Story Archive

Social Insecurity

According to federal officials, Oliver Montgomery stole money from clients at the Social Security Administration office in Charlotte, N.C., where he worked. First, they say, he submitted a fraudulent request to reinstate a woman’s suspended benefits, then diverted the $12,000 in back payments to his own bank account. Then, he allegedly hacked into the account of a former prison inmate, updating the records to show he’d been freed two years earlier — and diverted the $27,000 back payment to his own account. The scheme came to light when his ex-girlfriend pressed him to repay a debt to her. Montgomery sent her a selfie showing him in his office with stacks of cash. She sent the photo to federal officials. He was arrested and charged with theft of government money, and aggravated identity theft. (MS/Charlotte Observer) ...A clear case of selfie incrimination.