Stolen identity used for $3,000 in purchases

A Rochester Hills resident's identity was stolen to open a fraudulent line of credit and purchase more than $3,000 in goods and services, authorities said.

The victim, a 44-year-old Rochester Hills man, told Oakland County Sheriff's deputies he was contacted on Friday, June 1, about a credit card issued by HSBC Bank in New Jersey in his name that was past due. The victim said the card had a balance of $3,448.97.

The victim said he never opened the account, nor had given authorization to open it. However, the bank had his Social Security Number and personal information.

The victim said the bank cleared him of any charges, and that after he had to report the issue to a major credit bureau and file a report with the sheriff's office.