'Identity Theft'

Identity Theft

Frank (64.76.35.162) -

Everyone is focused on the problem of "identity theft". Yet maybe the prespective is backwards.

What people are "stealing" is simply a number that others use to represent someone's "identity".

The problem is not with the theft of the "identity". The problem lies with how credit grantors and others determine ones "identity."

The concensus is that if you produce a number (SSN) you are infact the peron that Social Security number represents. The truth is all your production of an SSN means is that you know that number!

Since the real "owner" of that SSN uses the SSN and their name for many purposes (many public), any contention a person who happens to know a "SSN" and a "NAME" is in fact that person is completely absurd.

The issue is not one of identity theft at all but the credit grantors and others using bogus methods to ascertain one's "identity".

Comment #1 Moe from Vancouver, Canada -

You bring up really good points Frank.

Reading this post made me recall a time several years ago when i got a phone call from an government agency who said they were looking into a debt problem that was under my name. They asked me to come and discuss this and they showed me a picture of the ID that had MY name on it but a picture of a different guy. Everything about this guy was totally different, nationality, weight, height, etc. Except that this person had my name, and they said they suspect that this person has a history of identity fraud and just basically wanted me to sign papers stating that person was not me and let me go. I never had to deal with the debts, it must have not been that big or something but i was very relieved. It was strange though, to know that someone out there was using my name. I still to this day do not know how they managed to steal the information necessary to pretend they were me. So odd.

Comment #2 Sweetness from Earth, the Universe -

Okay "Identity Theft" is real. People get SSN or SIN numbers and with those numbers they can product a complete identity including Bank Accounts, Credit Cards, Driver's LIcenses and with these in place can steal your total identity and if they are good at hacking they can even hack into your bank accounts using your identity and changing the passwords.

It doesn't take a lot to get the information required. Most of it can be done by sending out a "phony" survey from your bank with trivial questions with the usual "to put you into the proper category we need some basic information. Your birth date, your e-mail address, your total household income.

It would amaze you at how many people fall for these schemes and don't even question it because it came from their bank.

The unfortunate part is that a lot of seniors who are not completely versed in computers and mainly use it for e-mails to their loved ones don't have a clue that they should question this type of thing.

That's how a lot of them get scammed out of their retirement funds and savings by being uninformed.

Comment #3 snowbird (1) from The North -

I wish banks wouldn't post your ss# on the statements. I have quite a few accounts and it is so time consuming shredding the stuff just to keep my identity. There is no reason for them to post that on the statements anyways.

Comment #4 Sam from Net -

Good Point. But unfortunately my identity has been that number only, which if goes to a wrong person then a whole lot of problems will start flowing in.

Comment #5 itsmrsjonesy from * -

unfortunately it it way to easy for a person to have their identity stolen, there are so many things these days that require a person to enter their ssn.

Comment #6 snowbird (1) from The North -

Until recently my employer was posting my SS# on my paycheck. I don't know why they need that on my paycheck, all my bank needs is my drivers license.

Comment #7 PATRICK from HOUSTON, TEXAS -

Identity theft is an epidemic here in America. There is so much of it going around. Very few people get caught doing this crime. It’s hard for law enforcement to catch these crooks because nobody asks for proper identification. This is sad.

Comment #8 Lynn (63.176.159.1) - Thu Oct 16 23:40:14 2008

I do agree on everything said here. When I was in my second year of college someone stole my wallet and I had about 3 major department store credit cards that I used sometimes but always paid off the balance, and the person who stole my wallet maxed out my credit cards and now I am stuck with bad credit and the credit places calling me and wanting payments, and I told them what happened and even sent them all copies of the police report and they still are insisting payment and I refuse to pay for things I did not buy.

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