Statement of Anthony Ross, Federal Law Enforcement Officer,
United States Marshals Service, Brunswick, Georgia

Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Social Security
of the House Committee on Ways and Means

Field Hearing in Lake Worth, Florida, on Protecting of the Privacy of Social Security Numbers and Preventing Identity Theft

April 29, 2002

Good Afternoon, my name is Anthony Ross.

I would like to thank the Honorable Clay Shaw, Social Security Subcommittee and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General for inviting me to testify to you today.

The illegal use of another’s identity is a serious problem costing American taxpayers and businesses billions of dollars.  Additionally, it destroys the credit of very large number of citizens daily.  I am one of those citizens and also a Federal Law Enforcement Officer with the United States Marshals Service.

In April of 2000 I became aware that I was a victim of identity theft when contacted by my banking institution.  In a few days time a person assumed a false Florida Drivers License and cashed five checks for $995.00 each.  I went through a few weeks of closing accounts and then finding that my accounts were frozen and monies transferred back to the original accounts.  This occurred several times in that time period.  Eventually it was resolved when out of frustration, I closed all accounts and began business with another banking institution.

Shortly thereafter, I was going to purchase a home subsequent to relocating from Florida to Georgia.  The mortgage institution ran a credit check and inquired if I had opened more than 25 revolving credit accounts in approximately a month’s time.  Sun Trust was very professional and quick in determining that I was not the cause of these credit problems. The purchase of the home went through without difficulty.

However, from that point on it has been a nightmare. That’s because my identity was illegally used to obtain in excess of $50,000.00 worth of credit charges. I have contacted credit bureaus and established flags for being a victim of identity theft.  I have contacted numerous credit card companies spending extended lengths of time just trying to get through the computerized phone systems and then to a living person and then transferred again to reach a person in a fraud investigations department.  I have struggled with trying to read or more likely decipher credit reports.  They are not consumer friendly. I have contacted numerous creditors and have filled out endless forms, filed affidavits, provided copies of Drivers License and Social Security card to try to prove my innocence.  That’s right, the victim has to prove he is innocent. In many cases, I received letters indicating that I have been cleared and credit bureaus notified.  However, In some cases that has not been properly disclosed on my credit report.

In June of 2000 I received a Notice of Court appearance to answer for charges regarding Failure to Redeliver a Hired Vehicle.  Again, my identity information was misused and now I faced the possibility of being arrested.  At the least, I was now seen as a law enforcement officer on the wrong end of the judicial system.  Again, I had to prove my innocence by providing photos and fingerprint cards.  Metro-Dade Police Identity Unit was very professional and prompt in assisting with clearing up this situation as well as the State Attorney’s Office.

During this ordeal, I attempted to get assistance through several law enforcement agencies.  I would call and get transferred and receive voice mail. When I did speak to a Detective, I was given very little positive indication that anything would be done other than establishing a crime report. Some law enforcement indicated they were overwhelmed with identity theft activity and I was part of a long list. Due to the abundance of identity theft, and limited law enforcement resources, proper attention to my case was initially very poor.  That was until I contacted Special Agent Ray Llorca of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.  S/A Llorca promptly scheduled a meeting with me and obtained information and statements and was permitted to open an investigation.  As a result, I testified in a State Grand Jury in July 2001 and I was informed that six people were indicted in this scheme regarding identity theft and credit card/banking fraud.

As recently as March 2002, a collection agency provided me an offer to settle an account with a balance of over $4000.00 for a substantially reduced amount.  What a deal!  This was in regards to an account that was illegally opened using my identity.  A recent credit report indicates that I have 38 serious delinquency and public record or collections filed.  None of which are truly my responsibilities, but I must deal with them until they are cleared.

The point I am trying to make is that even after crime, the investigation, and to some extent, the judicial proceedings, we as victims of identity theft are still trying to clear our names and restore our credit. 

 Thank you.