The Less People Know About Us: A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen

Description: The Less People Know About Us by Axton Betz-Hamilton In a powerful memoir, identity theft expert Axton Betz-Hamilton tells the shocking and unsettling story of her family, betrayal and deceit. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Axton Betz-Hamilton grew up in small-town Indiana in the early 90s. When she was 11 years old, her parents both had their identities stolen. Their credit ratings were ruined and they were constantly fighting over money. This was before the age of the Internet, when identity theft became more commonplace, so authorities and banks were clueless and reluctant to help Axtons parents.Axtons family switched PO Boxes, changed all of their personal information and moved to different addresses but the identity thief followed them wherever they went. Convinced that the thief had to be someone they knew, Axton and her parents completely cut off the outside world, isolating themselves from friends and family. Axton learned not to let anyone into the house without explicit permission and once went as far as chasing a plumber off their property with a knife. She had panic attacks throughout her formative years and often became physically sick with anxiety and quarantined behind the closed curtains in her childhood home. She began starving herself at a young age in an effort to blend in - her clothes, hair, makeup and weight could be nothing short of perfect or she would be scolded by her mother, who had become paranoid and consumed by how others perceived the family.Years later, her parents marriage still shaken from the theft, Axton discovered that she, too, had fallen prey to the identity thief but by the time she realised, she was already thousands of dollars in debt and her credit was ruined. After her mothers death, Axtons father found a box filled with pay stubs that listed his wifes first name but a different last name; copies of Axtons birth certificate; denial of application letters for various checking accounts; properties with other men. Axton and her father quickly came to realise that the identity thief was her mother all along. THE LESS PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT US is Axtons attempt to untangle the intricate web of her mothers lies and to understand why and how her mother could have inflicted such pain upon the two people closest to her. Axton will present a candid, shocking and redemptive story that will provide clarity and comfort for others in similarly unfortunate circumstances, and reveal her courageous effort to grapple with a parent who broke the unwritten rules of love, protection, and family. Author Biography Axton Betz-Hamilton is an expert in identity theft, having personal experience that shes now turned into a career. After discovering her own mother had stolen hers and her fathers identities for years, Axton made understanding the nuances of identity theft her lifes work. She frequently speaks on the topic at a wide range of conferences and has won multiple awards for her research, teaching, and service.Axton has a Masters degree in Consumer Sciences and Retailing and a PhD in Human Development and Family Studies, focusing on child identity theft and elder financial exploitation perpetrated by family members. She teaches at South Dakota State University. Review "Identity theft sounds like something that happens far, far away and only to other people...certainly not within a seemingly picture-perfect family in the rural U.S. In a gut-wrenching portrayal of victimization starting at age 11, Axton Betz-Hamilton shows thats simply not true. The stunning revelations will keep you looking over your shoulder for a long time and even more troubling...at the ones you think you know the best!"--Nancy Grace, legal commentator, broadcast journalist, and New York Times bestselling author of The Eleventh Victim"A brave, rueful memoir of fear and heartbreak in rural America. Axton Betz-Hamilton mines the most essential of lifes questions: can we ever really know the people we love? The Less People Know About Us is an unflinching portrait of grit and determination in the wake of a fractured childhood and complicated grief."--Carolyn Murnick, author of The Hot One"Axton Betz-Hamiltons story is remarkable. One of the primary challenges for those of us advocating for more rights and resources for identity theft victims is their reluctance to share their experience. Betz-Hamilton writes with candor and grace about both her relationship with her mother/perpetrator, and the long term effect victimization has had on her life."--EvaCasey Velasquez, president/CEO of Identity Theft Resource Center"Betz-Hamilton expertly blends true crime and memoir in this tale of family, lies, and identity...a brave, candid examination of her painful past [and] a poignant and fascinating exploration of identity theft."--Library Journal"Reads like a grim folk tale...intimate and engrossing."--The New York Times"The air of menace is palpable...A deeply compelling story of a crime that hit close to home."--NPR"The tension of a thriller...[and] jaw dropping revelations. Astonishing and disturbing, this emotionally resonant book is perfect for true crime fans."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)"This memoir has all the suspense and twists of a thriller; even as readers begin to suspect the truth, it still shocks...highly recommended."--Booklist Long Description Axton Betz-Hamilton grew up in small-town Indiana in the early 90s. When she was 11 years old, her parents both had their identities stolen. Their credit ratings were ruined and they were constantly fighting over money. This was before the age of the Internet, when identity theft became more commonplace, so authorities and banks were clueless and reluctant to help Axtons parents.Axtons family switched PO Boxes, changed all of their personal information and moved to different addresses but the identity thief followed them wherever they went. Convinced that the thief had to be someone they knew, Axton and her parents completely cut off the outside world, isolating themselves from friends and family. Axton learned not to let anyone into the house without explicit permission and once went as far as chasing a plumber off their property with a knife. She had panic attacks throughout her formative years and often became physically sick with anxiety and quarantined behind the closed curtains in her childhood home. She began starving herself at a young age in an effort to blend in - her clothes, hair, makeup and weight could be nothing short of perfect or she would be scolded by her mother, who had become paranoid and consumed by how others perceived the family.Years later, her parents marriage still shaken from the theft, Axton discovered that she, too, had fallen prey to the identity thief but by the time she realised, she was already thousands of dollars in debt and her credit was ruined. After her mothers death, Axtons father found a box filled with pay stubs that listed his wifes first name but a different last name; copies of Axtons birth certificate; denial of application letters for various checking accounts; properties with other men. Axton and her father quickly came to realise that the identity thief was her mother all along. THE LESS PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT US is Axtons attempt to untangle the intricate web of her mothers lies and to understand why and how her mother could have inflicted such pain upon the two people closest to her. Axton will present a candid, shocking and redemptive story that will provide clarity and comfort for others in similarly unfortunate circumstances, and reveal her courageous effort to grapple with a parent who broke the unwritten rules of love, protection, and family. Review Quote "Axton Betz-Hamiltons story is remarkable. One of the primarychallenges for those of us advocating for more rights and resources foridentity theft victims is their reluctance to share their experience. Betz-Hamilton writes with candor and grace about both herrelationship with her mother/perpetrator, and the long term effectvictimization has had on her life."-- Eva Casey Velasquez, president/CEO of Identity Theft Resource Center Promotional "Headline" In a powerful memoir, identity theft expert Axton Betz-Hamilton tells the shocking and unsettling story of her family, betrayal and deceit. Details ISBN1538730286 Author Axton Betz-Hamilton Publisher Little, Brown & Company Year 2019 ISBN-10 1538730286 ISBN-13 9781538730287 Format Hardcover Imprint Grand Central Publishing Subtitle A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen Identity Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States DEWEY 364.1633092 Pages 320 Short Title The Less People Know about Us Language English Publication Date 2019-11-14 US Release Date 2019-11-14 UK Release Date 2019-11-14 Audience General NZ Release Date 2019-12-09 AU Release Date 2019-12-09 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:126367676;

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