Deputies conducted surveillance and arrested two suspects in a credit card information theft case, according to Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station officials.

On February 22, 2015, a woman reported her credit card information was used to make a fraudulent purchase at the “Buy Buy Baby” store in Valencia, according to Sheriff’s Station Deputies. The suspect purchased a gift card using her account information.

The suspect in the case was described by the store clerk as a heavyset male weighing in excess of 400 lbs. who provided a fictitious name of Elliott Mandi during the credit card transaction, according to Sheriff’s Station Deputies. Detective Jones was able to identify the suspect’s true name by searching social media and locating a user account under the fictitious last name of Mandi.

While examining the photos the suspect displayed on his social media account, Detective Jones noticed the suspect matched the clerk’s description, appearing to weigh in excess of 400 pounds, according to Sheriff’s Station Deputies. The detective also noted some of the photos depicted the suspect holding prescription medication bottles with his true name, Elliott Mandighomi.
Detective Jones began to surveil the suspect, and he identified the suspect’s wife, Ashley Poots, as a second suspect in the crime, according to Sheriff’s Station Deputies.

On May 15, 2015, deputies from the Crime Impact Team (CIT) conducted surveillance near suspect Ashely Poots’ place of work in Burbank, according to Sheriff’s Station Deputies. Suspect Poots was arrested on a traffic stop during the surveillance for Identity Theft, Section 530.5(a) of the Penal Code. She was transported to and booked at Santa Clarita Valley Station.

Suspect Elliott Mandighomi was later arrested and a search of his residence was conducted and additional evidence of crime was located, according to Sheriff’s Station Deputies. Suspect Mandighomi was transported to and booked at Santa Clarita Valley Station for Identity Theft, 530.5(a) of the Penal Code.

Both suspects have been since released on bond and are returning to San Fernando Court on June 12, 2015, for arraignment, according to Sheriff’s Station Deputies. Crimes such as identity theft and fraudulent use of a person’s identity can be very difficult to investigate.

It can take months to gather the data needed to identify and locate a suspect, according to Sheriff’s Station Deputies. The victim is frequently stuck with a lower credit score and hours of phone calls and letters to businesses who opened the fraudulent accounts.

This is attempted to ensure creditors are aware the victim is not responsible for the fraudulent charges, according to Sheriff’s Station Deputies. Following the investigation, it was determined the suspects purchased the victim’s information online and proceeded to use their information, along with other victim’s information to purchase gift cards and merchandise.

More information from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station:

There are some things you can do to lessen your chances of being a victim, such as:

Shred Everything
Anything with an account number, signature, social security number or any personal information can be used against you, and since most people throw this stuff in the trash, it is readily available for dumpster-diving thieves. Shredding your bills, ATM and credit card receipts, pay stubs, bank statements and anything else with confidential information is a much safer alternative.

Watch Your Back
While many identity thefts take place anonymously via the Internet and the phone, sometimes the crimes are committed by people standing right behind you. Whenever you’re entering private information, such as account or PIN numbers, make sure nobody else is watching.

Keep Track Of Your Documents
Unless you absolutely have to, do not walk around in public with your social security card, passport, birth certificate, or extra bank cards. You will rarely need them, and you can be faced with a predicament if they are lost. On that note, if you lose your wallet or even a single bank card, make sure to cancel it immediately, even if you think you will find it soon.
Check Your Statements, Bills and Credit Reports

Whenever you receive a bill or bank statement in the mail, check it in a timely fashion for any unauthorized charges or activity. If you see charges you never made, it is possible someone obtained more than just your credit card number. If you see anything, report it immediately to prevent any further harm. Also, get a yearly credit report to see if there is anything erroneous, which can be done for free at sites like annualcreditreport.com.

Protect Your Mail
Stolen mail is one of the easiest ways a thief can find and use your identity. If you can, purchase a lockable mailbox or a mail slot for your door. When sending mail, put it in a secure U.S. Post Office collection bin rather than leave it in your mailbox. If you are going to be away, even for short periods of time, have your mail held at the post office. Finally, put as little personal information, as in account or social security numbers, on the outside of envelopes.

Protect Your Computer
Regularly updating your computer spyware and virus protection software can prevent criminals from gaining access to accounts and credit cards, so keep your safeguards current. Also, make sure you know who you are dealing with online. Buy products and download files only from trusted sites and beware of phishing scams.

Avoid Pre-Approved Credit Card Offers
Credit card offers that you receive in the mail are an easy way for scammers to set up accounts in your name. Rather than throwing them away in the trash, shred or destroy them to make sure nobody can get to them. The Federal Trade Commission recommends you call 1-888-5-OPTOUT or visit www.optoutprescreen.com to take you off the lists for receiving pre-approved credit and insurance offers from the major companies.

Protect Your Checks
Keep your checks as secure as possible. The information printed on them, such as name, address, and bank account number, can pretty much give the keys to your life to any common identity thief. Do not print your driver’s license, social security, or credit card numbers on the checks themselves, and shred any canceled checks with vital information on them. Another option is to have your first initial instead of your full first name printed on the check, so even if a thief gets a hold of one, he or she will not have your full name. Finally, when ordering new checks, pick them up from your bank instead of getting them mailed to you.

Avoid Online Scams
Unsolicited emails offering lottery winnings or safe investment strategies are more likely scams than legitimate business transactions. Foreign companies will not use an email to request local residents’ assistance with transferring millions of dollars in assets with an incentive of a large commission. Ignore such offers as they are scams designed to steal your money and/or your identity.

You should periodically check your credit score with one of the three major credit score companies:
Equifax at (800) 685-1111.
Experian at (888) 397-374
TransUnion
Consumer Relations (800) 916-8800
Report Fraud (800) 888-4213
Free Credit Report at (877) 322-8228
Remember, if you have been the victim of credit fraud [15 USC §1681j(b)] or are denied credit [15 USC §1681j(c)(3)] you are entitled to a free credit report.
Criminal activity can be reported anonymously by calling “LA Crime Stoppers” at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website at LAcrimestoppers.org (reference #01113).
There is no further information on this crime available at this time.

Written By:
Lieutenant Brenda Cambra