03.30.07
On Being A Number
More and more, people are becoming “numbers,” in many ways. I’m not sure when this situation began. The first indication was the machine at the meat counter that dispensed numbers on little papers that were called, in order, so that no one would “cut the line.”
Another situation that comes to mind was waiting to be seen at the Air Force Hospital Clinic when I was expecting a baby…along with a long line of other so-called “pregnant guppies.” I felt like a number then, just one more of the crowd to be “processed.”
Of course, our lives are ruled by other numbers like Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, credit card numbers. In all, our personal and business identification numbers make up our credit profile, and when those numbers are stolen, we risk becoming victims of “identity theft.”
It doesn’t take much for someone’s credit record to get mixed up with that of someone else who has been less scrupulous, or less timely, in paying bills. A few years ago, I was shopping in a department store and was going to pay for clothes purchases with a major credit card. On that day, there was an offer for an additional 10% off the total bill, if one signed up for their store brand card.
To apply through their computer system, the young clerk punched in the information, and then said, “Sorry, mamm, credit denied.” I stood there, mouth agape, in amazement. I pay all the bills immediately and have a stellar financial record, or so I thought. No, according to the credit reports that I later requested, someone with the same first and last name, who is a deadbeat, and who has probably filed for bankruptcy by now, had her information entangled throughout my report. More than a year was required to straighten out that mess!
Numbers reflect an impersonal world. In a small town, in years gone by, the shop owner would know your name, and would also be aware of the names of every member of your family as well as many other details gained by gossip or direct knowledge.
Ah, it is a changing world. I don’t like it. There’s a lot I don’t like about today’s world. Don’t get me going! In so saying, I am reminded of a picture of my late mother when she was young. She has a frown on her face, and in her own writing, above that picture in a scrapbook, she writes, “Smilin’ Thru.” If we can’t keep a sense of humor, what do we have left?
By the way, anyone can request a free credit report, once a year, from any of three major companies who keep track of this information, one of which is Esperian. Check your report carefully and report any discrepancies. A good credit record is always wise to maintain!
Have a super weekend!
Patricia
