Identity thief's 90s crimes still affecting victim

Identity theft has been a growing problem in the United States, especially since the advent and subsequent popularity of digital technology. Businesses need to ensure they are following the proper ID verification practices to protect the identities and personal information of both employees and clientele. In some cases, one instance of identity theft can cause problems for a long stretch of time. The Los Angeles Times reports that one man has been plagued by the same crime for more than 15 years, as his credit history has been difficult to repair and wipe clean. According to the source, the identity thief was caught back in the early 2000s, convicted of Social Security fraud and deported to Jamaica. Still, the victim recently got a bill from a debt collector for nearly $3,000 worth of credit card debts, and all of the charges on the card took place in the 1990s. To protect consumers, businesses need to follow ID verification processes, as well as digital information security practices. So far this year, 110 breaches have exposed nearly 3.5 million sensitive records in the business sector alone, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center.