Identity thieves have found an insidious target: death row inmates. A SentiLink report published this week reveals scammers are stealing identities of Texas prisoners awaiting execution to orchestrate ‘bust-out’ fraud schemes — patiently building credit before disappearing with up to $100,000. Nearly 10% of Texas’ 172 death row inmates have fallen victim. The operation, active since March 2023, exploits inmates’ isolation from financial communications. ‘They wouldn’t receive text or email alerts from a financial institution,’ said Robin Maher of the Death Penalty Information Center.
Beyond opening credit accounts, NBC reports, fraudsters have registered fake businesses using inmates’ identities, including a landscaping company created under Ronald Haskell’s name — a man imprisoned since 2014 for killing six people. TransUnion estimates bust-out scams now cost banks $1 billion annually. The problem raises serious concerns about the security of prison systems and the vulnerability of incarcerated individuals to financial exploitation. Law enforcement agencies are now under pressure to address this growing issue, particularly as the scale of these scams continues to expand.
Experts warn that this type of identity theft not only affects the individuals involved but also undermines the integrity of the financial system. With the potential for such fraud to grow, it is essential for authorities to implement stricter safeguards to protect vulnerable populations like death row inmates. The incident highlights the need for enhanced monitoring and communication systems within correctional facilities to prevent similar incidents in the future.