identity theft

I've been thinking a lot lately about Identity Theft. This is perhaps because in the last week, there have been three thefts concerning people I am close to. Jamais deux sans trios, oui?

In this day and age, information is sent at impossible speeds around the world, so when you're paying for yet another case of beer in Brazil, your bank in Windsor can say, "No, fool. DECLINED." And in the morning, you're glad that this technology exists. You're glad that the store that sold you your 62" television has a record of your phone number and address so when you lose the receipt and it stops working in three days, they can say, "Hey, not a problem."

But no one's glad to see that their bank account has been emptied one day. ESPECIALLY when it wasn't you who emptied it. No one wants to be turned down for a mortgage because their credit has turned sour. No one is glad to learn they're on the airport's special list because some other John Smith with your birthday (and let's face it, there must be tons) has been convicted of murder. Will the real John Smith please stand up!

So while trying to catch a cab home from the airport (because they finally figured out it wasn't you, but damn, you missed your flight), you're starting to wonder how this is possible. How can you be wanted for a crime you did not commit? How can someone else have used your debit card to demolish your life savings? How can we stop sharing so much information?

And do we even want to? What is the alternative? Sharing all this information is so convenient for everyday living, we all know this. But it comes at a price. There is that risk we take everyday. That someone could walk away with your IDENTITY. And what is scarier than that?

I think Eminem had something there.