US government is trying to limit the use of Social Security number as an ID because of identity theft. Before the Internet, people never thought about putting their SS# on anything. You can find them in public records in every courthouse in the country.
But they're trying to change that. Divorce forms still have it but on a special addendum on pink paper that is sealed and the court clerk removes it before giving you access to the file. Bankruptcy forms, the SS# is accessible on certain records that are not easily available to the general public but otherwise limited. It's easy to get around if you know how, and are motivated.
With SS#, address, date of birth, and a little personal information, you can set up credit cards in someone else's name and charge thousands before the credit card company cuts off the card.
Remember me talking about a client whose house I sold and helped him get into a nursing home? I get his mail a couple of times a month at the post office and sort it and shred most of it, deal with the stuff that needs dealing with. He is still getting credit card offers, every month! Despite the fact that he is 80 years old, retired, no income but Social Security, not competent, and in a nursing home!
The credit card companies must figure that giving cards to all and sundry makes better business sense than actually doing due diligence with their customers. They charge poor credit risks close to 30% interest, plus late fees, etc., etc., etc.
They just don't care. That's the bottom line. They figure they'll make enough money to make it worthwhile.
So, if someone steals someone else's identity, what's the diff? Some of the people being ripped off will pay anyway, just to keep their credit rating and not have trouble.
In America, credit ratings are better protected than honor or chastity or any other virtue.
I can't tell you how many people I've represented who have paid a debt they did not legally owe because they wanted to protect their credit rating. Even after I've told them, "you don't owe the money! Don't pay it!" They say, "oh, I don't want any trouble."
I could write a book. It's a topic worthy of Dickens. |
