A nationwide study conducted by ID Analytics, an anti-identity fraud firm, reveals that are approximately 10,000 active fraud rings in the United States with most located along the southeast coast. According to NBC News, the head researcher of the study reports that, despite common misconceptions, most people committing identity theft are not professional criminal organizations but friends and family members.

The study found that more than half of fraud rings the company discovered consisted of multiple family members. To track down these criminal gangs, ID Analytics cross-referenced credit applications with car dealers, wireless companies, and major banks and looked for indicators of fraud. ID Analytics has previously found sex offenders living double lives and people sharing Social Security numbers.

Researchers also found that, while identity theft occurs more in urban areas, most crime rings are located in rural areas. They offer a possible explanation with the higher rates of meth addiction in rural areas, as meth addicts are more likely to trade credit card applications and stolen mail for drugs.

If you have been the victim of identity theft, an identity theft attorney can help you pursue legal action against those responsible for ruining your credit and stealing your money. To learn about your legal options, contact the legal team at the Law Office of Russell Van Beustring, P.C. by calling 713-973-6650.

A 37 year-old League City man was sentenced this week to more than six years in prison after he pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated identity theft and access device fraud. The man bought more than $200,000 worth of Apple products on fraudulent credit cards.

The thief was caught last August after he tried to purchase iPads and iPhones at the Memorial City Mall Apple Store. He presented an employee with a fake Florida ID with a different name on it, but the employee recognized the name since it had been used for fraudulent transactions at several other stores in the state.

Authorities found 20 credit cards, a debit card, and eight iPads and iPhones in his rental car with more than $6,000. Along with his prison term, the man must serve three years supervised release and pay a $157,501 fine.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of identity theft, contact the identity theft lawyers of the Law Offices of Russell Van Beustring, P.C. today at 713-973-6650.

The Internal Revenue Service conducted a nation-wide sweep on identity theft and tax fraud last week, targeting 105 individuals in 23 states. A total of 58 arrests were made, along with 10 guilty pleas, 69 indictments, and four sentencings.

The IRS purposefully conducted the sweep at the beginning of tax season in hopes to thwart others who are considering filing fraudulent tax returns. Last year, the IRS uncovered 260,000 instances of fraudulent income tax returns amounting in $1.4 billion in would-be refunds.

Identity theft is an increasing problem. 2011 saw a 20 percent increase in identity theft from 2010. The IRS also investigated 150 money services businesses to ensure they are not aiding in theft or tax fraud.

If you have been a victim of identity theft, contact the Houston identity theft lawyers of the Law Offices of Russell Van Beustring, P.C. today at 713-973-6650.

Thousands of thieves have been using pictures of deceased children to run scams on Facebook. In the case of one English mother, the 37 year-old found pictures of her deceased daughter on a Facebook page asking for donations to help pay for a heart transplant.

The donations link went to a personal PayPal account, and an investigation tracked the Facebook page to Jamaica. However, authorities told the woman she does not have an identity theft case since money was not directly stolen from her.

An estimated 140,000 deceased children become victims of identity theft each year. Social Security numbers of deceased Americans are published online by the Social Security Administration, a site that can be accessed by anyone.

If your identity has been stolen and your credit compromised, contact the Houston identity theft lawyers of the Russell Van Beustring P.C., at 713-973-6650.