Happy New Year!

Ok, so it's been awhile since I've posted, after I said I'd be out of commission for a week or so...so I'm back with a few of my New Year's resolutions - some of which I've gotten a start on:

1. Get my credit report. Done - well at least one of three. You can get one free report a year from each of the three credit agencies - Equifax, Experion & Trans Union - and you don't have to get them all at once. It's easy & here's the link on how you do it. Thanks to DH Jeff for sending me the link. The agencies also inform you about what to do if you think you've had your identity stolen. Fortunately for me there were no surprises.

2. Cook more. Well on my way: I tried a shrimp & pasta recipe for Jeff that my mother made for me while I was visiting over the holidays. I also discovered that snow peas are one of the easiest veggies to cook right (still crunchy). On a different night I baked salmon steaks and sauteed a veggie medley. All turned out well.

3. Straighten out and organize the mess of wires associated with my desktop computer and printer. I know - pedestrian - but it's been bothering me for a while and I'm just getting to it. I'll need more of those nifty velcro ties to finish the job however.

4. Lose about ten pounds (ie, get rid of the goo around my middle). I've been a complete couch potato thru the holidays, but now I must get serious & start working out regularly again. Uggh.

5. Get more sleep. I'm really bad about getting to bed before midnight. After I finish this post, however, it's to bed with me!

Identity theft in Virginia

Talk about pertinent current events – in the WaPo day-before-yesterday was a story about this woman who, with her husband’s complicity, used someone else’s identity (“lost” drivers license, etc.) to get a mortgage on a $400k townhouse. The victim got suspicious when he received a refund check from the mortgage broker for overpayment of closing costs – for a mortgage he didn’t have, for a townhome he didn’t own.

What’s troublesome about the article is that WaPo seems to insinuate that all is well, because the guy wasn’t out any money (the thief was making payments) and the thief eventually was caught and now prosecuted. Furthermore, the woman is Hispanic with a slew of kids. WaPo doesn’t state as much, but I’m wondering about her immigration status as well. Poor, poor immigrant must use someone else’s docs to buy a home for her family. American Dream shouldn't be denied to immigrants, wah-wah! Like hell – DH Jeff and I probably couldn’t get a $400k mortgage – and we have good jobs with no kids!

The bottom line is that yes, the thief was caught and prosecuted (and should be to the full extent of the law!), and no, there weren’t any financial costs to the victim; however, it is up to him to clear up the situation with the bank regarding the mortgage, it’s up to him to correct his credit record with the reporting agencies, and up to him to do any other follow-up to clear his name. I’m sure he must feel very vulnerable and now wonders – is this it or is my name and credit still compromised, another bomb waiting to drop? Read the whole story here.