Contact 6: Not checking statements can bring trouble!

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Checking bank statements is one of those chores that may fall to the wayside for those who trust their banks, but FOX6's Contact 6 says when it comes to credit card statements, that trust can bring trouble!

Paul Agne says thieves stole his identity with the help of an accomplice inside his bank.

"They were hitting my home equity line. They got $10,000 out on time, $12,000 the other time," Agne said.

"When you have the assistance of someone on the inside that has all the answers to the security questions, it becomes quite easy," U.S. Postal Inspector Rodney Bohanon said.

With Agne's personal information, the identity thieves went to work.

"They were taking the money out and opening a joint account in my name and the other person`s name. They had four or five of my credit cards which they were charging on. They also had two different driver`s licenses in my name," Agne said.

Agne was just one of many.

"This case was approximately 35 victims with a dollar loss of $1.4 million," Bohanon said.

FOX6's Contact 6 says individuals should never put bank or credit card information in the garbage or recycling bin.

"Shred it or burn it so nobody can get the information. You should just have to look at your account statements; check them monthly and when you notice something has happened, contact the financial institution as well as authorities," Bohanon said.

The suspects in this case are charged with bank fraud and are still awaiting sentencing. They could face $1 million fine and up to 30 years in prison.