Proving no one is safe, America’s chief banker, Ben Bernanke, becomes a victim of ID theft
August 28, 2009 – 12:11 pm
It was revealed this week that Ben Bernanke, head of the Federal Reserve, and his wife, head of Ben Bernanke, were victims of identity theft last year. Ann Bernanke was at a Starbucks when her purse was snatched off the back of her chair. Included in its contents was a checkbook for the Bernanke’s joint account.
Unfortunately for the Bernankes this purse snatcher was no ordinary thief. He was part of a theft ring called “Cannon to the Wiz” and soon the personal information on the check (including name, bank account, home address and phone number) was in the possession of capable people who can do very bad things. Days after the theft, several checks were cashed from the joint account.
A lesson to be learned by the crime ring: don’t tick off the chair of the Federal Reserve. After the checks came out of his account Ben was not pleased. Although there’s nothing official that states so, it’s hard to believe that the investigation into the crime ring wasn’t given higher priority at Bernanke’s request. The result is that one of the ring leaders that went by “Big Head,” Clyde Austin Gray Jr., has already pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and the rest of the ring is under heavy investigation.
Ben Bernanke released this statement regarding the theft: “Identity theft is a serious crime that affects millions of Americans each year. Our family was but one of 500 separate instances traced to one crime ring. I am grateful for the law enforcement officers who patiently and diligently work to solve and prevent these financial crimes.”
If it can happen to him, it can happen to you.
Tags: ben bernanke, cannon to the wiz, crime ring, fed reserve, federal reserve, head of federal reserve, ID theft, id theft victim, identity theft, victim
