Giving Credit to Impostors Is Unfair

I believe in cooperating in every way to prevent identity theft and to apprehend the criminals that commit the crimes [“FTC to Ease Process of Reporting Identity Theft,” Feb. 4].

What I am not willing to do is assume the responsibility of the banks, credit card companies and others that give my credit to impostors posing as me. There should be no risk to an innocent person because someone erroneously extends credit in his or her name.

A Social Security card is not identification. Read the card. If a bank is authorized to extend credit or pay a check on an individual’s signature, any mistake made in that simple process is between the bank and the impostor. Why on earth should someone not involved in the transaction have to prove their innocence?

One unacceptable answer to that question is that there is an undue level of banks and credit card companies making law and policy on this subject. They are unreasonably aided by the three major credit reporting agencies that stand ready to ruin anyone’s credit if a lender wants them to. Their participation is perfectly legal under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

“Fair”? If you or I were to do it, it would be called extortion, libel or blackmail. In a dispute, the credit agencies will demand proof from you and me but after receiving the proof, they will simply ask the reporting creditor if the item should be removed. All it takes is a negative answer and the extortion (legal though it is) will continue until we are exhausted enough to give in and pay. Have you checked your credit report lately?

Cecil E. Byrd

Whittier