Some recent examples of identity theft prosecutions by the Department of Justice include the following:

FEMA fraud. On September 5, 2006, a defendant was sentenced to more than 10 years imprisonment for running a scheme to defraud the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), by using false identities to support his claims that he was a victim of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The defendant's scheme involved telephoning the FEMA emergency assistance hotline, providing a false name and address, and claiming to have suffered property damage as a result of the hurricanes.

Skimmers. On June 19, 2006, federal authorities in the Central District of California arrested eight defendants accused of being part of an identity theft ring that "skimmed" account information from debit cards used by more than 100 diners at area restaurants and used the information to steal money from the victims' bank accounts. A ninth defendant was declared a fugitive.

Counterfeit Immigration Documents. On February 13, 2006, a defendant was sentenced in the District of Colorado to 133 months in prison for aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and other crimes related to the manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit identity documents, including resident alien cards, social security cards, and various drivers licenses in Denver, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Stolen Identifications to Open New Accounts. On June 23, 2006, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, the leader and organizer of an identity theft ring and her two daughters were sentenced, respectively, to 70 months imprisonment; 2 years and 1 day imprisonment; and 4 years probation with home confinement on aggravated identity theft, identity theft and related fraud charges, in a scheme to use stolen identities to open credit accounts and purchase merchandise.

Counterfeit Checks. On March 8, 2006, a defendant convicted after trial on counterfeiting and identity theft charges was sentenced to 132 months imprisonment and ordered to pay $292,400.00 in restitution, as well as forfeit an automobile and various equipment, including computer equipment, which he used in the scheme. The government presented evidence during that trial that the defendant was the organizer of a conspiracy to manufacture, possess and utter counterfeit securities, specifically counterfeit $100 VISA travelers' checks, counterfeit bank cashier's checks, and counterfeit U.S. Treasury checks.

 Tucson, Convicted. Bank Fraud and Identity Theft. On April 24, 2007, a 37 year old man was sentenced to 57 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to one account of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft from October 2006 charges. He was ordered to pay 6,095$ in restitution to the victims of his offences.

 $3/4 Million Welfare Fraud. On December 22, 2006, an eligibility worker for the Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services created fictitious public benefits cases for friends and family. Over $700,000 in public funds were lost. She was sentenced to almost seven years in prison. Her relatives and friends who participated have been arrested, convicted and several sentenced to join her in prison.

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