| 3/24/2007 – Identity. Without it you are faceless, nameless. It is who you are, where you live, what you do. It also is a series of numbers tied to your Social Security account, credit card, driver’s license and bank account.
Those numbers make us vulnerable to unscrupulous types who would use them to drain our accounts and run up huge credit card bills.
That is the position in which an Enid man, Dana Clark, recently found himself. He received what he thought was a credit card offer from Bass Pro Shop. It turned out to be a bill.
Surveillance cameras at Bass Pro Shop in Oklahoma City and a city-area Wal-Mart caught a young woman making purchases with cards in Clark’s name. On March 6, three credit card accounts were opened in Clark’s name. Two days later, some $6,000 in charges had been run up.
The identity thief also opened an account in Clark’s name at Pier 1, and tried to open others at Best Buy and Circuit City.
Clark is not alone. Enid police received a report in the past month of someone opening an account at Bass Pro Shop in the name of another local man.
Enid police Capt. Dean Grassino recommends using services to check credit reports periodically to make sure your identity has not been stolen. He also says it is wise to shred all bills and documents containing sensitive information.
The Federal Trade Commission advises never giving out your personal information, especially your Social Security number, over the phone unless you know who you are dealing with. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or put it on your checks.
Keep all your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates or have someone working in your home.
On the computer, never use an obvious password and never click on links sent in unsolicited e-mails.
The bottom line is, guard your identity closely. One you is all the world, and your bank account, needs. Identity theft can happen to you, and if you are not careful, it will.
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