Identity theft (also commonly known as ID theft) is a major concern. Criminals of all kinds buy or steal personal information for credit, jobs, or business ventures. If you are the victim of identity theft, you stand to lose a lot more than just your personal information. You can end up with lower credit scores, losing your property, and you may even end up being accused of crimes committed in your name. All of these are very good reasons to practice safety when using personal information.
Many people mistakenly assume that criminals need to get their credit cards or other identification to steal identities. This is not the case; in many instances, just your name, date of birth, and social security number are enough to steal your credit. Some criminals only need to know your address to steal your mail and get your information that way. Other criminals pose as someone else in order to get your information directly from you. You don't want to become paranoid, but do become more cautious about your information. Only offer your information to those who need to know.
Identity Theft in America
Every two seconds an American identity is stolen. The number of people affected by identity theft grew by 500,000 people from 12.6 Million in 2012 to 13.1 Million in 2013 with escalating losses as well. The state with the highest per capita rate of reported identity theft complaints was Florida followed by Georgia and California.
Daniele Watts, an African-American actress (I personally have no clue who she was) has claimed she was "handcuffed and detained" by Los Angeles police officers because of her race. Another blow to the LAPD for a mistake of identity, I don’t give to the media a credibility in reference to the actual facts, there are many factors involved into this issue 1) how the original call got to the 911 dispatcher, 2) what information’s was given to the dispatcher, 3) and the logistics of the investigative work of the responding officers.
It is my understanding after I placed a call in LA this morning that this female individual refused to show to an LAPD sergeant her ID, apparently the area where this incident took place is a location well known for prostitution / narcotics activities and I am sorry not all LAPD officers are familiar with Mrs. Watts acting occupation , in addition been detained doesn’t mean you are arrested, but to give to the officer’s the opportunity to evaluate the issue in this case Mrs. Watts was screaming, crying, yelling and uncooperative with the officer’s showing her identity. So we have officers that they don’t know who she is and her relinquished her anger and frustration remembering her father came home frustrated or humiliated by the cops when he had done nothing wrong (she said) It doesn’t matter who you are if a police officer request to identified your self why arguing? Why use the race card and the same cliche “ I was "handcuffed and detained" by Los Angeles police officers because my race” if we’re looking over her statement she exactly said I refused to produce my photo ID when asked by police, and I was then handcuffed and held in a police car as the officers tried to figure out who she was. So???? What’s wrong with this? In addition for all your information asking someone for an ID is a temporary detention, so the Fourth Amendment covers it. This means it is the same in every state.
