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CTA Staffer Indicted In Credit Card Info Thefts

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Nov 15, 2007 1:18 pm US/Central

CTA Staffer Indicted In Credit Card Info Thefts

Miranda Smith Was Charged Late Last Month

CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) ―

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A CTA customer service representative was indicted Thursday on identity theft charges for allegedly stealing CTA riders' credit card information and using it for her own shopping sprees.

Miranda O. Smith, 22, of Chicago, is charged with one count of aggravated identity theft (a Class 2 felony), 12 counts of identity theft (Class 4 felony) and eight counts of official misconduct (Class 3 felony) in connection with four separate incidents, according to a release from the Cook County State's Attorney's office. If convicted, she faces up to seven years in prison.

According to the indictments, Smith was responsible for taking calls and credit card information from customers to replenish their CTA fare cards. She would take the printout information, including credit card numbers,, with her when she left work and give it to two males, one of whom was her boyfriend, the release said. Smith and the two males would then use the information to make purchases from local department stores, including Nordstrom's and Macy's.

Chicago police arrested Smith on Oct. 19 while she was at work at the CTA. When arrested, she had eight more customer printouts in her personal bag, the release said.

Smith is scheduled to appear for arraignment on Dec. 4 at 9 a.m. in Criminal Court at 2650 S. California.

Oak Brook police also said two retail establishments contacted them in July about "suspicious" phone orders for merchandise that totaled $913.78 and $2,100. Phone orders were placed to stores and paid for by credit card by Smith, and other individuals arrived to pick up the merchandise, which was not turned over due to identification issues. Chicago Police were contacted and investigators linked Smith to the four incidents, the release said.

According to the CTA, Smith handled credit card transactions for 373 customers. Based on an investigation by the CTA's Inspector General, the agency believes the number of victims may be about 10 percent of that 373, though CTA notified all 373 and will offer credit monitoring services for a year.

CTA employees who handle credit card information will now undergo additional training and monitoring, according to the agency, and will be required to provide a daily log of transactions.