For people whose occupation allows them access to other people's identification or financial information, it may be tempting to use that data for purposes other than one's job duties. Because the people listed on a spreadsheet may never know that their information is being used for other reasons, it may even seem like a victimless crime. But beware: Using other people's identities for any ulterior purposes only leads to trouble -- usually in the form of a criminal conviction, fines and a prison sentence.
A former corrections officer at the South Florida Reception Center will soon be behind bars himself after pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft and access device fraud. According to prosecutors, the man had access to the personal information of hundreds of inmates, and used that access to sell the information over the course of four months last fall and winter.
