Posted on 10/10/2004 7:43:47 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
This is a horrific crime. I laugh when I see the commercial where the perpetrator is talking through the victims voice, saying how they are having a nice time going through the victims money.
Wrong flat out wrong. Please, if this upsets you as it has me, send this to your friends and family, this certainly will put into perspective this crime and what to watch out for!
Crime does not pay ***ping***!
Folks like to say this will not happen to you, well it can happen to you or someone you know and/of love.
Please read and pass on to those you care about. You can never be to informed when it comes to identity theft.
where does it say what you can do to protect yourself?
Some would say in regard to invasions of privacy "What do you have to hide?"
Well, in this case, even if you haven't done anything wrong, invasions into your so-called personal records could tar you, cause unmerited detentions, and all other sorts of problems. Imagine the job applications that get turned down, or how your insurance premiums go up, to say the least.
The title does not match up with the text very well.
I don't see much there in the way of "how to protect and restore your good name".
Bump for later.
At the end of the document there is several good points, most should be well like clock work .. but we do get busy and put of tomorrow what we should do today.
Such as running a credit report to make sure nothing on it isn't from you.
Link I got through my Congressman's website:
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/consumertopics_bk.html
I am sorry that you feel that way, I suppose there could be a better name, but, that was what was on the official document and I did not want to change it.
I do think that many of the remarks should make anyone reflect on their actions and take note. Who has access to your information. Who might be the ones that let this slip through the cracks. It is an eye opener. Maybe I was wrong to post this .. maybe it is not that big deal.
Wow, this lady is very strong for getting through this experience.
what irks me is why a consumer has to setup fraud alert with three different credit agencies (Equifax, trans union, and I forget the third one). why isn't there just a single point of contact for this?
First I am so sorry that you had to go through such an experience. I hate all crime. But, you know there are some you just have the gut yuck feeling. There are no scars physically but I can only imagine the scars that one cannot see.
They take your life, all the good things you have done and destroy it. Then it is up to the victim to remedy the situation. Frankly, I was the victim of a violent crime, and I know the depth one can go. You never feel whole again. At least with mine, there isn't the daily reminder that I am sure you have felt as others I am sure are going through.
Victims seem to have little rights, it is all about protecting the rights of the accused. Someone one day will finally get it ..we are victims we do not need to prove we are and treat us with respect and not make us work to prove we are the ones wronged.
Your information will be helpful not only to myself but I am sure to others who read your post. Thank you.
until victims start suing the financial institutions - and winning settlements, nothing will change.
No, this IS a big deal!
Identity theft is on the rise, and it can make your life a living hell.
The best advice I saw in this article was about your Social Security Number.
With that number, ANYONE can become YOU!
That number must be closely guarded. It is not an identification number to be used indiscriminately.
btt
Unfortunately, the only real solution is a partial solution and sounds too "big brother."
Everyone's SSN is out there and hard to hide - some States use it as a DL number and try to get medical attention without giving it.
If everyone's SSN was their DL number, a merchant could swipe a credit card (etc.) and have the DMV picture come up showing true ownership. This would work at point of sale, not internet purchases.
Scary...huh?
"Added" to favorites folder. :)
Many health insurance companies use the pimary insured's SSN as the account number. Look at you own BCBS card. Even if you take care to secure your SSN, if you want to be prepared in the event of an accident, a simple pickpocketing puts you at risk.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.