Maria Godoy-Hernandez and Ma Lopez-Oseguera used stolen identities to get jobs at a Franklin restaurant according to police.

"There's a lot of work that goes into each and every case," said Warner.

Detective Carlos Codero worked ID theft cases for more than a year. He said the thieves are hard to track down.

"Sometimes they are transients. They move from here to there. They use different names, aliases, not only somebody's social security number, but a fraudulent name," said Codero.

Police said scammers search high and low to find unsecured social security numbers in places like the garbage. They then sell them on the internet.

Keeping track of your social is your best defense against ID theft because it is the key that unlocks so much personal information.

Franklin police have put together an Identity Theft Victim Guide. It has important information and phone numbers for victims.