Identity theft increases in West Plains

CHENEY – A rash of identity theft is hitting the West Plains.

Two to three cases a week are now crossing the desk of Detective Matt Pumphrey, who deals with the crimes in Cheney and watched them rise within the past 16 months.

Stealing personal information out of homes, cars, garbage cans and off the Internet are the most common ploys in the area, Pumphrey said.

Many of his cases start in Cheney but often lead into surrounding cities and states; even as far as Canada. One victim in Cheney lost $50,000, another: $30,000, he said.

Pumphrey believes the crimes are unrelated and are simply a product of Internet accessibility and people’s vulnerability.

The elderly and college-age people are the most common victims, Pumphrey said. Elderly residents are more trusting in giving out their personal information. College-age students may be receiving lots of credit card applications and are less wary of online scams. Identity thieves are often unemployed and can be any age, Pumphrey said.

Scams differ, but perpetrators often offer “prizes” or pose as figures of authority, then ask for personal information. Phone calls asking for donations can be scams as well.

In one recent episode, Cheney police tracked a man poking through Dumpsters in the dark. He’d filled a bag, which officers took and found someone else’s discarded checks.

“A phone call was made to that person, and that person said, ‘Um, no, that person isn’t supposed to have my checks, nor did I ever give those checks to that person. I threw them away,’ ” Pumphrey said, recalling the recent case.

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said they’ve seen more identity theft on the West Plains within the past two to three years, not just the past 16 months.

The Midwest Counterdrug Training Center, which educates law enforcement officials, lists identity theft as the fastest-growing crime in the nation.

“It’s low risk, it’s high return and fairly easy to accomplish,” said Sgt. Dave Reagan, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office spokesman. “The people involved with drug culture learn this very quickly. They share their information with other drug addicts.”

Reagan noted identity theft crimes don’t carry the same lengthy prison sentences as other types of robbery. People must be convicted multiple times before they do time, he said.