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identity theft, episode I, chapter three

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-eight years and a million words

Toronto, 2011.05.30

The identity theft incident is over. And by that, of course, I mean that there will be no follow-up.

This weekend I worked on building a list of all of the people I'd given my drivers license to in the course of the past two-three months. It came to three car rental agencies, a phone company, and the federal government (due to Mari's permanent residency application). Having put all of the relevant documents together, I prepared to follow up on the incident this morning. In order:

1. I headed to the Services Ontario location downtown to see if I needed a new drivers license. The answer is no; such a thing can't be done. To get a new number would entail a change to my name. This was educational as it implies that the number on your drivers license is derived from your name. There was nothing else to be done in this case.

2. I called the anti-fraud unit of 51 division of the Toronto police force to provide an update on my case. They didn't care: there would be no follow-up. The officer told me that even though one of the car rental agencies was very sketchy, it could have been just about anyone at even the most reputable agency that sold my details. Also, 51 division has only three officers to deal with a titanic case load.

3. I called the Canada Anti-Fraud Centre with an update. They also didn't care, as there would be no follow-up. They also advised me to contact the managers of the various places I've dealt with to alert them to the identity fraud. I guess it's something I can do, not sure if it will help.

rand()m quote

Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

Hermann Goering