A Scotland Neck woman who set up automatic drafts by using the victim’s bank account information allegedly paid nearly $20,000 worth of bills before the identity theft was discovered.

Detective J. Sealey of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office today arrested 30-year-old Ebony Latrice Bryant.

She was charged with eight counts of identity theft and eight counts of obtaining property by false pretenses.

Sealey said in a news release Bryant was allegedly using the victim’s banking information since January of 2010 to pay a variety of debts that ranged from insurance payments to phone bills.

The crime was not reported until August, Sealey said, when the victim realized something was wrong with their account. “It’s always good to monitor and balance the check book. We would advise to keep some sort of check on your finances and set up a routine where you check it regularly.”

Sealey said investigation of the crime was a very methodical one, which is the norm in financial crimes.

Bryant knew the victim but Sealey declined to elaborate on the details of the relationship.

There are safeguards that can be taken with bank accounts to prevent unauthorized drafts and those holding banking accounts should check with their respective institutions, Sealey said.

Bryant was given a $30,000 bond and is awaiting a January 23 court appearance.