Attorney General's News Release

March 22, 2007

Felony charges filed against Springfield man for allegedly engaging in identity theft

Springfield, Mo.— A Springfield man is facing criminal charges that he allegedly stole the identity of his own brother and used the information to purchase more than $2,400 worth of computer equipment online.

The charges of identity theft filed by Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Darrell Moore against Kevin W. Louderback (DOB - 3/10/71), of the 3800 block of W. Creekside Court, came after an investigation was initiated by the office of Attorney General Jay Nixon. Nixon’s office has been appointed to assist with the case, the fifth identity theft case that Nixon is helping to prosecute in the past year. Louderback was arrested on the charges on March 20.

The probable cause statement filed with the charges states that the victim, the defendant’s brother Kelly Louderback of El Dorado Springs, reported to Nixon’s office in June 2006 that someone had opened credit accounts online in his name that he had no knowledge of. The investigation revealed that the defendant fraudulently opened the accounts, using the victim’s social security number, with Dell and Gateway Computers, GEMB/Wal-Mart and Wells-Fargo National Bank, resulting in a loss of more than $2000.

Kevin Louderback is charged with one count of identity theft, a class C felony under Missouri law. A class C felony is punishable upon conviction by a maximum of seven years in prison and a $5,000 fine. As in all criminal cases, the charges against the defendant are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.

The Attorney General encourages Missourians to help prevent themselves from becoming victims of identity theft. Nixon suggests the following tips:

• Purchase an inexpensive shredder for your home and shred unwanted credit card offers and unneeded documents that contain personal or financial information;
• Never give out personal information like bank account, credit-card or Social Security number to anyone who contacts you. Only provide such data if you have initiated the contact;
• Send sensitive mail using a secure, locking drop box, rather than your curbside mailbox;
• Leave your Social Security numbers off checks and driver’s licenses;
• Opt out of pre-approved credit card offers at www.optoutprescreen.com or 1-800-5OPTOUT;
• Carry only the documents and credit cards you need. Wallet and purse theft is also a rich source of information for identity thieves; and
• Keep computers protected with a firewall, anti-spyware and anti-virus software.

Nixon also encourages consumers to watch out for identity theft by checking monthly bank statements, credit-card statements and their credit report, which they can do for free three times a year at www.annualcreditreport.com or 877-322-8228.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to the Press Secretary.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818