EPD arrest woman accused of nearly $10k in fraudulent charges

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – A Fort Branch woman has been charged with 37 counts of fraud after authorities say she charged nearly $10,000 to a former employer’s credit cards.

On June 10, a woman reported to Evansville Police that numerous charges were made on multiple credit cards after her credit card information was stolen. According to an affidavit, this includes 27 separate transactions totaling $882.27 at Holiday World on June 3.

Other suspicious charges to the victim’s account included $937.03 at Go Wireless, $258.87 at Ross Dress for Less, $218.15 at Burlington, $360.58 at Kohls, $360.54 at Target, $340.26 at Dicks Sporting goods and $813.16 at a Fort Branch Fastbreak.

From June 3 to June 20, police say the victim reported a total of $9,930.76 in fraudulent charges on her account. One of these charges included a CashApp charged in the name of Tara Simpson, 42.

The victim told authorities that Simpson was a previous employee that had recently been terminated and would have had access to her mail and personal information including credit card and banking information. Police say they also found security footage showing Simpson using the victim’s credit card at a shop in Fort Branch.

During an interview with police, Simspon admitted to making multiple purchases with the victim’s credit cards, but claimed she had permission to use the victim’s cards. The victim denied ever providing Simpson with the cards or giving her permission to use them.

Police say Simspon also had an active felony warrant out of Kentucky under the name of Tara Stidham.

Simpson was arrested and booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail where she is being held without bond.

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