Woman charged with misappropriation of personal information

A 33-year-old woman has been charged with misappropriation of personal information after deputies allege she opened a bank account using another woman’s information.

Bonner County Sheriff deputies recently received reports that an account had been opened in a woman’s name; however, that woman had never opened the account. After further investigation, deputies discovered that Aug. 10, 2023, Brittany Dowell had allegedly opened an “Affirm” credit line account through Celtic Bank using the personal information of another woman, without that woman’s knowledge.

Court records contend that Dowell allegedly proceeded to spend nearly $2,500 on various products on Amazon using this line of credit.

“Dowell acknowledged opening up the account but stated she did not know it was in [the alleged victim’s] name,” deputies wrote in the probable cause affidavit. “In order to open an Affirm account, personal information must be provided along with a telephone number. The name and number associated with the account opened by Dowell belong to [the alleged victim].”

According to deputies, Dowell’s payments on the nearly $2,500 credit were supposed to start in September 2023, totaling 24 payments of $129.87. However, court records allege that Dowell neglected to make any of those payments, severely affecting the alleged victim’s credit score in the process.

Because of the neglected payments, the amount owed has also been sent to a collections agency, again reflecting badly on the alleged victim, court records contend.

Dowell was arrested for the misappropriation of personal information. Her bail is set at $5,000 and an arraignment will be held Feb. 1. An arraignment is a formal reading of the criminal charges in the presence of the defendant to inform them of what they are being charged with. The accused may be expected to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty during an arraignment.