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Cyberstalking documentary exposes the realities for victims of high-tech harassment

The world wide web which I frequently refer to as the "21st century wild wild west" has created a safe haven for predators on-line known as cyberstalkers.

The fact that perpetrators can cyberstalk vulnerable victims from one country to another knowing that they will not have to face criminal charges is a very troubling if not alarming reality that millions of cyberstalking victims will continue to face now and well in to the future if the U.S. and other nations do not unite and join forces quickly to find ways to safe guard their constituents from this type of cyber attack.

The net knows no boundaries and has no walls. Today the Internet has created a very new and dangerous playing field for cyber criminals and it is high time that the good guys join forces and create a united front to help even out the on-line playing field that predators in the 21st century more and more frequently are calling home.

It is amazing how far advanced the UK is in regards to their awareness of cyberstalking. The documentary attached is a must see regarding the subject. The segment includes real life descriptions of the cyberstalking incidents described by the victims themselves and the problems frequently encountered by law enforcement and prosecutors today involving investigating and prosecuting cyberstalking incidents.

Note that because here in the states cyberstalking has yet to be recognized in all 50states as a crime I hesitate to state cyberstalking reports as more than incidents to ensure that victims here in the U.S. are not given false hope believing that the cyber attacks they are experiencing will be taken seriously. The U.S. has a long ways to go before cyberstalking will be deemed more than an incident, we need our nation's law makers to take notice and heed the actions of our neighbors abroad and realize that ignoring cyberstalking will not make it go away. We need action and at the federal level to ensure that all 50 states stalking laws include cyberstalking and more importantly that the cyberstalking laws are implemented and enforced.

Millions of victims of traditional stalking are more and more frequently reporting cyberstalking incidents here in the states. Our nation's public safety officials, advocates and law makers must take action now to unite with countries like the United Kingdom who are far more advanced in their understanding and awareness programs to ensure that no victim of cyberstalking is left behind. Today there is no excuse for cyberstalking victims pleas for help to fall upon deaf ears in the U.S. or abroad.

A special thank you to cyberstalking survivor turned advocate Graham Brown-Martin and his wife for bravely speaking out and for sharing their painful personal encounters while being cyberstalked.

This is a must see documentary for everyone to understand cyberstalking.

http://www.digitalsafety.com/cyberstalking/

If you are a victim of cyberstalking you are not alone please reach out for help and report the incidents. More cyber crime victims need to speak out so that we can learn how to better serve victims, you can do so anonymously even. In order to develop prevention and training programs and create and implement laws that will actually work to combat cybercrimes we need victims voices to be heard and understood.

SurvivorsInAction.com
"No Victim Left Behind"

Don't pay for credit repair services they are a scam

The task of credit repair is not just for those who have slipped and paid late or for victims of identity theft to worry about anymore. Credit repair is now a part of the average persons everyday life thanks to the electronic age and lots of typo's and errors created by those inputting our private records information from credit card applications, mortgage applications, student loans and the list goes on.

What that person types sitting on the other end of the phone line and in front of the computer screen does matter.

The individuals sitting behind the computer screens in financial call centers across the world are inputting our personal data for banks, colleges, Visa/MasterCard and endless others. I believe these folks take for granted how important their jobs are and do not understand the seriousness of what they are doing.


One missed key stroke or the simple act of transposing a digit or two can create a huge job for all of us who have to repair the damage that ultimately ends up on our credit reports. The careless slip of a finger becomes inaccurate information on our credit bureau or worse it damages our credit score entirely.

The solution seems obvious to me- before a file that is created by a 3rd party is finalized and sent to the credit bureaus how about allowing the consumer to proof read it? Seems like with today's electronic means a simple e-mail with an attached pdf file or similar format could be easily previewed by the consumer for errors prior to the file being created and delivered to the credit bureaus. I know fat chance this will ever happen but I can dare to dream.....

I request my free credit bureau reports from the 3 bureaus at least once per year. Without fail there is always something to fix or inaccurate information to repair so I plan on it! My name is constantly spelled wrong, my address inputted backwards, an account shows up that does not belong to me or a digit of my social security number or date of birth is wrong.

Either way I wish those sitting behind the machines would take a moment to realize that the average consumer does not need this extra work and that we have plenty to do in the course of our daily lives to keep us busy!

I have learned that until there is accountability for these folks actions including the credit bureaus- this will be a life long battle that the average consumer will never win! I am frustrated as it seems like those of us who suffer through repairing the errors each year should be compensated for the time and effort.

Here are the addresses for contacting and requesting your free credit report by mail. I recommend this method as it seems to be reliable and to actually procure results. Lastly, this method provides you with the opportunity to keep track and copies of your requests as you will be surprised how this will come in hand later.

Don't forget to order a report from each bureau there are three, and to include a photocopy of your social security card, utility bill or similar document that has your current address on it and a copy of your photo identification. If you don't send in these materials don't worry the credit bureaus will send you a "canned letter" requesting them so I am hoping by including this info it will save you some time and another postage stamp.

A request for your personal credit profile from each bureau takes 30 days. This is the same "magic number" that is the time frame for requesting deletions/corrections. Once you have your bureaus and you notice mistakes the best thing to do is to write to the credit bureaus requesting deletions and/or changes and expect another 30 day wait. Don't give up either! It may take two or more tries before the deletions and corrections take place. No matter what be persistent and keep sending in the requests! Don't quit!

There are faster methods as loan officers can process the requests using a format called "rapid re-score" and help to correct the errors but most of us are not obtaining loans once per year so the average person will use the "by mail method" as I have discussed to achieve the desired results.



Experian
P O BOX 9701
Allen, TX 75013

Equifax
P O BOX 105518
Atlanta, GA 30348

Trans Union
P O BOX 2000
Chester, PA 19022

A simple letter like this will work...

Your name
Address
Social
Date of Birth

Date

Dear Credit Bureau ___________,

Please provide me with my free copy of my credit report. I have enclosed a copy of my social security card, utility bill and photo identification for verification purposes.

Thank you,

Your name



To request deletions...

Same format as above except now include...

...Please delete/update the information below as it is not correct.



Name to be deleted
Alexix Moor
This is not my name please delete

Address to be deleted
0921 foster street
Delete this is not my address

Account to be deleted
mbna visa ending in 0432
Not my account delete

After a while the process becomes easier but it still irks me that we have to do this! I suggest saving your requests as a template to use again and to help save time.

Be patient and persistent.

If you are a victim of identity theft and in need of assistance or want to learn more about how to protect yourself from identity theft contact Survivors In Action today.

Cyberstalking awareness goes international, Euro Weekly News launches "Women Reclaim the Web Campaign"

Survivors In Action is honored to support the efforts of Euro Weekly News and their 'Women Reclaim the Web' program, to help promote cyberstalking awareness.

Cyberstalking awareness is something that I am personally very passionate about. Being cyberstalked myself for a few years, I endured hell, and learned very quickly that law enforcement was not prepared to help. Because of this, I had two choices:
1) I could sit on the sidelines and be derailed by the cyberstalker; or
2) I could take action and help promote awareness, so that "no victim is left behind" and left to endure the hell alone as I was

Survivors In Action is taking option number 2, and that is something I am very proud of. Thanks to over three thousand volunteers, victims of crime now have a new resource to turn to. Sadly however, Survivors In Action's work is far from over. Cyberstalking awareness is at an all time low in the U.S. Thousands of victims every month who bravely seek help are being ignored, or are denied help altogether. Without resources being allocated to organizations like Survivors In Action, this problem will continue.

There is not enough training regarding the subject of cyberstalking; and tragically, victims of cyberstalking continue to fall through the cracks. Restraining orders don't work to prohibit cyberstalking, and those who report the crime to law enforcement often still find themselves being ignored or given the run around - even today, as we near 2010.

There are very few resources out there for victims. It is inevitable that as the use of technology continues to grow, so will the number of victims who are cyberstalked.
Christopher Burgess, tech security expert, author and SIA advisory board member, explained clearly that "cyberstalking is not a new phenomena". This makes matters even worse, as it is proof that our nation has continued to ignore the problem for years now. The majority of victims suffer harassment, and are ignored by law enforcement and government officials.

Graham Brown-Martin, a cyberstalking victim turned advocate, has done great things in the UK to help expose the harsh realities faced by victims. His cyberstalking documentary is a must see, and includes the intimate details of his family's experience of cyberstalking.

The U.S. must do more to help promote awareness regarding the subject of cyberstalking. Law enforcement, prosecutors, advocates, and the general public, need to be informed of this crime, now more than ever.

As technology evolves, so do cyberstalker's maneuvers. Survivors In Action is proud of their efforts to serve victims of cyberstalking, to ensure that "No Victim is Left Behind". Even though Survivors In Action is taking an active part in the solution, there is still much more work that needs to be done. This is work that SIA is not able to do because of lack of funding and resources.

We need the public's support now more than ever to help send the message loud and clear to public officials across the U.S. We need to let them know that cyberstalking is a real crime that must be addressed with "real" efforts, so that "No Victim is Left Behind".

If you are a victim of cyberstalking, please visit the Survivors In Action site today for more information.


Survivors In Action
"No Victim Left Behind"

NACA attorney network helps victims of credit collection abuse, id theft and credit bureau reporting errors

There is hope for the millions of victims of identity theft and fraud. The National Association of Consumer Advocates is a nationwide organization that specializes in consumer protection. Its resources include more than 1,000 attorneys who specialize in consumer advocacy and litigation.

NACA attorneys have represented hundreds of thousands of consumers victimized by identity theft and fraud, as well as subsequent abusive and predatory business practices.

Victims can find restoring their identities to be a difficult and time-consuming process. For some, it may take years to erase the damage caused by identity theft. It is not uncommon for victims to spend thousands of hours using the telephone and written correspondence to unravel this crime. Sometimes,third-party debt collection agencies and debt collection attorney firms add to the victims' suffering by telephoning all hours of the day and night.

It is important for victims' to know that when the traditional efforts fail to resolve their problems with identity theft or fraud, other resources are available to them, such as attorneys who specialize in consumer protection. They help thousands of victims restore their good names, stop the predatory practices of the debt collection agencies and help victims get their lives back.

Contact from a credit agency is regulated by federal law, but these laws are ignored by the some debt collection agencies and credit card companies, which causes additional harm and stress for the victims.

Identity theft victims frequently encounter civil suits filed against them by debt collection agencies and attorney collection firms for funds that the victims do not owe.

Some victims feel they have no other choice but to pay to re-establish their good names and their credit. Others file bankruptcy.

NACA, Attorney Bryan C. Becker of San Diego, California said his clients commonly are some of the most vulnerable members of society. Seniors and legalized immigrants are often targeted, among others who do not speak English fluently. The stress and mental anguish caused by this criminal epidemic can have lasting negative effects on some victims, he said.

Although there are federal laws, such as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act, some debt collection agencies use tactics that totally disregard the laws until a civil suit is brought against them by a victim's attorney. Far too many Americans are harassed by the debt collection firms until they give in.

Attorney Becker indicated the majority of the identity theft cases he has litigated take a minimum of one year to conclude. However, many cases take much longer to resolve.

The identity theft epidemic is not going to diminish until there are new privacy laws and better safeguards for consumer records.

Here are a couple of the safeguards that many professionals believe should be put in place.

• Every business or entity that furnishes data should be required to send free notification to the consumer when releasing a consumer's private records to any third party. This would provide consumers with a fighting chance to protect themselves if they discover a criminal breach of their privacy.



• The data-furnishing companies and agents should keep on file for 10 years any records that include the consumers' names and information released and accessed by a third party.

Far too often, law enforcement agencies struggle to battle identity theft crimes -- only to find no evidence left.

Many times, when law enforcement agencies issue search warrants and subpoenas for evidentiary purposes,the information required to prosecute these cases is no longer on file or available. Without the evidence, there is no case.

It is important that the public seeks better safeguards and privacy protection in the Legislature. It also is important for consumers to continue to diligently safeguard their private records and information.

If you have been victimized by identity theft, take the following actions as soon as possible.

File a police report immediately
Contact all known creditors
Contact the three national credit bureau agencies and your bank
Keep copies of any records related to the crime
Document any telephone calls and correspondence related to the identity theft or fraud

Early communication of the crime and careful documentation will assist law enforcement and help legal counsel defend potential claims posed by debt collection agencies and debt collection attorney firms.

The individuals and organizations that I list in my blog are resources that I have utilized personally as well as professionally. After 3 frustrating years of hard work and many heartaches I found these resources to be the most helpful. To save my readers valuable time and effort I provide these resources in the hopes that it will save you the valuable heartache and time that I spent sorting through my own situation. I am not paid to provide these resources or compensated in any manner. This is a simple way for me to "give back" and to assist those like me who have been victims of cyberstalking and identity theft.

If you are a victim of id theft or cyber crime please visit
Survivors In Action
"No Victim Left Behind"

NY public officials Ken Zebrowski; Thomas Morahan; Ricard Rangel continue to ignore domestic violence victims

Update:

Maria Phelps a domestic violence victim in NY, has continuously emailed and telephoned the offices of NY public officials Ken Zebrowski, Thomas Morahan, Ricard Rangel. Ms. Phelps requests for a face to face meeting have been ignored probably because the politicians feel she is a "nobody" and not important.

Maria Phelps is one victim yes and not a powerful lobbyist, however there are millions of people who love, serve and support domestic violence victims who vote in New York State at election time that do definitely matter.

Actions speak louder than words and as a supporter of Maria Phelps you can bet that I will support Maria in New York and help support candidates for public office who will support victims of domestic violence. One person can make a difference.

The email below was sent today by domestic violence victim Maria Phelps in New York. Also copied were White House advisor Sarah Lynn Rosenthal, myself and other New York state government officials. When will the run around end? When will the millions in domestic violence funding be allocated to organizations that actually serve victims of abuse?

Domestic violence, stalking,cyberstalking along with the family law court disaster will continue until our nation does more than push paper and pass the buck in regards to domestic violence.

The VAWA Act was a good thing, however 15 years has passed since VAWA was enacted and no changes or updates have taken place while domestic violence organizations and programs receive millions in funding every year.

Accountability is needed and passing around "fancy brochures" is not going to change the fact that domestic violence plagues our nation and victims are falling through the crack while executives and the domestic violence organizations continue to be compensated to maintain the "status quo".

Let's hold the domestic violence organizations accountable for their actions!

While in an economic crisis it would only seem logical for accountability measures to be implemented now more than ever, particularly when domestic violence is a matter of life or death.

Thank you Maria Phelps and to the thousands of victims each month that speak out in support of DV Reform.

Congressman Engel/Assemblyman Zebrowski/Senator Morahan/Carolyn Fish/Ms. Cusack/Ms. Cobart:


For those who do not know my situation, I am a survivor of domestic violence in NYS. For over a year, I have tried hard to get help from DV organizations, agencies, and state programs and after many attempts, letters, and phone calls, I have failed. I have been trying to receive compensation from CVB for a very long time now, and still I am struggling with CVB on a daily basis. Many DV victims struggle with compensation from CVB, and in the end, give up because the process is too difficult, and too many documents are needed (many DV victims cannot supply all the requested information for many reasons).

Although I am still dealing with CVB everyday, I also deal with this reality: There is no real help for DV victims. There are many who think there is help available, especially after one reads about all the money being funneled into DV organizations, shelters, and programs, but there is simply no help. When I state that there is no help, I mean that there is a lack of DV court advocates in NY, a lack of DV counselors willing to assist DV victims, almost no pro bono DV divorce lawyers for abuse victims, and laws that don't reflect reality for victims of this crime. After visiting the CVB website in NYS, I was surprised to see all of the programs given grants to aid DV victims this year. Being that I am a victim of brutal domestic violence myself, I thought it would be at least possible to ask my shelter for free counseling for the trauma I have been through. After two weeks of waiting, there is still no answer for me unless I have the money to pay. There are "volunteer" counseling services like VCS in Rockland, but they want victims to pay out of pocket. Other therapists in the area will not work with CVB payment plans. And since CVB is taking so long to compensate me, that can't be an option anyway. Many victims of DV are completely financially ruined after abuse and divorce, and have nothing left. I would think it would be relatively easy to find free volunteer counseling for this crime, but it is impossible.

When I read statements like this "Ten non-profit organizations that assist crime victims in the greater Capital Region, New York City and Western New York are slated to receive nearly $3 million over the next three years to enhance programs and services for children and adults who have been victims of sexual assault, domestic violence or other crimes." I am confused. When I see this “These grants will assist the most vulnerable victims of particularly devastating crimes – sex crimes and domestic violence – by providing access to direct support, such as counseling, help obtaining orders of protection, and accompaniment to court. This assistance is critical in helping victims deal with trauma and begin to rebuild their lives.” I wonder, who are these victims?

I am not one of these victims, and none of the victims I know in NYS, or even across this country, fall into this category.

Today I want to request a meeting with my state representatives. The lack of response and assistance is shocking, shameful, and it's no longer about me anymore. I have to lay my problems aside everyday because I know there is a bigger picture here, and we are all ignoring it together.

I look forward to hearing from you Congressman Engel, Assemblyman Zebrowski, and Senator Morahan.

Thank you.

Maria Phelps
www.4survivors.blogspot.com



Survivors In Action
"No Victim Left Behind"

Privacy protection for crime victims and consumers continues to be a challenge

Over the years there has been a steady rise in the number of inquiries I receive regarding privacy protection and in particular how to protect against cyberstalking.

The victims are scared, confused, frustrated and in desperate need of assistance and support that has not changed over the years.

The net continues to be new frontier explored frequently by perpetrators who continue to out pace law enforcement and legislative efforts.

It it is very difficult for consumers to protect their privacy with the number of consumer private records available on-line today. Datafurnishing companies make it very difficult for consumers to protect their private records.

It is true technology has improved and enhanced lives that is for sure however, the real question I am constantly pondering is for what price?

For some victims of stalking incidents last for years and even a decade because of the use of technology. For others changing their name, social security number and moving from one state to another is the only way to find resolve.

It is up to all of us who work in public safety and in particular with victims of stalking to rise above the "status quo" and to adjust to the maneuvers of the perpetrators who are utilizing tech.This requires time, patience and lots of additional hours that the job doesn't pay for; however, in order to excel and try to at least stay one step behind the perpetrators this is what has to be done.

Survivors In Action is accepting sign-ups for no-cost training programs for victim advocates, prosecutors and those who work in public safety regarding the use of technology by perpetrators. Please visit Survivors In Action for more information.


Survivors In Action
"No Victim Left Behind"