PALM BAY, Fla. – The fraud detection team at Space Coast Credit Union here is being credited with helping to bust a scam.
As a result of the credit union’s efforts, Kristin Kelly Schneider, 29, has been charged with Defrauding a Financial Institution, Criminal Use of Personal Identification, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, Utter Forged Checks, and Grand Theft.
According to police in Palm Bay and West Melbourne, Florida, Schneider created a sophisticated money laundering scheme by using disguises.
Schneider allegedly had access to several stolen debit cards and would write fake checks, anywhere from $500 to $3,000, and deposit them into the victim’s bank account, Palm Bay Daily reported. Schneider then allegedly immediately withdrew the cash from an ATM.
Palm Bay Daily said that some of the victims said they had lost or misplaced their ATM cards, but never called to reported it lost or stolen. Other victims told police they aren’t aware of how Schneider accessed their accounts, the publication said.
Scam Unravels
The scam began to unravel after Schneider submitted empty deposit envelopes at the ATM, then took the cash against those deposits, Palm Bay Daily said. She allegedly also used her account and debit card to commit fraud, then later called Space Coast CU to report her debit card lost or stolen. SCCU video surveillance showed Schneider using various disguises, Palm Bay Daily reported.
Local police alleged Schneider also visited numerous Walmarts and used the stolen debit card to get cash back during a small purchase.
Schneider also met people online, made fake deposits into their accounts, and gave them a third of the cash, Palm Day Daily said. It is still unknown how Schneider obtained the stolen plastic.