SAN ANTONIO -- A case of stolen identity left a CPS Energy customer owing a utility bill that didn't belong to her.

"I had an outstanding bill, my name and Social Security on it," said Universal City resident Elizabeth Ericcson.

Problem was, the bill wasn't Ericcson's.

When Ericcson received her monthly bill, to her surprise there was a second utility bill with her name on it for a home in the 400 block of East Mitchell that she doesn't own.

The letter informed Ericcson that she was delinquent for nearly $365 for the bill on the second home.

After receiving no help from the utility company, Ericcson filed a police report and contacted the KSAT 12 Defenders and the mayor's office.

The Defenders discovered another utility customer had someone set up an illegal utility account using their personal information.

In Ericcson's case, her bogus CPS bill was fixed.

"Unfortunately, ID theft is here, not a big problem, but it does exist," said Theresa Cortez, a CPS Energy spokeswoman.

CPS Energy officials confirmed it received a phone call from the mayor's office to look into the bill. The utility company is investigating the case.

The utility company said it has safeguards in place before anyone can open an account.

"We ask for a Social Security number, a Texas driver's license, a number of things and then a third party vendor to verify that," Cortez said.

But just like banks and credit card companies, thieves can sometimes beat the system.

"Unfortunately the criminal mind is a step ahead and we have to continue to safeguard against that," Cortez said.

Cortez said the moment a customer thinks their ID has been stolen, they should contact everyone, including the utility company.

"It could happen," Ericcson said.

Take it from someone who knows.