Social Security Number Change and Domestic Violence – vital program to prevent homicide that is not working

By on May 17, 2012 in domestic violence, DV Reform

Social Security Number Change vital to prevent homicide in stalking and domestic violence cases yet SSA program continues to fall short

Victims of domestic violence and stalking in need of social security number changes for safety continue to be abandoned by the SSA- the Social Security Administration and NNEDV, domestic violence agency and advocates who have collaborated and contributed to this program.

Survivors In Action, with the support of Tri-County Crisis Center and victims left behind, are hoping that their efforts collaborating with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to uncover the facts and statistical data regarding the SSA and related programs for domestic violence and stalking victims will help lead to streamlining and improving the process of identity change for victims.

Victims of domestic violence and stalking seeking life saving protection measures such as social security number changes for safety to prevent homicide are discovering that a process of changing their social security numbers for safety is not as easy as it sounds.  Instead, many find that it is a very complicated and difficult process that often leaves victims frustrated and confused.

One would think these life saving programs would be a priority and that the process would be updated to ensure the needs of victims are met, but this is not the case.  Homicide prevention experts and consultants worry that these tools and others will be needed more than ever in 2012 as the number of public safety budget cuts continue making victims more vulnerable and this program, more needed than ever.

Survivors In Action has yet to receive any positive feedback from victims regarding their experiences with SSA since the agency was founded in 2007.  To date, SIA hasn’t had one victim provide feedback that they were able to successfully change their social security number by applying directly with the SSA, but yet victims continue to be referred to this program as a tool and re-victimized over and over.

“Victims continue to be left behind by this SSA program and this simply has to change in 2012. Ignoring the problem or trying to hide the fact that victims are being denied at an alarming rate is not pro-active. Those who have had success changing their social security numbers face the risk of being accused of identity theft or their new personal information is co-mingled with the old information.  This issue must be exposed to stop re-victimization, and to stop when victims of domestic violence and stalking from suffering further harm after reaching out for help”, says Alexis Moore founder of Survivors In Action and an outspoken advocate for stalking victims that supports reform of this SSA program and practices.

“Victims need to be made aware of the process in clear, easy to read language and the Social Security Administration, as well as the advocates who have been working within the program continue to fail to address the needs of victims. This is imperative because this tool is one that is being sought by victims who are facing life or death circumstances.”

“I was hopeful once Social Security Administration officials reached out to me via Survivors In Action this past year to discuss this matter, but communications stopped and instead, SIA received a certified letter from the Inspector General requesting that our agency stop our efforts to support victims. Thankfully, the ACLU stepped in and is supporting Survivors In Action since this matter is one that impacts a large group of victims and survivors nationwide.” Alexis Moore, President of Survivors in Action.

We can only hope that with the increased awareness of our efforts that the SSA Officials and the advocates from NNEDV and other agencies involved will take action to ensure the needs of victims are met and quickly.

Alexis Moore, founder of Survivors In Action, personally understands the devastating ramifications of a program like this failing. She has been a stalking victim since 2004 and was recommended to this program by law enforcement and crime victim advocates only to discover that the social security number change was not as easy as completing paperwork at the SSA office.

“My petition was denied for lack of on-going abuse, just like many victims that I have collaborated with from across the nation. The victims are learning about Survivors In Action and our efforts to help promote awareness of this problem and they are reaching out. I made it my personal goal to help reform this program and shed light on its failures after I suffered and was re-victimized by the present system in place in 2005. Someone has to take action, and waiting for that someone may never happen- so it happens to be me.” says Moore.

I could not be more proud of the work that Survivors In Action volunteers do and more honored to be part of the movement to reform victim resources and ensure no victim is left behind.

The questions remain regarding the programs guidelines and whether or not any measures have been put in place to protect victims after the change is completed. Presently, there are many victims who have successfully made the change who are discovering a whole new set of problems. They are finding that they are facing new problems in 2011 such as identity theft accusations and co-mingling of their old and new information, making it difficult for them to obtain credit, housing and even employment.

The growing concern shared by agencies and crime victim consultants is that this failure will continue without intervention by government officials if there is not more attention brought forth to highlight the problems.

Instead of the program working to protect crime victims, it is failing.  The program needs to work well in order to prevent homicide, violence and re-victimization.  This issue must be brought to light and addressed in 2012 or many more will be re-victimized and tragically domestic violence and stalking related homicides will continue.

“The TCCC and SIA goal is to prevent domestic homicide. We want to bring this matter to the forefront and we want to advocate for change” says Maria DiBari President of Tri-County Crisis Center who is leading the reform efforts from the east coast.

SSA (social security administration) number changes are the financial freedom that victims need in many cases.  Specifically having a new social will prohibit further acts of id theft and stalking and help our clients with financial freedom and prevent violence and victimization. We need this system in place to work for people reaching out for help.

“In cases where the abuser has restricted access to financial resources and intentionally destroyed the credit of their victim,having a new social security number will not only prevent further stalking but also put an end to repeated ID theft and fraudulent activity. We must ensure that these important protections are put in place so that the victim can leave the abusive situation and progress towards self-sufficiency, ” Jodie SanJuan founder of the Domestic Violence Justice Project.

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There is no excuse for debt collector abuse! Join Survivors In Action founder on Anderson Cooper today to learn how to fight back against debt collector abuse!

By on May 16, 2012 in Uncategorized

There is no excuse for debt collector abuse.

From Survivors In Action, Inc. founder Alexis Moore

On a recent taping of daytime talk show Anderson Cooper, I had the pleasure of meeting Allen Jones who was victimized by abusive debt collectors who fought back and won!

The racial slurs and harassment that Allen endured regarding an $81 dollar debt that he had already paid in full, is a tragic example of why it is important for CEO’s of banks, credit card companies and credit collection agencies to take a closer look at their collection department operations and take action before situations like Allen’s happen in the first place.

There is no excuse for debt collector abuse!

More troubling than the lax oversight that exists internally within the collection departments of banks, credit card companies and collection agencies of today even, is the fact that finance companies, banks and collection agency managers often turn a blind-eye when incidents of abuse like what Allen experienced take place, and worse yet some managers consider these incidents of abuse “a cost of doing business”.

As a risk management consultant and a credit collection expert, I am here to say without hesitation -There is no excuse for debt collector abuse.

 

“There is no excuse for debt collector abuse!

There is no reason in the 21st century for any debt collector or collection department employee to utilize illegal tactics including harassment or intimidation to collect debts.” Alexis Moore, Risk Management Consultant and Credit Collections Expert.

Technology of today allows collection departments to conduct asset investigations, people locates and to determine the overall  probability of successful collection of an account without picking up the telephone, sending out a letter or leaving one voice mail message even. If an account is determined to be “collectible”, then the collection managers job is to instruct their collectors and train them how to pursue legal and ethical collection activities. There is no reason to harass, harm or intimidate anyone to collect a debt.

Luckily today consumers like Allen and others victimized by debt collector abuse have a resource to turn to for help.

With the assistance of the non-profit agency NACA, National Association of Consumer Advocates, consumers can fight back against malicious and inaccurate credit reporting, abusive debt collection practices and be compensated for the wrong committed against them.

The National Association of Consumer Advocates also known as NACA is a nationwide organization that specializes in consumer protection. NACA’s resources include more than 1,000 attorneys who specialize in consumer advocacy and litigation.

“I reached out to an attorney with the NACA network after reading Ms. Moore’s article in our local newspaper. I experienced repeated harassment by a law firm and later a collection agency. I lost my job and I was humiliated. I had no income and was trying to find work but the repeated calls, emails and communications by the debt collectors to my former co-workers and clients made it impossible. I had no idea that NACA existed, and I am so glad I found it. I could not believe that I was compensated for the harassment and I did not have to pay the NACA attorney any fee up-front.” Bob Dickson Los Angeles, California.

NACA attorneys have represented hundreds of thousands of consumers victimized by identity theft and fraud, as well as abusive and predatory business practices perpetrated by debt collection agencies, banks, credit cards, law firms and even the three national credit bureaus.

Consumers find dealing with abusive debt collection agencies, banks and creditors can be a impossible at times, luckily with the help of NACA lawyers and resources millions of consumers now have the support they need to fight back and to get compensated for the harm they have suffered.

Many NACA lawyers and resources take the cases on contingency which means there is no up-front or out of pocket expense to the consumer, which makes this resource an ideal place for consumers to turn who are experiencing predatory behaviors in 2012.

Stopping the predatory practices of debt collection agencies, banks, credit card companies and even the 3 national credit bureaus is something that the experienced lawyers affiliated with NACA can do to help consumers get their lives back.

Contact from a credit agency is regulated by federal law, but these laws are ignored frequently by unscrupulous debt collection agencies and banks, which causes harm and stress for consumers and puts a black eye on an industry that is vital to many businesses and individuals in the 21st century who need successful accounts receivable management to operate.

What is alarming is that even, identity theft victims frequently encounter civil suits filed against them by debt collection agencies and attorney collection firms for funds that the victims do not owe and are harassed by banks, credit collection agencies, law firms and others needlessly pursuing the victims on false claims. Victims frequently feel they have no other choice but to pay to re-establish their good names and their credit. Others file bankruptcy. There is a better alternative and that is NACA.

I have consulted on cases as an credit collections expert with many NACA attorneys and firms from across the nation, and I am happy to report that millions in damages have been paid out to wronged consumers over the past 5 years and although there are many excellent and ethical collections and accounts receivable operations throughout the US, there are still far to many that break the law and violate consumer protections.

The epidemic of consumer abuse by debt collection agencies and those who work in the credit and collection industry is not going to diminish until there are new privacy laws and better safeguards for consumers, so until then NACA is a wonderful resource that has helped millions.

And remember,

There is no excuse for debt collector abuse- Alexis Moore

If you are interested in learning more about Alexis Moore read here.

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Violence Against Women Act failing domestic violence and stalking victims

By on May 12, 2012 in domestic violence, DV Reform, Stalking

The political squabble over the renewal of the violence against women act fails to include what domestic violence and stalking victims require and deserve —accountability of agencies and executives who receive salaries and funding. Without such there is no measure to ensure victims are not left behind.

All of the funding in the world is of no value to domestic violence or stalking victims if there is no oversight. There must be oversight of agencies that receive funding. More important is that agencies and executives who are being afforded lavish salaries should not be paid if they do not provide direct support to victims. Presently, no oversight of agencies exist, and unlike other businesses throughout the United States if a victim is left behind there is no place for victims to turn for help to report their experiences. Instead of the issue being tossed around like a political football, there should be some discussion about implementation of oversight and accountability.- Alexis Moore, founder Survivors In Action

Survivors In Action supports the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act and the inclusions of funding for all victims of domestic violence including those within the LGBT community, victims of officer-involved domestic violence and services offered to all regardless of gender, immigration status or age.

Join Survivors In Action, Domestic Violence Justice Project and survivors of domestic violence and stalking from across the United States with our efforts to promote the need for DV Reform (Domestic Violence Victim Resource and Public Policy Reform) to ensure no victim is left behind.

Why Survivors In Action, Alexis Moore, victims and others support DV Reform efforts and specifically accountability of agencies and executives that receive funding can be found on our site and on DVJP.org and below.

http://freemenow.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/scam-using-domestic-violence-survivors/

http://mariadibari.com/nnedv-funds-high-executive-salaries-while-no-help-exists-for-victims/

http://mariadibari.com/the-domestic-violence-empire-in-need-of-reform/

http://survivorsinaction.org/national-stalking-resource-center-funded-but-not-to-help-victims/

http://mariadibari.com/grace-smith-house-dumps-victim/

Survivors In Action has thousands of victims and family members of victims lost to domestic violence homicide available for interviews to discuss the dire need for DV Reform. We have ample evidence available for review that reveals the fact that when victims of domestic violence and stalking reach out to hotlines, shelters, and non-profits at the national, state and local levels they are left behind- victims are either ignored or overly referred.

In a time of fiscal crisis funding must only be allocated to agencies and individuals who will provide direct support to victims. Oversight and accountability are vital to ensure victims needs are met and that funding is utilized properly to serve victims.

Domestic violence and stalking are far too often a matter of life or death. By implementing vital oversight and accountability measures lives will be saved.

To learn about funding of domestic violence and stalking non-profit agencies visit here

To learn more about this issue from Survivors In Action email info@SurvivorsInAction.org

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Florida Governor Rick Scott taking much needed action to expose Domestic Violence Coalition executives inflated salaries, lax oversight and failing victim support services- Florida only the tip of the iceberg

By on May 8, 2012 in domestic violence, DV Reform, Stalking

Survivors In Action supports the efforts of Florida Governor Rick Scott to expose the inflated salaries and the lack of victim support services offered by the funded US Domestic Violence and National Stalking Resource Center. Presently, funding continues to national domestic violence and stalking agencies along with 50 state Domestic Violence coalitions and Partnerships without any oversight or accountability measures in place to ensure victims needs are met. The only one’s benefitting from the domestic violence and stalking agencies of today are the executive directors and employees. In Florida, Survivors In Action has 15 active high-risk domestic violence and stalking victims in need of direct support services in Florida and yet there is no help for them in the state of Florida or any other and funding continues? Other victims give up trying to find support after reaching out for help only to find that no help exists.

All 15 high-risk victims have already reached out to the Florida State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the national domestic violence agencies including NNEDV, NCADV , domestic violence hotlines,National Stalking Resource Center and the local shelters throughout the state of Florida only to be referred back to the domestic violence hotline or ignored completely. This is the case for domestic violence and stalking victims from across the nation.

Tell Congress to stop funding agencies with tax payer dollars that do not provide direct support to victims and to quit funding the inflated executive salaries of the national, state and local domestic violence agencies and the National Center for Victims of Crime and National Stalking Resource Center.

DV Reform – Domestic Violence Victim Resource and Public Policy Reform is long over due to ensure “no victim is left behind”.

 

 

 

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US National Stalking Resource Center funding continues yet no direct support for victims

By on May 8, 2012 in cyberstalking, domestic violence, DV Reform, Stalking

National Stalking Resource Center funded yet no help for stalking or cyberstalking victims

Tax payer funding continues to fund agencies like National Stalking Resource Center, National Center for Victims of Crime and others while no direct services are offered to victims.
Below is an article written by Identity Theft expert, Ms. SanJuan, from the Economic Abuse Recovery Center. Ms. SanJuan addresses the needs of victims and the lack of assistance and help provided by the National Stalking Resource Center. There is a misconception that the National Stalking Resource Center provides assistance to stalking victims. Make no mistake, this center collects the lion share of the funding for stalking victims, but offers no support to victims in need. A copy of their public 990 Tax return is included within this post.
Stalking Victims Need More Resources
By Jodie SanJuan – Executive Director of the Economic Abuse Recovery Center
To view public records tax information for non-profit visit GuideStar here and follow the below step by step instructions.

How do I find 990s on GuideStar?

  1. Enter a nonprofit’s name in the search field on GuideStar’s Web site at www.guidestar.org.
  2. Hit the Search button.
  3. On the search results page, click on the name of the nonprofit you are searching for.
  4. In the organization’s nonprofit report, click the “Forms 990 & Docs” tab.
  5. Click on the link for the Form 990 that you want to view.
Paris Hilton’s stalker was recently arrested outside of her home, and she was quoted as saying that although she has a “great security system and four 24-hour bodyguards” she still fears that no security measures will be able to keep her safe from a determined predator. If Paris is afraid and she can afford a security team, how does the average stalking victim feel who can’t afford additional security measures?
Resources for stalking victims are surprisingly scarce. The National Center for Victims of Crime also known as the National Stalking Resource Center, operates a Stalking Resource Center, but their website says that the Victims Helpline ‘is temporarily closed’. Instead, they suggest that you review their fact sheets and brochures that offer tips such as how to keep a stalking incident and behavior log and their safety plan guidelines.
These are great tools, but where do victims actually turn to for help?
When a victim reaches the point where they need to call a Helpline, they need real help not reading material. The Stalking Resource Center is a nationally funded program that is unable to service victims or even refer them to another organization for assistance. They do however, ask for donations to ‘give victims a lifeline’.
The website states that $50 provides two hours of support for 6 victims and $200 provides one day of support for 36 victims (and so on). They also offer an exclusive membership package but again, they do not service victims. It can then be assumed that these funds are utilized for the training that they provide to other organizations, but even their workshop/conferences range between $375-$575 to attend and they include a continental breakfast and lunch. Attendees stay at the Hyatt Regency and are encouraged to ‘fully enjoy their visit to the nation’s capitol’. This event is supported in part through funding from the Office for Victims of Crime, so it’s hard to comprehend how they can manage to organize events like this but are unable to operate a Helpline. This is unacceptable and one more reason why Domestic Violence and Stalking Reform is so important. Too often, victims are falling through the cracks and not receiving the assistance that they need and deserve.
If you have a review of a domestic violence organization or state agency that you would like to share, Please visit DVReform.org. This is a grassroots movement where victims, advocates and friends of victims can share information and resources in an online support community. The mission is to hold domestic violence and stalking organizations, charities, coalitions, and advocates accountable and to ensure that they are providing real help to those who need it most – the victims.
What you can do today to help: Sign the stalking reform petition. Tell Congress to stop funding agencies like the National Stalking Resource Center and others that do not provide direct support to victims.
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