New (?) Personal ID theft Method
 

A cousin sent this to me, a fairly new concern about protecting your ID. Anyone see this yet?

http://www.sheriff.org/videos/psa_cartheft.html

I haven't seen that particular video but that scheme does work. I can't tell you how often I see women leave their purses in their baskets at the grocery store or Costco and walk well away, leaving their purses easy pickings. :tsk:

ID theft is a massive crime problem and is heavily tied into other criminal enterprises like drug use and sales. In fact, they very often go hand in hand. What's scarier is that I know of cases where offices, particularly doctor's offices, are burglarized and the only thing they take are computers. They don't bother with monitors or other peripherals. They want that goldmine of personal info (DOB's, SSN's, names, addresses, etc.) for ID theft crimes. Frightening! :scared:

As one, or should I say, both of "us" that had our entire
"CV" of data copped, it is not a fun trip to go through.

TheCEO & I spent months sorting it out and getting back
to "normal". And, for all we know that pkg of our info is
still floating around in cyberspace or, on the street somewhere
in greater NYC.

Be careful but, they still can get your azz/info.
GL,mD

That sherriff needs to switch to decaf...

I agree with PNG - It amazes me how many women leave their pocketbooks unattended. It's common sense. I never leave my car running, I always lock my car no matter how short a time I will be out of it. My bag never leaves my arm. My bag is NEVER on the passenger seat or anywhere that a thief can break a window or reach in an open one and grab it. Maybe it's because I grew up in the city. I can't tell you how many times someone HAS tried and failed to steal my bag. It's bad enough that there are things you can not control. It's a damn shame if you put yourself in a position to be easy prey.

Password protect your accounts and credit reports and it's next to impossible for someone even with all the right info to get your ID. Banks and Credit card companies will allow you to use a password rather than your Social Security number or mothers maiden name for verification. Don't use the US mail either, that’s how they got me about 10 years ago. Ripping off mail boxes is popular in San Francisco. Don’t use Debit cards either, if that number gets out it’s very hard to get your money back.

I have also seen specials that people steal ID's by going through garbage cans. A news reporter went to a some up-scale neighborhood at night, opened up peoples trash cans (on the curb) and found several credit card statements, offers etc. They said within 2-3 days, they would be able to apply for credit or have new cards sent to differnt address etc. and then use these cards for a month before the owner new. One of the fraud investigators explained that 'dumpster divers' are very effective in getting your information without you even knowing.

:iagree: I just heard on the radio this morning that sales of document shredders are increasing by 20% a year. I shred everything that has my name and address on it, even if it's junk mail. Overkill but it saves me from missing something.

i hate to admit that i am so careless with my purse sometimes.
i just hope i never have to pay the ultimate price for it.

I agree with The Cleaner...we did not have pwp'd before,
but now all accounts have a Verbal password that no one
on the planet knows, except theCEO & me.

The nickel dime stuff goes on & through normally, but any
larger purchase or Credit Reporting sniff or any of our
bank accounts, portfolio accts, et al, are stiffed by that
verbal password.

The hard part after getting ripped, besides the put Humpty
Dumpty back together effort, was the self-recriminations
over how some azzhole, on a street corner in Jones Beach, NY
had all of our info...and, I mean all.

Mother's maiden name is cake, as is most of the other stuff,
but this punque had it all. NEway, that was then...jes'be
careful out there in RipOff Land. In the future we will be able
to be anyone we choose...
GL,mD