dakinetalk...Live from Kaua'i,Hawai'i: 03/24/14

Monday, March 24, 2014

"Identity theft, or not..?" 'James "Kimo" Rosen


James "Kimo"Rosen is a retired professional photographer living in Kapa'a with his best friend Obama da Dog. Rosen also blogs as a hobby. This blog centers on the fastest growing crime in America, "Identity Theft." Wait a second the guy in the photo is not Rosen? Help Police! Seriously folks, this is a major problem and growing by the day. Please read and pass it on... This blog also appeared as my bi-weekly column in the Kaua'i Garden Island news on 03-24-14 with the title " Identity theft, or not?" http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/identity-theft-or-not/article_2d61f72a-b30c-11e3-9a42-0019bb2963f4.html "

Identity theft, or not

I like to call it electronic pick pocketing, most call it Identity theft. Either way it is currently the number one crime in America.

The joke goes, "It's true what they say about identity theft being on the increase. I woke up this morning and didn't know who I was."

Seriously, there was a salesman making the rounds in the retirement community where I reside. He was allegedly selling some sort of cellular phone service. He knocked on my door and before he finished his spiel I said, "not interested."He left cussing me loudly behind his breath, as I pondered if I may had been a little short with him?

I peeked out the curtain as old people like to do and saw my female neighbor mesmerized, talking story with this slick young good looking salesman in her yard.

After the salesman left I called that neighbor and inquired if she bought into his deal and if she had given him any debit or credit card numbers? She said she hadn't, I was relieved she had not bought anything from this man since I received some really bad energies from him.

... However the salesman before departing her place asked her if he could take a photo of her drivers license, she obliged with letting him take a photo of her Hawai'i state issued ID. I was besides myself, I was going postal on my neighbor, I was freaking out.

How can anyone let a total stranger come into their home and allow them to try and sell you something, then when you don't buy anything they ask for your ID to take a photo of it, and you oblige them?

I was furious, after-all there all no soliciting signs all over this 55 and over retirement community and second I was outraged this man was preying on seniors. You read about identity theft all the time but never think it will happen to you, your neighbors or your loved ones.

I was hot, I called as many of my neighbors as I had phone numbers on and gave them the heads up and to beware of a man on the prowl.

Finally after contemplating the situation I called the police. I never call the police, I hate calling the police, however in this case I felt justified. I felt my neighbors and friends were being preyed upon about by a thief. This man was taking advantage of vulnerable people that sometimes just need someone to talk to.

The police arrived and detained and questioned the salesman. The police agreed with me that there was something fishy going on, however get this; the neighbor whose ID he photographed did not care to press any charges. The police then told my neighbor she can not complain in 2 or 3 months from now if there are unwarranted charges on her bank statements for items she never ordered or fake ID issued with her name.

The police agreed with me, my neighbor didn't. Just wish the police would had found enough evidence to stop this man before he finds you.

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America. The number of identity theft incidents has reached 9.9 million a year, according to the Federal Trade commission.

Be vigilant and report any suspicious phone solicitations, emails asking for personal information, or door to door salespeople demanding identification. These are the modern day Bonny and Clyde's, they must be stopped!