DEAD MAN WALKING?Identity Theft Through

Death Certificate Issuance

Application Review Processes

PresenterSue Bordeaux

OklahomaCenter for Health StatisticsDivision of Vital Records

Our Subject

Earnest Richardson aka Charles Boags ( Charles Boags deceased 1999)

62 year old male

Long criminal history

The Victims

Families of Males who died in the State of Oklahoma

Large Corporations

Consumers

The Investigation

Report by corporate security of fraudulent credit applications for recently deceased individuals to the authorities

Authorities investigate gathering the facts and commonalities of the case

Investigation identifies that all victims are deceased

Investigators contact Vital Records

The Investigation (cont.)

Vital Records searches for the names of the decedents

Records identified and history of the documents noted

Many applications still maintained in storage

Applications located

Mr. Boags identified as the applicant for the death certificates

The Investigation (cont.)

Receipt system allowed for the location of numerous receipts from Mr. Boags and his application for additional death records

Other evidence: Store applications for credit Store surveillance video U-Haul receipt (fingerprint evidence linking “Mr.

Boags” to Mr. Richardson)

The Investigation (cont.)

Evidence is prepared by authorities that includes corresponding evidence that identifies the decedent, the date of death, the date of death certificate application and the date application was made for store accounts

The Crime

Mr. Richardson assumed the identities of at least 20 Decedents

Oklahoma specific applicationsDonald Howard, Attorney/JudgeCharles Guthrie, D.D.S.Jim Ferris-Business Owner, RealtorJames Dunn-Director, Lloyd Noble Center

The Crime (cont.)

100,000+ in losses at: Target, Home Depot, Gordon’s Jewelers, Radio Shack, Zales Jewelers, Gateway, JC Penney, American Eagle, Dayton Tire, Dillards, Maytag, K-Mart, Lowe’s, Payless Cashways, Pep Boys, Sprint

The Crime (cont.)Obituary published in the newspaper including the decedents date of birth, date of death, place of death and occupation

Mr. Richardson submitted applications for death certificates using a false name of Charles Boags (deceased) and a false address

Death Certificate provided all of the information Mr. Richardson needed to assume an identity including the full name of the decedent, address, spouse’s name, SSN, DOB and parents names

The Outcome

All documentation is in order and Mr. Richardson is indicted on Federal charges of Identity Theft and False use of a Social Security Account NumberA warrant is issued for his arrestMr. Richardson is arrested in Pasadena, California in possession of a Driver’s License in a false name

The Outcome (cont.)Victims family members testify in court

Mr. Richardson (62 yrs of age) pleads guilty to four counts of fraud and using a Social Security number

Mr. Richardson is sentenced to serve 8.5 years in prison, double what the federal sentencing guidelines suggest

Lessons LearnedStay alert to the possible uses for death certificate issuance for fraudulent purposesEstablish tracking system for receipt of fees with name of applicantMaintain document historyMaintain applicationsFront office personnel should be aware of their “regular” applicantsNotify all satellite offices of a possible fraud

Partnerships

Oklahoma State Department of Health-Division of Vital Records

The Federal Bureau of Investigation

THANK YOU