Great post Tip. Identity theft is so much more common a problem than people realize, until it happens to them!

Great post.  I hate to admit it , but I never gave this crime much thought.

Choicepoint has recently announced that some customer’s personal information was compromise by imposters who identified themselves as legitimate operators.

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

Choicepoint was a company that spun out of the data revolution.  In a short seven years, this company had collect records on almost every living adult in the US. It is a large data compiler, which also buys data from as well as collects info that is sold to governments, FBI, major corporations, credit bureaus, insurance companies and others for credit cards, employment and many other purposes.

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->

When word came out about this it was characterized as a major national security issue. It is very had to get a hold Choicepoint and it has been suspected for some time that there is no accountability as to what this company does with information it collects.

Good Reminder Gina.  Has anyone had any success stories with the companies that "insure" you identity against theft?  I've seen ads on tv for it quite a bit.

Choicepoint has recently announced that some customer’s personal information was compromise by imposters who identified themselves as legitimate operators.

Choicepoint was a company that spun out of the data revolution.  It is a very large data aggregator, which collects data on everything from credit card purchases to toll road FAST trackers.   In a short seven years, this company had collect records on almost every living adult in the US. It is a large data compiler, which buys and resells data to local governments, Federal agencies, the FBI, hospitals, banks, major corporations, credit bureaus, insurance companies, your landlord or mortgage lender and others for credit cards approvals, employment verification, insurance underwriting and many other purposes.

When word came out about this breach in security, it was characterized as a major national security issue. It is very hard to get a hold of Choicepoint and it has been suspected for sometime that there is no accountability with the practices and procedures or as to what this company does with the information it collects.

Research this company for yourself and see if you can find info related to you, as it is expected that 10 million records were affected.  The Federal Trade Commission is supposed to be investigation this breach of security.

I strongly suggest you find what info this company has on you, I promise you'll be surprised.

Here is a site that can help you with identity theft issues:  http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs17-it.htm

If a notary public is required to witness any documents to resolve identity theft issues, may I recommend you find a local neighborhood notary at www.needAnotary.net