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Industry Standard, The, April 2, 2001 by Sharon Walsh

It turned out that the woman using Robinson's particulars also was named Nicole Robinson - but with a different middle initial. She had stolen the other Robinson's information from HMO forms processed by the company she worked for. Even after the victimized Robinson called all three credit-reporting agencies to put fraud alerts on her reports, the Texas woman bought a 2000 Mitsubishi and purchased two Dell computers for $8,000 - all using the first Robinson's information. Over three months, $36,000 worth of goods was charged and 60 inquiries made on Robinson's credit report. She was denied a bank line of credit and was unable to refinance her home because of the black mark on her record. Collection agencies began calling her at home.

For Robinson, the biggest fear is that the problems of her identity theft will be repeated indefinitely. "It will be a constant battle for me to prove I'm not her," she says. "It's like she had a key to my house. She came in and took all my things. I can't change the lock. She can come back anytime."

                      Getting To Know You, Personally
      Credit card fraud is the most popular motive in identity theft.
PURPOSE                                      PERCENTAGE [*]
To obtain or take over a credit card account        53%
To acquire telecommunications services              27%
To obtain or take over a checking account           17%
To obtain a loan                                    11%
To forge an official ID or obtain                    8%
 government benefits
(*.)TOTALS MORE THAN 100 PERCENT BECAUSE
INDIVIDUALS CAN BE VICTIMIZED IN SEVERAL WAYS.
SOURCE: THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION