LOWNDES COUNTY, GA (WTXL) -- Deputies say they arrested two people who are responsible for stealing hundreds of identities.
Thursday night a deputy pulled over the driver of a Chevy Tahoe for failing to stay in the lane. During the stop, the deputy said he noticed that the driver and the passenger, Joan Carlos Marrero-Vienes and Franciso Enriques, were acting nervous.
Deputies said they found in excess of 160 credit cards in the names of Marrero-Vienes and Enriques. They also said they found 11 different credit card skimming devices.
Marrero-Vienes and Enriques were both arrested and taken to Lowndes Count Jail.
Identity theft and credit card skimming is a problem nation wide. Sheriff Prine says that this investigation is not over and they have contacted the United States Secret Service to help find the the victims in this case.
If you have any information on this case, or any other case you can contact the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office at {229} 671-2950 or anonymous tips can be provided at {229} 671-2985 or on line at www.lowndessheriff.com.
Fraud protection practices from Lowndes County Sheriffs Department:
- Don’t give your account number to anyone on the telephone unless you’ve made the call to a company you know to be reputable. If you’ve never done business with them before, do an online search first for reviews or complaints.
- Carry your cards separately from your wallet. It can minimize your losses if someone steals your wallet or purse. And carry only the card you need for that outing.
- During a transaction, keep your eye on your card. Make sure you get it back before you walk away.
- Never sign a blank receipt. Draw a line through any blank spaces above the total.
- Save your receipts to compare with your statement.
- Open your bills promptly — or check them online often — and reconcile them with the purchases you’ve made.
- Report any questionable charges to the card issuer.
- Notify your card issuer if your address changes or if you will be traveling.
- Don’t write your account number on the outside of an envelope.
- Report Losses and Fraud
