What is the definition of identity theft? As defined by the Federal Trade Commission, "Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. While you can't entirely control whether you will become a victim, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk." Identity theft is a growing problem in the country according to police, the federal trade commission, and credit reporting agencies. Despite your best efforts to protect your personal information, it can still occur. Shredding personal information such as documents that contain your name, address, social security numbers, account numbers is highly advised. When you mail bills, they should be dropped off at the post office. Despite my best efforts, this now has hit home with me. Someone used my name and title to secure a loan for a home. I called the local police department to report this incident and they closed the case because I did not know who had created this bogus letter used to secure the loan. I attempted to find out who had done this with both the mortgage broker and the lender and neither one would help. Tax preparers can sell their client list to third parties with consent from the client. This is a 30-year-old regulation that is under revision by the IRS which determines how tax preparers can seek consent to use or disclose information. National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson believes that disclosure of tax related information is not strong enough and preparers can determine what constitutes disclosure. The American Institute of Public Accountancy (AICPA) recently sent out a letter to over 330,000 members notifying them of a lost hard drive that contained personal information (i.e. name, address, and social security numbers) of its members. This is the organization who dictates how Certified Public Accountants must perform. They have given Certified Public Accountants a year of free credit monitoring and tried to assure members that less than one percent are affected by identity theft. If you do the math, that computes to approximately 3,300 professionals that are now at risk. I resent that fact that they still carry my information after over five years. I have not been a member for greater than 5 years and personal information was not safeguarded adequately. They have changed their procedure of requiring social security numbers in the data base they maintain, but this is like shutting the gate after the horse gets out. There is a growing problem in this country and our ethics are slipping. Individuals who are professionals are committing crimes against their clients and the general public. No one will speak out against their own profession for fear of retaliation by their peers. This is in any profession and it is time to stop. Medical information which contains personal information is being outsourced to foreign countries that do not follow our stricter guidelines. Accounting and tax information is also outsourced to foreign countries as well as legal documents through attorneys. There is a cost savings to these professionals, but who pays the ultimate price - the client does. There is a saying that money is the root of all evil. Money itself is not evil. Money is power. People are control hungry and misuse power. They are in control and love the feel of power and use it to hurt others. This also has happened to me in a business relationship. You can see it in the headlines daily. When are we going to fight back? When are we going to do something about this situation? |
