Last week, Human Resources at work sent me an email stating that if I had not filed for unemployment benefits (I had not), my identity had been stolen. Because I had heard previously that our work email system might have been hacked, I doubted the identity of the emailer and wrote back “Why should I believe YOU?” The HR person validated my concern and offered to prove her identity by calling me. In that phone call, we established that, indeed, my identity had been stolen.
As I looked into the theft of my identity, I discovered that it had been stolen TWO YEARS AGO. All this time, I’ve been blissfully ignorant of my identity theft, even though part of my identity has been preparing and protecting myself from trouble.
In the past, when I’ve heard that somebody’s identity had been stolen, I’ve reacted with worry, concern, and fear that this might someday happen to me. Now that my identity has been stolen, I am happy to identify that I am still me, doing what needs to be done, surviving it all, and remaining hopeful about the future.
As a matter of fact, my identity theft has seemed so insignificant to me — compared to the attempted theft of the identity of my country — I haven’t mentioned it here on my blog, until now.
Because part of my identity is to define my terms, here’s a definition of identity:
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Do you see identity in any of my other recently captured images?
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I can’t wait for the day when we stop obsessing about the identity of Donald Trump and focus on much more important identities.
Here‘s “How Artists Explore Identity” from The Museum of Modern Art, featuring Frida Kahlo, Glenn Ligon, and Andy Warhol.
Feel free to express your identity in a comment, below.
Thanks for all the identities that helped me create this identity post, including YOU!
The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally 
I know nobody else could do you like you, Ann, but seriously, this really sucks.
A lot of things suck, Mark, and this less than I expected. Thanks for doing you like you!
glad it’s really you, ann. and Harley would detect an imposter in a second. your readers would as well )
Every day, I appreciate your identities as reader and blogger, beth!
The identity video is fascinating. Dr. Harley says identity is a phenomenon of the ego which makes one ‘human’. He goes on to say that cats only have dream-wake cycles. The ‘who done it part’ is left to humankind. This was part of his doctorate thesis. He’ll be asked to lecture on it, to stop all the recounts of the supposedly ‘falsely claimed’ votes. He said his foster family also voted but were immediately disqualified.
Who knew that Harley had such interesting identities ? As usual, it takes one fascinating scholar to know another one, Maria.
Who are you? Do I know you?
Who wants to know ?
Readers Digest here. You have won our monthly prize. Just send details of your bank account and we can pop the money right in!
Wow! This is my lucky day !
Hi Ann – I am so sorry they theived your cyberspace identity, but so glad you are you still, because I don’t know what I would do if someone stole you.
Thank you, SD, for gladdening all my identities with this wonderful comment.
Ohh, Ann, that’s scarey! You mean your identity was stolen at the SSA or at the BI???
I think it probably happened during the Equifax security breach years ago. But who knows ? No worries, it will be fine.
I like your optimism
I just read a story about a man whose pictures were being used by someone who was trying to get money out of women around the world by developing relationships. The man ended up talking to the scammer and to some of the women, who’ve become his friends. There’s nothing good about identity theft but it’s interesting that sometimes it can lead to genuine connections.
Also Frida Kahlo is a great artist for exploring identity. She was such a unique and strong individual and yet her work speaks to so many of us.
Thank you, Chris, for all your genuine connections, which are such a natural part of your identity.
There is only one Ann Koplow in my books. I hope the identity thief stops stealing identities and funds another way to get by
Identity thieves ARE trying to steal funds ! Thanks for all of your kind and careful comments, my wonderful friend.
*finds
That is scary, Ann. I hope this doesn’t lead to too much stress or other difficulties.
See my comment above, Maureen. ❤
Here’s hoping for a positive outcome. We’ve heard some true horror stories.
Thank you!!!
I’m sorry that you have to unravel what will likely be a time-intensive knot! Just add it to the long list of things that are simply NOT right! 😦
That list is long but my list of what IS right is also long, Debra, and that list includes YOU.
So sorry to hear about this, Ann. It’s one of the scenarios I have always feared. And I, too, relish the day when we don’t give a damn about what DT says or does.
I hope you know I relish your comments, my friend.
I am sorry to hear that you had some challenges along the way- I reflected on how trump changed the world, but mainly, I am trying to identify where the insurrection first began. It will shock some people, this began in education. Happy reading, and welcome.
https://artymarty99.wordpress.com/2021/01/10/where-did-the-insurrection-begin/