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Fighting Back Now

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Fighting Against Identity Theft
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We need some new laws to stop identity theft! I am writing to you with the hopes that you will take some action to help stop the fastest growing crime in America. Speaking first hand, I know how identity theft devastates lives. Identity theft is getting out of control because it is so easy to perform with minimal consequences. I have listed some items that desperately need to be addressed:

  • Pass the Social Security Number Misuse Act bill - Let's make it law. This law would cut back on social security number usage; and even though there would be a financial cost, it is imperative to our future generations that we get these numbers minimally used and protected. It should be mandatory that all social security numbers be taken off Drivers Licenses throughout the country and never used as identification by businesses.
  • Establish clear federal standards for breached information - The Data Accountability and Trust Act needs to be revised, making companies and financial institutions more accountable. No exceptions! Mass notification should be required in a timely manner! Why are institutions with inadequate security to begin with getting to decide if their breaches are significant enough for their customers to know they have been put at risk? No CEO is going to mention a problem if he/she doesn't have to. Let the consumer decide if it is a serious issue. We are ultimately the ones cleaning up the mess.
  • Impose prison sentences - Stiffer sentences are needed to detour the amateur crooks that make up a good proportion of the crime ring. I believe enforcing prison time will certainly reduce this crime.
  • Update the nation's death registry - Implement precautions so that credit bureaus and government agencies don't wind up issuing benefits to the deceased. We should stop grave-robbers. It is another way to protect the living.
  • Remove bad credit or a criminal record from victims - Why should fraudulent accounts against a victim's credit still be visible on their credit report? Why should crimes committed under a victim's name be a permanent stamp on them, e.g. a criminal record? Someone who is or has been a victim of identity theft should not have to pay penalties or pay for losses financially or reputably.
  • Free protection for all -
    • All states should have ID theft registries with a toll free number and password to give to police officers and other officials.
    • Drivers' licenses could have swipe identification, like credit cards, for banks to authenticate.
    • Passwords on bank and company accounts along with picture identification (if a customer wants these types of protection they should be able to get it).
    • No charge for extra verification coverage for new or existing accounts. Why should a consumer have to pay extra to be protected?
    • Federal mail keys and locks reissued across the country. Those keys and locks are old and need to be replaced.

I feel companies don't care how they get/generate business just as long as they have it. I no longer deal with companies or people that have misused my information. I no longer give them my patronage. I will continue to communicate their negligence, so that other customers will reconsider their business. As my representative, I would like to see a response from you regarding the identity theft epidemic. I will only vote for someone who takes action against this issue in the next election.

We need some new laws to stop identity theft! I am writing to you with the hopes that you will take some action to help stop the fastest growing crime in America. Speaking first hand, I know how identity theft devastates lives. Identity theft is getting out of control because it is so easy to perform with minimal consequences. I have listed some items that desperately need to be addressed:

  • Pass the Social Security Number Misuse Act bill - Let's make it law. This law would cut back on social security number usage; and even though there would be a financial cost, it is imperative to our future generations that we get these numbers minimally used and protected. It should be mandatory that all social security numbers be taken off Drivers Licenses throughout the country and never used as identification by businesses.
  • Establish clear federal standards for breached information - The Data Accountability and Trust Act needs to be revised, making companies and financial institutions more accountable. No exceptions! Mass notification should be required in a timely manner! Why are institutions with inadequate security to begin with getting to decide if their breaches are significant enough for their customers to know they have been put at risk? No CEO is going to mention a problem if he/she doesn't have to. Let the consumer decide if it is a serious issue. We are ultimately the ones cleaning up the mess.
  • Impose prison sentences - Stiffer sentences are needed to detour the amateur crooks that make up a good proportion of the crime ring. I believe enforcing prison time will certainly reduce this crime.
  • Update the nation's death registry - Implement precautions so that credit bureaus and government agencies don't wind up issuing benefits to the deceased. We should stop grave-robbers. It is another way to protect the living.
  • Remove bad credit or a criminal record from victims - Why should fraudulent accounts against a victim's credit still be visible on their credit report? Why should crimes committed under a victim's name be a permanent stamp on them, e.g. a criminal record? Someone who is or has been a victim of identity theft should not have to pay penalties or pay for losses financially or reputably.
  • Free protection for all -
    • All states should have ID theft registries with a toll free number and password to give to police officers and other officials.
    • Drivers' licenses could have swipe identification, like credit cards, for banks to authenticate.
    • Passwords on bank and company accounts along with picture identification (if a customer wants these types of protection they should be able to get it).
    • No charge for extra verification coverage for new or existing accounts. Why should a consumer have to pay extra to be protected?
    • Federal mail keys and locks reissued across the country. Those keys and locks are old and need to be replaced.

I feel companies don't care how they get/generate business just as long as they have it. I no longer deal with companies or people that have misused my information. I no longer give them my patronage. I will continue to communicate their negligence, so that other customers will reconsider their business. As my representative, I would like to see a response from you regarding the identity theft epidemic. I will only vote for someone who takes action against this issue in the next election.

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We signed the "Fighting Back Now" petition!
# 251:
11:23 pm PDT, Sep 17, David Karner, California
Identity theft is a horrible crime, and not one that should be dealt with lightly. The way Karen was treated by the City of San Francisco was shameful. A person who steals a social security number and commits identity fraud is a CRIMINAL - and it doesn't matter if they had a "bad upbringing," are an illegal alien, or any other excuses. They should pay restitution and go to jail. Period.
# 250:
8:51 am PDT, Aug 25, Keith Dowding, Utah
The issue of Identity Theft is a burgeoning problem affecting millions of Americans. More protection is needed.
# 249:
8:34 am PDT, Aug 25, William Niedermeyer, Utah
As an officer for an Identity Theft Prevention system called Shop Shield, I am very aware of the absolute necessity for the prevention of sensitive personal information being accessed by unauthorized entities or individuals. By increasing the focus of definition on "unauthorized access" the push toward prevention instead of incident response will have immediate effect. This way the thieves can not steal what is not there in the first place.
# 248:
2:17 pm PDT, Aug 24, R Cooper, Oklahoma
After reading the responses below, my conclusion is that people need to be educated about the dangers and how to protect themselves. We cannot rely on legislation to protect us, although it is desparately needed! Karen, thanks for your work in educating us through your situation and by telling us what we can do to avoid these scams ourselves. Everyone should look into protecting their identity on their computers, their mail, when they are shopping and so many other ways. Technology is great but it comes at a price - sometimes a personal price, as in Karen's case. Let's help her out all we can.
# 247:
6:37 pm PDT, Aug 5, Name not displayed, Washington
# 246:
7:32 am PDT, Aug 1, Kimberly Lollar, California
I was mugged in Barcelona in Feb. 2009, I had my Driver license, health insurance card and my debit card only, I immediately called my bank and cancelled my card. Well I was on the phone canceling my card another thief came up behind me and stole my cell phone right from my ear! I called the Barcelona police, I can remember his exact words "Ms. you are about the 100th person today with this problem, we can write your name down but that's all we can do" I was shocked! But now July 2009 they have created a counterfeit debit card on my bank acct. and as of July 19 have cleaned out my checking and savings, and I am now just grasping the technology these theives have at their disposal to destroy someones life! We must do something!
# 245:
5:55 am PDT, Jun 29, Patricia Ribar, Texas
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 244:
10:50 pm PDT, Jun 28, Name not displayed, Texas
We recently had identity theft through our online banking with Bank of America. The thieves actually ordered checks, had them over-nighted and tried to cash one the next day. They had changed our phone number to a cell phone number which the bank called to verify the $5,075 check.The man who answered knew my husband's SSN but not when the account was opened. They left the bank in a hurry. I am hopeful they will be caught;but I wonder how much punishment there will be --after reading this account. We need better legislation.
# 243:
9:41 am PDT, Jun 17, Name not displayed, Texas
Those that commit identity theft need more than a slap on the wrist. Current laws that result in few penalties for offenders actually encourage people to participate in this type of behavior.
# 242:
7:59 am PDT, Jun 3, Name not displayed, Ohio
Identity theft is getting to be more common. Please help to STOP it.
# 241:
9:05 pm PDT, May 31, Stephen Chapman, Ohio
The burden of proof should be on the institution that provides credit or whatever. Without adequate proof the service should be denied. If allowed and is a case of identity theft, the institution should immediately be held liable.
# 240:
5:56 pm PDT, May 31, Reuben Buck, Tennessee
We who work hard pay our bills and taxes, and serve our country and community need your potection. SGM Reuben G. Buck US ARMY, Ret
# 239:
7:52 pm PDT, May 26, Name not displayed, California
SS Numbers should be 100% private.
# 238:
4:52 pm PDT, May 26, Ron & Linda White, Iowa
We, too, were victims, but we got off light when only one charge was made against our credit card. We salute you for standing up and fighting against this awful crime. Laws should be made/strengthened to help fight back, especially when there is no help from banks.
# 237:
12:51 pm PDT, May 26, Jill Dreier, Wisconsin
# 236:
2:05 pm PDT, Mar 12, Faraz Hussain, Illinois
Faraz Hussain
# 235:
12:05 pm PST, Feb 25, Eric Maki, California
Identity theft needs more serious attention, precautions and penalties.
# 234:
4:57 pm PST, Feb 16, Camille raveesh Raveesh, Michigan
# 233:
11:03 am PST, Feb 11, Nicole Scott, Georgia
I am suffering from Identity Theft, but I am not about to be anyone's victim. I hope everyone suffering from this horrible situation will not play the victim but take action against the thieves.
# 232:
8:36 am PST, Jan 29, Richard Havens, Florida
# 231:
7:42 pm PST, Jan 26, Roxie Schliesman, Wisconsin
# 230:
2:14 am PST, Jan 26, Anita Kofta, Wisconsin
# 229:
11:30 pm PST, Jan 24, Eternal Optimist, Australia
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 228:
4:24 pm PST, Jan 24, BiLL Fowlie, Maine
# 227:
10:22 am PST, Jan 22, Tiki Merchant, Texas
I have lost everything because of identity theft. A person I know opened new bank accounts with counterfeit checks linked back to my main account. This person used my credit card to obtain cash advances and I have been unable to resolve all this with the bank.
# 226:
11:44 am PST, Jan 17, Jana Lollis, North Carolina
I have recently learned that I'm a victim of identity theft. I'm a single disabled woman and, as a teacher for over 20 years, have worked hard to achieve my excellent credit history. Now, in one month and a half, all of that may have been destroyed. I live in a small town and the police are unable to help me other than filling out a report. My name, address, credit card, ssn, and credit history have been used. Also, my work number has recently been verified anonymously. I have reason to believe my mail has been tampered with, as well. A person had the nerve to order a Dell computer in my name, using my address, had it shipped overnight by FedEx, and picked it up HIM/HERSELF at my house right before Christmas!!! I'm finding very few avenues for help and for a single disabled woman, this is scary! Please pass this law to ensure that individuals caught misusing innocent people's social security number will suffer a severe consequence to match the magnitude of their crime.
# 225:
1:08 pm PST, Jan 16, Randolph Clayton, California
# 224:
1:11 pm PST, Jan 12, Paul R Blanchette Jr, Massachusetts
PLEASE make the law specific and to the point, Mass just wrote some law for this and the words "in a reasonable amout of time" does not work in my book. Paul
# 223:
10:58 am PST, Jan 2, Heather Wierima, North Dakota
# 222:
5:30 pm PST, Jan 1, Jennifer Gardner, Florida
# 221:
3:54 pm PST, Jan 1, Scarlet Warner, Florida
My car was broken into at our local YMCA and my purse stolen out of it. I too have been a victim of identity theft where the culprit withdrew $5800.00 from my Wachovia account. They left my DL behind in the teller's drawer when she walked away from her window as she sensed something wrong. As far as I know, these people haven't been caught and I have not heard word one from the cops. It has now been 6 weeks.
# 220:
7:27 am PDT, Oct 31, Glenn Pickett, North Carolina
Back in September 2007 my wife's ( Virginia) purse and identity was taken, we had to change every thing.
# 219:
8:06 am PDT, Oct 24, Irwin Katlein, Florida
Do whatever is necessary to stop identity thieves. And make violations a felony no matter how much the thief has stolen. And last, but not least, make credit card companies and banks more responsive to complaints.
# 218:
8:45 am PDT, Oct 19, Name not displayed, Pennsylvania
I had my wallet stolen and my identity was also stolen at that time. They used my Debit card to purchase gasoline among other things. It is one of the ultimate feelings of personal violations to have your ID stolen.
# 217:
9:05 pm PDT, Oct 13, Alan Satterfield, Oklahoma
Its a dirty shame that the id criminals are not punished accept a slap on the wrist for stealing someones life~!!!!
# 216:
5:16 pm PDT, Oct 7, Name not displayed, North Carolina
Please do something for the benefit of the people. Pleaase pass the SSN Misuse Act bill.
# 215:
12:11 pm PDT, Sep 23, Name not displayed, Texas
Identiy Theft scares me. I want to see something done to protect us.
# 214:
7:24 pm PDT, Sep 17, Tim McElroy, California
Nice Story Karen. I too had this happen a few years back fortunately it was only for a cell phone account.
# 213:
8:40 am PDT, Sep 10, Name not displayed, New York
One of my family members had her identity stolen. It was infuriating and heartbreaking to see what she had to go through - AND IS STILL GOING THROUGH! I worry often about my own identity and stongly feel that much more should be done to alleviate this.
# 212:
2:04 pm PDT, Sep 8, Michael Cox, Maine
My social secruity number was stolen by a man with my same name, except he has a different middle name. This man who's name is Michael Ray Cox opened bank accounts with my ss#. I know this mans name for sure because I have all the bank information sent to me from the bank of america.There were also other accounts opened, how many I'm not sure. I have been dealing with this issue for some time now. I didn't even know about it until I tried to open a checking account at my local bank. This has been reported to the police,attorney general,the FTC,SSA,lawyers,all credit bureaus and the secret service, all to no avail. I want justice served not just my name cleared. PLEASE HELP ME I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.
# 211:
4:36 pm PDT, Aug 30, Jessica A Bruno, New Jersey
Basically, switched from that bank to another one because of all of this. At the same time my parents are staying put with this bank. Even with all of the problems that they had with them as well. Thats it for now.
# 210:
10:11 pm PDT, Aug 25, Name not displayed, California
As to what our government must do to prevent these financial crimes of our citizens.... One possible solution: One more number should be added to our social security numbers that is only known to the original person issued the card. It would be like a pin number that can only be entered by the holder into a national datebase, like banks have. Anyone using a social security number to open any account, etc., would have to enter it into that database before it could be approved.
# 209:
7:19 pm PDT, Aug 21, Vanessa Flores, Texas
# 208:
1:59 pm PDT, Aug 19, Rebecca Russell, Texas
I had my mailbox broken into and the police and post office did nothing about it. Not only were bills and other financial information stolen but so was a birth card and a passport. There should be more protection for everyone to abides by the law!
# 207:
1:51 pm PDT, Aug 19, Name not displayed, Texas
My daughter had her mailbox broken into and she got absolutely no help from the post office. We need tougher laws. Quit slapping criminals on the wrist and saying "be good now" - stick them with stiff penalities.
# 206:
1:44 pm PDT, Aug 14, Shonna Gore, Oklahoma
Thank you for your petition. I have been targeted twice thru my Bank of America Account, The huge corporation does not care that they were provided exactly what was stolen, my money and my identity. I was a single mother on a very tight budget. My card number was taken from a merchant copy of a credit receipt. Even thought I had spending limits on my account. Several purchases totaling $1400.00 went thru for Concert tickets. Purchased on my card and held in someone elses name. The concert ticket outlet clerk slipped and gave me the persons name and the seat numbers with my proof of id 4 forms to be exact. I still could not get him charged. With the total he attempeted to spend on my account it would have been a felony. Nope no charges the bank wasnt much more help. A year later all od fees were finally refunded leaving me a positive balance of $7.00. Now Bank of America has sent me to 4 credit collection agency's for od fees that they have refunded. I have a new hit on my report each time, I have to provide both police reports and copies of all documents I received from the bank. To no avail I have gone as far as the presidents office for Bank of America. After several documented phone calls I still have not been contacted back.
# 205:
9:11 am PDT, Jul 30, Paul Carmichael, Texas
Having been a victim of fraud myself, I can completely empathize with her plight. It's insidious.
# 204:
6:12 am PDT, Jul 27, Name not displayed, Florida
We as victims have to protect ourselves better and need the means and support to do so. I agree witht he petition 100%. I had a breach of security at my bank Wachovia and they would not even acknowledge the breach. I researched and found the perpetrators and was able to stop them before they did damgae, at least hope so. They have all of my personal info. The bank, police, FBI; no one would help me becasue I was lucky and stopped them before they actually commmitted the fraud. Apparently, it is not a crime to access a persons account and have a card sent to an alternate address to commit the theft. I even have the perpetrators information through detective work and still can't do anything about it. THe bank will not even cross reference with other accounts the originating phone number that attmpted to steal me blind with other account members at Wachovia. They would do nothing to help prevent fraud in this manner. I want to get involved with helping others fight identy theft.
# 203:
9:45 pm PDT, Jul 13, Jason Martinez, New Jersey
I am currently serving in the Army overseas and recently, had my personal information stolen from me. I do not know what the individual has planned and it is a scary ordeal. Yet, our government says, our social security number cannot be used for identity theft. Tell that to DMV! Identity theft needs to be stopped! I do not have much faith in our government, with identity theft and educating ourselves is going to be our best protection.
# 202:
7:25 am PDT, Jul 2, Jason Costa, Illinois
# 201:
4:17 am PDT, Jul 2, Name not displayed, Illinois
I feel that the sentencing that was given was not enough. That woman should have gotten years in prison. I believe that if that had been anyone associated with the law or government then this person would have ended up in prison for years, but when it comes to the civilians then nothing much is done. I was very angry when I read the story in a magazine and this woman didn't get much time to serve. I feel that she should have gotten a lot more and had to serve all of it instead of a short amount of time because of good behavior. The law continues to get worse each day.
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