Atlanta couple accused of identity theft, credit card fraud scheme

ATLANTA — An Atlanta couple has been arrested and charged with committing identity theft by stealing driver’s license information to obtain credit cards.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced the arrests of Lamarion Deandre Weems, 35, and Destiny Weems, 29, both of Atlanta, on charges of identity theft fraud and making a false statement in an application for an ID card. The GBI said the scheme started in September 2019.

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According to the GBI, the couple used personal information to obtain Georgia driver’s licenses of 44 people and used those IDs to get credit cards in other people’s names. The GBI said the couple used personal information to access online Georgia driver’s license accounts and had modified licenses mailed to an address where the suspects could retrieve the IDs.

The GBI said the victims of the fraud scheme had been notified and were being assisted in protecting their identities and repairing any damage to their credit.

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The Weems are facing charges in Fulton and Rockdale Counties. The investigation was made by GBI Cyber Crime Center and the Georgia Department of Driver Services.

The GBI is encouraging all Georgians to protect their personal information by monitoring their Georgia driver’s license online account.

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The Georgia Consumer Protection Division website offers advice on what to do if you are a victim of identity fraud:

• Act immediately and responsibly.
• Place an Initial Fraud Alert on your credit file.
• Request your credit reports.
• Create an Identity Theft Report.
• Review your credit reports.
• Alert individual businesses.
• Contact your bank.
• Alert the issuers of your various forms of identification.
• Get copies of any documents the identity thief used.

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