Identity Theft - Part One

June 18, 2008

I was approached by a local television station recently - they requested an interview for an identity theft story they were working on. Realizing that I’d already spent 3 of my allotted 15 minutes of fame on the NBC Nightly News a few years ago, I politely declined, not wanting to waste my remaining 12 minutes on this particular subject, hoping that I’ll have something more positive to be remembered for someday!

It’s not that I didn’t want to talk about it - I just didn’t want them to hack my story into a 30 second sound bite. Identity theft can happen to anyone at any time, and I hope that my experience will help you take precautions against it.

My story is a little different than most, as it begins without a financial twist. It all started about 10 years ago. I applied for a concealed carry permit, and had completed the requisite handgun course, background checks and fingerprinting. The process was taking longer than expected, and I assumed they were just being thorough. In the meantime, I’d purchased a nice, compact 9mm.

After a few weeks had passed, I inquired about the status of my application, and was informed by the TBI representative that I was wanted in Memphis for armed robbery! Stunned, I was finally able to stammer “Are you kidding me?” The nice lady on the other end assured me she was not.

Shock turned to anger. “Well, come and get me!” I said, and coolly told her where I was and what I was wearing, somehow thinking that after my arrest, I’d sue the pants off the perpetrators of such a colossal administrative error!

Oddly, the TBI didn’t seem at all concerned with picking me up - they just weren’t going to issue a permit. I suppose if I’d left it alone, I might still be a wanted man. Ironically, an armed wanted man. I think something’s wrong with that system!

After more investigation, I discovered there was no “administrative error”. Someone had apparently hijacked my identity, and when arrested, gave my information to the police instead. So now there was no administrative error, and no easy fix.

To clear my name, a road trip to Memphis was in order. At the time, that was a 5-hour trip, so I knew I’d lose at least one business day of productivity. The perpetrator had committed crime throughout the area, so I visited several neighboring police stations. Well, “visited” really doesn’t describe the experience. In actuality, I “turned myself in” at each one. Thankfully, there was no “rush to judgment” and I didn’t spend a moment in the slammer.

It was a humiliating experience, nonetheless. At each station, there was a nice receptionist, who upon hearing my story, would promptly call a detective to investigate my claim of innocence. I was cleared by everyone, but only after having been “processed” and having my fingerprints and photograph taken. This was not my idea of a good time.

Next week, we’ll talk about the different kinds of identity theft and how to protect yourself from this crime.