Identity Theft (Paperback)

~ Robert Hammond (Author) "I mean, think of how easy it is... You go to a restaurant... You sign the bill..." (more)
Key Phrases: biometric identification information, biometric blueprint, commercial mail receiving agencies, Social Security, New York, Code Ann (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Imagine that someone has used your personal information to clean out your bank accounts and max out your credit cards, leaving you with a huge debt. In the worst case, the impostor goes on to commit even more serious crimes under your identity, leaving you with a criminal record. This nightmare scenario sounds like something out of a Hollywood movie, but identity fraud is on the rise; this year, nearly a million Americans will be victimized by identity thieves. Although it is often viewed as a high-tech crime perpetrated by hackers, the thief is often a family member, trusted friend, or coworker. Hammond describes the anger, fear, and suspicion that victims experience and gives advice on how to cope with the emotional and practical aspects as they go through the difficult task of repairing their credit and good names. Most importantly, he provides a checklist of simple steps that can be taken to greatly reduce the chance that this will ever happen. Timely advice to share with as many loved ones as possible. David Siegfried
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description

Don't give anyone else the power or the means to assume your identity, ruin your good name, steal your hard-earned credit, demolish your credit rating, or even subject you to criminal prosecution. This book shows you how to keep your identity protected, safe, and ready to be used by only one person-you!

Instead of becoming suspicious of everyone around you, Hammond's interesting accounts of ID usurpers will give you the information you need to decide if your personal data is in the scope of an identity pirate and specific steps you can take to protect it. He explains how identity theft occurs, who the likely victims are, and what you can do if your identity has been stolen. He gives practical solutions, and surprisingly easy ways to minimize your risk of becoming a victim of what is quickly becoming one of the most prevalent and destructive crimes of the 21st century.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Career Press (May 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564146367
• ISBN-13: 978-1564146366
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #819,000 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Insightful!, June 8, 2004

By	Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract.com" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Identity theft is an inevitable but horrifying form of abuse in a society that depends largely on trust, credibility and the free flow of information. Victims often don't even know they're being taken advantage of until their accounts are drained and their credit is ruined. Sometimes, they don't know until the police break down their door, arrest them at gunpoint and throw them into jail for crimes identity thieves have committed in their names. This book will tell most readers more than they probably want to know about the crime of identity theft, with anecdote after anecdote about repugnantly clever thieves. It's not particularly well written and lifts too much from public documents and testimony, but this isn't the kind of book one reads for pleasure. This concise, very useful guide to self-protection points out many sources for additional information and action. We highly recommend it for the purpose of minimizing your risk. After all, you want to protect the answer to that eternal question of identity, "Who am I?," from the thief who claims, "I am you."

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A FANTASTIC BOOK!, July 12, 2003

By	el búfalo "el búfalo" (Amherst, Ma) - See all my reviews

Robert Hammond really knows his stuff! I would recommend this book above all others in its field! Identity theft is a real concern in our high tech society. It is comforting to know that there is someone out there looking out for the little guy's interests.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Insightful!, October 14, 2003

By	Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract.com" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Identity theft is an inevitable but horrifying form of abuse in a society that depends largely on trust, credibility and the free flow of information. Victims often don't even know they're being taken advantage of until their accounts are drained and their credit is ruined. Sometimes, they don't know until the police break down their door, arrest them at gunpoint and throw them into jail for crimes identity thieves have committed in their names. This book will tell most readers more than they probably want to know about the crime of identity theft, with anecdote after anecdote about repugnantly clever thieves. It's not particularly well written and lifts too much from public documents and testimony, but this isn't the kind of book one reads for pleasure. This concise, very useful guide to self-protection points out many sources for additional information and action. We highly recommend it for the purpose of minimizing your risk. After all, you want to protect the answer to that eternal question of identity, "Who am I?," from the thief who claims, "I am you."