GavelIdaho Poverty Law Journal

The Newsletter of Idaho Legal Aid Services

www.idaholegalaid.org

June/2012
Greetings,  

 

Idaho Legal Aid Services would like to update you as to how we are serving Idahoans across our great state. We are excited about new projects and collaborations which will enable us to better serve our clients and benefit Idaho communities. This work is made possible by supporters such as you who recognize the importance of helping seniors, children, veterans, domestic violence victims and other vulnerable persons. Together we are making Idaho a better place to live.
 
Identity Theft in Idaho

Finger printIn October 2011, Idaho Legal Aid Services (ILAS) was awarded funds to form the Idaho Coalition Against Identity Theft (ICAIT) to serve Idaho identity theft victims. The Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center awarded ILAS funds from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime, to form a statewide Coalition comprised of agencies, nonprofits, businesses and individuals to improve services and outcomes for identity victims, particularly seniors and "near seniors" age 50 and up.

 

One of ICAIT's goals is to educate the public about identity theft and the needs of identity theft victims. Definitions of identity theft vary. Congress defined identity theft in the Fair Credit Reporting Act as "a fraud committed or attempted using the identifying information of another person without authority." 15 USC � 1681a. Idaho law provides: "It is unlawful for any person to obtain or record personal identifying information of another person without the authorization of that person, with the intent that the information be used to obtain, or attempt to obtain, credit, money, goods or services without the consent of that person." Idaho Code 18-3126.

 

Types of identity theft include:

  • Financial identity theft, the most common form, involves the unauthorized use of an individual's personal information for financial gain. Thieves often use a victim's existing account or open a new account(s) in their name. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the misuse of existing accounts makes up 75% of victim reports, with credit card accounts being the most commonly misused account. Credit card information is often stolen through skimming (using a data storage device when processing a card), phishing (pretending to be a financial institution to get account holders to reveal personal information) or card theft. Financial identity theft victims often face denial of credit, increased financial charges, inability to get a job, or even bankruptcy. To detect financial identity theft consumers should review statements for unusual activity and regularly check their credit reports for fraudulent accounts.
  • Medical identity theft involves the unauthorized use a victim's name or health insurance information to obtain medical services. Victims often face costly medical bills or are unable to use health insurance benefits exhausted by the thief. A victim's life can be put at risk due to the thief's medical information being made part of their medical record, supplying care providers with inaccurate health related information.
  • Government identity theft occurs when an imposter supplies the information of another person to a government agency, such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to obtain work or benefits.
  • Synthetic identity theft is the use of a victim's Social Security number with another name and date of birth to create a new, fictitious identity. Synthetic ID theft occurs where a thief does not have or want to use the victim's other identifying information. This theft can be difficult to detect because new accounts and other suspicious activity may not appear on the victim's credit report.
  • Identity assumption is the impersonation of another person on the Internet, with the "intent to obtain a benefit or injure or defraud another." NY Penal Code � 190.25. An example is creating a Facebook account using another person's name and photos. Identity assumption has only been specifically addressed in California and New York state law.
  • Criminal identity theft occurs when someone uses the victim's name and information as his own during an encounter with law enforcement. This could lead to warrants issued in the victim's name or entry of a guilty plea in their name.

Victims of the varied kinds of identity theft typically require different relief.

 

Read on...    

Split Decisions

ILAS Third District Fundraiser

ILAS Split Decisions Fund Raiser 

Idaho Legal Aid Services would like to thank all who attended its first ever "Split Decisions" bowling fundraiser held at the Nampa Bowl on June 9th. Over 50 bowlers vied for victory while raising more than $3,600 to enable ILAS to provide free legal representation to low income Idahoans.

 

Sponsors included the Third District Bar Association; Fourth District Bar Association; DeFord Law PC; Mark L. Clark, PLLC; Coffel & Beaber, PC; Hamilton, Michaelson & Hilty, LLP; Mandy Hessing; Anne Kunkel; Kerry Michaelson; Lovan, Roker and Rounds, PC; Missy Pearson; The Nampa Bowl; Jason Pintler; Scarlett Law, PLLC; Tammara Slater; White Peterson and Yost Law. Raffle items were donated by the Nampa Bowl and Treasure Valley Rollergirls.

 

Special thanks to Third District Bar President Kerry Michaelson and future Judge Jayme Beaber who led this effort. ILAS would also like to acknowledge the work of its Caldwell and Nampa Family Justice Center Staff, including Mike "the man with the microphone" Witry for their efforts to make this a fun event.

 

Fair Lending Education Project
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With a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. has implemented a fair lending project to help homeowners and transactors understand the lending rights afforded them under the Fair Housing Act and other state and federal laws. This project includes the establishment of a Fair Lending/Fair Housing Advice Line (866) 345-0106 (toll free). To read about what we've been doing through that project please click here:

 

 

About Our Law Firm
 

Idaho Legal Aid Services provides low income people equal access to justice through quality advocacy and education. We serve Idaho through seven regional offices, satellite offices at Idaho's two Family Justice Centers, and through three statewide advice lines that serve domestic violence victims, victims of predatory lending, and seniors. Over three hundred interactive online legal forms complete a website with extensive legal content. For office locations, advice line call information, interactive forms and educational legal content please see our website at www.idaholegalaid.org and consider donating.

All donations are tax deductible.

Idaho Legal Aid Services

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