ST. GEORGE – A 22-year-old Santa Clara woman was arrested on multiple counts of forgery and identity fraud Saturday.
Officer Derek Lewis of the St. George Police Department said the Department’s Drug Task Force came in contact with the woman Saturday night. She was initially arrested on a class A misdemeanor charge and an out-of-state warrant. After being booked into jail however, the woman was found to be connected to multiple counts of alleged identity fraud, forgery and theft. Some of the counts go back to August 2012, Lewis said.
In connection with counts filed in three separate incidents, the woman faces up to nine third degree felonies, two second degree felonies, three class A misdemeanors and two class B misdemeanors.
While identity fraud is not as rampant in the area as some may think, Lewis said, people should remain cautious. Sometimes identity fraud involves something as simple as someone breaking into a car and stealing a credit card and using it to commit theft. To avoid such thefts, he encourages people to keep their car doors locked and valuables out of sight.
People should also pay close attention when using a credit card to pay for goods in stores. They need to keep an eye on what the clerk behind the counter does with their credit card – does the clerk just swipe the card and then return it, or does the clerk linger for a moment?
Something a potential credit card thief can do is run the credit card over what Lewis called a “skimmer.” The skimmer is a small electronic device that can read the numbers of the credit card for later use.
“Keep tabs on the people who take your credit card at the store,” Lewis said.
Bail is current set at over $71,000.
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After looking at this girls Facebook page and her mugshot, I’d venture to say that she has a serious drug problem. She needs to do the time and get help for her addiction!
Was she an illegal? Aren’t they to blame for all the local crimes?
No she was white. Whom has said that illegals are to blame for all local crimes? You seem to have a major chip on your shoulder.