You have probably heard “be careful and guard your Social Security number,” ad infinitum. Do not as the street hoods say during a robbery, “give it up!”
Your identity is, or should be, one of your most precious possessions! I don’t want to be overly intellectual about this but, if you are a drama and literature lover, see to what extent the importance a name and an identity was to Arthur Miller’s character, John Proctor in “The Crucible” and you would see “it was to die for!”
Nowadays, you might not want to die to protect your name and identity but, you might wish you were dead if they are stolen. All of sudden, your “money in the bank” is no longer there and your credit is compromised. You are in a mess - a living hell - that might take years to untangle and bill collectors may become so familiar they call you by your first name.
You cannot protect yourself totally but there a few prudent steps to take to safeguard your Social Security Number.
Try to remember the last time someone gave you something for nothing. I’m seventy-three and I cannot recall ever receiving such manna!
Why did I mention my age? I did because we Senior Citizens who have worked, sacrificed, scrimped and saved all our lives to enjoy our so-called “golden years” are the biggest targets! Why? We grew up in simpler times - when a man’s word was as good as his bond and a deal in the millions of dollars could be consummated with a handshake.
Finally, an old friend of mine, a 14th Cavalry veteran who lives in a neighborhood in Florida with so many New Yorkers that it’s called “the sixth borough” sent me this email after reading my last article:
“Hi Sam, I agree with you 100 percent about the problem of identity theft! It is a serious issue here in Florida. It is discussed almost every month in our Sheriff Department meetings. I try to protect mine by NEVER buying anything on the internet and, never listing any personal or financial info on the computer.”
“I keep one credit card with the minimum allowable line of credit and I will use that to buy gas or if it is a purchase that insists on a credit card like booking an airline or hotel reservation. I try to pay cash for everything else. -Marty
Sam di Bernardo is a retired computer teacher and successful businessperson.
