Texas health care nurse arrested for credit card abuse

NASSAU BAY, TX (KTRK) -- The Nassau Bay and Lakeview police departments arrested a health care nurse for credit card abuse Thursday night.

Lakeview police said they received a credit card abuse report on January 25 from an employee at a local medical facility in Nassau Bay. They say the victim reported that her identity had been stolen and a credit card had been opened in her name.

The two police departments worked the investigation and said reports revealed that Toni McGragh Terry was the likely suspect and filed charges with the Harris County District Attorney's office.

Officials said Terry worked as a hospital and home health care nurse in Harris and Galveston counties and think that she could be involved in other similar cases.

"Identity theft happens often," said Nassau Bay police Sgt. Glenn Sharp. "It is important for people to take some simple, yet important steps to protect their identity."

Sharp offered the following tips to protect your identity:

- Shred private records and statements that contain financial information

- Safeguard your Social Security number and other personal information

- Never let your credit card out of your sight

- Be more cautious when giving out personal information, especially if someone calls you asking for information

- Check your credit report once a year

- Thoroughly review your credit card statements

For more ways to protect your identity, please visit the Federal Trade Commission's website at www.consumer.gov/idtheft/.

If you think that you may be a victim of identity theft, please contact the Nassau Bay Police Department at 281-333-2212 or Lakeview Police Department at 281-326-5900.