Update: I called the collections agency. They have placed a temporary cancel on the account until the matter is resolved.
I also called the electric company where the bill originated, unfortunatly they were not as helpful. They told me they have no signed documentation for when the account was opened. Just that it was opened on july 1st 08 in my name and that addy in MA. Also that on the 14 of july 09 someone called and switched over the account to another name (though the address was the same), which they refused to give me. I asked them that if someone was transferring an account from one name to another wouldn't they need some kind of consent from the original holder as well as the info on both the new and old holders and the guy on the phone told me no. All that happened was someone called to change the name on the account. As far as I know only the original holder can do something like that right? which means whoever is behind the ID theft had to call them pretending to be me in order to do it. Hence my suspicions that ir was probably my ex's mother that did it. Either way the police will notify me on who it is when they contact the company. May take about a week but so far thats pretty good time wise.
Thirdly, I did some research. Mass. State Law (since the crime happened there the guilty party will be prosecuted there) states that: (updated Jan 09)
Current Laws:
Identity Crime: A person is guilty of identity fraud if he, with intent to defraud, poses as
another person without the express authorization of that person and uses such person’s personal
identifying information to obtain or to attempt to obtain money, credit, goods, services, anything
of value, any identification card or other evidence of such person’s identity, or to harass another.
Violations are punishable by a fine up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 2 ½ years.
A law enforcement officer may arrest without a warrant any person he has probable cause to
believe has committed the offense of identity fraud as defined in this section.
“Personal identifying information” means any name or number that may be used, alone or in
conjunction with any other information, to assume the identity of an individual, including any
name, address, telephone number, driver’s license number, Social Security number, place of
employment, employee identification number, mother’s maiden name, demand deposit account
number, savings account number, credit card number or computer password identification.
Statute: 266 § 37E:
So if found guilty, not only will they face the fine and jail time, but as I read on (another page in the document I have) they will also be court ordered to pay restitution. Including the cost of the bill they ran up, as well as any legal fees I may have during this.
So yeah, whoever did this is gonna burn. XD
man this sucks, I plan on pressing charges and taking them to court, and my parents attorney said that what they did was a federal crime and they could go to jail for it. I'm really hoping they do. Gargh!!
