Someone Opened a CashApp in Her Name. She Faces Years in Prison

Amanda Smith, a 47-year-old from Pennsylvania, was arrested after a CashApp account created in her name was used in a Facebook Marketplace scam in Arkansas. Investigators obtained account data from Block (CashApp) that included a Social Security number and date of birth matching Smith’s, then used public records and Accurint to link the identity to her. She spent nights in jail, was extradited for hearings, and now faces charges including computer fraud and theft carrying up to six years in prison. Discovery shows significant inconsistencies: the account used a different Philadelphia address, an older iPhone OS, Verizon IPs while Smith uses AT&T, a phone number tied to past breaches, and a username she never used. CashApp refused to provide more information to Smith personally because she could not prove account ownership, and prosecutors offered a plea - fines, restitution, and probation - that she rejected as an admission of guilt.

The situation illustrates how identity theft and platform verification procedures can lead law enforcement to pursue the wrong person. CashApp serves as a frequent vehicle for scammers who quickly split and move funds through networks of accounts. A private investigator and Smith’s lawyer say the evidence only identifies a name, not who actually controlled the account, and they’re pushing for dismissal or further investigation. A hearing is scheduled in November as the case proceeds.