Yeah it sucks having a common name like mine - there are thousands of 'us' around and I have been hounded by it in numerous ways nearly my entire adult life.  Creditors chasing the wrong 'me', cops nearly arresting me on more than one occasion and being on the CIA and FBI watch lists just because of my common name.  No worries I just roll with the flow and let it work itself out and prove that I am not the 'one.'

Now yesterday the straw that broke the camel's back - a background (criminal) check that nets hits against my name.  I am undergoing this background check to get a contract (you know make some bread and butter?).  The check comes back with hits against my name from NY - I haven't been in NY in years and the last time I was there I caused no problems!

Maybe it was the same guy I was almost mistaken for once for killing a cop in NYC.  So I am pissed all the way home yesterday trying to figure out how to clear my good name.  This morning I run my own background check on 'me' (using my name, DOB and SSN) and whoa the hits that come up are unbelievable but it is obvious if you read through the report none of them are 'me.'  I am not black, nor am I 6'0" or do I have blue eyes.  Pretty obvious stuff.

Of course not all reports from all reporting agencies contain the same info so maybe the 'employer' wasn't privvy to such physical stats on their report.  Part of the problem is that the courts don't always report SSNs because of identify theft so if the name (or a part of it and the DOB) matches you get a hit.  Ah the 21st century and the digital age - so imperfect and ready to screw up your life in an instance.

So now I am trying to straighten this shite out with the contracting company and see if I can get my good name back.  Life is so complicated now.