Identity Theft: is it safe to post photos/other personal info on a BBS?

cantdrv55 · 01-10-2005, 09:25 PM

I've seen photos of license plates covered up or blacked out here on Pelican yet I see pics of spouses/significant others. I've seen personal info displayed such as birthdates, REAL names and cell phone numbers. Shouldn't we be more concerned about identity theft? I wouldn't know what to do with the random bits of personal info I come across here but someone with a malicious streak would. Maybe I'm just being paranoid but I've been taken for $917 recently.

Some punk or punks got a hold of an old credit card account I hadn't closed and went on a shopping spree at Kragen Auto Parts. Luckily, I had fraud protection insurance. I wish I knew how they got my info.

adrian jaye · 01-11-2005, 12:22 AM

The ammount of info that can be gleaned and used.

I know ppl who have been done but thousands who use BBS's who have'nt

so I think yes you should be careful and take reasonable efforrts to protect yourself but not be too duly worried

adrian jaye · 01-11-2005, 01:43 AM

very true wayne

also not forgetting the bills/card slips you throw in the garbage

either incinerate or use a shredder

smoak · smoak's Garage

People forget about how high at risk you are at a restaurant or a small store for instance. You literally, without much objection that I have ever heard over, hand over your card to a complete stranger, who in turn leaves the area and then returns with the slip. Kinda scary when you think about it. The majority of identity theft that I read about is coming from fishing scams and mail theft. On-line shopping is still relatively safe, all things considered.

RickM · RickM's Garage

The true key to identity theft is your SSN. Whatever you do don't give it to anyone unless absolutely needed. I won't even give it to doctors.

Don't carry your SS card in your wallet and if you have a health insurance card look to see if the number on the card is your SSN. If it is leave the card in a very safe place at home.

Unfortunately many records are stolen from hacking companie's databases, dumpster diving and at "POS". The first two of these issues are being slowly addressed through more stringent security guidelines and laws, such as VISA CISP.

Dantilla · 01-11-2005, 02:45 PM

Hey- My license plates are on my car for all the world to see anyway. I don't care if they are in a picture.

My SSN is a different story, however.....

vash · vash's Garage

hey chris, i wouldnt want to be you

i think the biggest thing is not to put your outgoing mail into the mailbox. when i moved into my house, all the PO's stuff i would just stick back into the box and raise the flag. i caught some poor bastard sneaking in, well my gfriend did. i yelled and threw a rock at him. what a dick.

i finally bought a shredder last week when bestbuys had the after holiday sale. it was like ENRON at my place.

oh, and i dont have multiple credit cards, i like to keep close tabs to all my activity.

David · David's Garage

Someone else posted this on another thread, but here are some reasons not to post your pic on the internet:

http://www.aseltine.com/rhee/

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

On the debit card thing -

One way esp. if you'r on the net buying things is to use a seperate checking account that you only use for purchases - without overdraft protection, and only with money transfered in as you need it. Lots of banks are starting to offer fraud protection on their debit cards as well.

Trick is not to have overdraft protection in any form on the account. If you suspect it goes sideways, report the card lost and get a new account # issued. No one gets hurt.

Concerning credit cards, there has to be some reasonable proof that the card was present - either swiped manually or the authentication code of the back of the card needs to be noted. If neither is present, challenging the charge will usually result in your money returned. Still a hassle though.

rjp

Leland Pate · 01-11-2005, 07:16 PM

As far as blacking out the license plates, I always thought it was because cunning theives were shopping online, looking up the registration, finding the vehicle's location and coming over and getting it.

84porsche · 84porsche's Garage

I think their are far easier ways for identity theft than scanning an online BBS. I am sure you can learn alot about a person but not enough to be worthwhile. It would be far easier to go after a stack of forms at a college or university where your ID is your SSN. The SSN is usually a key to your credit. With the new free credit reports and the new legislation "Check 21," you have more tools available to protect yourself from identity theft.

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by vash
hey chris, i wouldnt want to be you

that was my line! actually i met chris' wife,, he must be loaded because she is way out of his league!!

i thought along leland's plate comment too.

i have been shredding now for about 2 years. eveything with my name and address, even magazine address lables.

not sure if you guys are aware but you can call you credit card company and have them mail you nothing but your bill, no adds, no junk. i hate getting those credit card "checks" they send. one of those could cost you a bunch in the wrong mits.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by RANDY P
On the debit card thing -

Lots of banks are starting to offer fraud protection on their debit cards as well.

Trick is not to have overdraft protection in any form on the account. If you suspect it goes sideways, report the card lost and get a new account # issued. No one gets hurt.

rjp

My Debit Card has offered the $50 dollar fraud cap for years now. I thought all. or at least most, issuers did.

Been using a cross cutting shredder for years....when they were expensive

RickM · RickM's Garage

See what I mean: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=711&e=7&u=/usatoday/20050114/tc_usatoday/identitytheftnewlawabouttosendshreddingonatear

"Identity theft, new law about to send shredding on a tear"

Stanley · 01-14-2005, 10:29 AM

The thing about identity theft and SS numbers that really angers me is that many colleges and universities use your SSN as your school ID number. At the junior college that I attend they use your SSN for all identification. So every time I see a counselor, pay for classes or any thing else school related I am telling my SSN to some office clerk that anyone can overhear. I also believe that all instructors have it on their attendance sheets too.

Dantilla · 01-14-2005, 10:55 AM

What ticked me off the most was when I bought an old "fixer-upper" house.

Nobody's living there, but a pre-approved credit card offer was sent there in my name, with space to change the name on the card.

Anybody who got that before I did (why would I check an empty mailbox?) could have changed the name, signed it, and had a lot of fun at my expense.

I now have put a fraud alert on my credit report. Anybody who wants to grant me credit must call my home phone for verification first. Not fool proof, I'm sure, but every bit helps.