Wayne Woman Stole Acquaintance's Identity, Took Out $100K In Loans: Police

WAYNE, NJ — A Wayne woman stole an acquaintance's identity and took out more than $100,000 worth of loans in the victim's name, Wayne police said Wednesday. Cherie Elliott was charged with six counts each for theft by deception, forgery and wrongful impersonation — all third-degree crimes.

A Wayne resident told police June 15 that she was the victim of multiple fraudulent loans opened in her name in April 2020. She discovered the loans after noticing her credit score significantly drop.

The victim learned from the financial institution involved that the loans were opened using her personal information, but using the email address, phone number and physical address of an acquaintance, police said.

Police Det. Ken Hart conducted an investigation. Records from the financial institution confirmed what the victim reported, authorities said.

Hart interviewed Elliott — the owner of the contact information given — who admitted she opened the loans, police said. There were six loans in total, according to officials.

Elliott, 47, was charged on a warrant and placed in Passaic County Jail.

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