This Man Stole My Identity
David Dahlstrom, 44, of Salt Lake City endured 17 years of personal-finance hell while an impersonator in California bounced bad checks, ran up credit-card bills, and, starting in 1990, racked up a string of felony convictions in his name.
How did this nightmare begin?
My wallet disappeared from the glove box of my car in 1985. Ten years later, my wife and I tried to get a car loan and they said our credit score wasn't very good and that they were going to charge a high rate.
Someone had applied for credit in your name?
Yes. I checked my credit report, which showed $4,600 in delinquent charges on a credit card. I was cleared of those charges. Then in 1997, Midway Car Rental came after me for damages on a car it said I had rented and then wrecked.
What steps did you take?
I filed a report with the Salt Lake City police, but they said California was out of their jurisdiction. I contacted the North Hollywood police, but they didn't believe my story. I finally talked to a Midway manager and worked it out. Then in 2001, an insurance company called, saying I was involved in a hit-and-run accident in southern Utah.
How did you stop this guy?
I'm a locksmith. Last year, I was on a job at a crime scene and my fingerprints were everywhere. The detective told me there was a warrant out for my arrest for violating parole. I finally reached the parole agent of the guy using my name, who asked me to come to California. Before I got there, the parole office called to say that I had been arrested for stealing a car.
But they had really picked up the guy who was using your name?
Yes. I talked to a Los Angeles detective in the identity-fraud unit, who asked me to send more documents. Two weeks later, he called back and told me he believed me. I cannot explain to you how thrilling it was to have these people help me. And to see the guy who stole my life go to jail.
-- Interview by Joan Goldwasser
What Is Identity Theft?
