“Yes Officer, That’s My Name, But…”

Almost every day, police officers are confronted by suspects claiming their innocence, saying “it wasn’t me.”

But what if it were true, and you were arrested for something that you had nothing to do with? Or, what if you heard news reports that you were wanted for a crime you didn’t commit?

Sound improbable? Seemingly unusual, this scenario is actually not unique and is happening more and more across the country.

For one Florida man, it was all too real…

Kevin had lost his wallet while on vacation, and began receiving bills and notices for cars he never purchased. Finally reporting the identity theft to the police, Kevin believed his troubles would be over. However, when a man shot and killed a Miami police officer four years later, the only clue left behind was the identity he had stolen – the identity of Kevin.

Kevin was now wanted for killing a police officer.

In 2006, an Indiana man lost his wallet…

His identity was stolen by a criminal who then used it to carry out a horrendous murder. Although the police acknowledged the Indiana man was not the criminal, his drivers’ license was revoked due to an oversight, and he was denied a handgun permit. Even worse, he couldn’t find a job because of his “criminal record.”

In 1985, a Utah locksmith, David, lost his wallet…

But it wasn’t until 1990 that he learned his identity had been compromised, when the thief was arrested for a DUI. David immediately contacted the police, explaining about losing his wallet years earlier. He, too, believed that was enough to clear his name. However, the criminal continued to commit a string of crimes over the next 17 years, all while using David’s identity. Each time, David was the one treated as the culprit.

The truth is, investigators seldom check a suspect’s name or alias against a list of stolen identities.

And once the name of an innocent, identity-theft victim is assigned to the criminal act of the true perpetrator, it can be very difficult for the victim to convince law enforcement authorities that they are not the individual who committed the crime.

Georgia man, James, was arrested and extradited to Missouri…

After spending over a month in jail for crimes committed by someone who had stolen his identity, James lost his job, his car, and incurred thousands of dollars in legal fees fighting the charges.

Every day, innocent Americans have their identities stolen by identity thieves who then use it to commit other crimes. This often results in the innocent victim unknowingly receiving a criminal record and then learning about it in unfortunate ways.

For many victims, the first time they learn someone has used their identity to commit a crime is when they are picked up on an outstanding arrest warrant. As any victim of criminal identity theft can attest, once the police are convinced they have arrested the predetermined criminal, it’s hard to convince them they’re wrong.

After all, police hear that claim from actual criminals every day…

If it happens to you, do you know what to do? Who to call?

U.S. LawShield’s Gunowner Identity Theft Coverage is here to protect you, the innocent gun owner, from a seemingly unfair legal system. Upgrade to Gunowner Identity Theft Coverage today

 

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