Atlanta

Reality star becomes victim of identity theft

By Justin Wilfon, WSB-TV
By Justin Wilfon, WSB-TV

ATLANTA — Police are searching for a suspect who stole the identity of a well-known Atlanta reality star. And now they fear the suspect may have struck again.

Investigators told Channel 2's Justin Wilfon the thief wants money.
Police said she likes to spend it on shopping sprees at many different stores, including Von Maur.

The victim is Kari Wells, who once starred on the reality show Married to Medicine, and is now dealing with even more real life drama.

Wells said someone stole her identity and used it to go on a $9,000 shopping spree.

"At first I was shocked," Wells told Wilfon. "I get a phone call out of the blue. And they say the account that you've opened, you've maximized your credit on this account and I say, 'Well, I haven't opened an account.'"

Gwinnett County police have released a surveillance photo of the woman who did.

Last month, cameras caught her opening lines of credit in Wells' name at several stores in Buford, including the high-end Von Maur.

TRENDING STORIES:

"I really felt sorry for her because I think it must be a really pathetic life that you have to steal someone else's ID to make a living," Wells said.

With the woman still on the run, Gwinnett police fear she's at it again.

Dunwoody police released a photo of a woman who opened a line of credit in someone else's name at the Von Maur at Perimeter Mall, spending nearly $1,000.

Gwinnett police believe it could be the same woman who stole Wells’ ID.

"You do feel violated," Wells told Wilfon.

After weeks of phone calls to the stores, Wells said she doesn't have to pay any of the thief’s large bills. She just wants her caught, before she brings more drama to someone else's life.

"It was a nightmare," Wilfon said.

Wells isn't sure how the woman stole her ID.

If you have any information on who the woman may be, police ask you to call Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.

Cox Media Group

Most Read