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| Hirschi Students Targeted In Identity Theft Scam |
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| Jason Calder |
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4/16/2009 - An attempt to earn extra cash leaves 57 Hirschi High students empty-handed and makes them the apparent victims of identity theft. Jason Calder reports.
The students were part of the Co-Op class at Hirschi. Weeks before a supposed convention, drivers license numbers, social security numbers and other information were given out so the students could be paid. When students showed up they didn't find any convention but they learned about another word starting with C-O-N as in con artist.
Apparently the trouble started in January when Hirschi's Co-Op teacher was contacted by a woman claiming to be a representative for the National Association of the Deaf. The woman told the teacher a convention would be held in Wichita Falls April 4-6 and students would be hired to help.
Dr. Tim Powers, Interim W.F.I.S.D. Superintendent, said, "She was under the impression the person who was making the contact was hearing impaired and that this was going through a relay system. Once that communication was established it then went to an email system."
Students were asked to give out their social security number and other information two weeks before the event.
Chris Parker, a victim of the scam, said, "We were looking at $700 in a three day weekend you know. We were all excited about that kind of money because it's hard to come across at 18."
But when Parker and classmates arrived for work there was no convention. They received word Thursday from the school district the "convention" was a scam.
Parker, a senior at Hirschi, added, "It's extremely upsetting because that's the rest of my life. That's real life stuff going on."
Scott Parker, Chris's father, said, "The kids are held accountable. We've been preached accountability. I want the same thing from W.F.I.S.D."
Dr. Powers said, "The teacher operated with the right protocol."
He added, "They have done their homework. The website was legitimate. The power point, all the information was legitimate and it was unfortunate this happened."
Dr. Powers said to his knowledge this is the first scam of this size to hit the school district and specifically Hirschi High School. Both school officials and parents hope it will be the last.
Dr. Powers said, "We're making every precaution now to make sure no other identities are being taken."
Scott Parker said, "They put their faith and trust in a teacher and it was basically betrayed and I feel like they're all going to have a black cloud over them as they walk the stage."
Chris said, "I just want my stuff to be safe which at this time seems impossible you know."
The F.B.I. and the Wichita Falls Police Department's Financial Crimes unit are working the case. The Social Security Administration and the Texas Department of Public Safety have also been notified. All students can do is monitor their credit report.
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