It害羞草研究所檚 been two years since Brighton MacDonald害羞草研究所檚 truck was stolen and recovered, but the White Rock man continues to be haunted by the crime.

Last week, the 24-year-old found himself in handcuffs for 30 minutes after police took him briefly into custody, apparently believing he was breaching a driving ban.

The officer who pulled him over on 176 Street at 24 Avenue May 1 害羞草研究所渁sked me my name and I told him my name, and he says, 害羞草研究所楴o, what害羞草研究所檚 your other name?害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟 MacDonald told Peace Arch News.

害羞草研究所淗e pulls me out in the middle of rush hour, he put handcuffs on me and tossed me in the back of a cop car.害羞草研究所�

Surrey RCMP Cpl. Elenore Sturko confirmed Wednesday that MacDonald害羞草研究所檚 name 害羞草研究所渉as been used as an alias by another individual who is known to police.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淎fter doing police checks, the officers were able to confirm (MacDonald害羞草研究所檚) identity,害羞草研究所� Sturko said.

MacDonald said police told him 害羞草研究所渢hey essentially were trying to make sure I wasn害羞草研究所檛 (this other individual).害羞草研究所� And, he was told, a note has now been put on file 害羞草研究所渢o make sure that this inconvenience doesn害羞草研究所檛 happen again.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淚s that enough for me? I don害羞草研究所檛 know. I want them to catch the guy,害羞草研究所� he said.

According to police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, identity theft can occur through a variety of channels, and cause victims all manner of grief, from financial loss to difficulty obtaining credit.

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MacDonald said he害羞草研究所檚 been fortunate so far that he hasn害羞草研究所檛 been stuck with any unexpected bills as a result of his truck害羞草研究所檚 theft. He said the Ford F250 was found two days after it was stolen, none the worse for wear, save for the fact his insurance papers and wallet were missing.

Evidence the documents were used for nefarious purposes started to appear about six months later, and included contact from New Westminster police, who found someone carrying MacDonald害羞草研究所檚 credit card.

Fraudulent bank and cellphone accounts, and even evidence of a Costco membership followed.

害羞草研究所淚 received a bunch of stuff in the mail. I received a debit card害羞草研究所� for an account I never opened. I received letters from Costco saying it害羞草研究所檚 time to renew your membership, and I don害羞草研究所檛 have one.害羞草研究所�

MacDonald said he has contacted agencies including credit bureau Equifax to report the theft, and his credit has been 害羞草研究所渞ed-flagged害羞草研究所� as a result.

He said he wants others to be aware of what can happen, and the lasting impact identity theft can have.

害羞草研究所淭wo years later, to have that incident happen on (May 1),害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淚 was so blown away by what was happening.害羞草研究所�

Anyone who suspects they are a victim of identity theft is advised to contact police, their financial institution and credit card company, as well as Equifax (1-800-465-7166), TransUnion Canada (1-877-525-3823) and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501). For more information, visit

tholmes@peacearchnews.com
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