Chicago woman accused of getting loan with Fox Lake man's identity

A Chicago woman was ordered held on $10,000 bond Saturday after being accused of using the identification information of a Fox Lake man to obtain a federal loan.

Kawana Shamburger, 32, is charged with identity theft, theft, forgery and loan fraud.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Ken Lorenz said Shamburger obtained an identification card and Social Security number of a Fox Lake man sometime in January 2008.

Lorenz said later that same month, Shamburger used the information to obtain a $26,507 student loan from the federal lender Sallie Mae.

The victim contacted Fox Lake police last week when officials from Sallie Mae contacted him with some questions about the loan.

Fox Lake police traced the loan to Shamburger and arrested her Friday, Lorenz said.

Shamburger told police she had cashed the loan check at a currency exchange and had used the money to pay off debts and personal expenses, Lorenz said.

She appeared Saturday before Associate Judge Sarah Lessman, who set the bond and ordered Shamburger to appear in court again Dec. 30.

Lorenz said Shamburger faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of all the charges against her.