A Case Of Mistaken Identity In June 1993,Adelaide Andrews visited a radiologists office and filled out astandard form for patients. She supplied basic information–name,Social Security number and date of birth. Andrea Andrews, theoffice receptionist, copied the information, moved to Las Vegas andhad a little fun at Adelaides expense.

Andrea applied for a department store credit card, using her ownname and address plus Adelaides Social Security number. Because theinformation Andrea submitted produced a match of the first initial,last name and Social Security number of Adelaides information,Trans Union released her credit report to the department store.Andrea was in business. Her department store account eventuallybecame delinquent.

TRW, another credit bureau, got in the act by providingAdelaides credit report to four creditors that used the samematching criteria of first initial, last name and Social Securitynumber that garnered Andrea the department store credit card. Onlyone creditor, a Las Vegas cable company, provided Andrea with aline of credit, which of course also became delinquent.