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Authorities believe that Jerome King Talley’s most recent scam started at a Forest Park High School meeting when attendees were asked to write their names and social security numbers on a pass-around list. Talley, a 29-year-old teacher’s aide at the school, may have used that opportunity to copy the information on 71-year-old Esther Berrent.
Berrent’s education on credit card fraud and identity take-over began shortly thereafter. In August, Berrent began receiving bills for merchandise purchased at the Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) store. The merchandise, a Pioneer stereo, refrigerator, washer, dryer and a 52-inch projection television set, was delivered to Talley’s house, but Berrent was being charged for it. Other things also took place: Talley’s phone bill, in Berrent’s husband’s name, began arriving at Berrent’s address, and Talley’s electric bill also started coming to Berrent’s house.
Berrent was beside herself. She received little assistance from the credit card companies and was told that the burden of proof (“Prove you didn’t buy these items”) was on her shoulders. She called the police to report the situation and, while they were figuring out their next move, a break came. Talley phoned BGE for service on the television and an undercover police officer, posing as a repairman, responded.
Talley, who has been arrested for theft and conspiracy, is no stranger to fraud. He’s been criminally charged more than a dozen times since 1991 for credit card fraud, check fraud, theft and forgery.
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