A Florida man was recently indicted by a Florida Federal grand jury in connection with an attempt to fraudulently divert Permanent Fund Dividends from eligible Alaskans.
PFD Division staff received complaints from several Alaskans that they received an automated email from the PFD Division advising them of a deposit change on the PFD application that they didn’t initiate. Victims noted that someone changed the direct deposit information of their PFD application without their permission or consent. In all these changes, the direct deposit was changed from a brick-and-mortar bank to a refillable bank card.
The Alaska Department of Revenue, Criminal Investigations Unit traveled to Florida, and with the assistance of the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Sunrise Police SWAT, Department of Law Office of Inspector General, U.S. Secret Service, and Department of Homeland Security, a search warrant was executed on a residence belonging to Larry Scroggins.
Scroggins was indicted for one count of Use of Unauthorized Access Devices, one count of Possession of Fifteen or More Unauthorized Access Devices, and seven counts of Aggravated Identity Theft. Federal law requires a two-year sentence for each conviction of Aggravated Identity Theft not to be served concurrently. If convicted, Scroggins could face up to 34 years in Federal prison in addition to significant fines.
Alaskans who want to protect themselves from becoming victims are encouraged to change their password regularly, not reuse passwords such as those used for an email or social media account, log into your myPFD account and ensure that your application is in ‘eligible’ status, and that all of your information is correct prior to the October distribution.