REDMOND, Wash. - Carol Lindros couldn't believe that someone behind bars was cashing in on her stolen credit cards.
"It blew me away" Carol says. "That they were capable of doing that. I thought they were supposed to do their time. That's what I thought."
I was the first to tell Carol that $300 worth of charges on her cards went to a vendor that handles pre-paid phone accounts for inmates in state prisons and county jails.
My investigation revealed that five inmates put money on their accounts using Carol's credit card. Three came from the Pierce County Jail in Tacoma. Two are in state prisons - one is locked up in the Coyote Ridge facility in Connell and the other is in the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla.
"The good thing is this was brought to our attention we were able to do something about it," said Det. Ed Troyer with the Pierce County Sheriff's Office.
After I informed the sheriff's office, investigators listened to the recordings of the prisoners calls and learned they were teaching people on the outside how to steal identities.
"They are not calling mom. They are not calling grandma. They are calling someone to enhance their criminal lifestyle and teach them how to wash checks and commit fraud. So, that's a crime and that's a crime so we're going to make sure they are punished," Troyer adds.
TheWashington State Department of Corrections has also launched an investigation. They are looking for any link between the suspects.
"We got some investigative information some leads and we'll pursue it," said Dan Pacholke, Dept. of Corrections.
We are working with Carol's credit card company to make sure she gets credited and receives enhanced security features on her new account.
"By you doing this, it's made my neighbors aware. Everybody was floored when they found this out,
said Carol.
Detectives also want to know if there are any other victims of this ring. So, get your credit card statement and look for a payment to 'Debit Web'. If you don't know anyone locked up, call the Pierce County Sheriff's Office.
For those helping the suspects, Troyer says the deputies have a message for you
"People on the outside that are helping them you may get a knock on your door from our guys. And when you do, you'll be going to jail so you won't need a phone call to talk with them," said Troyer.
How did this happen in the first place? Thieves stole Carol's purse. She canceled her accounts and then opened new accounts with the same companies. We believe the thieves waited and called later with her personal information. They then most likely were given the new account numbers.It's worth the extra step to ask your bank or credit card company for a password to protect your account.
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