Paul Allen victim of identity theft

BY Chris Sullivan  on March 27, 2012 @ 5:17 am (Updated: 6:44 am - 3/27/12 )

paul-allen.jpg
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen had his identity stolen by an AWOL soldier in Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/file) | Zoom
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It looks like no one is immune from identity theft. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen had his identity stolen by an AWOL soldier in Pennsylvania.

Police in Pittsburgh say 28-year-old Brandon Price was able to call up Citibank and convince a customer service representative that he was Paul Allen. He was able to change the address on one of Allen's accounts from Seattle to Pennsylvania.

Price allegedly had a debit card sent to his home in Pennsylvania after calling the bank again saying he, Paul Allen, had lost his old one.

The card was used for a $15,000 Western Union transaction and to make a $658.81 payment on the Armed Forces Bank loan account the day it was activated, according to the complaint.

Surveillance footage also captured him attempting purchases at a video game store and a dollar store, authorities alleged.

Investigators found Price was listed as Absent Without Leave from the Army and wanted as a deserter, authorities said in the complaint. He was arrested March 2 and ordered detained until April 2 unless the Army takes him into custody.

Price is being held in federal custody.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Chris Sullivan, KIRO Radio Reporter
Chris loves the rush of covering breaking news and works hard to try to make sense of it all while telling stories about real people in extraordinary circumstances.
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Comments (2)


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  • ron prevost wrote...
    the criminal mind...
    March 27, 2012 7:12 am
    Let me get this right. He steals Paul Allen's identity, gets a debit card and uses it at a DOLLAR STORE ???
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rosebud22 wrote...
    He took Allen for all of $937
    March 27, 2012 7:22 am
    According to the Weekly, give or take that dollar he tried to charge off at the Dollar Store. He's also a different race than the white billionaire!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }