[jmatheny]

I have recently been a victim of ID Fraud. I am very unahappy about the situation and have done all the necessary steps, such as contact creditors, file a police report, and filed fraud affidavits. So far it has only been one item that I have found. I'm really upset over the fact that my credit can be harmed because some looser stole my ss number and dob and used it to buy a cellular phone. I truly believe that the cellular phone service should be held accountable for not properly insuring that someone is not fraudulantly using someone elses information. Is this in any way defamation of character. Since this item does show up on my credit report, and can affect me for a long time if not corrected. They don't even require someone to show proof of identy? As if they don't really care who gets stuck with the bill.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Publishing false information to somebody's credit report can constitute defamation of character, although defamation lawsuits typically require that you prove damages as an element - that is, publishing false information isn't necessarily actionable unless you have legally cognizable damages. It is difficult to tell whether you have a viable defamation case - that's something you would want to discuss with an Ohio lawyer.

Have you availed yourself of your rights under the FDCPA, to try to have the erroneous report removed from your credit history?