I know! I know! It sounds like someone is really full of ego to say that but it is unfortunately a necessary task to do anymore.

Why do I say that? Well I was looking for an article I had written some time ago and was curious if it was still online...(back in the days when I had a Geocities free website). So, I went in to Google and did a search on myself. (No, I didn't find the article but boy! did I ever find something disconcerting! Sent me into a bit of a dither!)

What was it you ask? I saw my name on websites that I do not belong to so of course I had to go investigate. (Being sticky beak.)

There I was, listed on Twitter with a different picture but my websites and occupation listed (I do not have a Twitter account!), and on a website called Twit Faxo there was a picture lifted from Facebook along with some incorrect websites,<--(haven't a clue) there is my name and online occupation but with a picture of the woman from Twitter, (again, don't have a clue); and one more, @who.com, again, no clue.

Now, I have waded through all the stuff on these websites trying to find out who to contact to correct this...emails were sent and well, now it's waiting. (Something I am not very good at.)

Folks, this is identity theft! It may not seem like such a 'big deal' when your name is used by someone else, but when I saw the tweets, well, I was not a very happy camper. We are talking online reputation here.

I have worked hard to write articles and build websites that follow the rules and then someone comes along and starts using my picture and name?! C'mon! It more than irritates me just a little - more like a whole bunch!

I certainly wouldn't want you to have this same shocking and irritating experience...So do yourself a favor, sign up with a reputation management service.

When People Search For You, What Will They Find. Learn More at Reputation.com.

It really doesn't cost as much as you might think.

Signed,
the real Lucinda Schersing