Yuma lawmaker victim of ID theft

State Sen. Amanda Aguirre, who has made identity theft prevention one of her legislative priorities, says she became a victim of the crime earlier this month when a credit card of hers was used fraudulently.

"My immediate thought was this couldn't be happening," Aguirre said. "It's a reality check that anyone can be a victim of identity theft."

Aguirre said she received a call earlier this month on her cell phone from her credit card company, which wanted to confirm whether she had bought some shoes.

The following day, she got another call asking whether she had bought what appeared to be clothing.

Both transactions, which were made online, were done using her credit number. In total, the purchases amounted to more than $3,000.

The purchases were ordered from stores in North Carolina and California and supposed to be mailed to addresses in those states.

Aguirre said she has no idea how the someone could have obtained her personal information, but someone did. In addition to her credit card number the person also got her name and cell phone number.

"I thought I was very careful, but it's so easy for someone to do," Aguirre said. "The criminals are out there and they will find a way."

Fortunately, the companies called to confirm the transactions, Aguirre said, and she was able to to cancel them. She also cancelled her credit card.

"Thank goodness they called to check," Aguirre said. "I can only surmise that the criminal must have missed something or provided suspicious information as part of the transactions."

Aguirre said the credit card used in the fraudulent charges was one she typically used to purchase airline tickets and make hotel reservations.

"I don't do a lot of purchasing online," she said.

Last legislative session, Aguirre introduced a bill that would have allowed consumers the option to "freeze" their credit report, meaning it would prevent businesses and companies from looking at it without consumer permission.

"I tried all year to pass my bill and this happens," Aguirre said.

However, while the bill passed the Senate with all 30 votes, it was never heard in the House and ultimately failed. Having re-worked the bill, Aguirre said she will be reintroducing it again this legislative session.

"Hopefully it will be one of the first bills to move forward," she said.

Now a victim herself, Aguirre said she learned a valuable lesson.

"I've learned we all have to be more careful when using our credit cards, including myself," she said.

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James Gilbert can be reached at

jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.