A Wisconsin woman is facing felony charges after authorities said fake military IDs were used to steal thousands of dollars from a Hiawatha Bank customer’s account.
The Pierce County Journal identified the woman as Jessica Rose Levine, 35, and reported that she had no address listed in court records.
Levine was ordered to pay a $20,000 cash bond June 29 in Pierce County Circuit Court, according to the outlet.
Pierce County Jail records show Levine was booked June 25 by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office on charges of misappropriating ID information to obtain money, fraud against a financial institution, and theft of movable property.
Police Say Fake Military IDs Were Used
The alleged fraud happened in Hager City and involved a Hiawatha Bank customer’s account, according to the Pierce County Journal.
Authorities said fake military IDs were used, and the outlet reported that thousands of dollars were stolen from the customer last week.
The Jail Record Lists Three Felony Charges
The identity-related charge points to the alleged use of another person’s information to obtain money. The bank-fraud charge points to the financial institution as part of the alleged scheme, while the theft charge covers the money or property authorities say was taken.
Pierce County Jail records list cash bond on each of the three charges, with total bail shown at $20,000.
Levine remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty or unless she enters a plea.
Bank Customers Should Move Fast After An Unauthorized Withdrawal
The Federal Trade Commission says identity thieves can drain bank accounts, damage credit, and create other financial problems for victims.
Customers should check account activity often and turn on bank alerts for withdrawals, transfers, and unusual transactions. If money disappears, the customer should contact the bank’s fraud department immediately, say the withdrawal was unauthorized, and ask the bank to reverse it.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says a bank or credit union generally has 10 business days to investigate after a customer reports an unauthorized transaction.
Victims should ask the bank to preserve teller notes, withdrawal slips, signatures, surveillance video, copies of any identification presented, and account-change records from the period around the withdrawal.
What To Check If Someone Used Your Identity At A Bank
Anyone who suspects their identity information was used should report it through IdentityTheft.gov, place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the major credit bureaus, and file a police report.
Bank customers should also ask whether any address, phone number, email, debit card, check order, authorized signer, online banking login, or security setting was changed before or after the suspicious transaction.
Hiawatha National Bank’s own fraud guidance tells customers to review monthly and online statements carefully and call immediately if they see suspicious activity. It also recommends monitoring accounts frequently so problems can be found sooner.
For older relatives or anyone who does not use online banking often, family members can help set up balance alerts and regular statement checks. The sooner a suspicious withdrawal is reported, the faster the bank can lock down the account and preserve records for investigators.