Credit Card Fraud

"Dead Man Walking" was the title of a movie, but it's also the nickname for a man arrested by the Postal Inspectors.

I'm Shirley Rooker for the Federal Trade Commission.

Using a bizarre twist on mail fraud and credit card fraud, Michael Dantorio was accused of using personal information from at least 17 deceased individual across the country to acquire credit cards in their names, resulting in fraudulent charges over $60,000. Hence his nickname, "Dead Man Walking."

The scheme relied on the use of several private mailboxes. He filed false changes of address for the deceased individuals and directed the credit cards to his private mailboxes. Once he received the cards, he lost no time in running up huge charges.

If you have recently lost a loved one, be on the look-out for crooks who try to take advantage when you are most vulnerable.

I'm Shirley Rooker, director of WTOP radio's Call For Action for the Federal Trade Commission.

January 2002