An article on Lexch.com – the website is based on the local Lexington, Nebraska newspaper, The Lexington Clipper-Herald – tells the story of an identity theft victim who ended up in jail twice for a crime he didn't commit, once after being robbed and calling the police for help.

According to the article, Joe Salazar, 38, of Omaha, Nebraska, recently spent a night in jail after calling the police to report a burglary at his home, and he also spent two weeks in jail – including last Christmas and New Year's Day – after being pulled over for speeding, all because the identity theft victim had an arrest warrant for failing to appear for sentencing in a drug case meant for an identity thief using his name.

Salazar believes the identity theft occurred after the unknown impostor stole his identification, date of birth, and Social Security number after he left his wallet behind at a restaurant years ago, the Clipper Herald reported, adding that a local prosecutor calls the identity theft one of the most extreme examples he has seen, one that has cost Salazar his good name, his time, and his freedom. Even worse than losing his freedom, according to the article, Salazar feared losing his job at a local manufacturing company because his bosses might not believe that he was in jail due to a case of identity theft.

Salazar's case of identity theft, although extreme, is much more common than most would think. According to Javelin Research, almost 10 million people in the U.S. suffered from identity theft and fraud in 2008, a rise of 22 percent from the previous year. With identity theft such a problem, many people have taken the situation into their own hands by ordering “personal” background checks on themselves to see the data contained in their public and private information. MyBackgroundCheck.com – a leading provider of background checks for individual consumers – helps people make sure that the personal information in their background checks is current, accurate, and safe from identity theft.

Over one million consumers have purchased background checks through MyBackgroundCheck.com. For more information on how “personal” background checks can help prevent identity theft, visit www.mybackgroundcheck.com, email info@mybackgroundcheck.com, or call 1-800-503-2364. Follow MyBackgroundCheck.com on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MyBackgroundChk.

tahearn@mybackgroundcheck.com

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