Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has become the subject of identity theft, with a an AWOL U.S. soldier in Pittsburgh charged with changing the address on a Seattle bank account owned by Allen and attempting to redirect funds to a personal account.
Brandon Lee Price allegedly changed the address on a Citibank account owned by Allen from Seattle to Pittsburgh, and then had a debit card sent to his home in Pittsburgh. According to a report by the AP, Price attempted to wire $15,000 to the new account and to make a $658.81 payment on an Armed Forces Bank loan. He then allegedly attempted to make purchases at a GameStop and Family Dollar store.
We’ve reached out to a representative for Allen and we’ll update the post as we learn more.
The news was first reported by WPXI-TV, which noted that Price was charged with wire fraud and bank fraud.
UPDATE: Allen spokesman David Postman tells us that the billionaire has been cooperating with the FBI and Citibank on the matter.
“Citibank alerted us and contacted law enforcement, which we’re appreciative of. We’re working with Citibank to better understand how this happened and what can be done to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Postman said. “The financial loss here is minimal. But I’m sure the feeling of being a victim of identity theft is a bit unsettling no matter how much money you’ve lost.”
Here’s a look at an affidavit of a FBI agent on the case.
