Willis Yurs has been charged with aggravated identity theft – a class 1 felony which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
A 67 year old man complained to the Waterman St Police Department in Sycamore, Illinois that he thought his former stepson – Willis Yurs – had stolen his identity and was using it to open credit card accounts.
According to court documents Yurs used his former step fathers name, address and social security number to purchase goods from 25 different stores as well as obtaining credit cards. Over a year he spent over $24,000
Yurs had bail set at $100,000 when he made his first court appearance at the county courthouse in Sycamore.
Joe says: When someone has their identity stolen the first thought is that it is some faceless criminal who has managed to hack their computer or gone through the trash but in reality it is much more likely that you will know the thief as it can often be an opportunistic crime.
Invest in a strong box or small safe and keep documents such as your social security card in it. Shred or burn any documents with personal information on them as soon as you are done with them. Don’t leave them lying around the house for anyone to see, including your extended family.
Nobody likes to think the worst of anyone but how well do you really know your Son’s friends, your Daughters boyfriend, your Sister’s new man etc? There is no point in putting temptation in front of them by leaving bank statements or other personal information lying around.
