THE INFORMER    

Welcome to our community resource newsletter, "The Informer. " The Informer will be updated monthly with information about our company,  local law enforcement agencies, and current issues in Public Safety.

 WEEK OF NOVEMBER 21,2011

Identity Theft...or...We Have Met The Enemy, and He Is Us

By

Steve Wallach, President/CEO, MetroStar Resources, LLC

I was in my office the other afternoon reading some material on ID Theft.  It was the usual stuff, you know, shred all your documents, never give out your social security or driver’s license number, or bank PIN numbers.  All very interesting, but the same stuff over and over again.  So I thought for a moment, and asked the question, “who is responsible for releasing all this information?”  While I understand that bad guys can buy our info from thieves who break in to offices and corporation, it suddenly dawned on me that WE release the information.  I realized that “We Have Met The Enemy And He Is Us!”  This quote has been around for years so I thought I’d give you a brief history.  It was uttered in 1970, by the cartoon character, Pogo, by Walt Kelly, on the 1970 Earth Day Poster.  OK, that’s the history lesson for today, now for some practical thoughts.

Ask yourself, have you been diligent in following the suggestions put out by many agencies, e.g., shredding documents, not passing on your Social Security Number, not allowing some company to copy your Driver’s License,, etc.  If you answered “yes,” then hold on a minute before you get that smug look that says “I did everything I could.”  Do you have a Facebook, Twitter, My Space, page or some other social network?  If you said “yes,” stop and think about this.  You have shared your entire life, photos, and whatever info you thought was cool to provide on the sites.  It’s gotten so bad, that someone started a site call “Please Rob Me.”  Folks put where they are when they aren’t home and the bad guys check out your sites and realize no one’s home.  All they need to is some quick research to find your address, and proceed to your house and burglarize it.

When I ask if a person has given up their Social Security Number to someone who has no business knowing it, I am always told “no way.”  OH, Really!  How about your medical provider’s office or someone at a business who makes you think they can ask.  Here’s a great reply, “Just what law gives you the right to ask for and use my Social Security Number?”   After they look at you with that “Scooby-Doo” look, they might tell you they must have it for insurance purposes.  Hogwash!  I have been told by providers and insurers, that they can come up with any number in their files that will identify you.  The other little trick is “I need your drivers’ license so I can copy it.”  Again, HOGWASH!  Ask them the same question about their authority to do this.  After they stumble awhile, they will back off, or try this line, “If you won’t provide the information, I won’t be able to serve you.”  True, but in these times I have yet to meet a receptionist or clerk who will use this one because it represents a financial loss for the provider.  After my call to the provider, this usually goes away, and service is rendered.

So why do we give up so easily?  Fear my friends, right here in River City!  We are afraid that we will lose our provider.  Not going to happen.  Now here’s where some info is needed.  In case you have never heard of a company called Acxiom, let me fill you in.  Acxiom is a corporation that buys and stores everything about you from birth to death.  They sell the information to companies, providers, the government, and who ever hires them to obtain the info.  Can you stop it?  NO!  Many times they contend the information they get is public and they can do what they wish.  They, like many other of today’s corporations really don’t care about what we want.  So what can we do?

Immediately take action to really follow the identity theft guidelines that you have been given over and over again.  Need a reminder, e-mail me at info@metrostarresources.com and we’ll send you a list.   Next, start standing up for your rights, and saying no to those who have no right to your data.  Finally, and this one is hard, stop using the social networking sites, or at least clean up your page on these sites.  Remember, the more personal information you provide, the greater your risk of exposure to identity theft.  It is your choice.  If you choose not to manage your information, then YOU choose to increase your risk level.

Remember, all of our law enforcement agencies can provide you information; we can provide information; but in the end, ONLY YOU can act on it.  Please think carefully, and the next time you ask, “how did they get my info?” the answer may well be “We Have Met The Enemy, and He Is Us!!!!”

Stay Safe!!  Shred It or Dread It!

Steve Wallach

(c) 2010 MSR

Stay safe; Harden The Target, and remember:

Have a Safe and Secure Week!  And,

LET’S ALL TAKE A BITE OUT OF CRIME!!

He who does not prevent crime when he can, encourages it.
—Roman philosopher, Seneca