Pubdate: Mon, 18 Jul 2005
Source: Sun Herald (MS)
Copyright: 2005, The Sun Herald
Contact:  http://www.sunherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432
Author: Fresno Bee

Other Voices

IS THAT METH-HEAD USING YOUR NAME?

If the increasing numbers of methamphetamine users in the San Joaquin 
Valley don't strike fear into your pocketbooks, consider that 70 
percent of Fresno's identity theft cases are committed by meth addicts.

They stay up for days finding ways to steal your personal financial 
information and then use it to run up thousands of dollars in 
purchases in your name.

It is time to get serious about these two growing crimes... the 
penalties must be stiffened for both crimes. Right now, the crooks 
see these crimes as essentially free rides.

According to Alameda police Sgt. Tony Munoz, an expert in the 
meth-identity theft connection. Munoz says that 90 percent of meth 
addicts use identity theft to support their habits.

Meth is a national scourge, an estimated 12.3 million Americans 12 
and older having tried the highly addictive meth at least once, 
according to the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Last 
year alone, 10 million Americans were victims of identity theft.

Crime victims who suffer from identity theft must deal with the 
consequences for years. Their credit gets ruined immediately and it's 
not simple to straighten out the problem. You can even be hounded by 
collection agencies that don't buy your story that you're the victim, 
even if you have police reports to prove it.

A story in Sunday's Bee recounted the toll the crime took on a Fresno 
man after his identity was stolen during a break-in of his car parked 
in front of his parents' house. His wallet was taken and the 
nightmare began. He landed in jail before police finally sorted out 
the facts and determining he was the victim of identity theft.

Meth and ID theft are a terrible combination for law-abiding 
citizens. It's time that our elected officials recognize the 
seriousness of these problems. They will only become more widespread 
unless we make a commitment to solve them with the resources that the 
problems require.

FRESNO BEE Fresno, Calif.
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MAP posted-by: Beth