H&R Block Chain Manager Arrested Identity Theft

On February 12, 2012, shortly before midnight, Damon Charless Dubose, 38, North Hills, San Fernando Valley, California, was seen by a patrolman in La Canada loitering near the ATMs of three banks. Dubose was wearing pantyhose over his face as well as beanies and a scarf. Inside Dubose’s vehicle, the officer found six envelopes with a name and partial social security number handwritten on the outside, and an H&R Block Emerald Card on the inside. The Emerald Cards allow H&R block customers to access their tax refunds electronically like a debit card.

Dubose’s vehicle also contained approximately $2,960 in cash and a printout of dates of birth and social security numbers that matched the handwritten information on the envelopes. Dubose claimed that the information was for his tax clients and he was authorized to make withdrawals on their behalf.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department obtained a search warrant for Dubose’s girlfriend’s house which resulted in the recovery of $6,900 in cash, six H&R block Emerald Cards, and the personal identifying information of more individuals.

Three taxpayers whose identifying information Dubose possessed were contacted by law enforcement. All of them indicated that Dubose was not authorized to make withdrawals on their behalf or possess their personal identifying information.

According to the complaint, Dubose allegedly transmitted by way of wire communication the electronically filed fraudulent tax returns from Van Nuys, California to Tennessee and West Virginia. Working as a manager for H&R Block in Van Nuys, he allegedly obtained personal identifying information of past customers, prepared bogus tax returns in their names designed to obtain tax refunds and credits, and then used H&R Block Emerald Cards to withdraw the fraudulently obtained refunds from automated teller machines

He appeared in United States District court on charges of wire fraud related to a scheme in which he used the identities of former tax preparation clients to file false returns.

His next court appearance is scheduled for April 30, 2012.

A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

The investigation in this case is being conducted by the IRS-Criminal Investigation.