A woman faces a number of fraud-related charges.

 

Yesterday, police were called to the Royal Bank of Canada, located at 6190 Quinpool Road, after staff became suspicious of a customer at the bank. Officers discovered the woman in question was in possession of fake identification and was using it an attempt to access an account that did not belong to her. The suspect was arrested at the scene without incident and it was later determined that this woman successfully defrauded other financial institutions earlier in the day.

 

The matter was turned over to the HRP/RCMP Integrated Financial Crime Unit and they have laid numerous charges against the suspect. 

 

Forty-two-year-old Tammy Jacqueline McDermaid of Missisauga, Ontario currently faces a total of fourteen fraud-related charges consisting of three counts of using forged documents, two counts of identity fraud, six counts of identity theft to gain advantage and three counts of fraud over $5,000. She was held overnight and will appear in Halifax provincial court today. This investigation is ongoing and more charges are anticipated.

 

Identity theft is a reality and has become more common with advancements in technology. It involves the unauthorized collection and use of personal data, usually for criminal purposes. Essentially, criminals can use your personal information – your name, date of birth, address, social insurance number, credit card information and other banking details – to create a false identity to open bank accounts, secure credit, obtain utilities and services, rent vehicles, equipment or accommodations and even get a job. 

Source: Release