STAFFORD — A former AT&T store employee in Stafford was arrested Sunday after police uncovered her involvement in a scheme that added unauthorized phone and tablet lines to customer accounts. The fraudulent activity, designed to boost her commission, resulted in a victim facing around $2,000 in unauthorized charges.
Katie Ann Barnaby, 35, was charged with third-degree computer crimes after an investigation revealed she accessed customer accounts without consent while employed at the Stafford store. In her role, Barnaby manipulated accounts by adding and removing lines, transferring them between customer accounts, and modifying plans—all without proper authorization.
Authorities also found that Barnaby had kept devices traded in by customers, potentially selling them online. She used the serial numbers of these devices to add lines to other customers’ accounts, further manipulating the system for financial gain.
Additionally, Barnaby altered account details by adding unnecessary protection plans, additional lines, and making rate plan changes, all aimed at generating commissions. According to police, she made at least 30 such modifications, costing customers over $1,000 in unjustified charges.
Barnaby’s criminal activities are believed to have occurred between late 2021 and early 2022. She was fired from her position at AT&T on July 15, 2022. Despite this, she continued working at an “authorized AT&T retailer” where she continued to handle AT&T customer accounts.
Barnaby was arrested at her home and initially held on a $25,000 bond. She was scheduled for arraignment on Monday. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are looking into whether more victims were affected by her actions.
