I forgot to mention that I have been the victim of identity theft. When I checked my email yesterday I found that I had used Western Union to transfer $500 to someone. I quickly told W.U. that the transaction wasn't mine but they didn't do anything and the money was picked up by a Joseph Barbauto. Then I got a call from the fraud department of MBNA about my LL Bean credit card. It appears this character has been having a high old time with the card number to the tune of $1600 or so. The card is now canceled and the money will not be my responsibility.

You know, this wasn't nearly as painful as the TV commercials for ID theft protection make it seem. I wonder what I'm missing?