Harris County deputies say a credit card opened in someone else’s name turned into a $15,000 spending spree, and now they are asking the public to help them find the woman they believe is responsible.
The Precinct 4 Constable’s Office has identified the suspect as Kimberly Tamborello-Ruffino and says she is wanted in connection with the case. The office publicly posted her photo and a request for tips on Thursday.
According to Harris County Constable Precinct 4, deputies were called to a credit card fraud complaint on Sept. 25, 2024, in the 22000 block of Gray Pearl Court in the Fairfield community. Investigators say they later identified Tamborello-Ruffino as the suspect and allege she opened a new credit card account in the victim’s name, then ran up around $15,000 in charges.
What Deputies Say
The Constable’s Office says Tamborello-Ruffino did not exactly keep quiet about what happened.
“She admitted opening the credit card account and making the unauthorized charges,” the office wrote, adding that she is wanted on a charge of false statement to obtain credit, according to Harris County Constable Precinct 4.
Deputies say they interviewed multiple witnesses, reviewed financial records and dug through account information as part of the investigation before going public with the suspect’s name and photo.
Fraud Is Rising
Cases like this are landing on investigators’ desks more often. New account fraud and credit card identity theft climbed nationwide in 2024, and credit card cases made up the largest identity theft category that year, according to the FTC Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2024.
The money involved is no rounding error either. Internet-enabled scams and frauds caused reported losses topping $16 billion in 2024, with Texas among the states logging high complaint counts, according to the FBI's IC3 report.
How To Protect Yourself
If you suspect someone opened an account in your name, consumer advocates say you should move quickly. Start by freezing your credit with the major bureaus and contacting the card issuer. You can also file an identity theft report and get a step-by-step recovery plan, along with sample dispute letters, at IdentityTheft.gov.
Locally, the Harris County Precinct 4 website lists the agency’s non-emergency contact information along with details on its C4 NOW app, which residents can use to submit tips. The office’s main number is posted on the site, and the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office also urges residents to monitor their bank and card statements and report any strange charges right away.
Anyone with information on Tamborello-Ruffino’s whereabouts or the Fairfield case is asked to contact Precinct 4 dispatch at 832-927-6200 or send tips through the office’s online channels. Deputies say that if you recognize the woman from the posted images, you should call law enforcement rather than approach her yourself.
Officials did not immediately say whether formal charges have been filed in court. This story is based on information contained in the constable’s public post requesting tips.
