Post 78: Identity Theft

Identity theft is a serious crime that a lot of people fear, but some people most actually face. Even I have had a sort of run in with it. When I was 16, I received a letter that I owed money to an online website. They claimed I had made a purchase with 'my' credit card and it had not covered the purchase. I wasn't even old enough to get a credit card at the time, so I couldn't have bought anything at all.


My mom took care of it, at the time. But it did make me more aware about where I leave my wallet. Except, in Canada, it would be hard to do much damage with what I have. I have no credit card, I have not applied for one nor will I for the foreseeable future.  I could get one, but there is not one for them to take. And debit cards are not really compatible with online shopping. In stores, you are asked for a pin code.


But, today I realized there are other ways that some can take something and use it to their advantage in your name. My mom injured herself recently, so I've been helping out when I can. Today, she asked if I could check out a book for her from the library. She gave me her library card. (She is getting her Ph.D at the same University I am attending). I went in and checked out a book.


Not a cheap book either, but it didn't matter that it wasn't my card. I could have wracked up a large library fine and sold the books for myself elsewhere. Though, I wouldn't get much from it.


Except, I went to the counter because it was a text book. Which is what I was most shocked by. I was going to check out a laptop on my card, but I forgot mine. Before I realized that, I had asked for a laptop. She almost put it on my mom's card.


My mom and I have different last names. She is twice my age with long red hair. My hair is...well, Technicolor. The point is that it was obvious it wasn't my card. You have to show them your card to check out a laptop, but the fact it clearly wasn't my card wasn't going to stop me from checking one out.


If I lost my card and they checked out a laptop, then sold it off somewhere. I would owe the school hundreds of dollars! For doing nothing, but the laptop would be out in my name so I would be responsible for its disappearance.


It is shocking that she did not even ask about why it wasn't my card. I know there are still worse examples and worse scenarios that could happen, but it worries me as a student without a credit card.


I'd like to think that the worst problem with losing my card is not being able to back up my bus pass or not being able to check out a book, not that someone else might check out a book or laptop.


I guess, it is a good realization to have. Now that I know it is an issue, I can do a better job at trying to prevent it.


I think I've talked about all that I wanted to, so I'm going to end the post here. Hope everyone had a good Fathers' Day.