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Identity Theft in Pandemic Benefits Programs
Congress passed massive relief legislation totaling more than $5 trillion to fight the effects of the pandemic. It was a lot of money—and it went out fast—to workers who lost their jobs, small businesses forced to close due to health and safety concerns, and families trying to pay bills. With so much money going out, criminals schemed to steal people’s identities. They hacked into social media accounts or used email phishing schemes and impersonation scams to steal personal information. Then they used it to get unemployment checks and create fake farms to pocket business loans. But the...
Highlights from the PRAC Chair’s Testimony before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis
Michael E. Horowitz, Chair of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) and Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Justice, testified before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis on Tuesday, June 14, 2022.
What’s the government doing now to protect you from identity fraud?
Identity fraud has been rampant during the Pandemic. Our Identity Fraud Reduction and Redress Working Group provides insights agencies can use to keep you, your identity, and the benefits you deserve safe.
New PRAC Working Group to Combat Identity Fraud in Pandemic Response Programs and Improve Victim Redress
Today, Michael E. Horowitz, Chair of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC), announced the formation of a new working group focused on preventing and addressing identity fraud in pandemic response programs.
Kapolei Woman Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Aggravated Identity Theft in Connection with Unemployment Insurance and Pandemic Unemployment Relief Program Fraud
HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Phoebe Trinh, also known as Phuong Trinh Ngoc Vo, 33, of Kapolei, Hawaii, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Shanlyn A.S. Park to 24 months in prison followed by 6 months of supervised release for aggravated identity theft.
Silver Spring Woman Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Federal Prison for Role in COVID Fraud Scheme
Baltimore, Maryland – A Maryland woman received a federal-prison term, today, for her role in an unemployment insurance (UI) fraud conspiracy. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox sentenced Elizabeth Maria Ceballos, 50, of Silver Spring, to 40 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges in connection with the scheme.
Sacramento Man Sentenced to 4.5 Years in Prison for Covid-Related Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme
Roosevelt Gulley, 42, of Sacramento, was sentenced Monday to four years and six months in prison and ordered to pay $575,425 in restitution for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft related to unemployment insurance fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Illegal Alien Indicted for COVID-Relief Fraud and Federal Assistance Benefit Fraud
BOSTON – A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Lowell has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly using a stolen identity to fraudulently obtain pandemic relief funds and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, previously known as food stamps.
Omaha Man and Woman Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
Brian T. Smith, 52, and Myria K. Phaisan, 50, both of Omaha, Nebraska, were sentenced in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.