As many as nine million Americans have their identities stolen each year. Victims often only find out their identity has been stolen after they're contacted by a debt collection agency.

Tuesday in Charleston, Governor Manchin signed the Security Freeze Bill into law. It allows you to freeze your credit report if you believe you're the victim of identity theft. West Virginia is only one of 26 states to have such a credit report freeze law.

Identity theft is at the center of a case that recently caught the attention of federal authorities. A man we first told you about who police say used different names to obtain bank loans speaks out. Jacob Larese, also known as Josh MacIntire spoke with WSAZ's Dave Benton from jail about the charges.

Larese admitted he falsified documents to get loans, but he says he never told anyone he worked for WSAZ, even though a bank called our newsroom asking for verification of his employment.

Larese fled to Chicago, Boston, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and finally to Washington D.C. where he was caught by Federal Marshals.

According to police, Larese also used the alias Adam Williamson, but Larese Denies that. If convicted, Jacob Larese faces up to 10 years in prison. No trial date has been set.