New York State Police in Lockport have charged a Newstead woman Friday with two class E felonies.
Hope M. Dunlap, age 38, of North Main Street, Newstead was charged with first degree scheming to defraud and second degree identity theft.
State police were alerted to suspicious online loan payments by a local federal credit union. The investigation revealed that Dunlap obtained consumer information through her employment at a local debt collection agency and then used this information for her own personal gain, the police said. This personal information consisted of checking account information and credit card numbers from at least 10 different victims. Dunlap used the compromised information to purchase merchandise online, pay utility bills and to pay for camping trips.
Dunlap was arraigned in the Town of Newstead court and was released after posting $500 bail. She is due to reappear at a future date in court.
