Police: 3 connected to major identity theft ring arrested in Westmoreland County
GREENSBURG, Pa. (KDKA) — State police in Westmoreland County say they've arrested three people believed to be connected to a major identity theft ring.
The three suspects are identified as Vasile Catola, Maria Branchi and Minodora Serban, who all are Romanian nationals living in Baltimore.
According to investigators, the three used a stolen Sam's Club credit card to purchase pre-paid Visa credit cards at a Walmart in Hempfield Township and one in North Huntingdon. The trio was arrested after they tried and failed to buy the cards at the North Huntingdon store.
If you look at identity theft, the numbers are sobering, according to the Federal Trade Commission's most recent figures from 2020. They show 33% of citizens in the U.S. have experienced identity theft, and the FTC handled 2.2 million fraud reports.
Every year, 15 million Americans become victims of identity theft, which costs people in the U.S. $56 billion.
"Do the best to guard your identity," state police trooper Stephen Limani said. "Pay attention to credit card readers, make sure when you're swiping your card nothing looks suspicious at the machine you are using."
According to investigators, the three told troopers they were acting as part of a wider international identity theft ring. Denied bond, all three are in the Westmoreland County Jail on numerous felony theft counts.
Investigators say they're also looking for a potential fourth suspect.