July 9, 2013
Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto today announced the conviction and sentencing of Anthony Woods, 25, of Las Vegas, for his part in a scheme to defraud numerous individuals and several local businesses by way of possessing and using personal information of nearly a dozen victims.
“My office will continue to hold those accountable who steal innocent people’s identities,” said Masto.
Woods was sentenced to 19 – 48 months in the Nevada Department of Corrections, and to pay $7,467 restitution. He pled guilty to possession of credit card without cardholder’s consent, a category “D” felony.
Woods, along with codefendant Derrick Williams (sentenced previously), 36, of Las Vegas, were found in possession of credit card numbers, social security numbers, and/or false identification cards of the numerous victims. Williams pled guilty to attempted theft, a category “C” felony, and was sentenced on April 25, 2013 to 12 – 48 months in the Nevada Department of Corrections, and to pay $7,467 restitution.
Investigation by the North Las Vegas Police Department in August 2011 revealed that stolen identities of the victims had been used to rent an apartment, obtain payday loans, and pay day-to-day living expenses. Some victims suffered harm to their credit as well as direct financial loss.
The investigation was triggered when in April 2011 a New Jersey victim filed an identity theft and fraud report with the Old Tappan Police Department in New Jersey after being contacted by Chase Bank regarding a negative credit. Five accounts were open in the victim’s name and charges to those accounts were made in Las Vegas.
The AG’s Office offers consumers the following information on how to protect themselves against potential identity theft:
- Do not respond to unsolicited emails, telephone calls, or mailings that ask you for your credit card number, credit card security codes, social security numbers, or bank account numbers.
- Frequently checking your credit reports to uncover foul play quickly so it may be stopped. You can obtain your credit report for free, once per year per credit bureau, by using the Federal Trade Commission’s website at www.annualcreditreport.com.
- Immediately report suspected identity theft to local police agencies or the Nevada Attorney General’s office, as well as credit reporting agencies.
- Affected consumers should take advantage of the credit monitoring service being offered by the bank.
- Affected consumers should call one of the three major credit bureaus and place a one-call fraud alert on their credit report:
- Equifax: Call (800) 525-6285, www.equifax.com, or write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241.
- Experian: Call (888) 397-3742, www.experian.com, or write: P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013.
- TransUnion: Call (800) 680-7289, www.transunion.com, or write: Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790 Fullerton, CA 92834-6790.
More information about steps that can be taken to prevent identity theft and safeguard personal information are listed on the AG’s website.
The case was prosecuted by Adam Woodrum, Deputy Attorney General.
Read the criminal information by clicking here.
| ANTHONY WOODS |
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DERRICK WILLIAMS |
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(Photos courtesy of the Nevada Department of Corrections)
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