What Is Identity Theft, Anyway? Jerome Powell remembers being
irritated with himself for not paying closer attention to his
driving. When the Mountain View, Colorado, police car’s blue
lights came on behind him, Powell, a government contractor, had
just driven through a yellow light as it turned red. Now he
would be late for his next appointment. He apologized to the
officer and handed over his driver’s license and insurance
information. He watched in his rearview mirror as the officer
radioed from his cruiser for a license check. It seemed to be
taking a long time to write a routine ticket. Finally, the
officer approached Powell’s window and told him to get out of
the car. Powell was stunned to find himself under arrest on two
outstanding felony warrants. He was shocked and humiliated as
the officer made him put his hands behind his back and then
cuffed him and read him his Miranda rights. The Navy veteran
spent hours in jail, shaking from fear that he might wind up
charged with a crime he didn’t commit. The