Racine, WI man caught attempting ID theft

Saddle Bronc · May 16, 2008

Spelling Errors Catch an Identity Thief

A would-be identity thief was caught after a series of stupid mistakes, including repeatedly misspelling his victim’s name on order forms.

Lance Coleman of Racine, Wisconsin attempted to steal $47,000 worth of computer and other electronic equipment from Dell Inc. by impersonating Skechers USA Inc. CEO Robert Greenberg. According to news reports, Coleman identified himself as Greenberg when he placed a telephonic order for the equipment. At that time, he gave the correct tax identification number for the company, but misspelled both Mr. Greenberg’s and the company’s name. He also told the Dell account manager that the shoe company was moving its headquarters from California to Wisconsin, and gave his apartment address for delivery. In addition, Coleman gave an email address linked to an Internet provider, rather than a corporate address. That prompted the account manager to alert Skechers and the FBI.

Coleman was arrested at his apartment after an FBI agent, dressed as a delivery man, attempted to deliver the package from Dell and Coleman signed Greenberg’s name. Coleman pleaded guilty to scheming to defraud using the telephone and Internet.

—Source: The Wall Street Journal