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Police: Woman busted for using fake ID to purchase thousands in merchandise at Westgate Kohl's

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A woman was busted by police for allegedly using a fake ID to purchase thousands of dollars in merchandise from the Kohl's in Westgate. 

Police call it a fraudulent purchase.

"I take your ID, or your credit card account, have a fake ID in your name and go charge whatever I want in your name," said Lt. Paul Shepard with Fairview Park police.

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The woman, with two fake IDs in hand, is accused of pretending to be a legitimate Kohl's charge customer. She purchased hundreds of dollars in jewelry and more than a thousand dollars total on the account, police said.

"The sales associate asked for ID, the woman produced a fake ID in the name of the account holder and made a transaction," Lt. Shepard said.

He said the store and police had been alerted of groups doing this at the retail chain, so when she raised a red flag to an associate, police followed up.

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"Good investigation! They ended up recovering about $7,000 in stolen merchandise," Lt. Shepard said.

Kohl's corporate offices will not share any information on loss prevention.

So how do you protect yourself?

"Every year you can do a credit check to see if you have accounts in your name. Check your bills! Don't just pay them blindly," Lt. Shepard told News 5.