Foiled fraud scheme relied on stolen information

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — This week, Attorney General Lynn Fitch and U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger announced the 48-month sentence of Guy Gerral Georges, 32, of Hialeah, Florida, for one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The case was investigated by General Fitch’s Cyber Fraud Task Force with assistance from the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, Brandon Police Department, and U.S. Secret Service, and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District. 

“These criminals used sophisticated technology to program fake debit cards, but also PINs and other information conned out of individuals to gain access to their bank accounts,” said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. “We were able to stop this scheme, but it serves as a good reminder to guard your financial and other personal information. If you get a call, email, or text that seems suspicious or unusual, verify it. And if someone is urging you to act hastily, take a moment to think it through. A well-informed consumer is a con artist’s worst nightmare.”

Georges used a card programming device, along with information provided to him by his co-conspirator, to access several bank accounts. The information was collected through calls to account holders identified as coming from the bank’s fraud department. Customers were convinced to provide their PINs to verify their identities. General Fitch shares these tips to help protect yourself against similar fraud:

• If you paid a scammer with a gift card, tell the company that issued the card right away and report it to law enforcement to help avoid others from falling victim.
• A government agency or financial institution will never call you and ask for personal information. If you want to verify the legitimacy of a call, contact the agency or institution with contact information that you have or is publicly available. Do not use the information the caller or emailer provides.
• Be wary of anyone on social media or other online platforms requesting or offering money, loans, or grants. Even if it’s a friend, their account may be hacked.
• If you think you may be interacting with a scammer, block the account and report it to the platform.
• Never mix online dating with investment advice. If someone asks for money on an online dating app, it’s a scam.
• Never accept the help of someone who calls you and offers to help recover the losses in a scam “for a small fee.” Odds are it is the same scam artist coming back for more. 
• Don’t share financial information over social media or any other unsecure site.

Proper disposal of financial documents also helps keep them from falling into the wrong hands. Attorney General Fitch’s office hosts Shred+Med days in communities across Mississippi, providing free document shredding and device disposal. Her team also collects unused or expired medications for safe disposal at these events. There have been five Shred+Med events so far this year. The next two are scheduled for October 6 in Jackson and October 15 in Meridian.