ICYMI: North Carolina Woman Steals Coworkers’ Identities to Secure $250K in Student Loans
A North Carolina woman allegedly stole coworkers’ identities to fund family members’ education—now she faces up to 30 years in prison. 🌐 #News #CharlotteNC #NorthCarolina #Crime
CHARLOTTE, NC – A 52-year-old woman from Charlotte, North Carolina, is facing serious charges for allegedly using her coworkers’ personal information to fraudulently secure student loans for her family members. Tammy Cox’s actions were uncovered in a federal investigation, and she now faces a range of charges that could land her in prison for decades.
Fraudulent Scheme Targets Coworkers’ Identities
Tammy Cox, an employee in Charlotte, is accused of stealing the identities of at least five coworkers between August 2019 and July 2023. According to the indictment, Cox used their personal information, including Social Security Numbers, to apply for college student loans. These loans were allegedly intended for family members, not the coworkers whose identities were misused.
The indictment claims that Cox falsely represented her coworkers as cosigners on the loan applications, falsely asserting that they had agreed to take on equal responsibility for the loans. In total, Cox is said to have applied for at least 13 student loans amounting to over $250,000.
Investigation and Legal Charges
The fraudulent scheme came to light through an investigation led by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Cox now faces multiple charges, including one count of wire fraud affecting a financial institution, seven counts of financial institution fraud, and five counts of disclosing Social Security numbers without authorization.
If convicted on all charges, Cox could face up to 30 years in prison and fines reaching up to $1 million for the wire fraud and financial institution fraud charges. Additionally, each count of disclosing Social Security numbers could result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Impact of Identity Theft and Legal Repercussions
Identity theft is a crime that can have long-lasting effects on victims. In this case, the victims had their personal information stolen by a trusted coworker, which could lead to significant financial and emotional distress. Cox’s alleged actions have sparked concerns over the security of personal data in the workplace, especially when it comes to sensitive information like Social Security numbers.
Cox is set to face the legal consequences of her actions in the coming months, with the possibility of decades behind bars and substantial financial penalties. This case highlights the severe penalties for fraud, particularly when personal information is stolen and misused for financial gain.
RELATED TOPICS: Crime | North Carolina
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