Two Bronx men allegedly used stolen identities to open Nordstrom credit accounts and make purchases and merchandise returns across four states before a suspicious return at a New Jersey mall drew the attention of store security.
Erik A. Lake, 30, and David M. Suliz, 29, were arrested August 5 after a Nordstrom loss-prevention officer at Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus alerted police to a suspected fraudulent merchandise return.
Investigators determined that the merchandise had been purchased fraudulently at a Nordstrom store in McLean, Virginia, according to News 12 New Jersey.
Police say the investigation then uncovered multiple Nordstrom credit accounts opened using personal information belonging to several victims. Lake and Suliz now face identity theft, credit card fraud and other charges.
Police Say Stolen Identities Were Used to Open Credit Accounts
Investigators accuse the pair of opening multiple Nordstrom credit accounts using personal information belonging to other people. The information allegedly included victims’ names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses and Social Security numbers.
Police say those accounts were then used to make purchases and process fraudulent merchandise returns at Nordstrom stores in Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.
A Return at Garden State Plaza Drew Police Attention
The Paramus investigation began when Nordstrom loss-prevention personnel alerted an officer assigned to the police department’s Crime Suppression Unit to a suspicious merchandise return. Police determined that the merchandise being exchanged had allegedly been fraudulently purchased at Nordstrom in McLean, Virginia.
After leaving Westfield Garden State Plaza, Lake and Suliz entered a black BMW X2 with Virginia license plates. Officers detained the two men at the vehicle. Police said Suliz was carrying multiple fraudulent credit cards, while Lake had a Nordstrom gift card.
A search of the BMW produced more than $5,000 worth of merchandise investigators believe had been fraudulently obtained. The recovered items included two pairs of Chanel sunglasses, a Coach purse, Vera Bradley bags and backpacks, Purple Brand shorts and several pairs of Rag & Bone jeans.
That $5,000 figure applies to merchandise recovered from the vehicle and should not be treated as the total loss associated with the alleged multistate scheme.
Both Men Face Five Charges
Lake and Suliz were each charged with credit card fraud, identity theft, making false statements involving credit cards, theft by deception and receiving stolen property. They were taken to the Bergen County Jail pending their first court appearances.
No plea, indictment, conviction or final court resolution had been reported following the arrests. The charges are allegations, and both men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Watch for Credit Accounts You Never Opened
Someone whose identity is used to obtain a retail credit card may discover the fraud through an unfamiliar account, credit inquiry, bill or change in a credit report. The Federal Trade Commission advises consumers to review their credit reports for accounts they did not open and information that does not belong to them. Free credit reports are available through AnnualCreditReport.com.
A consumer who discovers an unfamiliar credit account should contact the issuer’s fraud department immediately and dispute the account. Nordstrom advises customers who believe their personal or account information has been compromised to contact their bank or credit card company immediately and consider notifying a credit reporting agency.
Consumers can also place free credit freezes with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. A freeze makes it harder for someone using stolen personal information to open additional credit accounts. Anyone whose identity has already been misused can report the theft through IdentityTheft.gov and obtain a recovery plan for disputing fraudulent accounts and correcting credit records.