More people filed complaints of identity theft than any other consumer complaint received by the Federal Trade Commission in 2008.
The FTC estimates that identity theft affects 9 million Americans each year, and local Grammy-Award winning artist and Tejano singer Little Joe Hernandez knows how it feels.
"It's fairly common, it's fairly frequent," Temple Police Department spokesman Sgt. Brad Hunt said. "It doesn't matter what your status, or occupation or age is, police officers, doctors, famous singers and everybody in between can be a victim."
While identity theft is a common concern, getting arrested for having your identity stolen is not.
"It is fairly rare for someone to actually get arrested for fraud on an incident that they weren't involved with," Hunt said.
Hernandez was arrested for an outstanding fraud warrant, out of Marshall, Oklahoma, when he was pulled over for a speeding violation in Milan, Texas last Thursday.
He was released on bond the next day.
When he returned to Temple, he learned about a fraudulent $1,500 check connected to his name. La Familia Enterprises denies any fraudulent activity, and said the singer is the victim of identity theft.
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Identity Theft
News 8's Brandi Powell found out what's happened since Tejano singer Little Joe Hernandez filed a police report saying he's one of the latest victims of identity theft.
 
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Hernandez's manager and son, Ivan Hernandez, said, since the incident, one company has called to ask his father to be a spokesperson for identity theft.
In the meantime, Temple and Marshall Police Departments are investigating his case.
"Our detectives will get a hold of their detectives," Hunt said.
As for the performer's spirits, Ivan Hernandez said his father is taking it in stride.
He said his father did nothing wrong, and said their Oklahoma attorney will hopefully have everything wrapped up within a couple of weeks.
