Ex-Bank Employee Charged with ID Theft, Computer Crime

[Editor's note: Arrest information is supplied by the Fairfield Police Department. It does not indicate convictions.]

A former TD Bank employee was arrested Thursday in connection to a fraud investigation launched at the bank's Black Rock Turnpike branch, police said.

Madalena Abrams, 48, of Bridgeport, was charged with 18 counts of fifth-degree computer crime and 17 counts of third-degree identity theft after she allegedly applied for credit cards under client's names without their permission, according to the police report.  

Police were asked to conduct the investigation against Abrams after she was terminated by TD Bank. According to the report, a former co-worker of Abrams noticed an electronic credit card application was filed under his name. He denied at first -- alerting the bank -- but reportedly, after a phone call with Abrams, allowed the transaction, department spokesperson Sgt. Sue Lussier said.

An audit revealed at least 14 other fraudulent applications filed by Abrams, Lussier said. Those customers either had no idea a credit card application had been filed, or told police they never gave TD Bank permission to file an application.

According to the report, the credit card applications boosted Abrams' annual bonus, but once the investigation went underway, she was fired.

Abrams was released on a promise to appear in court. Her court date was scheduled for Friday.