Confessions of an Identity Thief

By George Greenwood

At an early age, Ryan felt deprived of attention from a loving family. He soon turned to friends who introduced him to drugs, which in turn led him to crime to sustain his habit and lifestyle. Hooked on crystal meth and the exhilaration of crime in the form of identity theft his life took on a whole new uncontrollable perspective.

Ryan said there were times that ranged from high exhilaration, like when he had three vehicles in his control at one time, to the extreme low of not knowing if he would even see tomorrow as he hunkered down, knees up to his face, in a freezing cold stairwell wondering where his next fix was coming from or if he would even be alive tomorrow.

Sometimes Identity Theft is not about the crime but about the emotions of those involved... that is what the Stolen Lives Series is about. It is about understanding WHY the crimes take place. George Greenwood has been able to put that into words.

• Language: English
• Publisher: George Greenwood
• Release date: Feb 26, 2012
• ISBN: 9780981280943

George Greenwood

Since 2005, George Greenwood has been an Author, Keynote Speaker and Advocate on identity abuse issues. George has spoken across the country to hundreds of groups and thousands of people promoting the need to proactively incorporate methods of prevention into the routines of homes and businesses. George has been asked to speak to Governmental Privacy Review Commissions as well has gained support by National Chambers of Commerce to lobby for either changed or new federal legislation on this subject. George's mission and purpose is to positively and effectively reduce the risk and decrease the vulnerability of people becoming a victim of identity theft, identity fraud, as well as the abuses created by it.

Book preview

CONFESSIONS OF AN IDENTITY THIEF

The Roller Coaster Life of an Identity Thief

By George Greenwood with Ryan Michaels

Mongeo Publishing

Copyright © 2009 by George Greenwood, All rights reserved.

Revised – 2012

SMASHWORDS EDITION

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system without the express and clearly outlined written permission from the author except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for the sole purposes of review.

None of the information contained within the pages of this book is to be considered as legal advice. The content is designed to cause you to think. You are always encouraged by this writer to seek the aid of professionals when making decisions in respect to what this book has caused you to learn or question.

MONGEO PUBLISHING

165 – 20388 Fraser Highway

Langley, BC

Canada V3A 4G1

Editor: Monica Coburn

Proof Reader: Christine Mills

Interior Design: Wendy Dewar Hughes, Summer Bay Press

Photographs: Dennis Davidson, Keepsake Portraits

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Data

Greenwood, George, 1950 –

Confessions of an Identity Thief / George Greenwood with Ryan Michaels

ISBN: 978-0-9812809-3-6

Digital Version 978-0-9812809-4-3

Stolen Lives is a registered trademark

To our Families, who through their love and understanding, we receive strength, knowing that there are times when it is okay to be carried on our pathway of life… and by being carried, we accept their strength that becomes our courage to rebuild our life after such a tragedy.

After all, strength is not something owned,

Strength only has true power when it is shared.

TM

Dedication

Confessions is dedicated to all those people that have performed an act of identity theft or fallen into the world of drugs. Hopefully this story will inspire you to realize your lifecan be turned around and that there is hope. You too can win! Ryan did.

I wish to pay tribute to Susan Thomas by offering her a very special Thank You for introducing me to Ryan so his rollercoaster story could be told in this way. I hope you really hear what Ryan is saying. He tried so hard to reach out, but was not heard until it was too late. This world Ryan found himself in is rarely forgiving. Thankfully, there are people like Susan to lend a hand to lift those that recognize the help and want to be lifted out.

This book is dedicated to those who want to escape the world of drugs and crime. My desire is that no one is ever victimized by anyone, through identity abuse or in any other way.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the STOLEN LIVES series is to make you think. We must all realize that our lives are just a breath away from change, no matter what side of the law we are on. All it takes is a single action, or a misguided thought to change our lives forever. All too often, the change could have nothing to do with your actions, but has everything to do with an action by someone else to you and is often beyond your control.

Confessions shows that someone on that other side of the law can change too. Many times these people are there because of situations that were out of their control. With that thought in mind, sometimes the thief can be a victim of a different kind.

It is up to each one of us to accept what needs to change in our own lives so that we can live with confidence, security and safety. First and foremost, we must practice awareness. We cannot do anything about what we are not familiar with.

We must press our governments, at all levels, to provide legislation that adds to, and insures, that we have the confidence in the security and safety that our Constitution and the Charter or Bill of Rights provides us with.. Technology has changed the world and our laws must reflect these changes.

Once this is legislation is in place, we must hold law enforcement to be accountable with the judicial muscle to enforce our protective laws.

Considering the different perspectives presented in the Stolen Lives series, along with our Keeping Your Identity Sade educational seminars, is to make an impact on our society, no matter how large or small, in order to make this an even better place in which to live, bring up our families and to nurture and develop our businesses. We do this by providing a look into these worlds through the eyes of victims and perpetrators. By seeing it from both sides allows you to understand the bigger picture.

It thrills me to know that we have already had an impact on this country through building awareness and as a result of our advocacy work.

If you would like to pass on a message to Ryan drop a note to us, we would love to hear from you. We appreciate hearing about your personal experiences and stories as well and you have our assurance that they will not be used in any way without your written consent nor at any time will they be identified to your name in any way.

Mail it to my attention: George Greenwood

165 – 20388 Fraser Highway, Langley, British Columbia, V3A 4G1

or email to [e-mail]

FORWARD

The Stolen Lives book series presents an entirely different concept when it comes to the understanding of identity theft. It is not about facts, statistics and who did what to whom. It is about feelings and understanding. Rather than asking who, where, what and how, maybe we should ask why. Memories of a Stolen Life shows the emotions of a victim, while Confessions of an Identity Thief shows the emotions of a perpetrator.

We all know someone who has been affected by identity theft. Ours is a typical Canadian community growing outside a metro-urban centre, complete with criminal activity. As Mayor I have seen the impact that crime can cause. I have also seen firsthand that these crimes are real and are not attractive in any way.

All communities have a share in the growth within the world of property crime, identity theft and drug dealing, and it spreads at an alarming rate. Each of these three criminal scenarios is often related. If each of us is prepared to take responsibility and work together we can change and take back our communities.

In December of 2005, George came to my office with the idea of presenting information about identity theft in an open public forum. He felt it was something the people of our area (in which he resides) need to know. I was both intrigued and excited about teaching people in our community how to protect themselves. Since that time I have seen many people learn simple steps that will help them protect their identity.

I invite you to sit back, read through these pages and learn what actually goes on in this world. As you read Confessions of an Identity Thief, you will learn about a former thief and what went through his mind while it was happening. You will also understand why it happened 0and how it impacts his life as well as of those around him. This story brings a unique perspective which will challenge you to think about yourself and that which is most important to you – your identity!

Enjoy this part of the journey

Peter Fassbender

Mayor of the City of Langley, BC

Ryan Michaels

Confessions of an Identity Thief

PREFACE

By George Greenwood

This is Ryan Michaels’ rollercoaster like story and it is