Chief Thomas Culpepper of the Cartersville Police Department has been advised of a new identity theft scam taking place across the country.  The “Gangster Disciples” gang has an identity theft scam going on across the county and it has occurred twice in the City of Cartersville.

The mode of operation is: A person comes up to you and says that if you give them your ATM Card and PIN, they will go withdraw a certain amount of money. They tell you to report the loss of your information to the bank and police, after the withdrawal. In exchange, they offer to give you a cut of the withdrawal and say that the bank will refund all of the withdrawal once you report it. The obvious issue is that you become party to the crimes of fraud, theft by receiving, and conspiracy (a felony).

If someone approaches you in regard to taking part in this type of activity, please obtain a good description of the suspect and if possible, a tag number of their vehicle and immediately call 911 and report it.

Chief Culpepper states, “Identity theft is a serious reality in our world today.  Unless you personally make a purchase or payment with a debit or credit card, do not give your information to anyone else.”