Privacy, Security and Identity theft

Privacy, Security and Identity theft  »  200 people using her social security number?

200 people using her social security number?

by Cheryl Baumgartner Medical Billing/Coding/Insurance
Cheryl Baumgartner Professional Premium   Medical...
Imagine applying for a job and getting a call asking why you are applying since you already work there.   That's what has happened to to Audra Schmeirer.  Since the initial call she has found out that 200 other people are using her social security number.  Her number was sold to an illegal immigrant at a flea market and now Mrs Schmeirer is paying the price.

She has no one to help her.  Not the IRS, not the Social security administration and not Congress.  Identity theft is a major problem that is constantly occurring and your credit is the least of your problems if you become a victim.  You say you have "identity theft protection" through your bank, your credit cards or your home owner's insurance?  Call and ask them to fix this.  See what they say.
Jul 12th 2008 15:20

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Comments

Vijaya Lakshmi Committed   Writer, Health Consultant
But what is the way to stop them using her identity? Is it so unsafe then to have our true identity?
Mar 26th 2011 00:39   
Cheryl Baumgartner Professional Premium   Medical Billing/Coding/Insurance
Unfortunately, all of us are listed in databases. While we need to make every effort to protect our information ourselves we have to remember that other people (Employees of these businesses, organizations and agencies) also have access to our information.

We can't control them. This is why laws are being constantly passed to address identity theft. Here in the US many states including California and Texas already have stringent laws on the books that result in huge fines against these companies. The Federal Government is also working on a law that would make every state comply with notification etc.

Right now the laws mostly address the financial side of identity theft but they are catching up slowly.
Mar 26th 2011 07:53   
Vijaya Lakshmi Committed   Writer, Health Consultant
Okay I understand. So when we entered in this cyber space it is no other way to stop our information by someone who is unknown to us either it is with or without knowledge. Am I correct?
Mar 26th 2011 10:49   
Cheryl Baumgartner Professional Premium   Medical Billing/Coding/Insurance
Actually we have some measure of control over what is posted online. We can opt to use privacy settings, Avoid unknown links and only give our information to secured sites (They should have 'https:// in the address bar and you should see a padlock icon).

What we have no control over is government agencies (The Veterans administration seems to lose people's personal information almost daily at times), Doctors offices and hospitals, insurance agencies, Schools, retailers (Every large retailer in the US has some sort of loyalty reward program), banks and credit card companies. Think of everyone over the years that you have given your information to for some reason. All of them have you in a 'database' whether it's electronically in a computer system or on paper in a file cabinet.
Mar 26th 2011 12:54   
Vijaya Lakshmi Committed   Writer, Health Consultant
At present in our country there is no computer involvement in most places and also till now no unique identity number given to find the right person with the number. So identity theft has not yet arrived here in paper work or in computerised one. But it is not like there is no identity theft, but it is very minimal when compared to other types of crimes.
I thought in US, there would be strict law and the police/other government officals work with conscience so that the crimes are minimal when compared to our country. From your statement, I think my thought regarding this is wrong.
Only when the government officials think that it is not alone their work and it is duty to safeguard public identity, such crimes would reduce.
Mar 26th 2011 13:23   
Cheryl Baumgartner Professional Premium   Medical Billing/Coding/Insurance
The problem is that There are laws against the crime the problem is that there are no borders to the crime. The identity thief could be in another state or another country.

Identity Theft has become a well organized criminal undertaking. While you may be able to catch an individual thief here and there, You can't catch the big boys. The one who are in essence 'brokering' the information. They are buying this information form the original thief on one hand and then turning around sometimes years later and selling it to other thieves who actually use it.
Mar 26th 2011 14:03   
Vijaya Lakshmi Committed   Writer, Health Consultant
Yeah I read one news recently about Credit card theft here. Only the person who exchange the details are caught. Yet our police take necessary action to find till the end. I am happy in that at least they tried to work out.
Mar 26th 2011 23:30   
Cheryl Baumgartner Professional Premium   Medical Billing/Coding/Insurance
I hope your Government and Police can keep it in check
Mar 27th 2011 07:37   
Vijaya Lakshmi Committed   Writer, Health Consultant
I believe in that Cheryl but it takes time.
Mar 27th 2011 10:39   
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