A San Diego man was arrested on suspicion of stealing the identities of clients of a Mission Beach gym. Christopher Polley allegedly stole hundreds of client membership applications and contracts from Wave House Athletic Club on Ocean Front Walk. He then used the information to open lines of credit and make purchases from online merchants such as Overstock.com, Jet Blue and e-Bay according a report provided by San Diego Police Department Lt. James Filley on June 27.
http://liarcatchers.com/identity_theft_investigation.html
“At least 20 victims have been confirmed, but there is potential for many more,” the lieutenant said. “Most of the victims have lived, or currently live, in the Pacific Beach area of San Diego.” The actual total loss is at least $40,000 but the police expert that number to increase as more victims are identified or come forth.
View slideshow: Pacific Beach gym members at risk of identity theft
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Polley worked at the gym from May 2010 until late January 2012. He was charged with two counts of identity theft, possession of a controlled substance, grand theft, possession of over ten personal profiles and theft-related charges. He’s pleaded not guilty and is being held on $400,000 bail.
I interviewed identity theft expert Jay Foley about this case.
“That a high bail so I have to wonder if he had a prior criminal record or is on probation for other offenses. As to this case, one of the most common forms of theft is insider theft. I’ve talked numerous companies who had employees who used or stole client information for identity theft purposes. Employees who have access to records or cash need to have both financial and criminal background checks prior to hiring them. After hire the monitoring has to continue. Clearly these contracts had enough information for Polley to open new credit cards. When you see an employee with items that are clearly beyond their ability to purchase them it should set off an alarm.
“Additionally health clubs, pool halls and other businesses that require clients provide a credit card, driver’s license or keys in exchange for equipment open themselves up to additional problems. I was at a health club that required clients leave their driver’s licenses at the front desk to get a locker key. They put them in cubbyholes behind the desk. I had some time while I waited for my friend to finish her aqua therapy and saw the receptionist leave the front area several times with the licenses unprotected. These are a highly sellable commodity. Thieves can sell them along with forged birth certificates to people who look like the person on the license and for $100 they have a new identity. With the license they could go to the Social Security Administration and get a copy of ‘their’ Social Security card and eventually leave the victim with thousands of dollars of debt, warrants for driving offenses and other criminal activities.”
Individuals who feel their personal identification has been compromised can call the San Diego Police Department Economic Crimes Unit at 619-446-1031.
