PASCO, Wash. – A member of Numerica CU was charged last week with an elaborate check-kiting scheme that scammed as many as 10 area credit unions and banks out of almost $20,000.
It’s not the first brush with the law for Rebecca Valdez, who was charged in at least three other check fraud cases dating back three years, according to authorities.
In the most recent case, Valdez allegedly twice opened accounts with Numerica CU -- once in Kennewick and nearly two years later at the Pasco branch -- using variations on her name and fake Social Security numbers and home addresses. Before credit union officials could catch on that her check deposits were from closed accounts or were fraudulent, Valdez had withdrawn a total $4,334.50, court documents said.
Among the other institutions allegedly victimized by Valdez are: Columbia Basin CU, US Bank, Bank of America, Bank Reale and Banner Bank
