The Fireman Who Said Too Much

My neighbor is a fireman. He makes over $150,000 a year. He paid over $700,000. for his house. His property taxes are $11,900. His address is xxxxxxxxx, Los Angeles, CA. It’s the big house on the corner with the red trim and the bay window.

He was in two firemen calendars. He bought 100 copies of the first one. He skis, hikes, boats, surfs, - loves the outdoors. He goes to the gym 6 days a week and runs 6 miles everyday. He would like to get personalized license plates that read, “HOTMAN” - but it’s already taken.

I don’t know my neighbor. In fact, I’ve never even spoken to him. I haven’t even seen him before today. I heard his entire conversation as I waited in line at the post office before the price of stamps increase this week.

There is something about paying an extra cent to the post office that irks me because I can’t tell you how many days I haven’t gotten mail. My postal worker told me that she decides what mail to deliver each day. If it is too much, she will take only half; which means that mail is always piling up. Some mail is even marked with a delivery date, which is often expired by the time I get it. Paying 1 cent is neither here nor there, but it would be nice if we got decent service - like in England. So that’s my 2 cents about 1 cent, but I digress.

My neighbor is still blabbing away while the line moves at a snail’s pace. Maybe it’s just me, but don’t you think that we are privy to lots of information that’s none of our business?

If I heard his conversation so did everyone else in line. All it takes is one person with the wrong thoughts to compromise the fireman’s identity. Enough information was revealed, to wreak havoc in his life.

It takes 12 -17 months to clear up an identity theft situation and your credit record could be damaged for up to 7 years. That’s a long time for talking on a cellphone.

If you have to use your cellphone in public, be aware of what you say. Also, if you have to speak so loudly like you’re the only one in the room, perhaps you can go to your car or better yet, go home. Invite everyone over, have a party with snacks, drinks and music. At least let us enjoy ourselves if we have to listen to you. I’ll even bring a fruit arrangement and a bottle of Merlot.

Ironically, keeping in mind where I was, The Federal Trade Commission and United States Postal Service have joined forces to educate the public against identity theft. Only 2 % of the nation’s population reported that identity theft happened to them through the mail and local post offices are trying to lower that percentage to zero.

The postmaster sent a warning letter to U.S. residents back in March of this year, warning us of the dangers of identity theft. And guess what, I never received it.

There are over 10 million identity theft victims in America. An identity is stolen every 4 seconds here. I think that statistic needs to change. For instance, I would not mind if a cellphone were stolen every 4 seconds. That would be the beginning of world peace, not to mention the bonus of inner peace.

All I am saying is give peace a chance.