LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Auditors say online thieves have stolen about $40,000 from Arkansas’ unclaimed property fund.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that state Auditor Andrea Lee’s office made the payments to at least one person who used stolen identities to make claims on the fund that includes cash, stocks, securities, bonds and other properties owned by people who cannot be located.

A report by Legislative Audit, which is separate from the state auditor, presented a report on the theft to lawmakers on Friday.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lea said Arkansas State Police working with the United Kingdom Metropolitan Police Service has identified a suspect in the thefts.

Lea said her office has added a requirement that those making a claim answer specific questions about their identity, but she declined to say what types of questions are being asked.

___

Information from: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, http://www.arkansasonline.com