Identity theft is a form of stealing someone’s identity in which someone pretends to be someone else by assuming that person’s identity, typically in order to access resources or obtain credit and other benefits in that person’s name.
(Common thief).
According to Webster: “thief,” One who steals, especially one who steals movable property by stealth rather than force.
(Identity thief).
The victim of identity theft (here meaning the person whose identity has been assumed by the identity thief) can suffer adverse consequences if they are held accountable for the perpetrator’s actions. Identity theft occurs when someone uses another’s personally identifying information, like their name, identifying number, or credit card number, without their permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.
The term identity theft was coined in 1964 however it is not literally possible to steal an identity — less ambiguous terms are identity fraud or impersonation.
(Charles Caleb Colton).
Although one of Charles Caleb Colton’s most famous quotes is: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”
When pertaining to an Identity theft, ..I believe we should make an exception.
Continuing…
“Determining the link between data breaches and identity theft is challenging, primarily because identity theft victims often do not know how their personal information was obtained,” and identity theft is not always detectable by the individual victims, according to a report done for the FTC.
Identity fraud is often but not necessarily the consequence of identity theft. Someone can steal or misappropriate personal information without then committing identity theft using the information about every person, such as when a major data breach occurs. A U.S. Government Accountability Office study determined that “most breaches have not resulted in detected incidents of identity theft”.
The report also warned that “the full extent is unknown”. A later unpublished study by CarnegieMellonUniversity noted that “Most often, the causes of identity theft is not known,” but reported that someone else concluded that “the probability of becoming a victim to identity theft as a result of a data breach is … around only 2%”.
More recently, an association of consumer data companies noted that one of the largest data breaches ever, accounting for over four million records, resulted in only about 1,800 instances of identity theft, according to the company whose systems were breached.
A recent article entitled “Cyber Crime Made Easy” explained the level to which hackers are using malicious software. As one security specialist named Gunter Ollmann said, …
This statement summed up the ease with which these hackers are accessing all kinds of information online. The new program for infecting users’ computers is called Zeus; and the program is so hacker friendly that even an inexperienced hacker can operate it.
Although the hacking program is easy to use, that fact does not diminish the devastating effects that Zeus (or other software like Zeus) can do to a computer and the user.
For example, the article stated that programs like Zeus can steal credit card information, important documents, and even documents necessary for homeland security. If the hacker were to gain this information, it would mean identity theft or even a possible terrorist attack.
Come on, what are we talking here? If I lose my wallet or someone scavenges through my trash, I’m vulnerable to a Boeing 737 crashing into my house? Or even more sinister, a Sarin gas attack in my basement?
Sarin, or GB, is an organophosphorus compound, It is a colorless, odorless liquid, used as a chemical weapon owing to its extreme potency as a nerve agent. It has been classified as a weapon of mass destruction in UN Resolution 687. Production and stockpiling of sarin was outlawed by the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993 where it is classified as a Schedule 1 substance. (Source Wikipedia).
Yet we know that Sarin gas exists and is maintained by a number of sovereign nations as well as many independent non-sovereign idealistic groups of Homo sapiens around the planet.
Which of course, is confusing to me because it was outlawed by the International Chemical Weapons Convention in 1993.
Which then of course brings to question, (at least to my old, albeit inquisitive mind) why do we, (human beings) – (Homo sapiens) – (or whatever ?)
Why do (we) “allot” so much time, energy and treasury into creating and invoking rules, laws and mandates, that when tested in reality either have no meaning, or (so many) levels of meanings, ..that the (end result) of our “rules,” ..”laws,” ..and “mandates” aren’t worth the paper they’re written on.
Current case in point: …
Change that you can unequivocally depend on “to destroy” the medical profession in America.
Question: (as simply put as possible) ..with the “affordability” and “convenience” of travel over the last 50 years, why has there not been a grand Exodus from America to Canada or Europe for socialized medicine?
Simple, ..because..
Wakeup America, get with the program, Barack Obama is a dyed in the wool, (bona fide)…
Folks from around the world, ..and especially those from our next-door neighbor Mexico, (do not) ..come to “America” for food stamps and socialized medicine. They come to America for work!
I don’t blame the Mexican people for wanting a better life, but (wanting) something better and (deserving) something better are two different things.
Family anecdote: When one of my older brothers or I would misbehave or shirk our responsibilities, (which wasn’t rare), my mother’s favorite response was; “I really don’t care if you stop, ..or if you pick that up, ..as long as you remember, ..in this house we don’t reward bad behavior.”
My mother made the best oatmeal cookies in the world.
One of my best friends on the entire planet is an American of Mexican descent, we served in Vietnam together, (although in my opinion) as we are both the same age ( 71 ), I believe that he should retire, albeit he is still gainfully employed and to my knowledge, my friend has never referred to himself as anything other than an American.
Simply because, that’s what he is.
My great grandfather came to America before the turn of the century and after he was nationalized, he was a German-American. Yet, my grandfather was not, ..and I am not.
Question: Can identity theft extend beyond your wallet and your computer?
And of course, (in my opinion) ..it can, ..and of course since my opinion, ..is the (only opinion) ..that I stand behind, ..the following is filled with more of my opinions…
In my opinion, one can also be robbed of their identity both by nature and by nurture.
By nature, and/or, through genetics, as example, selecting a subject at random…
(This young man).
Born, Barack Hussein Obama Junior, (through no fault of his own) ..born to parents of different ethnic inheritance.
Mother; Stanley Ann Dunham, (ethnicity) predominantly English, with some German, Swiss, Scottish, Irish, and Welsh ancestry.
Religion: Atheist.
Political affiliation: Communist.
Favorite pastime: Imparting her beliefs to her son.
(James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok).
(Point of possible interest), (Wild Bill), and/or, “James Butler Hickok” was Barack Obama’s Mother’s sixth cousin, ..five times removed.
Father; Barack Hussein Obama senior, (ethnicity), black African.
Religion: Muslim.
Political persuasion: Anti-Colonialist.
Favorite pastime: Drinking and driving.
Question: So who does this young man think he is?
Who am I ?
Claiming to have been born in Hawaii, the 51st State of the United States, (he is not an African). By virtue of the hue of his skin and the texture of his hair, (he is not a Caucasian). By virtue of his ideology and opposition to capitalism, (he is not an American).
Being an American (in my opinion) is more than a happenstance of birth,..
(Sidebar).
According to Merriam-Webster: “hap·pen·stance,” A chance circumstance; fortuitous, a fluke.
Being an American (at least in my opinion) is a status, ..an honor, ..a privilege, ..and an obligation. Being an American (again in my opinion) is not something to be taken lightly.
Continuing…
Who is this guy?
According to Webster: “in·gra·ti·at·ing,” Pleasing; agreeable: to bring (oneself, for example) into the favor or good graces of another, especially by deliberate effort.
It would seem, (at least to me) that our current commander-in-chief has had a disdain for white people since puberty.
As a bona fide (non-hyphenated) Homo sapien and a legal resident of these United States, ..I do hereby declare (under the freedom) guaranteed me by our Constitution; my fervent “unfettered” disdain for Barack Hussein Obama.
According to Webster: “turn·a·bout,” (in context) A shift or change in opinion, loyalty, or allegiance.
Truth forges understanding, I’ll be back tomorrow
Crusader Rabbit…
pearlsofprofundity 