In Houston, where the depressed economy has created plenty of willing customers, about 30 people have been arrested, and 20 convicted, for credit-doctoring schemes in the last year. Similar cases have cropped up in Chicago and Los Angeles. The thieves work by tapping credit-bureau computers that contain histories on millions of consumers. It's surprisingly easy. Credit doctors usually buy the computer-access code from a contact who works in a legitimate business, such as a mortgage company.
Authorities believe many credit-doctoring scams remain undetected.
Merchants often look the other way as long as the impostor is keeping up with payments, says Houston police lieutenant J. F. Rabago. Many credit bureaus say that no safeguards can completely block unauthorized access to their computers. For now, a consumer can only hope that someone with the same name isn't in the market for a new credit history. It's not hard to believe, just appalling. Since I only speak American, I often have a difficult time understanding things originating across the pond.