Identity thief exploits disabled woman

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A local woman says she is the victim of fraud from a family member. Kristina Tribbey had her identity stolen and she suspects a relative, who was once considered a trusted friend.

"She [the relative] had written down my Social Security number, my birth date, my full name, and she had copied down my bank card number," Tribbey said.

The identity thief then used Tribbey's Social Security savings account to charge $1,200 worth of cell phone purchases through an internet marketing firm called Simplexity, leaving the family facing possible eviction and loss of their rental furniture due to the drain of the family's account.

Tribbey said, "I can't pay my rent, I can't pay my bills. My kids' beds, my stove, it is about to go because I can't pay for them."

The theft took place when Tribbey and her fiance Ramiro Rivas were living in Buffalo. The bank that holds Tribbey's Social Security benefits is investigating but Rivas says, Simplexity has been no help.

"They said a supervisor was going to call. I stayed next to the phone all day long. My phone never rang, saying Simplexity or any other person at all, that day," Rivas said.

Tribbey receives Social Security because of her learning disability. Her 6-year-old son is also challenged.

Psychologist Lizbeth Booth of People, Incorporated told News 4 that when persons with challenges are exploited, the predators are more likely to be family or close acquaintances.

Dr. Booth said, "Their information, who have access to personal stories about their lives, anything along that. So it is usually, often times, not a blood relative that lives in the home, but a cousin, a brother, a boyfriend, things like that."

Buffalo Police is still investigating the case.