Identity theft & the public library

[ChriswUfGator]

Sure it is, they're a public/government entity.

Also I agree with the other poster, the keychain tag may be a different story than the actual card, if they sent it to you unasked-for and you didn't sign any statement of responsibility for it as they make you do with an actual library card.

[NotNow]

I'll shred my keychain card!  Where can I send the pieces to get the message across?

[Jumpinjack]

We wrapped ours in an envelope with a note addressed to the Library Board (unfair, poor practices, deeply concerned, blah, blah) and dropped it off at the Main Library.

[sheclown]

I LOVE you guys.  Thanks.

[Ernest Street]

NN,good Idea..I would say leaving the scissored shreds with the checkout Librarian will get the message across.
No envelope, just the message that you have destroyed a way for your ID to get exploited through the Library System.
Maybe they should actually "Profile" the downtown library for scumbags...I'm not talking appearance here..just the fact that they let some a$$hole get away with what? 30 books on sheclowns Key fob? C'mon.

[ChriswUfGator]

Sheclown, do you even recall receiving the keychain tag in the first place and then losing it, or was the first time you heard about the keychain tag when they told you that's what the thief if had used to check out all the books? How do they send these things? By mail? Who's to say you ever got it in the first place, it could have been stolen from your mailbox?

[Dog Walker]

Chris,  When you renew your card they give you a plastic square that has both the regular library card that you sign and the key chain card all in the same square.  You punch out each of them from the plastic square.

Even when we first got ours, the key chain card seemed like a pretty dumb idea to me, but them I'm old fashioned about that sort of modern "convenience" and hate bulky key chains.  Ours floated around in the bottom of our book bag until we destroyed it after reading Sheclowns problems.

[Dog Walker]

BTW, when you use a clerk for checking out even now, they do not ask you for ID or a PIN number.  You only have to provide a pin when you use the self-check out machines.

And you thought your debit card could get you in trouble!

[sheclown]

Chris, it is as DogWalker said.  And I placed that key ring card on my key ring.  Since I clip my keys to my belt loop when I'm working (so I can have the cool maintenance man look), it could have dropped off just about anywhere. 

Years ago, I heard about credit cards that had small key ring type cards and I thought to myself "geez, I would never carry it around like that."  That being said, I had no idea that a person could check out up to 50 books at a time without question from the library. 

I would have been better off if I had put a credit card key tag on my ring. 

We are safer with credit cards, there are limits, and they have fraud department.  Besides, credit card companies don't allow just anyone to use your card.

[sheclown]

collection agency2 001 by sheclown, on Flickr

my favorite line is..."The Library has requested that we provide you a courtesy notice."

[Dog Walker]

Sheclown,  You should immediately send a letter back attached to a copy of this letter saying that you dispute the debt because you did not check out the materials.  Request what proof they have that you checked out the materials ( which, of course, they don't have ).

Deny, Delay, Defend!  (Title of an interesting book BTW)

[sheclown]

That's a good idea.

Also, I'm requesting some public record stuff about me and I think I'll request some stuff about their procedures for protecting their patrons from fraud.

[sheclown]

February 13, 2011

Unique National Collections
119 East Maple Street
Jeffersonville, IN 47130

Dear Ms. Daley:

Please be notified that I dispute the validity of this debt or any portion thereof.  I lost my library card and did not check out this material, please prove that I did indeed check it out.  If I did not check out this material, how can I possibly be responsible for someone else’s crime against me?  Posing as another person is identity theft, pure and simple.

Whoever found my card did this without my knowledge or consent.  At no time did any library personnel ask for identification from the person who stole my identity and presented themselves as me for the purpose of checking out this material.  I have filed a police report.

Additionally, I spoke to the board of Trustees in November to explain the situation, in person.  The library knows my card was lost and knows they did not ask to see any identification from the person posing as me even though the person checked out the books at the front desk.

In summary,  I am disputing this debt - you are required to take no action while this amount is in dispute. You are required to cease and desist all action on this alleged debt until the dispute is resolved.


Sincerely,


Gloria DeVall
Reference Account # FJP0003894921