A Farmington woman is facing a felony charge after investigators allege she used another person’s banking information to pay a personal bill without authorization, according to court records.

Carrie Ann Inskeep, 48, of Farmington, is charged with fraud involving property valued at more than $500 but not more than $2,500, a fourth-degree felony, records filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court show.

The charge stems from an incident reported earlier this month involving an alleged unauthorized electronic payment tied to an AT&T account.

What investigators allege

According to an affidavit for arrest warrant, Farmington police were dispatched to investigate a fraud complaint after a woman reported discovering a charge of $1,346.12 had been withdrawn from her bank account without her permission.

Court records state the reporting party said she noticed the charge after her debit card was declined while attempting to purchase groceries. A review of her account showed a pending transaction that had been applied to an AT&T account associated with Inskeep.

Investigators wrote that the reporting party told officers she had previously worked with Inskeep and had once assisted her with paying an AT&T bill in the past. She stated she did not authorize the recent transaction and did not know how Inskeep obtained her banking information.

According to court documents, police contacted Inskeep, who reportedly appeared confused and denied knowingly using the reporting party’s bank account. Inskeep told officers she believed she had been current on her AT&T payments and later provided an email receipt showing a payment processed earlier in the month.

Investigators noted the amount listed on the receipt matched the amount taken from the reporting party’s bank account. Officers requested additional documentation, but records show it was not provided.

Based on bank records, transaction data, and statements gathered during the investigation, officers concluded there was probable cause to seek an arrest warrant.

Court proceedings

An arrest warrant was approved and filed on Jan. 20. Court records show Inskeep was booked into the San Juan County Adult Detention Center on Jan. 21. Jail records list her bond status as “hold pending.”

A preliminary examination is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 4, in Farmington Magistrate Court, where a judge will determine whether probable cause exists for the case to proceed.

Inskeep is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Related: Another fraud-related case filed recently in San Juan County