News

Actions

ID theft victim warns of scam using his name

Posted at 6:56 PM, Sep 15, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-15 18:56:48-04

The real Doug Steward is from Oakland County. He sold his Jackson based business, Chelsea Grinding, months ago.

But someone, somewhere, has been using his name and former business as a scam operation.

"Its a way of doing business for them," Steward says.

The fake Doug Steward, who is likely overseas, is targeting attorneys - soliciting their services to handle collections that don't actually exist.

The lawyers get a bogus check and are then asked to deduct their fees and wire the remaining balance to the crook's account.

Steward has put up a website advertising the hoax that, he hopes, attorneys will find when searching his name before falling victim.

His hope is, "More people come forward, [there is] more exposure, and ultimately people are caught."    

The 7 Investigators have learned the FBI is monitoring the case, but can't formally do much until a victim comes forward.

Many of the duped attorneys may be reluctant to do so.

For Steward, he wants this stopped.

"First, I felt violated. Now I'm really concerned," he says. "I don't want someone defrauded in my name."

Attorneys who have received correspondence from the scammer are asked to call the FBI.