Indentity Theft pt 2

[Faithless]

Original thread --
http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?t=3620

This is actually my second occurance of someone swiping my info.

This time, they try to go my bank in some other town and try to cash a check in my name.

They use two forms of ID --
* A Capital One credit card, which I don't have -- some other poor chap must have been ripped-off as well, and
* A driver's license with almost the exact info as mine -- except for the fact that they probably have an uglier pic of themselves over mine. :rolleyes:

Nice of the bank to tell me. Too bad they couldn't detain and break every finger of the crook. :tongue:

I suspect they found an old check of mine somewhere.

[achtungbaby]

Original thread --
http://forums.yellowworld.org/showthread.php?t=3620

This is actually my second occurance of someone swiping my info.

This time, they try to go my bank in some other town and try to cash a check in my name.

They use two forms of ID --
* A Capital One credit card, which I don't have -- some other poor chap must have been ripped-off as well, and
* A driver's license with almost the exact info as mine -- except for the fact that they probably have an uglier pic of themselves over mine. :rolleyes:

Nice of the bank to tell me. Too bad they couldn't detain and break every finger of the crook. :tongue:

I suspect they found an old check of mine somewhere.
You lucked out this time. I can't believe how ridiculously prevalent identity theft is becoming...

[truMp]

Wow...lucky.

[A.R.A.M.]

Ahh, the advantages of having bad credit. I don't have these headaches.

[Faithless]

I guess, I lucked-out in the sense that I didn't get taken to the cleaners.

But I'm hoping that it's common practice amongst banks to regularly scrutinize these fucks.

I would be shocked to know that some banks would actually allow that amount of inadequate identification to draw against a bank account.

[ism]

Wow. I assume you shred old checks and I'll assume your mail didn't get intercepted. Do you write out a lot of checks? I'm paranoid that retailers don't take care of credit card receipts and the like.

[Faithless]

Wow. I assume you shred old checks and I'll assume your mail didn't get intercepted. Do you write out a lot of checks? I'm paranoid that retailers don't take care of credit card receipts and the like.
We shread them all, when we get the chance.

Maybe the mail got intercepted, because I can't remember any statements, lately.

We don't write-out a lot of checks, but hardly ever with the driver's license number. So, in the one place where we did, that also leaves us suspicious.

Now, we're thinking that auto debits for those places that accept it (PG&E and SBC) might be a good thing -- just to reduce on the number of checks issued.

[A.R.A.M.]

We shread them all, when we get the chance.

Maybe the mail got intercepted, because I can't remember any statements, lately.

We don't write-out a lot of checks, but hardly ever with the driver's license number. So, in the one place where we did, that also leaves us suspicious.

Now, we're thinking that auto debits for those places that accept it (PG&E and SBC) might be a good thing -- just to reduce on the number of checks issued.

Mail interception is a problem. Especially beware of people who steal those goddamned Capital One offers.

[Faithless]

Mail interception is a problem. Especially beware of people who steal those goddamned Capital One offers.
New Research Shows That Identity Theft Is More Prevalent Offline with Paper than Online (http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050126005448&newsLang=en)
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 26, 2005--
One Surprising Finding: In Half of the Cases Where the Perpetrator is Known, Identity Fraud is committed by Someone Close to the Victim





The 2005 Identity Fraud Survey Report - released by the Better Business Bureau and Javelin Strategy & Research as an update of the Federal Trade Commission's 2003 Identity Theft Survey Report and Javelin's 2003 Identity Theft Report - shows that despite growing fears about identity theft and online fraud, of the victims that know the identity and method used by the criminal, these crimes are more frequently committed offline than online. Internet-related fraud problems are actually less severe, less costly and not as widespread as previously thought.

Further, the study concludes that those who access accounts online can provide earlier detection of crime than those who rely only upon mailed monthly paper statements. By managing their financial activities online, consumers can reduce access to personal information on paper bills and statements that may be used to commit identity theft and fraud. Victims of identity theft who detected the crime by monitoring accounts online experienced financial losses that were less than one-eighth of those who detected the crime via paper statements. (Average $551 in losses when detected online vs. average $4,543 when detected from paper statements).

"Our numbers show that fears about online identity fraud may be out of proportion to the relative risk, causing consumers to ignore the most glaring issues," says James Van Dyke, Javelin's founder and principal analyst. "Indeed, most instances of identity fraud occur through traditional channels and are paper-based, not Internet-based."

The updated research project - supported by CheckFree, Visa and Wells Fargo & Company and based on 4,000 telephone interviews with consumers - makes five key points:

-- 1. The most frequently reported source of information used to commit fraud was a lost or stolen wallet or checkbook. Computer crimes accounted for just 11.6 percent of all known-cause identity fraud in 2004; and half of these digitally-driven crimes stem from spyware, software the computer user unknowingly installs to make ads pop-up when the consumer is online. Consumers can protect their financial data by using updated spyware, virus and firewall protection software and not responding to bogus "phishing" emails that request personal data.

-- 2. Among cases where the perpetrator's identity is known, half of all identity fraud is committed by a friend, family member, relative, neighbor or in-home employee - someone known by the victim.

-- 3. A wide variety of metrics confirm that identity fraud problems are NOT worsening, with the total number of victims in decline.

-- The annual dollar volume of identity fraud is highly similar to 2003 figures (adjusted for inflation) at $52.6 billion

-- The number of identity fraud victims dropped from 10.1 million to 9.3 million in 2004 versus 2003

-- The median value of identity fraud crimes remained unchanged at $750; however most identity fraud victims incurred no out-of-pocket costs.

-- The average time to resolve an identity fraud crime dropped by 15%- from 33 hours in 2003 to 28 hours in 2004.

-- 4. The majority of identity fraud crimes are self-detected. This reinforces the benefits of activity monitoring through electronic review of transactions, statements, and credit reports allowing consumers to check their account activities quickly and efficiently - without waiting for a paper bill or statement.

Identity Safety Tips That Can Protect Consumers

"This new research contradicts some common assumptions about identity theft fraud and points to new paths of prevention. There are several steps consumers can take to improve their identity safety and protect themselves against this type of fraud. An informed consumer is an empowered consumer," said Ken Hunter, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

Based on the latest findings, the Better Business Bureau, Wells Fargo, Visa and CheckFree have issued the following tips for consumers to protect themselves against financial identity fraud:

-- Prevent access to your personal information

-- Replace paper bills, statements and checks with Internet (paperless) versions

-- Consider moving to an electronic bill payment service, such as your bank or biller's web site, and stop sending signed paper checks through the mail. Visit the site(s) to monitor account activity on a regular basis.

-- Before discarding, shred all private documents

-- Sign up for automatic payroll deposits

-- Retrieve paper mail promptly and place outgoing checks or other sensitive documents in a U.S. Postal Service mailbox

-- Keep passwords hidden (even in your own home) and change them frequently

-- Don't discard a computer without deleting all sensitive data

-- Use and regularly update firewall and anti-virus software

-- Be suspiciously reluctant to release Social Security or account numbers, particularly to those requesting such information by e-mail or phone.

-- When responding to e-mail, ignore any Internet links provided and type the full address instead

-- Detect unauthorized activity

-- Review bank and credit card statements weekly and use online account access

-- Contact your financial provider if you fail to receive statements in a timely manner

-- Use e-mail-based account "alerts" to monitor transfers, payments, low balances and withdrawals

-- Sign up to receive electronic bills and statements and, whenever possible select the option to turn off the paper copy of these sensitive documents

-- Review your credit report at least annually (free annual reviews are being made available this year, in phases, depending on where you live)

-- Resolve fraud promptly, minimizing losses

-- Ask your financial provider about zero-liability guarantees against fraud and dedicated resources to help you recover from any potential losses

-- Victims of theft: notify your financial providers, begin monitoring your accounts more frequently, and place an "alert" through a credit bureau such as Equifax, Experian or TransUnion

[Faithless]

Found out what happened --
The local auto dealership sent registered mail to all its customers -- they were robbed and a lot of their customer files were stolen.

So, I had to call Equifax (800-525-6285) to report a "fraud alert".

Equifax has a service whereby they will notify the other two credit reporting agencies --
* Experian (888-397-3742), and
* TransUnionCorp (800-680-7289).

I guess I'll get a free credit report out of it. Joy. :rolleyes:

I guess I'll need to get a copy of the police report in case future creditors find a problem a need a reference to the incident.

The FTC also recommends filing a report with them, too --

www.consumer.gov/idtheft (877-438-4338).

[Faithless]

You lucked out this time. I can't believe how ridiculously prevalent identity theft is becoming...
Didn't luck out this time, and it pissed me off something fierce.

The offending c1t1b4nk heard it from me.

Dude got away with 6 g's! And in two or three days he tried three times to take money, his method was the following --
* Fake drivers license. My info, his ugly ass pick.
* Two forms of ID which weren't even real.

The dude was described at these three branches as being 5'11'', old (like 60), wrinkled, and white.

I called up the branch manager (after dealing with their 800-service and being directed to the branch) and gave her a piece of my mind.

Told my local branch the same, namely, "What kind of outfit allows this?"

The branch where he got away with the 6 g's didn't bother to check the online signature card. I got to see his sig and it was no wear like mine. It was very small and not cemetrical.

This banking system needs better security measures or something. I suggested the following --
* Possibly, picture ID online for the tellers.
* A list of allowable forms of ID suggested by the customer.
* (Finger print info, in case the real customer loses his info.)
* The Warning flag (that these guys are supposed to check) in bigger blinking text.
* Confirmation window to check the required security measures in these instances.

Should I drop the bank? If so, for what?

[kimpossible]

Did they eat the cost of the theft? And are you happy with them otherwise? And did you report the theft to the po-po?

[Hanuman]

I am super paranoid about identity theft, and especially safe-guarding your Social Security number. At least with a stolen CC, most of them now will eat the cost if you cancel in a timely manner, and the threat is basically over. When people get your SS# and create credit cards with your info, your screwed. They could be having purchases sent to different locations and since you're not getting the bill, you wouldn't even know your credit is being ruined until you decide to get a credit card or a loan. Then it's too late, your ruined for life.

My girlfriend applied at a restaurant when they insisted she leave her SS# on her applicationam even though she hadn't been hired yet. I didn't like that at all and made my girlfriend paranoid about it too. Next morning we went back and I talked to the manager and demanded her application back. Even if it is a legit business, what do you think happens to those applications with first and last names, SS#'s and date of births? I'm sure they end up in the trash, which ends up in a garbage on a street corner for any hobo to grab. It sucks, but you have to always be vigilant.

[Faithless]

Did they eat the cost of the theft? And are you happy with them otherwise? And did you report the theft to the po-po?
We got reimbursed.

Now that the bank has lost out on 6 g's, maybe they'll pay closer attention.

I didn't report the issue, because I was assuming the bank would.

[kimpossible]

Many businesses don't report. Advice, for what it's worth, but you might want to see if your city of county has an identity theft taskforce. If so, I'd report it. They may already be looking for this guy and if he's part of an organized (even if it's sloppily organized) ring. They bank may have one or two good shots of him on video, if they've kept it that long. If you report, I'd try locally first before going federal. But if you don't get any attention locally, you may want to escalate though I don't know what qualifies numerically for the feds.

If nothing else you may get a paper trail that proves you reported an identity theft in case they don't let go of using your identity.

As for the bank. I think it could have happened at a number of banks. Could have been that teller that was weak. Hard to tell. I don't think sticking with the financial institution is too much of a problem, but remember this account has been comprimised once already. Though I honestly don't know how much changing account numbers would accomplish.

What did the bank say besides oops and sorry? You'd hope for a message about increased security but it sounds like the manager was a weenie.

[Paradox]

My girlfriend applied at a restaurant when they insisted she leave her SS# on her applicationam even though she hadn't been hired yet. I didn't like that at all and made my girlfriend paranoid about it too. Next morning we went back and I talked to the manager and demanded her application back. Even if it is a legit business, what do you think happens to those applications with first and last names, SS#'s and date of births? I'm sure they end up in the trash, which ends up in a garbage on a street corner for any hobo to grab. It sucks, but you have to always be vigilant.

Some jobs do a background check and use your social but I doubt a restaraunt has security precautions like that. Usually if you apply for something minor you can put in a fake social. If you get hired chances are they won't link it to your original employee app and if they ask why you did that you can give them some bullshit answer like "oh I had my social changed recently because of ID fraud" or something.

It's also important to safeguard your birthdate too. It's too easy for people to snoop records with just your b-day and zip code.

[kimpossible]

Criminal background checks can be done without a social security number. I think the only use for a SS# is for credit background check. And I doubt a restaurant will pay for background checks for the average applicant.

But Paradox is right about the other info. I always assume it's a matter of time before we get nailed by ID theft, even though we have a locked mailbox, shred docs, etc.

[yuuteya]

there have been some icidents in tokyo area, but not yet in my area. it was UFJ.

[Faithless]

there have been some icidents in tokyo area, but not yet in my area. it was UFJ.
My mom was relaying some news that she had read in her Japanese language newspaper. It seems that some ingenious criminals have been hiding tiny cameras near ATM machines to record PIN's and stuff. :frown:
.
Many businesses don't report. Advice, for what it's worth, but you might want to see if your city of county has an identity theft taskforce. If so, I'd report it. They may already be looking for this guy and if he's part of an organized (even if it's sloppily organized) ring. They bank may have one or two good shots of him on video, if they've kept it that long. If you report, I'd try locally first before going federal. But if you don't get any attention locally, you may want to escalate though I don't know what qualifies numerically for the feds.

If nothing else you may get a paper trail that proves you reported an identity theft in case they don't let go of using your identity.

As for the bank. I think it could have happened at a number of banks. Could have been that teller that was weak. Hard to tell. I don't think sticking with the financial institution is too much of a problem, but remember this account has been comprimised once already. Though I honestly don't know how much changing account numbers would accomplish.

What did the bank say besides oops and sorry? You'd hope for a message about increased security but it sounds like the manager was a weenie.
The manager doesn't want to speak outside the corporate line.

And given the fact that the other tellers did their job, I think the teller that allowed the false ID thing should be fired. Hey, they're not union, so who cares.

I did talk to the police where my home bank is located. It sounds like crimes like these are more a pain to follow-up on. There's little they can go on, even when they do have video evidence. They just take a report and give the information to their detectives -- who go, "Oh thanks, what am I gonna do with this?"