Credit Union Employee Helps Catch a Thief

Credit Union Employee Helps Catch a Thief
November 17, 2017 Marketing GrafWebCUSO

Following an audit, a Louisiana woman was accused of allegedly stealing more than $10,000 from a credit union where she was employed, while an alert credit union employee in Florida helped police catch a woman running a fraudulent car loan scheme.

Alyse Jones, 22, a former member service officer for the $269 million Carter Federal Credit Union in Springhill, La., was accused of stealing $10,670 from her cash drawer and from the credit union’s vault, according to Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator.

Police said Jones attempted to cover up the theft by manipulating data on the credit union’s IT system to show that members withdrew the funds. But an audit uncovered the alleged crime and the credit union contacted police.  Following an investigation, Jones was charged with felony theft.

Carter FCU did not return CU Times messages seeking comment about this case.

The $4 billion Space Coast Credit Union in Melbourne, Fla., confirmed a local media report about how an employee helped police arrest 24-year-old Shatavia Brown.

She allegedly used a fake Social Security number as well as a bogus address and driver’s license number when applying for a $14,395 car loan.

The credit union’s loss prevention officer, however, found the Social Security number didn’t belong to Brown. An employee who processed Brown’s suspicious loan application and notified police, called Brown to come to the branch to pick up the car loan check. While Brown was completing the credit union’s paperwork, police moved in and arrested her, according to local media reports.

Police are investigating whether Brown is a potential suspect in additional fraud schemes that victimized other local financial institutions.

“Fraud is on the rise everywhere, and criminals are more cunning then ever in their attempt to defraud consumers and institutions,” Space Coast Credit Union Vice President of Operations Kim Lynn said.

As our members’ watchdog, Space Coast Credit Union promises our members’ to always watch out for their financial interests, including being vigilant and alert to suspicious behavior.  We commend the quick action of our employees and their collaboration, which allowed us to spot the suspicious behavior, report it to authorities, and then help coordinate the arrest.  We fight fraud on a daily basis, and it is gratifying when the story ends well with the bad guy being caught.”