Identity theft Coverage

Housing Authority director signs plea deal in federal fraud case

Court documents obtained by WRAL News show JoAnn Johnson Davis agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. It carries a maximum sentence of 20 years and a maximum fine of $1 million.

Chatham County Housing Authority executive director signs plea agreement for conspiracy to commit wire fraud

Court documents obtained by WRAL News show JoAnn Johnson Davis agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. It carries a maximum sentence of 20 years and a maximum fine of $1 million.

Monica Casey, WRAL Durham reporter

Stymied by bank customer service, woman turns to 5 On Your Side to get money back after ID theft

Through a brutal mix of traditional and cyber-crime, a Raleigh woman lost every penny in her bank account. When she went to her bank for help, she says she was met with resistance until she contacted WRAL 5 On Your Side.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

When bank customer service gave her the runaround, 5 On Your Side got woman's money back

A Raleigh woman had bank accounts drained after a car break-in. Here's how 5 On Your Side got every penny back!

Chatham County's Housing Authority leader accused of fraud that helped friends and family

Prosecutors allege JoAnn Johnson Davis and her co-conspirators would concoct bids for housing authority projects under fake names or under the name of unwitting companies, then award the projects to friends, family and relatives. Because other bids were fake, the bidders known to Davis did not face any legitimate competition for the bids.

Director of Chatham Housing Authority faces fraud, identity theft charges

Prosecutors allege JoAnn Johnson Davis and her co-conspirators would concoct bids for housing authority projects under fake names or under the name of unwitting companies, then award the projects to friends, family and relatives.

Monica Casey, WRAL Durham reporter

US couple accused of spying for Russia, stealing identities of dead babies

A couple in Hawaii is accused of spying for the Russians and stealing the identities of babies who died in Texas.

Bank of America owes over $200 million to customers after botching unemployment payments during pandemic

Bank of America faces more than $200 million in fines and hundreds of millions more in restitution to customers for botching the disbursement of state unemployment benefits at the height of the pandemic.

Keely Arthur, WRAL 5 on Your Side reporter

Organized crime rings using identity theft to steal pandemic funds

Organized crime rings are using identity theft to steal billions of dollars meant for Americans out of work.

Is your password on the 'Dark Web'? Here are the easy to crack top 20

If you choose a password that's easy to remember and thus easy to crack you could be headed for a data breach via the Dark Web. Here are the top 20 passwords found on the Dark Web. Is yours on the list?

States Warn Fake Pop-Up Virus Testing Sites Collect Personal Data

With the surge in cases fueled by the omicron variant came a surge in the demand for coronavirus tests -- and right behind it, a surge in accusations of fraud and warnings to American consumers about dodgy coronavirus testing locations.

Ada Petriczko, New York Times

Could this be Raleigh's next $1B 'homegrown' company?

Bill Spruill and Charles Gaddy founded Global Data Consortium and built a global identity verification platform that helps businesses fight fraud and identity theft.

Seven members of Wake family, three others plead guilty in identity theft ring

Seven members of a Wake County family and three others have pleaded guilty to fraud charges in connection with a phony credit repair service that was used to steal identities and run up credit charges, authorities said Thursday.

Important steps after the death of a loved one

Losing one's loved one is devastating; trying to get a handle on all the practical tasks after the funeral can feel impossible. Here is a checklist to make it easier.

Liisa Ogburn

Got decals? The personal information your car stickers may reveal

Crime prevention experts say it's important to protect personal information, whether it's posted on social media or stuck to a car window.

NBC News

Feds: Wake family stole identities, ran up debt in bogus credit repair operation

Eight members of a Wake County family face fraud and identity theft charges in connection with what federal authorities say was a phony credit repair service.

Authorities: Nurse stole elderly patient's identity, used it to get loans, credit cards

A licensed practical nurse at a Smithfield nursing home is charged with stealing a patient's identity and then racking up loans and credit card charges in the elderly man's name, authorities said Wednesday.

Security expert: How to protect yourself in busy airports

Greg Manson, Director of Security, Audit, and Compliance at Carolinas IT, shares some security measures to be aware of while traveling through airports.

Police: Garner man ordered duplicate license from DMV as part of identity theft scheme

A Garner man is accused of wracking up hundreds of fraudulent charges on a bogus online credit account he created with the help of a driver's license he ordered from the state Division of Motor Vehicles, according to an arrest warrant.

5 indicted in identity theft scheme that bilked millions from veterans

First, they secretly photographed the Social Security and bank account numbers of thousands of veterans and senior military members on a computer screen at a U.S. Army base in South Korea.

Neil Vigdor, New York Times

Graham woman charged with stealing $1,700 from roommate

A Graham woman faces identity theft charges after she allegedly used her roommate's bank accounts to withdraw more than $1,700, according to the Alamance County Sheriff's Office.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL digital journalist

Here’s What Consumers Need to Know

It has become a drearily familiar story: A data breach at a major company exposes troves of sensitive information, putting millions of people at risk of online fraud.

David Yaffe-Bellany, New York Times

Former Gov. Pat McCrory said his identity was stolen while he was in office

Nobody is completely safe from identity theft. Even the governor.

Jason O. Boyd, WRAL.com digital journalist

Hacking an issue across NC counties

The hacking of personal information is a problem sweeping across local communities, and Wake County government leaders are taking action to make sure residents' personal details in their files are protected.

Business identities subject to theft, too

You're probably familiar with identity theft, where someone pretends to be you to make purchases, apply for credit or even get your tax refund. But did you know the same could happen to your business?