Essex county, n.J., woman pleads guilty to credit card fraud

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 17, 2012

 

Admits Using Stolen Credit Card Numbers to Purchase Luxury Merchandise and Other Goods

TRENTON, N.J. – An Essex County, N.J., woman today admitted using stolen credit card numbers to purchase $133,000 worth of high-end merchandise from various retailers, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Melody Macken, 49, of Irvington, N.J., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joel A. Pisano in Trenton federal court to an Indictment charging her with unlawfully using credit card numbers issued to other individuals, without their authorization, to purchase goods worth more than $1,000 in a one-year period.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From February 2010 through November 2011 Macken acquired stolen credit card account numbers by calling retailers and store customers and claiming to be a store employee. She obtained credit card numbers and other personal identification information and then used the stolen credit card numbers to purchase items such as mattresses, appliances, and electronics, as well as luxury apparel, accessories, and shoes, all valued at more than $133,000.

Because of a prior conviction, the charge to which Macken pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 11, 2012.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Philip R. Bartlett, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shirley U. Emehelu of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

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Defense counsel: David Oakley Esq., Perth Amboy, N.J.

Macken, Melody Indictment

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