Florence, AL – A Lauderdale County woman is facing 51 felony charges of identity theft and an additional felony count of theft of property after allegedly using her position at a local loan company to steal over $45,000 from dozens of unsuspecting clients.
Fraud Scheme Uncovered at Cash Express
According to Florence Police, Ashley Phillips was employed at Cash Express in Florence when she allegedly used client personal information to fraudulently open new loan accounts, pocketing the money for herself. The scheme reportedly took place over several months in 2023 and involved at least dozens of victims.
Police Officer Joshua Meza said suspicions were raised when the company noticed a spike in loan activity that didn’t add up.
“They saw an uptick in loans being taken out,” Meza explained. “That brought some suspicion, so they did an audit… and found that there were things not matching up.”
Audit Leads to Criminal Investigation
The President of Cash Express ordered an internal audit after noting inconsistencies in loan records at the branch where Phillips worked. As per WAFF, the audit revealed red flags, prompting the company to alert law enforcement.
In September 2023, Florence Police took over the case. A dedicated white-collar crime investigator was assigned to track financial records, loan paperwork, and bank account activity.
“Following bank accounts, looking at the different paper trail and seeing where money has gone,” Meza added.
Lengthy Case Due to Expanding Victim List
Police say the investigation took nearly a year due to the number of victims involved and the expectation that more victims would come forward over time. Officers waited to gather full evidence before proceeding to the grand jury, which has now returned a formal indictment.
Phillips was reportedly terminated around the time police received the initial report in 2023.
Arrest and Bond Set
On Tuesday, Phillips was arrested following the indictment. She is currently being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center on a $1.56 million bond.
The charges include:
- 51 counts of identity theft (felony)
- 1 count of theft of property (felony)
Protecting Yourself from Loan Fraud
This case highlights the risks of internal fraud at financial institutions. To protect yourself:
- Regularly check your credit report
- Report suspicious loan activity or calls
- Secure your Social Security number and financial data
- Notify lenders if you suspect unauthorized access to your accounts
Have you or someone you know been a victim of financial fraud? Share your story and tips to help others stay protected in the comments section.
