Identity Theft (scholarship)

Identity theft is a serious crime. Identity theft involves stealing someone's identity, whether for monetary gain or not. Many people don't realize that you don't have to do something major like make a $40,000 purchase to commit the crime of identity theft. By using a found I.D., you are committing a form of identity theft. In 2006, Oklahoma was ranked number 23 with a total number of 2,254 victims of identity theft. And those are just the ones that people notice! So many people get their credit card bills and just pay them without even looking at all the charges! A $5.00 McDonald's charge to your card by someone other than you is identity theft and can be prosecuted. According to spamlaws.com, even after someone fixes all the charges and whatnot from identity theft, 47% of them still have problems getting another credit card, even though the problems caused with their credit were not from them. Over 25% of identity theft victims have to deal with their case for 4 to 6 months. It takes a lot of work and time to get wrong charges off your credit card or deposited back into your bank account. It is also important to note that some stranger doesn't have to get a hold of your information. The teller at your bank, if you go often enough, might even have your social security number memorized. They will have access to your full name, birth date, address, social security number, YOUR BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER...everything they need to buy something online, get a credit card. Bank tellers are not superior people...they are just like you and me. They are college students, they are moms, they are dads...they can be anyone. This might shock you, but 43% of victims actually knew the person who stole their identity! Almost half knew the person! With the economy how it is now and where it is heading many people are becoming desperate. Thousands of Americans are loosing their jobs. Be careful of where you leave your wallet. Be careful of who you tell your information to. Be careful when using public computers to order things online. Be careful. Be careful. Be careful!
If you want to participate in this scholarship, you can visit www.scholarships.com or http://students.spendonlife.com/blogging-scholarship. All you have to do is post a post on your blog about identity theft!