Local ID Theft arrest:
More than 1,000 pounds of stolen mail recovered; half with Kitsap addresses
Elsewhere in the US-
Why ask for a Social Security Number for a credit or loan application- when any SSN will be accepted & no verification is done to link the SSN to the loan applicant?
“In one case, they even used a 6-year-old’s Social Security number to get credit, it said.”
Too bad 6-year old- you should have signed up for appropriate credit monitoring services.
Just the ticket for scammers- the system places a loaded gun in their hand.
We are advised to safeguard our SSN- then told it is required for medical records, job applications, student records, rental applications, financial records, fishing licences, military records, driver’s licences, and daytime parking passes for state parks lands: “If you are not already confirmed as being in the state database, you’ll need to provide proof of who you are, where you live and a social security number.”
Look out folks- your life could be wrecked by an administratively lazy system that has been in place for years now:
We live in a world of passwords and PIN codes which we may change daily.
When we do online banking- our account comes with a password at no extra charge.
Credit cards have a code on the back to prevent fraud.
That lifetime SSN sure seems to create vulnerability.
But wait- we can all buy protection- for just a small fee for each family member. Then pay hundreds more to keep it turned on- like paying a middleman for a police report to see if you have been the vicitm of a crime.
Solution- buy more stuff.
Recommendation-
Create an opt in/out plan that allows people to make use of a PIN code associated with their SSN.
How about requiring credit reporting agencies to notify a consumer when someone using an identical DOB & SSN opens a new account and wants statements sent to an address that is not on file?
Elected officials are free to set priorities- such as undercover sting operations to make sure a cold six-pack doesn’t fall into the hands of a 20-year-old adult-
7 Dayton stores sell beer to underage buyer
County cafe fined $500 for underage drinking Undercover police cadet bought beer at restaurant
County goes after stores selling alcohol to minors
The Investigators: Self-serve store sells beer to underage buyer
Ever heard of a local sting operation to prevent fraudulent SSNs from being accepted for credit & loan applications?
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Photo- Point Hudson scene