Keven Lawrence Cody McCleve, Unauthorized Access of Bank Accounts, Arizona 2019

A Phoenix private investigator has been sentenced for his role in a scheme to obtain personal banking information from banks across the state.

Keven Lawrence Cody McCleve, 61, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was sentenced to three years' probation and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich on September 9, 2019.

During his 30-year career as a licensed private investigator, McCleve developed a practice of making pretextual phone calls to banks and other financial institutions, lying about his identity to obtain personal banking information about individuals he was investigating.

Mccleve would often provide the bank with an individual's social security number, date of birth, and other personally identifiable information in an attempt to convince the bank he was that particular individual.

In response, banks would frequently provide personal information about the individual's bank accounts, including account balances, and recent withdrawals and deposits.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Stone handling the prosecution.

Mccleve has been ordered to give up all professional licenses and is not allowed to acquire any professional license while on probation.

This case highlights the importance of protecting personal banking information and the consequences of violating federal laws related to identity theft and bank account access.

The sentencing of Keven Lawrence Cody McCleve serves as a warning to those who would seek to exploit vulnerabilities in our financial systems.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-az/pr/long-time-private-investigator-sentenced-practice-making-pretextual-phone-calls