What is it like to have your identity stolen?
By karen | June 26, 2008
Have you ever thought what it would be like to have your identity stolen?
First of all, someone is pretending to be YOU.
Your social security number begins leading a second life, renting an apartment, acquiring property, credit cards, a medical history, a criminal record. You won’t know it’s happening for months, even years.
And the way you find out will be life-changing. Typically, you’ll get a call from your bank notifying you that your checking account is overdrawn. Then you find that the money in your savings is gone. You start getting calls from collection agencies about a debt you never took on, like a credit card or a car loan. The problem keeps snowballing, and you are really all alone with it.
On top of all that is the emotional impact. The Identity Theft Resource Center conducts an annual AFTERMATH STUDY among victims. More than 49% of respondents reported a stressed family life; 22% felt betrayed by unsupportive family members and friends. They expressed feelings of anger; betrayal; being unprotected by police; personal financial fears; sense of powerlessness; sense they were grieving; annoyed, frustrated or exhausted; sleep disturbances; an inability to trust people. Long-term emotional responses included suicidal; feeling captive; ready to give up; and felt that they have lost everything.
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Think Like a Criminal
By karen | June 24, 2008
Originally posted on Mon, 07/02/2007 - 12:29 — karen
This is a great article about identity theft from the point of view of the thief. Ever wonder how the tech experts keep themselves safe from identity theft and other fraud? Wonder no more. MarketWatch asked various experts — tech-product engineers, analysts, even a former identity thief — what they do to stay safe, both online and off.
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Tech-industry experts gives some expert advice about online security
By karen | June 24, 2008
Originally posted on Mon, 07/02/2007 - 14:37 — zim
Tech experts’ top insider tips to avoid ID theft, online threats - MarketWatch
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Secure Your Data
By karen | June 24, 2008
Originally posted on Tue, 07/03/2007 - 15:12 by zim
TrueCrypt - Free Open-Source On-The-Fly Disk Encryption Software for Windows Vista/XP/2000 and Linux
Free open-source disk encryption software for Windows Vista/XP/2000 and Linux
Main Features:
- Creates a virtual encrypted disk within a file and mounts it as a real disk.
- Encrypts an entire hard disk partition or a storage device such as USB flash drive.
- Encryption is automatic, real-time (on-the-fly) and transparent.
- Provides two levels of plausible deniability, in case an adversary forces you to reveal the password: 1) Hidden volume (steganography – more information may be found here). 2) No TrueCrypt volume can be identified (volumes cannot be distinguished from random data).
- Encryption algorithms: AES-256, Serpent, and Twofish. Mode of operation: LRW.
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Fraud, Phishing, and Financial Misdeeds
By karen | June 24, 2008
Originally posted on Wed, 07/11/2007 - 07:06
This blog Fraud, Phishing, and Financial Misdeeds by Ed Dickson is a great collection of true stories dealing with the same sort experience I went through. There are photos and videos and some excellent information, including a great article entitled Ever wonder how well you are protected from credit card fraud? . Scary stuff!
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FOP (Federal Order of Police) Award Ceremony
By karen | June 24, 2008
Originally posted on Sun, 07/15/2007 - 19:43
The best part of this experience by far has been this past Friday night. I was honored with a Meritorious Certificate from the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police), California Federal Lodge 21, in recognition of my meritorious service. It was a wonderful ceremony shared with an intimate group of friends and police officers from the San Francisco Mint; ironically near where the chase and capture began.
I listened to the amazing stories of the officers as they shared their life and experiences in the law enforcement. Some of them served in WWII and shared their stories from that experience too. They first presented me with a poster they created that displayed the map from the SF Chronicle paper of the chase I traveled, and then they presented to me the award which was a beautifully framed plaque with a gold seal. Plus, two gold coins. After pictures were taken I told the story of the capture to an attentive crowd. I was told later, everyone enjoyed the story as I related it to the map.
It seems so surreal to me that I would be honored for something I felt so compelled to do without any notion it would lead to such reward. But it was special and something I will never forget. I will reflect on it with great appreciation and thanks always.
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Incredible Story, “Who Am I”
By karen | June 24, 2008
Originally posted on Wed, 07/18/2007 - 22:01
This story blows my mind. What this woman is going through and how she will continue to repair her Identity for the rest of her life.
http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_79_Who_Am_I.mp3/view
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Protect Your Social Security Number
By karen | June 24, 2008
Originally published on Sun, 07/22/2007 - 20:42
According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, when SSNs were first issued in 1936, the federal government stated that the numbers would be used strictly for Social Security programs. “Social Security number cards by themselves were never intended to be personal identity documents because they cannot confirm that a person presenting a card is actually the person whose name appears on the card,” says U.S. Representative Ron Lewis. “The use of these cards as a tool for personal identification and work authorization has significantly expanded in recent years.”
Today, the SSN is the most frequently used record keeping number in the United States. It is used for employee files, medical records, health insurance accounts, credit and banking accounts, student identification cards, and much more.
With the SSN accessible to so many people and organizations, it is easy for criminals to fraudulently use your SSN to assume your identity and gain access to your financial accounts, government records, and other sources of personal information. An identity thief who knows your SSN and name can open new lines of credit, buy expensive merchandise, apply for jobs in your name, and steal money from your bank accounts before you realize it. To minimize your risk of becoming a victim, here are a few simple guidelines to protect your number:
Safeguard your personal data. Identity thefts often pose as bank representatives, service providers and government agents to trick victims into revealing their numbers. Never give out personal information in person, over the phone, by mail, or online unless you made the initial contact or you are certain you trust the people who are asking for it.
Monitor your SSN and credit card numbers.
Know when your SSN is required and opt out when it is not. Many people mistakenly believe that they must provide their SSN when a government agency or private business asks for their Social Security number. This is simply not true.
Select government agencies, such as motor vehicle departments, tax departments and welfare departments, can legally demand your SSN. Your SSN is also required for transactions involving taxes, so banks, brokerages and employers may have a legitimate need for your SSN. Other than that, most businesses and retailers have no legal right to demand your number.
Always Ask Questions. When someone asks for your SSN, make sure you understand why they need it and how they will protect it. Always ask:
- why your number is needed;
- how your number will be used and protected;
- what happens if you refuse; and
- what law requires you to give your number.
Just say no. When asked for your SSN, ask if you can provide an alternative piece of identification. Many companies have alternative procedures for customers who do not want to give their number. If they refuse your request, you can choose not to do business with them.
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Where Is She?
By karen | June 24, 2008
While at the court house this morning waiting to give my statement for restitution to the judge and Maria, I was told it would be postponed due to the fact that she was taken to Kern County.
I was told Maria Nelson will most likely go to State prison.
Not only was she wanted in Yolo County, while stealing my identity in San Francisco, but they were also looking for her in Kern County. She is presently in jail without bail in Kern County awaiting trial and sentencing in both Kern and Yolo.
Jeffery Bell, who was with her at the coffee shop, the day I caught her, has also been arrested and is in jail. He has been her partner-in-crime, so I’m relieved they also got him.
It’s not quite over, stay tuned…
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identity theft
By karen | May 28, 2008
I recently got a phone call from a credit card company verifying that I requested a card on May 15th. I had not. The person I talked to verified my personal info including current address. This did not match what they had from a person that was trying to get a card in my name. Not only did this person have my name, but my SS# and most recent address prior to current. I have no idea how this person got my info. She listed her address as Decatur, GA. I do not live there, but did pass through there a week before she started applying for credit in my name. When I bought something I paid cash, so she didn’t get any bank card info, but if she has my social she could get my banking info too.
I was given the fraud alert numbers for the 3 credit bureaus which I immediately called; and ran my credit reports as well. I put out a fraud alert with all 3. In reading my credit reports I found that this person has tried to get credit cards with at least 8 companies. I was able to call some of them and make sure they were denied.
Is there anything else I need to do to stop this person before she does get approved for something in my name, or gets in to my bank account? I know I can get a security freeze with the credit bureaus, but isn’t that the same as putting out a fraud alert? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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