When It Comes to Identity Theft, Zuppa Says “Be Proactive, Not Reactive”

By Chris Manson July 12, 2007 Issue

It’s more than credit card fraud. Identity theft extends to medical records, social security information, and drivers’ license data and beyond. Bill Zuppa says financial fraud is only part of the problem.

“A professional thief can assume your identity in just a few hours, but it can take years for you to restore your identity,” Zuppa says. He cites an Internet report compiled by the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. The report lists companies—including universities and financial institutions—whose files have been compromised. “The potential victims number in the millions.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Federal Trade Commission have both issued statistics indicating more than 10 million victims of identity theft in the past year alone. “Newspaper and television media are inundated daily with cases of identity theft,” Zuppa says. “Every three days there are enough new victims to fill Soldier Field in Chicago.”

The FTC website (www.ftc.gov) says most victims of identity theft are forced to spend hundreds of dollars repairing their names and credit records. Victims may also be denied job opportunities, education loans and housing. The worst-case scenario would finds an identity theft victim arrested for crimes he or she did not commit.

“About four years ago, I got a call from a bank in Alabama,” Zuppa says. “Someone had taken out a $140,000 mortgage on my house. At the same time, there were other people in this area who had similar problems. Anyway, I told the bank, ‘That wasn’t me.’ They put me in touch with an FBI agent who cleared it up. I was fortunate they were able to apprehend the people that did it.” Zuppa notes the prosecution rate for identity theft felons is less than 5 percent.

Zuppa is an independent associate with Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. The company has partnered with Kroll Industries—“the world’s leading background investigative company,” Zuppa says—to offer identity theft protection. “The response is good, once people are made aware of what it does. With identity theft, you need to be proactive, not reactive.” The plan offers continuous credit monitoring and reports any suspicious activity to clients.

The son of immigrants from southern Italy, Zuppa was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y.†At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving tours in France, Italy, and Vietnam to name a few. The highly decorated veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars is father to three children and the grandfather of six — “and one great grandchild due any day,” he adds proudly. His oldest son is a physician. His daughter is a practicing attorney in Atlanta. Zuppa’s youngest son is “the entrepreneur of the family” and recently opened the San Gelato CafÈ in Mary Esther. All three of Zuppa’s children are enrolled in the identity theft protection plan.

Upon retirement from the Air Force in 1973, Zuppa and his wife opened the first Italian sub shop in Okaloosa County. He has also had considerable success in the fields of outdoor advertising, licensed real estate sales, and the lock and safe business. Amazingly, Zuppa also found time for “a very exciting and rewarding career in the construction industry,” developing many single and multi-family homes and residential subdivisions in Northwest Florida. Zuppa is also a charter member and immediate past president of the Fort Walton Beach Sons of Italy.

In 2001, he became an independent associate with Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. and subsequently a champion of the 35-year-old company’s identity theft protection plan. Zuppa says he is more than happy to answer any questions regarding identity theft, “this crime (that) has reached epidemic proportions.” He can be reached at 585-3166. “You can’t stop it—the only thing you can do is protect yourself.”

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