Infant Victim Of Identity Theft

Mr. Kennedy

BARRE, Mass. - When a mother decided to open a savings account for her 18-month-old son this month, she was stunned to learn that someone else had beaten her to it.

Police say that a man with a record of identity fraud had taken the toddler's Social Security number and opened two accounts with Citizens Bank in Worcester and tried to obtain a Registry of Motor Vehicles identification card. By the time the boy's mother learned about the scam, the thief had deposited $19,000 in fraudulent checks, police said.

Since then, the 32-year-old mother - who asked that she be identified only by her first name, Tracy, because she fears for her safety - said she has been calling credit agencies, state legislators, and police to try to understand how a major banking institution allowed the fraud to happen.

"I have to live with this for years and know there is this thief out there who could be a lunatic," Tracy said Tuesday at her Barre home, where her son, John, pushed toy cars while he watched a children's television show.

Worcester police said they have identified the alleged culprit. "It is a new low," said Sergeant Tim Walsh. "It's crazy."

The man, who was not identified because an arrest warrant on this case has not been issued, is wanted on several default warrants in Worcester, including identity fraud, according to Barre police.

Debby Miller, a spokeswoman for Citizens Bank in New England, said she was not familiar with the Barre case.

Those opening an account must show identification when they apply. Federal law also requires that applicants sign a form certifying that they are using a correct Social Security number, Miller said.

The bank does not require applicants to show their Social Security card, she said.

"That is not required by law," Miller said. "We do what is required by law. In this case, we did do exactly what we were supposed to do."

Tracy, who has other children, said she went to Athol Savings Bank on a recent weekend to open a savings account for her youngest child.

She said she gave the bank manager her son's Social Security number, which was issued about a month after he was born. A few days later, the manager called to ask whether she had given the wrong one.

Tracy returned to the bank to clear up what she thought was a small misunderstanding.

Then the manager told her it appeared someone was already using her son's number and handed her a pamphlet on identity fraud.

At first, Tracy said, she could not believe that someone had taken her little boy's identity.

"I thought, 'This can't be happening,' " she said. "He's a baby."

Police confirmed the theft.

Police also told her the suspect had obtained a Registry identification card with the number.

But Amie O'Hearn, a spokeswoman for the Registry, said there is no record that the suspect ever received such a card from the agency.

The man applied for either a driver's license or identification card in May 2005, but was denied, O'Hearn said.

She said she could not comment further, because the case is being investigated for fraud.

To receive a license or identification card, applicants must show either a Social Security card or a passport, as well as two additional forms of identification that prove date of birth and state residency, O'Hearn said.

"After Sept. 11, we really tightened up our requirements," she said. "In most instances, it would be very difficult for something like that to happen, not to say that it never happens."

Tracy, who does not know how the thief could have obtained her son's number, said that she has alerted credit agencies about the theft, but that she will not have peace of mind until the suspect is caught.

She still worries the thief might have obtained a credit card with the number or has sold the information to someone else.

"I've had dreams about this person," she said. "... I'm just really mad. Who has the nerve to do this?"

Senator Stephen M. Brewer, a Barre Democrat, said he and other senators are working on legislation that would increase fines and double penalties to deter potential identity thieves.

"For this to happen to a child, it's horrible," he said. "Someday in the future they might have debt or bad credit ratings.

"All of these things can have lifelong consequences for a harmless innocent."

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Randy Orton

WC's Resident Alchoholic

i seen this on the news last night. it sucks for that kid.