 |
Further
Reading ...
|
|
An Introduction to Lapel Pins
Lapel pins are not just jewelry; they are a way to show off a wearer’s passion, affiliation, hobby or travels. Many people collect and trade lapel pins with a fervor usually reserved for rookie baseball cards. Speaking of baseball, the New York...
Cooking with Kids--Safely!
School's out! And summer is a good time to introduce your child to chores in the kitchen! To help you along, here are some things to remember when cooking, especially with kids. Plus a couple of kid-friendly recipes! 1. Keep temperature of hot...
The Internet Provides a Virtual Classroom
Do you have a passion for a certain subject? Maybe you want to know more about elephants or the computer code to create computer games. You can find information about any of your interests online. The Internet not only provides basic information...
Common Criteria: A Prime Factor In Information Security For The Dod
Is your vital selective information secure. How do you know. There ar several ways to increase confidence in the security measures of your vital entropy. The data could be moved to a non-accessible location. A security system firm could be hired to...
|
|
|
Identity Theft: Oh No. Not Them
|
 |
Written By:
Daryl Campbell
|
|
|
You'll never hear the end of it if you decide to press charges. And besides you're not even sure you really want to do that. They might pay you back the money. Not. The burden is on you to sort this mess out and the worst part is once a relative or friend steals your identity, it's almost impossible to trust them again.
We hear about the high profile cases of hackers breaking into the databases of Lexis Nexus or DSW Shoe warehouse, yet most instances of identity theft never make the news. Usually it's something basic like a neighbor stealing a credit card application from your mailbox or a relative going thru your personal belongings
In the Better Business Bureau's 2005 Fraud Survey report they found relatives, close friends and neighbors make up 50 percent of all identity thieves. They also cost you more time and money trying to fix the problem. Javelin Research calculates that the average cost to identity theft victims is $15,607 when the perpetrator is known.
But even that figure is misleading. Many children are falling victim to identity theft (a half million last year according to the Federal Trade Commission) which means the full impact of the damage may not be known until years later when as adults they apply for credit.
For some parents, stealing their child's identity is a stop gap solution. Their own credit is destroyed, so "borrowing" their child's social security number becomes a necessity. All the while, they assure themselves the money will be paid back. Yet the same pattern that destroyed the parent's credit, now puts a negative on the child.
It - continued below ...
|
|
|
continued ...
doesn't matter if the thief is a parent, sibling or best friend, the process of recovering your identity is a tough one and it gets more complicated. Should you report the crime?
"Frequently when we would break up a ring and get a list of victims and find family members were involved in the crime, relatives are very reluctant to co-operate" says Ken Hunter, former Chief Postal Inspector and current president of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.
According to a study done by Gartner, Inc., the chances of an identity thief getting prosecuted are 1 in 700. However, when a relative is the culprit those odds go through the roof. The attitude understandably becomes, "Yes, they did me wrong but I can't send them to jail."
Ken Hunter: "If it's a matter of pilferage at a very low level, nothing much is really going to happen to that person."
On the other hand, if your identity is used to commit crimes on a higher scale, by all means report it to the authorities. You may feel guilty and make a lot of people angry in the process. Families get torn apart because relatives feel the matter should stay private.
It's a tough decision, but remember, this is your good name the identity thief destroyed, not your relatives and it's you who may be wanted for a crime, not them.
Daryl Campbell is a writer and home business owner.
You love your family and friends. You want to keep loving them. Identity Theft will test that love. In 50% of all identity thefts, the victim knows the thief. Don't think it can happen to you? Watch this movie => http://digbig.com/4dwsx
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| _Additional Resources ... |
|
Labor And Delivery
ALL ABOUT LABOR AND DELIVERY This is it – the finish line. You and your partner have been training for this event for the last 40 weeks and there is no turning back. Hopefully, you have registered in some sort of prenatal class (aka childbirth...
What a Parent Must Do to Stop Online Predators
To monitor or not to monitor kids online -- that's a question millions of parents face. On the one hand, software for monitoring kids' online behavior is a relief for ever-busy Moms and Dads. On the other hand, parents should be very careful when...
How To Select The Right Shoes For Your Children
It is pretty usual for children to go around in footies or in socks during their first months. At that age, shoes are merely a 'decoration' item because newborns or young babies never walk so they don't need any kind of support for their body and...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
