A report out of Seattle, Washington – which shows that identity theft victims can strike back at criminals who steal their identities – tells the story of how a young woman suffering from identity theft helped bring down an identity theft ring after a chance face to face meeting with the woman who stole her identity.
As reported by the Seattle Times, in January of 2009 Michelle McCambridge, a 23-year-old retail store clerk and college student, found herself a victim of identity theft after someone had taken out department store credit cards in her name and racked up thousands of dollars in charges.
However, according to the Times, about a week after a federal agent had shown her a photo taken from surveillance footage of a woman wearing thick-rimmed glasses opening a card in McCambridge's name around Christmas time, McCambridge found herself face to face with the same woman – later identified as Stephanie Locke, 29 – who asked to open a credit account at McCambridge's counter at J.C. Penney.
The fast thinking McCambridge excused herself and had the store security cameras zoom in on a fake ID Locke was presenting with another woman's name, an action which set in motion a federal investigation that ultimately brought down an identity theft ring, a case that both federal agents and the prosecutor say would not have been possible without the identity theft victim's presence of mind, the Times reported.
According to the report, five people – including Locke, who has since pleaded guilty to reduced charges and faces prison time – were indicted in U.S. District Court in Seattle and charged with bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and misuse of Social Security numbers.
While McCambridge is just one of approximately 9 million people who suffer from identity theft each year, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this case is of particular interest because this identity theft victim – with the help of her father, who knew one of the investigators – became actively involved in the investigation, the Times reported.
People fighting identity theft need to take proactive steps before, and not just after, an incidence of identity theft. While checking credit reports can help deter financial problems related to identity theft, stolen identification can also be used by identity thieves to avoid taking responsibility for their criminal actions.
Individuals who want to make sure their criminal background checks are clear of any misinformation or inaccuracies stemming from identity theft that could prevent them finding employment, renting an apartment, or volunteering, may want to consider running a “personal” background check on themselves to keep their information up-to-date, accurate, and secure.
While most background check companies only service employers, MyBackgroundCheck.com provides consumer requested background checks for individuals to use as jobseekers, students, renters, volunteers, and consumers who want to protect themselves from identity theft and fraud.
For more information, visit www.mybackgroundcheck.com, email info@mybackgroundcheck.com, or call 1-800-503-2364. To follow MyBackgroundCheck.com on Twitter, visit www.twitter.com/MyBackgroundChk.
tahearn@mybackgroundcheck.com
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