BS: Little bit o' identity theft

Subject: BS: Little bit o' identity theft
From: GUEST,Scoville on borrowed computer
Date: 04 Jan 07 - 11:18 PM

Well, I was bound and determined to start off 2007 on the right foot and it's now all of December 4 and I've already flunked.

I got a telephone call from an irate woman last night wanting to know where her money was and what the Hell did I do with the Acura. This was all news to me since I've never owned an Acura and haven't received any extra money lately.

It turns out somebody used my name and address to register a domain name, which they then used to post pictures of a car they were allegedly selling online. This woman "bought" it but then the seller disappeared and the car was relisted under a different VIN number (not its own). On the up side, as far as I can tell, whoever used my name and address has not tampered with my bank account, credit card (which luckily was canceled a few weeks ago, by accident; good time to be card-less!), or my few online accounts, but I'm watching them and changing passwords.

She's filed police reports in her own state and the state to which she was told to send the payments. I've filed a police report but I wonder how many other people think I took their money and ran, and how long it will take the police to actually do something. I'm glad this woman called me before she sued me, but I'm still completely bummed out about it all.

Subject: RE: BS: Little bit o' identity theft
From: Janie
Date: 04 Jan 07 - 11:21 PM

Yikes!

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Little bit o' identity theft
From: Helen
Date: 04 Jan 07 - 11:44 PM

Scoville,

Nearly 10 years ago my hubby (wasn't my hubby then, but he is now) received an irate phone call from a woman asking when he was going to bring her car back. It was a complicated story about meeting someone up north at a resort town, and having car trouble, so the conman said that he would drive her car back down to her place, in the next state, and she could drive his car down. He gave my hubby's name, address & phone number as security, and then took off with her car. The one he gave her was stolen. Some people are gullible, I suppose.

In our state in Oz, there is a government run service where you can check if a car is stolen or dodgy before you buy it. You'd have to see the car and check it's VIN (vehicle identification number, engraved on a plate attached to the engine) though. Sending money for a car, sight unseen, would be a bit risky.

Helen

Subject: RE: BS: Little bit o' identity theft
From: GUEST,Scoville at Dad's
Date: 05 Jan 07 - 12:01 AM

Well, this woman was a bit of a sucker--trying to buy a car with a blue-book value of about $9000 for $3000; can we say "red flag"?--and it sucks that she's out of her money, but I'm still glad she called me before she sued me.

Subject: RE: BS: Little bit o' identity theft
From: Mrrzy
Date: 05 Jan 07 - 10:03 PM

A friend -well, an ex-friend- of mine took a couple of my checkbooks and wrote thousands of dollars of checks around town in about 3 days, mostly getting 5 dollars worth of groceries and getting 25-50 cash back, before I started bouncing checks... actually, that was way last summer and on Monday I have yet another court date trying to straighten out the mess that left behind! If she hadn't confessed I would never have known who had done it... but still. It's a mess and you have my sympathies.
Blues song about identity theft yet?

Subject: RE: BS: Little bit o' identity theft
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Jan 07 - 10:10 PM

Good idea to change passwords often and photocopy/scan all of your ID and credit cards, so that you have copies handy with relevant phone numbers, etc. to notify the companies in case they are ever lost of stolen.

Sorry this happened, Scoville. Hope she is the only one who got scammed with your name.

Subject: RE: BS: Little bit o' identity theft
From: bobad
Date: 05 Jan 07 - 10:27 PM

I've just read a novel which deals with this very subject. The book is "Talk Talk" by T.C.Boyle and tells the story of how the lives of two people are dramatically changed by someone who assumes their identity. I highly recommend the book as a very good read and also as an insight into what is sure to be a much more common crime in the future.

Subject: RE: BS: Little bit o' identity theft
From: Rapparee
Date: 05 Jan 07 - 10:40 PM

Crosscut shred the slightest thing, especially envelopes which might have your address on them. Never, ever, give out your Social Security or other identifying number over the phone or on-line. Treat everyone (except me -- you can TRUST me with your bank account numbers, etc.!) with suspicion, even your nearest and currently dearest.

What a world we live in today!

Subject: RE: BS: Little bit o' identity theft
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 10:19 AM

"What a world we live in today!"

I don't think the world is any different, Rapaire. There have always been thieves. Be glad you don't have to deal with thieves who do it the old-fashioned way - highwaymen, footpads, and muggers.

Here is something nobody talks about - I'm convinced that identity theft is so big because Certain Parties are quietly co-operating with the thieves. For example, I had an incidence of identity theft myself, in June. (small in $$ and short in time, fortunately). It started in my Paypal account, and to my dismay Paypal REFUSED to close my account! Look, it was MY account!

At the same time, my e-mail provider, Juno, refused to let me change my e-mail address. "That's not the best way," they claimed. Meaning, "That would cost us a little money."

I was advised to inform the three credit bureaus that my card had been compromised, so I did. All three bureaus told me that I should check my record with them - for free. However, two of three told me that I coudn't have access to my file. I decided what the hell - keeping accurate records is their job, not mine.

(Good luck trying to find an address or phone number for these corporations while even as you worry about thieves burrowing further into your data and assets.)

All these corporations seem to be operating on the principle of "It's no skin off my nose."

Subject: RE: BS: Little bit o' identity theft
From: Ron Davies
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 07:00 PM

What feeble excuse did Paypal give for refusing to close your account on your request to do so?   That's outrageous.

Subject: RE: BS: Little bit o' identity theft
From: GUEST,Scoville
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 09:12 PM

Well, so far, so good--no more angry phone calls and no missing money (well, not MY money).

Subject: RE: BS: Little bit o' identity theft
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 09:46 PM

Not using Paypal or eBay or any of those might cost me a bit in time and cash, but it certainly makes things easier when I get an email purporting to be from Paypal telling me that my account will be closed if I don't "verify" it immediately!