Testimony of Shon Boulden, Hillsboro, Oregon
Before the House Banking Committee
H.R. 4311, The Identity Theft Prevention Act

Thank you Mr. Chairman, and thank you for allowing me to tell my story today.

About 8 months ago I decided to switch my account from US Bank to Washington Mutual. To my amazement I was denied an account there. Upon getting denied, I asked to see my credit report, to see what had caused the denial.

What I found was incredible. Washington Mutual told me that when they ran my Social Security number 12 different names showed up. 12 different people were using my Social Security Number to obtain credit! Despite the fact these people were using their own personal identifying information-- including names and addresses, all of the information about credit inquiries and accounts had been tied to my credit report in some way or another.

It appears that the identity thieves used my Social Security number to open accounts with AT&T wireless, Bank of America, Citibank, Capitol One, Gastalks, Macy's, Oscar Supply Hardware, Payless, Home Depot, Associates Corner, Household Credit, Dayton Hudson, Montgomery Wards, GMAC, Peoples Bank, and perhaps others. At one bank three people opened accounts using the same Social Security Number-- mine. But the Bank didn't seem to notice. They even opened two car loans through GMAC. I sent the bank a letter requesting help in March, they haven't replied.

In many of these cases I am not sure who has bought what and for how much because the creditors won't give me that information without a subpoena. It's obvious to me that the banks and credit bureaus aren't doing any checking. I am frustrated that the credit bureaus didn't notice or alert me when multiple people were using the same Social Security Number; in this age of computer technology, that should have raised a huge red flag.

I noticed that H.R. 4311 requires credit bureaus to investigate discrepencies between information they have on file and information being given to them by banks and stores. Perhaps such a law would have triggered further investigation in my case.

As a result of this problem, I can't obtain credit anywhere. I have been denied by Target, Meier & Frank, and Capitol One. Interestingly enough, one credit card company which approved an account for someone else who was using my Social Security Number denied me credit. I have have been denied a car loan, so I'm still driving my old '83 Olsmobile which is on its last legs, and have been denied a personal loan. I am very lucky that I didn't have to have a credit check done to get my apartment or I might not have a place to live.

Dealing with this situation has been very difficult. I have had to take several days off of work to spend hours on the phone trying to speak with live representatives of creditors and credit bureaus so I could fix these problems. But the problems haven't gotten worked out yet. The credit bureaus have not been particularly helpful in solving these problems, partly because they say they've never seen anything like it and don't know how to deal it.

Although the credit bureaus have put fraud alerts on my account, they haven't done much to help me get rid of my bad credit. TransUnion has removed several names from my credit report, but recently I found out that NEW people have been opening accounts using my Social Security number, even after I had them put a fraud alert on. This has shown me that creditors should be required to honor the fraud alert as is called for by H.R. 4311.

Further adding insult to injury, Experian won't give me the names of people using my Social Security number, nor will they tell me what accounts are open under my Social Security Number.

Even though other names have easily been put on my credit report, the credit bureaus have required proof from me that I really am Shon Boulden before they'll help me at all. I even tried to apply for a new SSN, which would prevent continued fraud, but I'm afraid that won't help get my credit straightened out.

I fear every day that I won't be able to get this fixed and that I'll have bad credit for my whole life.

As a young person, I need credit to get started in life. In the coming years I will want to buy a car, a home, finance my education, and maybe even start a business. Without good credit, I won't be able to do any of these things.

In addition to working with someone from the Secret Service in Portland and the Federal Trade Commission, I have filed a police report with the Hillsboro Police Department, which is working with the Los Angeles Police Department, since most of the fraud has taken place in Southern California. However, it is clear to me that scarce resources limit what law enforcement can do to help victims like me.

I would like to mention that through this ordeal the Federal Trade Commission has been extremely helpful. Especially Kathleen Lund who has spent hours on the phone with me gathering information on my case, telling me what I needed to do to clear it up, and checking up on me periodically.

In closing, I would like to thank Representatives Hooley and LaTourrette for introducing the Identity Theft Protection Act. It is my hope that this committee will seriously consider passing H.R. 4311 or other legislation that will help victims like me to not only restore our good names, but prevent identity fraud from happening in the first place.