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SubscriberWise to Congress, President Obama: "My credit is messed up because they didn't have good credit…"
[October 23, 2014]

SubscriberWise to Congress, President Obama: "My credit is messed up because they didn't have good credit…"


WASHINGTON --(Business Wire)--

SubscriberWise®, a leading provider of analytics-driven subscriber decision management technology and the nation's largest issuing consumer reporting agency for the communications industry, announced today that a young adult from northeast Ohio is the latest victim of a fraud perpetrated against him when he was a 12-year-old boy.

The individual learned of his victimization while applying for an internet account. After providing his identifying information, a call center representative discovered a delinquent account with several hundred dollars of unpaid programming and stolen cable equipment.

It was confirmed that the victim was only 12-years-old when his identity was used to obtain service. Collection accounts contained on the SubscriberWise consumer report suggested the fraud continued unknown to the victim for many years (source: MCTV (www.mctvohio.com) credit manager and president for SubscriberWise David E. Howe)

"Hearing from a young person that they've been victimized by identity theft is hardly a shocking event," said David Howe, of MCTV and SubscriberWise. "It's definitely a sad event.

"What is troubling is the ease and frequency of these child crimes - it's typically a parent, guardian, or relative that perpetrates the crime," continued Howe. "It's also troubling how weaknesses in our credit and information systems perpetuate the problem. But what is especially egregious are the situations that force a child-victim to be re-victimized when the individual is confronted with a delinquent account and adverse credit reports months or years later. That's exactly the scenario in this most recent exploitation."

Hear the 'new-to-credit' young adut expressing his frustrations and concerns when he learns that he was victimized as a 12-year-old child: http://subscriberwise.com/media/12_Year_Victim_Now_Adult.wav



"This crime is indeed a terrible injustice for every one of these victims," explained Howe. "You can hear it when you listen to the victims.

"Rarely is there a voice or an advocate to help these individuals manage the fallout. The negative consequences impact victims in many ways for a very long time.


"SubscriberWise is advocating for a child index of living children's SSNs," continued Howe. "It's a proposed technology solution that would be similar to the social security death index (SSDI): http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2014/09/11/665510/10098343/en/SubscriberWise-Proposes-Child-Identity-Theft-Protection-Legislation-to-U-S-Congressman-Bob-Gibbs-of-Ohio-as-Rep-Maxine-Waters-Introduces-Credit-Improvement-Act-of-2014.html. The index would alert creditors and others with a documented permissible-purpose of potential fraud from consumer applications processed with a child's social security number.

"I've prepared a presentation for law enforcement detailing the theft of a child's identity and the creation of an illegal consumer report," said Howe. "If Congress is interested in understanding the practical and factual realities of child and synthetic identity theft, then I'm ready and willing to provide the education and information.

"And when Congress is ready to mandate an effective solution, then they can expect the resources and expertise of SubscriberWise to help in every way possible."

Christina McCune of the Independent interviews David Howe on child identity theft, October 21, 2014: http://www.indeonline.com/article/20141021/NEWS/141029834

About SubscriberWise

SubscriberWise® launched as the first U.S. issuing consumer reporting agency exclusively for the cable industry in 2006. In 2009, SubscriberWise and TransUnion announced a joint marketing agreement for the benefit of America's independent cable operators. Today SubscriberWise is a risk management preferred-solutions provider for the National Cable Television Cooperative.

SubscriberWise contributions to the communications industry are today quantified in the tens of millions of dollars annually.

SubscriberWise is a U.S.A. federally registered trademark of the SubscriberWise Limited Liability Co.


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