Identity theft focus of collaborative meeting
Identity theft focus of collaborative meeting
| BY RUTH JUSTIS |
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| 3/15/2007 – Identity theft is big business — to the tune of 50 million people losing data over the last five months.
“Your Social Security Number is becoming as valuable as cash to thieves,” Mary Eddins, identity theft risk management specialist for Pre-Paid Legal Services, told representatives of local agencies at the monthly Indian Wells Valley Collaborative meeting. “Unfortunately, there is no way to totally protect yourself from identity theft,” Eddins said. “It could be someone in your office who is selling your information, or the clerk at the nearet convenience store, or the waitress you hand your credit card to in a restaurant.” A Time magazine article on the subject lists a few ways your identity can be compromised: thieves can access your name, address, phone number, Social Security Number (which is public record), your birth certificate, fishing license, driver’s license, military records, even your thumb print and DNA. Once your identity is stolen, the result could be credit card debt for things you did not purchase, loan default proceedings, even arrest — if the thief assumed your identity and participated in illegal activities. Most victims need help restoring their identity, Eddins said. “The five most common areas of identity theft are driver’s licenses, medical records, Social Security Numbers (the government uses your nunmber in 34 different areas), character, and credit identity. One 82-year-old woman was arrested on a DUI charge, even though she quit driving years ago. Her neighbor had stolen her identity and applied for a driver’s license in her name,” Eddins said. Pre-Paid Legal Services has a suite of products to protect before, during and after the fact, when identity is stolen. Eddins said she is willing to do free assessments for organizations, to make sure they are complying with new laws. which hold the business owner or director liable for safeguarding their client’s information. Pre-Paid Legal Services also offers continuous monitoring of a client’s credit report to spot suspicious activity. Eddins can be reached at 446-1141 or 954-4029 or at prepaidlegal.com/hub/maryeddins. |