CROSSVILLE (WATE) – A retired school teacher called 6 On Your Side after a former student ran into a road block trying to restore his identity.
If someone is using your identity illegally, it takes patience, perseverance and knowing who to contact to get your name restored. It’s even more complicated if you don’t have access to a computer or a car, and you hit big hurdles along the way.
http://liarcatchers.com/identity_theft_investigation.html
Retired school teacher Lourdes Dunaway has been helping her former student, Joshua Lilly, wade through red tape for the last three weeks. Someone in Virginia is using his Social Security number.
Josh, a 24-year-old high school dropout, lost his wallet two years ago. He has part time jobs, makes only several thousand dollars a year and lives in public housing since his salary is below the poverty level.
Earlier in July, Josh was told he could lose his apartment because Social Security records show that Joshua Lilly made over $24,000 last year. That makes the real Joshua Lilly ineligible for public housing.
“I said this is identity fraud. This is identity theft. This is a big thing,” said his former teacher, Lourdes Dunaway.
Josh says he’s estranged from his family so he turned to his friend, Mrs. Dunaway for help.
The first place they visited was the Social Security office in Crossville. The earnings show that in Chester, Virginia someone using Josh’s name and Social Security number worked at two places last year.
Josh says he wouldn’t have known how to get this information. “She’s done basically everything for me so far. I had no clue where to go or who to talk to.”
The Crossville Housing Authority told Josh and Lourdes they needed proof his identity had been stolen and verification from authorities in Virginia. So they visited the police department next.
Josh filed a police report, believing it would be sent directly to authorities in Chester, Virginia. That’s where he hit a road block.
“They basically said it was up to me. That’s what is confusing. They say go to the proper authorities. I went to the proper authorities, and they tell me it’s up to me,” Josh said.
“That bothered me that they wouldn’t send the report to Chester, Virginia,” Mrs. Dunaway said.
She was told only someone with authority could send the report. Josh was told it was up to him to send it.
“They needed the police report and this document that shows that man has been working under his name,” Mrs. Dunaway said.
All this time, Josh’s biggest fear was losing his apartment. “It’s been stressful. It’s scary, you know,” he said.
Mrs. Dunaway contacted the district attorney’s office, which in turn authorized Crossville police to fax the report to Virginia.
Housing Authority Director Don Alexander said they’ve seen ID theft cases before among their residents and have worked through the issues without evicting anyone.
He says once the police report is sent from Virginia to his office, he’ll send that information to HUD, resolving the issue.
“That’s good,” Josh said. “I hope this gets it resolved.”
“This is step one,” Mrs. Dunaway added.
Here’s what to do if your identity is stolen. First, contact the Federal Trade Commission and complete the complaint form.
Then report the crime to law enforcement and show them the complaint form.
Place a fraud alert on your credit reports, and contact your financial interests such as credit unions and credit card issuers.
