​Kediri was excited. She was accepted by the University of her choice. Kediri’s parents were even more excited. They had been paying money into an investment college fund for sixteen years. Time to liquidate part of the money as Kediri was headed to school to become a lawyer.
 
Kediri’s parents felt they were meticulous about funding and keeping track of her future. When the college savings statement was delivered, it was immediately opened and scrutinized. Becoming an Attorney was Kediri’s dream.
 
She and her parents planned a special dinner the night they wrote the first check to the University admissions office.  Kediri’s vision was walking across the stage with her Law Degree of accomplishment in her hand. In her mind, she passed the Bar Exam with honors.
 
What Kediri and her parents didn't know was that Kediri’s identity had been stolen when she was six years old.
 
At 10:00 AM, two days after the check was written, Kediri and her parents received the phone call from the University Staff. The check for Kediri’s first semester had bounced. How could this be?
 
Her parents checked the financial statements they received over the years. All was well with those statements. They were good stewards of their money. They had worked and saved and invested with wisdom.
 
Immediately Kediri’s parents call the banking institution holding the investments. They learned that the account was closed. Someone (The Phantoms of Identity Theft) withdrew the money six weeks before they gave the check to the University.  According to the Bank that someone was Kediri.
 
Kediri and her family entered a nightmare of hell that had been carefully planned and executed. Her Identity had been stolen and sold to only God knows how many people.
 
Their hope turned into hopelessness. Their life of happiness turned into a life of stressfulness and dark depression. The family unit was damaged to the point of seeking therapy.
 
Kediri’s vision of becoming an attorney soon became the reality of being a waitress at a nearby diner working to pay for her college education.
 
Kediri’s Identity Theft may have been prevented. Her parents did not check her credit score. And although they heard about how Identity Theft happened to other people, it never occurred to them that Kediri would ever be a victim.
 
The Phantoms enjoy stealing everyone’s Identity. It’s easier to steal children’s Identity because parents aren’t aware their child is in danger.
 
Identity Theft is the fastest growing crime in the world. It takes years and many times a lifetime to recover. The Phantoms of Identity Theft are seldom caught. The very sad part of Identity Situations is that the victim must prove they are innocent.
 
Anyone can start over regardless of age, stage, or condition; but starting over after Identity Theft is extremely difficult. Proving that your innocent is even more difficult. Recovering can take years, even decades.
 
For more information about learning how to cope and learn the skills needed to function in today's world of complexity and Identity Theft go to http://www.patrcagaines.com 

Rita noticed a black snake slithering across the front lawn as she backed her car out of the driveway. She was meeting her colleagues for lunch.

​The restaurant at the inlet served delicious food and the historical views of the old fort sitting peacefully on the side of the beach was breath-taking.

She immediately spotted her friends talking and eating appetizers as she entered the restaurant. She glanced at the coastal waterway through the large glass door that was near her table.The Porpoise playfully swimming in their own care-free world fascinated her.

Rita and her friends had a delicious meal accompanied by variety of funny stories about their past careers. Life was good; and she enjoyed her precious time with these former colleagues who were now good friends.

The next morning Rita received a phone call from one of the agents at the meeting. His bank account hacked. His ten thousand dollar balance was now fourteen dollars.

As the day progressed Rita received more phone calls from friends who had attended the luncheon. Their bank accounts empty within a twenty-four hour time frame.

Rita called her bank only to find out that her bank balance was eight dollars. She felt helpless. Later she learned that the people who sat at a table near them had a visit by the Phantoms of Identity Theft.

How could that happen? Someone (a Phantom) used a small microchip scan to the debit and credit cards of the people at the restaurant. The Phantom thief scanned the information on the credit and debit cards just by walking past the victims.

Unfortunately, the Phantom thief will likely never be caught. Phantoms either sell their victim's identity or set up other accounts using stolen information.

No one is immune to the Phantoms of Identity Theft. It happens every day. How would you feel if you experienced this tragedy?
No one is safe from Identity Theft. It can happen to anyone, any place at any time. Are you protected? Do you understand being stripped naked of your money?
​
No one can prevent all Identity Theft but there are ways to become aware and prepare for the unseen Phantoms. Nothing is more dangerous than sincere ignorance. Learn how to help prevent Identity Theft from happening to you or your family.
The Phantoms of Identity Theft have tools to move forward with their evilness. A microchip that reads credit and debit cards remotely is only one of many.

Identity Theft is the fastest growing crime in the world. Keeping abreast of the Phantom thievery requires awareness and knowledge. We keep you informed monthly about being safe and building a fortress around your financial life. It just makes sense to seek help for protection.