Process Server Killed Serving Divorce Papers

LOVELAND, Colo. -- A man arrested on suspicion of killing a process server who had handed him divorce papers was also strangling his two children when deputies burst into his home, authorities said Thursday.

Click Here for the full story.

As a fellow process server this disturbs me and further reinforces just how dangerous it is out there. This poor guy was simply serving divorce papers when his life was taken so violently and needlessly. Please be careful!!!

Patrick L. Baird
Licensed Process Server
Private Investigator

Social Security Numbers, Part Three

Social Security Numbers, Identity Theft, Congress, and Your Protection
Part three of my five part blog,

Legitimate Uses for the SSN:

The SSN, for all intent and purposes, is a tax identification number. When you work, you pay Social Security taxes and other taxes. The SSN is used to record information such as total income, taxes paid, and taxes owed. Yet, the SSN is used for much more than the initial purpose of being used solely for the Social Security Act.

The change from a paper filing system to computer records is commonplace in government agencies as well as many businesses. There are a good many individuals sharing the same name. Retrieving accurate information of each person simply works better if each individual file is assigned one unique set of numbers. The majority of government agencies and businesses feel that the SSN is ideally suited for this particular purpose.

Thanks to the Privacy Act of 1974, all government agencies – local, state, and federal – are required by law to provide a “disclosure” on the form requesting disclosure of the SSN. This statement will inform the individual whether the SSN is required or voluntarily requested. In addition, the statute or authority by which the SSN is requested must be stated.

The Privacy Act of 174 also states you cannot be denied government benefits or services if you deny a SSN that is not required by federal law. In addition, if there is no visible disclosure, then a complaint should be made to the appropriate agencies. There are many exceptions to this law, and the majority of individuals are not aware of his or her rights.

Patrick L. Baird
Private Investigator


Part One >>: "SS Numbers, Part One"

Part Two >>: "SS Numbers, Part Two - Identity Theft Crisis"

Part Three >>: "SS Numbers, Part Three - Legitimate Uses for the SSN"

Part Four >>: "SS Numbers, Part Four - Other Legitimate Uses for the SSN"

Part Five >>: "SS Numbers, Part Five - The Solution"

Social Security Numbers, Part Two

Social Security Numbers, Identity Theft, Congress, and Your Protection

Part two of my five part blog,

Identity Theft Crisis

The loss due to identity theft is a staggering $53 billion annually. Businesses account for roughly $48 billion of the annual loss; individuals account for roughly $5 billion of the annual loss. That equates to approximately $4,800 per business and $500 per individual victim in any given fiscal year. Additionally, over 300 million hours are spent annually to resolve the issues relating directly to identity theft. Each victim, both business and individual, spend an average of 45 hours to resolve matters associated with identity theft.

No one can deny that is a considerable amount of money as well as time each year that is spent combating just the repercussions of identity theft.

So what’s the problem? If Congress amends the Social Security Act, less identity fraud is the result, right?

Take a look at who is perpetrating this fraudulent, expensive crime.

· The identity theft victims generally know the perpetrator. In over 25% of all identity theft cases, the victim is related to or knows the thief.
· The identity theft victims generally work with or around the perpetrator. More than 70% of all identity theft cases are considered an inside job. This can occur wherever you may use your credit card or debit card such as a pizza parlor or the grocery store. However, this can occur within your own workplace environment by a co-worker or visitor that happens to choose your wallet or purse to steal. Surprisingly, a large percentage of these thefts are occurring by the boss or management.
· Approximately 30% of identity theft occurred when the victim lost or had stolen the credit cards and/or account information.

Patrick L. Baird
Private Investigator

Part One >>: "SS Numbers, Part One"

Part Two >>: "SS Numbers, Part Two - Identity Theft Crisis"

Part Three >>: "SS Numbers, Part Three - Legitimate Uses for the SSN"

Part Four >>: "SS Numbers, Part Four - Other Legitimate Uses for the SSN"

Part Five >>: "SS Numbers, Part Five - The Solution"

Social Security Numbers, Identity Theft, Congress, and Your Protection

This is the first of a five part series on SSN access

Few topics are as controversial and ever changing as the purpose, both intended and tangible, of the nine-digit social security number (SSN). Once created simply as a method of enforcing Social Security laws, the SSN has evolved into a de facto identification. This was not the original purpose of the SSN; having a single set of numbers issued by the federal government acting as a unique, personal identifier has raised considerable concerns among the people of the United States.

The stark reality of the potential for abuse of the SSN has always been evident, and the line between acceptable and non-acceptable information made available via a SSN has often been distorted at best. Few people would deny that there is considerable trepidation concerning the amount of information made available through the use of a single nine-digit number.

Nonetheless, the concern in recent years has not been what type or even the amount of personal information associated with each person’s SSN, but rather who can have access to that particular information.

The old adage, “There are two sides to every story,” holds considerable truth: there are reasons why restricting the access of information may give the impression of being a good proposal, but on the other hand, there is substantial contemplation which must be calculated when restricting information to the public especially by any governmental body.

The 110th Congress has acted to amend the Social Security Act. The HR 3046, or the Special Security Number Privacy and Identity Theft Prevention Act of 2007, makes the promise to “enhance Social Security account number privacy protections, to prevent fraudulent misuse of the Social Security account number, and to otherwise enhance protection against identity theft, and for other purposes.”

At the same time, the 110th Congress is further attempting to amend the Social Security Act with HR 948 promising “To strengthen the authority of the Federal Government to protect individuals from certain acts and practices in the sale and purchase of Social Security numbers and Social Security account numbers, and for other purposes.”

Stop identity theft? Protect each and every SSN? In theory, this sounds like an advantageous notion benefiting all of the American people and their safety.

Regrettably, not all is as ideal as it first sounds…

The number one reason Congress is attempting to pass these two particular amendments to the Social Security Act has to do with the identity theft crisis in the United States. Armed with a SSN, unscrupulous individuals have a basis for stealing the identity of honest, hard-working Americans. Congress is taking measures to insure the SSN cannot be hijacked, stolen, sold, or borrowed to commit identity theft. Sounds simple.

Patrick Baird
Private Investigator


Part One >>: "SS Numbers, Part One"
Part Two >>: "SS Numbers, Part Two - Identity Theft Crisis"
Part Three >>: "SS Numbers, Part Three - Legitimate Uses for the SSN"
Part Four >>: "SS Numbers, Part Four - Other Legitimate Uses for the SSN"
Part Five >>: "SS Numbers, Part Five - The Solution"

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The Key to the Truth is in the Numbers

How do you verify that someone is who they say they are?

Identity theft affects millions of lives annually; identity theft is a crime that sees no boundaries in age, income, or gender. The fact is anyone can be a victim of identity theft, and the internet has become a hotbed for those criminals looking to steal another person’s identity for whatever reason.

A social security number is a nine digit number that is as unique to us as our finger prints. In our society, a child is issued a unique social security number shortly after birth. Without a social security number a child can not attend school, daycare, or preschool; as that child grows, the social security number becomes a unique part of the adult person that child will become.

Private Information Used To Harass, Stalk, and Violate

Do you receive mailings once a week filled with local coupons and advertisements? Have you ever received coupons you absolutely loved without even knowing for sure where those coupons came from? Chances are you receive advertising ranging from direct mailings to television commercials based on your general statistics. The census of information gathered for your residential location may be utilized to target specific advertising or promotions directly to you based on your gender, age, socio-economic status, and even your vehicle.

Chances are good you, your loved ones, newborn children, and even deceased family members have received unsolicited advertisements and promotions. While some of these may be welcomed, after a while, you may be left feeling violated. Even if you are being hounded by bill collectors, you do have rights! Make those harassing telephone calls, letters, and e-mails stop.

Remember - You do have rights