[wool_gather]

It's obscene that this burden falls on these folks because someone else falsely used this kid's name. The police report should be filed against the collection agency and the credit bureau, for fraud.[0] We may not have debtor's prisons anymore, but we certainly have guilty-by-default for finance.

> it shows how most of the world works.

It certainly does, but not in the way you meant. :/

[0]I'm aware this is not legally possible; I mean "should" in a moral sense.

[giardini]

They didn't mention a collection agency, nor is one likely involved with this case yet. Collection agencies enter the picture usually long after an incident and much neglect by various parties.

Collection agencies are not evil. If you've ever been a landlord or had someone fail to pay a debt, a collection agency may be a godsend b/c they buy your debt (you get something at least; they get the paper debt, valid or not). Is that not a valid capitalistic risk-taking venture?

The credit bureau can't be charged with fraud: their data is from legitimate businesses (creditors); any fraud would apply to the creditor.

This system has and still works well. Most everyone reading this has made good use of our current credit system. We all understand how it works but are impatient with the slowness of the system. But it is a mistake to confuse slowness with malintent.