Oris Eugene Ford, Bank Fraud and Identity Theft, North Carolina 2023

A Raleigh man, Oris Eugene Ford, was sentenced to 36 months and 1 day in prison for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. According to court documents, Ford and others used stolen identities to open new bank and credit card accounts, resulting in financial losses of at least $158,866.00.

The schemes, which took place from October 2013 to March 2016, involved the use of stolen Personally Identifiable Information (PII) to apply for new credit card accounts with Citibank and Discover. In one scheme, credit cards were issued in the names of the actual victims, but with Ford listed as an authorized user. In another, Ford and unidentified conspirators gained access to existing credit card accounts using stolen PII and passcodes stolen from actual accountholders.

Once access was gained, the address and contact information for the accountholder was changed, and Ford’s name was added as an authorized user. The cards were then used to purchase thousands of dollars of merchandise from Walmart, Best Buy, and other retail stores. At least 80 attempted account takeovers resulted in the issuance of 50 fraudulent cards, resulting in financial losses of at least $145,129.02.

Eight attempts to open new accounts were identified, three of which were successful, resulting in a loss of at least $10,736.98. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Raleigh Police Department investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Toby Lathan prosecuted the case.

U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced Ford to 36 months and 1 day in prison. In addition to his prison sentence, Ford was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $158,866.00. G. Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing.

The case number is 18-CR-00169-FL, and related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER.

Oris Eugene Ford, 42, was charged with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft after pleading guilty on September 17, 2020. His schemes resulted in significant financial losses for the victims, who were left with the financial burden of the fraudulent purchases and account takeovers.

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