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COMMENT ON CRAZY LICENSE ENFORCEMENT - IDENTIFY THEFT OF ALARM LICENSE FROM FEB 28, 2015 ARTICLE
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Ken, 
     I just love reading your readers' inquiries/complaints/problems and I thank you for providing such a valuable resource of information. Sometimes you must feel like Dear Abbey for the security industry!  LOL.  
     Today I am responding to the person (identified as IS) who reported that someone else used his 'unique ID' to procure security jobs.  Apparently that person was eventually found out, was fined $2,000 and was allowed to make $100 monthly payments to (his State) Division of Licensing Services.  Shortly thereafter, the individual was was allowed to obtain a proper license and is now working/competing in same market as IS.  (That would frost my cake, too.)
     IS reports that he is now stuck with an Attorney bill because he had to prove it wasn't him to begin with. I would say that is a form of identity theft. I would like to suggest (to IS) that he gather the 'unique' proof that these events occurred, (using the Division of Licensing Services own documents no less) and file a small claims action against the individual. I believe IS is entitled to recover not only his Attorney fees but also for time missed from work to defend himself.  He missed work to meet with his Attorney, and he should ask to be reimbursed for his hourly labor rate.    
     All totaled, a judgement could result in the max allowed, what ever his court guidelines allow.  It'll vary from State to State and could be anywhere from $2,500 to $7,500, perhaps even more. IS has to prove his time missed, and his own Attorney bill will show "Meet with Client".  He can start from there.  Time driving to and from the Division of Licensing Services should also be reimbursed, including gas costs. All phone calls, making copies, etc., anything and everything associated with proving his innocence should be reimbursed. He can try asking for pain & suffering, sleepless nights, worried about protecting his reputation but that might be a stretch.  It's up to the judge to determine if the culprit caused you pain & suffering, but IS might get what he asks for.    
     I would like to think it would be a slam dunk case and I bet the individual won't even appear to defend himself because he's already been proven guilty. The filing will be public record and it can haunt the individual in the future.  Not to mention it may be reported in his local newspaper.  
     It would be nice if IS would report back that he indeed followed this route and indeed obtained a judgement. There is no room for dishonesty in the security industry and ID theft is ID theft, no matter the method. 
Cynthia Hart - Oregon
Retired Security Consultant 
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RESPONSE
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    Cynthia - are you suggesting the alarm license value does not exceed small claims court?  Probably a few in the industry would agree with that..... at least from the standpoint that someone can do alarm business without the license with seemingly impunity.
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HUSBAND AND WIFE SIGNING IN COMMUNITY PROPERTY STATE
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Ken
    In community property states do we still need to get both husband and wife to sign?
Thank you,
Bob H
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RESPONSE
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    Without both signatures you are not going to be able to attach their assets.  But I am more concerned with the possibility that you will have to defend against a claim, and for that reason alone I suggest you have both sign the Residential All in One, and a Disclaimer Notice, because both are your end user.
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