Applebee’s Waitress Serves Customer Who Stole Her Identity

Lakewood, CO – Brianna Priddy’s wallet was stolen on February 13. Ever since, someone posing as Brianna has been using her identity to write hundreds of dollars in bad checks.

Most people would love to come face to face with the criminal perpetrator causing them unnecessary stress. Brianna encountered her identity thief while on her shift at work on February 25. She’s a waitress at Applebee’s.

While taking the order of the later unidentified 26-year-old suspect, Brianna carded the woman for her drink order. In an incredible coincidence, Brianna was handed her own ID.

Brianna relayed the events to 9News:

“But I didn’t say anything. I handed it back to her and said ‘Sure, I’ll be right back with your margarita,’ and went straight to the phone, and called the cops. I put on my server smile and tried to take care of them, but I was shaking like crazy.”

Brianna continued to play out the ruse as though nothing was wrong until the Lakewood Police arrived.

The woman’s name has not been released because the case is still under investigation. The suspect, who does not resemble Priddy in any likeness, will face felony identity theft and criminal impersonation charges. Drugs were in her possession at the time of the arrest.

The woman was old enough to use her own ID to purchase an alcoholic beverage. Instead, she handed over the false ID.

Police spokesman Steve Davis commented on the case, saying:

“Dumb criminal! That’s the first that comes to mind. We found some narcotics in this woman’s possession, so she’s in quite a bit of hot water.”

Identity theft happens when someone steals personal information and uses it without permission. It is a serious crime that can wreak havoc with finances and credit history. The ordeal can cost time and money to resolve.

The Federal Trade Commission recommends placing both extended fraud alerts and credit freezes on your credit reports if you feel you are a victim of identity theft. These actions can make it more difficult for an identity thief to open new accounts in your name. People should also consider signing up for credit monitoring and alerts, ideally before a theft occurs.

Federal law limits liability if credit, ATM, or debit cards are lost or stolen, but the liability for the victim may depend on how quickly the loss or theft is reported.

[Image via Shutterstock]