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Financial Planner Stole Clients' Identities

Last updated on Wednesday, September 12, 2012

(INDIANAPOLIS) - A former financial planner was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of probation for stealing personal identity information of about 3,000 clients and using the information to open new accounts, make purchases and cash advances and reroute the clients’ mail.

RTV6 reports, Andrew W. Myers, 33, a former financial planner at Northwestern Mutual and One America - American United Life in Indianapolis pleaded guilty to identity theft Tuesday.

While working as a financial planner, Myers stole client files containing names, contact information, Social Security numbers and financial account information, and he stored the files in a rented storage unit in Indianapolis.

Myers also filed change of address forms with the post office of the individuals whose information he'd stolen, and he'd have their mail routed to one of three post office boxes he'd set up around the city or foreclosed homes that he knew were vacant.

Myers used the routed mail and online credit reports to identify additional bank accounts and credit accounts that the individuals held.

Then, Myers used the information to open new bank accounts and lines of credit in his victims' names and requested replacement ATM cards, checks and credit cards for the existing accounts that he used to make purchases or cash advances.

Myers was arrested in August 2011, was charged in state court and was released on bond.

While Myers was out on bond, he stole more personal information from other people and used the information to open new accounts and request replacement cards from existing accounts.

Myers then charged about $30,000 to the accounts, which included a trip to Los Angeles and a party at the Playboy Mansion.

Myers was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $48,488.66.

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