Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Richard Piatt Reporting Identity theft from a former acquaintance. The victim decides to tackle the problem himself.
A California man thought he was living life untouched by identity theft. When he found out otherwise, he flew to Salt Lake City to track the situation down.
"Someone had been using his name and social security number for about four years," authorities say.
Anthony Cerini told me he couldn't even pay his taxes, because the IRS said they'd already been paid. That's how completely someone stole his identity. Now, that someone is in jail.
This is not where Anthony Cerini lives. But the lease is in his name. So is the electric bill, water bill, a vehicle.
Some think Cerini works here. But he never has.
All this was Juan Carlos Cervantes' life in Salt Lake City, a life led with a stolen identity---Cerini's identity.
Anthony Cerini, Victim of Identity Theft: "He actually gave them some i.d. that had my name and everything on it, birthday and everything. Plus, he had a social security card under my name."
Cerini talked to us over the phone from his real home in California. He says Cervantes dated his sister, years ago--about the same time his birth certificate and social security card disappeared.
Saturday, Cerini flew to Utah, eager to track down the i.d. thief. When Cervantes showed up, he called police.
Det. Robin Snyder, Salt Lake City Police Dept: "We did have to bring both back to the department to figure out who was the real victim, because the suspect identified himself as the victim. So we did have to do some investigation on the two of them to determine who the suspect here was."
Cerini suspects Cervantes is in the U.S. illegally--a motive for stealing his information. Now, he just wants the mess cleared up so he can buy his own house.
Anthony Cerini, Victim of Identity Theft: "No one wanted to do anything for me, and it's crazy, because you are trying to prove who you are. It's a situation that no one really wants to be in."
This case is unusual. But it's not uncommon for victims to try and tackle the problem themselves.
The average victim spends 50 hours on their cases. They pay more than 300 dollars for things like legal fees. And some have to cover the thief's purchases to the tune of an average of 65-hundred dollars.
In this past Legislature, an I.D. Theft bill passed to allow you, the consumer, to freeze your own credit report. You can unfreeze it with a pin or password within 15 minutes--a groundbreaking measure.
Sen. Carlene Walker, (R) Cottonwood Heights: "We believe consumers in Utah deserve this measure and we'd like to see it go nationwide."
The law takes effect in 2008. In the meantime, keep an eye on your personal information.
