Prospect, KY (September 09, 2002) - Victims Assistance of America, Inc (VAA)
-- Topic: Airport Security and Americas Project through VAA This is an urgent message to all US companies, individuals, grantmakers, foundations, government agencies and non profit organizations:
There is a major problem in the United States. And most people DO NOT REALIZE that it even exists, let alone the gravity of the situation. It all ties in with Identity theft.
TERRORISTS ARE ABLE TO BOARD U.S. PLANES AND TRAVEL ANYWHERE THAT THEY WANT TO using the fake IDs of decent law abiding citizens, and the United States government and law enforcement agencies have no way to scan for this or detect a falsified ID.
The other evening, CBS Evening news correspondent Sandra Hughs did a report on this subject. In the report, she sent out the show's producer, undercover, to buy a fake driver's license and use it to board a plane. At five different airports the $105 fake ID was never questioned. Says Christopher Bonzor, of the Huntington park Police Department, For some reason, individuals in charge of travel, in charge of airports, are not grasping the seriousness of this. " Until they do, terrorists still have access to America's skies.
The CBS story also introduced a company which has invented a machine that can detect a fake drivers license ID. John Nevill's company manufactures a machine that can detect fake driver's licenses from any state with an encoded magnetic strip. Despite the machine's proven ability, neither the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) nor the major airlines seem interested.
Senator Barbara Boxer (CA) is up in arms about this. She wants to see such technology in every airport in America.
We are on the cusp of launching our national 501-c-3 (non profit) organization called Victim's Assistance of America (VAA) www.victimsassistanceofamerica.org. We are the only national 501-c-3 set up to help with identity theft issues on a state by state basis all across the nation. To this end, I¹ve contacted Senator Boxer to inform her of the launch of our organization, and to suggest an active role that VAA can play in airport security. I have offered to actually place our VAA office/locations in the major airports.
We need corporations, individuals, grantmakers, foundations, government agencies and non profit organizations to help sponsor or donate a machine. This tax fee donation would enable us to place these machines in airports, police stations, or other locations vulnerable to terrorist attacks. After that, we would like to make them available to retail establishments to help prevent the ever growing scourge of ID theft that is costing consumers and companies alike billions of dollars.
Now, more than ever, if we band together, we can stop this crime of identity theft, which at best, costs companies and individuals billions, and at worst, can lead to disastrous terrorist attacks against the freedom loving countries of the world.
After enduring a 10 year long problem with identity theft, I am keenly aware of the consequences of inaction. We can no longer afford to ignore this problem. We are a nation at war. But it is an unconventional war, and we must be ready to use unconventional methods to protect ourselves. All battles are not won on the battle field, and all combatants are not soldiers. Each and every one of us can fight this war, and if we band together, win.
If you or your organization wants to help win this battle, please contact me through Victim's Assistance of America.
Please pass this on to your organization directors and boards or any individuals who may want to help.
Thanks for your time and consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Martha Steimel, President
Victims Assistance of America, Inc (VAA) http://www.victimsassistanceofamerica.org msteimel@victimsassistanceofamerica.org or itzacrime@yahoo.com PO Box 270 Prospect, KY 40059-0270 (502) 292-2456
