June 4, 2008

FORMER PASADENA CITY EMPLOYEE
CONVICTED OF CREDIT CARD THEFT

A former City of Pasadena employee pled no contest May 30 to one count of credit card fraud among several charges including petty theft, identity theft and attempted grand theft.

Rhonesia Bass, 38, of Duarte was sentenced to three years of probation, 30 days of community service, restitution and credit for 18 days served in L.A. County Jail.

As a customer service representative at Pasadena Water and Power, Bass obtained credit card numbers from six identified customers as she took their utility bill payment information over the telephone. She then used the credit card numbers to purchase personal items via the Internet from a major retailer. She also used one of the credit card numbers to pay a friend’s water and power bill.

She was identified by an astute employee of the retailer in January who noticed some abnormalities in relation to the purchases made. The retail employee canceled the transaction and referred the victim to the Pasadena Police Department.

Bass was put on administrative leave immediately while an investigation was conducted by the Technology Crimes Unit of the Pasadena Police Department. She was arrested by Pasadena police on May 8.

According to Phyllis Currie, general manager of Pasadena Water and Power, the incident does not affect credit card transactions made directly through the automated systems, direct debit or the PWP website.

“Safeguards have been added to credit card transactions handled directly by customer service representatives with customers by telephone,” said Currie. “We take these issues very seriously. The protection of personal information of our 98,000 customers is our highest priority.”

Pasadena Water and Power is reviewing the accounts of 27 other customers and contacting them directly to help determine if they are potential victims of fraud.

Any PWP customer who paid Pasadena utility bills directly through a customer service representative over the phone between September 2007 and December 2007 should review credit card statements thoroughly. If fraudulent charges are discovered, report them to the credit card company immediately and place a fraud hold on the account. Then report the matter to Pasadena Police Department by calling (626) 744-4501.

For more information about possible fraudulent activity on Pasadena Water and Power accounts, call Lis Gay at (626) 744-4426 or Patrick Tucker at (626) 744-4764.