Misc. Ramblings

Someone tried to break into our house a couple of weeks ago. He or she pried the screen out of the frame and began to try to remove the glass pane out of the window in a bedroom faced away from the street.  Although our alarm system would have eventually triggered, and for whatever reason they stopped trying to get in, it is the creepiest feeling to know that someone has tried break in. This, of course, comes on the heels of someone using my credit card numbers last month. Are the two incidents related? I don't know. But it makes things even creepier.

In response, we have added another security camera, this one scanning the entire backyard, including the window in question. It is now hooked up to my multi-media PC where any movement is recorded to the hard drive.

In this day, where illegal drug use seems to be so wide spread, it is difficult not to be affected. Our neighbors on either side and across the street from us have all been broken in to over the last two years. The thing of it is, is that thieves used to be concerned with only taking things. Now, they try to steal your personal identity so that they can make even more money - either by selling it to brokers or by using it themselves to buy stuff that they can later sell.

It may have become so easy to steal a person's identity for, what would seem at first, strange reasons.  First, on one hand, the victim is not financially responsible once having notified the proper authorities (the financial institutions and the police, etc.).  So, on this front, there is no reason for people to complain to their legislatures/police to demand action. On the other hand, these same institutions do little if anything themselves to track down and prosecute the thieves. It seems that the cost is considered part of doing business and they essentially write it off.

How do I know this? Well, look at the laws, if any, in your state regarding identity theft. Only recently has it begun to sink in that this is a very serious and growing problem. But even when it gets to the front of the line, it is not taken seriously by many legislatures and yes, even some judges. Hence, why should credit card companies spend time and money on tracking down these people?

That said, once you are the victim of such a crime, you may never be made whole again. You may have to monitor your credit until the day you die (and your family will need to continue to do so after your passing). There aren't too many crimes like this and those that are similar are, I think, treated much more seriously. Pray your identity is never stolen. YMMV. Insert disclaimer here.

Aloha!