Augusta Fraud

Someone seems happy to be in jail.

This is 21-year-old Beverly McGruder, who was busted Thursday in Richmond County on a charge of financial identity fraud.

Identity fraud and identity theft are no laughing matter. According to the Federal Trade Commission, 1 in 6 Americans will be a victim of identity theft this year alone. In the last 12 months, 9.93 million people have had some type of identity theft crime committed against them.

Victims spend on average $1,200 in out-of-pocket expenses and an average of 175 hours in your efforts to resolve the many problems caused by identity thieves. Criminal identity theft occurs when an imposter gives another person's name and personal information such as a drivers' license, date of birth, or Social Security number (SSN) to obtain a job, housing, money, goods, or other services. Or, the imposter may present to a counterfeit license or form of ID containing another person's data.

So we can only hope the justice system will hold Beverly accountable if she is convicted. And maybe they will wipe that smile off her face.