By Bari Auerbach

‘Identity Theft’

The crime of identity theft affects more than 10 million Americans each year–so beyond keeping personal information confidential, it may be wise to start double checking to make sure people are really who they claim to be…

Sales Associates: Good customer service should be provided by sales associates…But they could actually be “hot button pushers” hired to see just how fast they can make you lose your cool by overcharging, refusing to give you a return without a receipt, or putting the wrong order in the bag at the drive-thru window that had a 20 minute wait.
 
Gym Members: Some people at the gym are in such great shape, you’d think they must be genetically gifted…But ultra-fit gym members may actually be fitness models paid to workout at gyms in order to inspire others to join in the hopes they’ll look just as good if they pay the membership fees. 

Perfect Dates: Dating site members claim to be tall, in shape and employed…But odds are their heights are lower and their ages and weights are way higher than they say. And if their scanned picture bears a remarkable resemblance to the cologne model in the magazine you were just reading, it might be a good idea not to make the date. 

Facebook Friends: That strange friend request could actually be from the FBI! An internal justice department document recently revealed social networking sites are working with law enforcement to supply personal information…But they’re only targeting “persons of interest” – so if you’re not very interesting you probably don’t have to worry.

Nice Neighbors: They seem so neighborly – inviting you to barbecues and picking up your mail while you’re away…But your nice neighbors might turn out to be undercover spies collecting information about what makes residents so happy. After all, there are a lot of other cities all over the world always trying to replicate the famous identity of Sunny Isles Beach – where crimes like “theft” are never on the rise.