Watch Identity Theft: The Michelle Brown Story

In 2004, the made-for-television movie "Identity Theft: The Michelle Brown Story" premiered on Lifetime. Starring Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Michelle Brown, the film tells the true story of a woman whose life is turned upside down when she becomes the victim of identity theft. The movie begins with Michelle, a hardworking single mother living in Michigan, discovering that her identity has been stolen. At first, the theft seems like a minor inconvenience - some unauthorized charges on her credit card, a few strange phone calls - but things quickly escalate. Michelle's entire bank account is drained, and she begins receiving bills for credit cards she never opened. Even worse, the thief starts committing crimes in Michelle's name, including stealing a car and writing bad checks.

As Michelle tries to sort out the mess, she discovers that the thief is a woman named Lisa, played by Carter Burns. Lisa is a charismatic con artist who preys on vulnerable people like Michelle. She has a long history of fraud and identity theft, but has always managed to avoid serious consequences.

Despite the mounting evidence against Lisa, the police are initially reluctant to take action. They tell Michelle that identity theft is a low-priority crime, and that it's unlikely they'll be able to catch the culprit. But Michelle refuses to give up. She hires a private investigator and spends countless hours on the phone with creditors, trying to clear her name.

Eventually, Michelle's persistence pays off. Lisa is arrested, and Michelle is able to start rebuilding her life. But the road to recovery is a long one. Michelle's credit is ruined, and she has to fight to get her accounts cleaned up. She also struggles to trust people again, and is constantly worried that someone will steal her identity again.

Throughout the movie, Williams-Paisley gives a strong performance as Michelle. She portrays the character with empathy and resilience, making it easy for viewers to root for her. Burns is also impressive as Lisa, playing the character with just the right mix of charm and menace.

One of the strengths of "Identity Theft: The Michelle Brown Story" is its depiction of the emotional toll that identity theft can take. The movie doesn't just focus on the financial losses that Michelle suffers, but also on the psychological impact. Viewers see Michelle's frustration, anger, and fear as she tries to regain control of her life. The film also highlights the ways in which identity theft can affect relationships - Michelle's boyfriend doesn't understand why she can't just move on, while her ex-husband uses the situation as an excuse to try and take custody of their children.

Overall, "Identity Theft: The Michelle Brown Story" is a well-made and engaging movie that sheds light on an important issue. While some of the details may be slightly fictionalized for dramatic effect, the core story is a real one that has affected countless people. The film serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting our personal information, and the devastating consequences that can arise when that information falls into the wrong hands.

Identity Theft: The Michelle Brown Story is a 2004 crime movie. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.