Teledata Ex-Worker Pleads Guilty to Fraud

A former employee of a company that helps banks and other businesses gain access to consumer credit reports admitted helping to steal credit histories of thousands of people in a case that prosecutors called the largest identity fraud ever.

Philip Cummings, who worked on the help desk at Teledata Communications Ltd., pleaded guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud in Manhattan federal court. He faces up to 30 years in prison.

Cummings, 35, conspired with another man to sell credit reports to at least 20 New Yorkers, according to authorities, who said the two men were paid as much as $60 for each report they stole. Prosecutors said the case was the largest identity fraud in history, with more than 30,000 victims.