Identity theft
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I was just thinking about this today. If someone has your name, address, and date of birth - that's all it takes? Wtf! I don't think a more insecure system could have been invented! The system needs to be changed!
Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
Currently working on C++/CLI in Action for Manning Publications. (*Sample chapter available online*)The system is designed to give credit, not limit it.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ Metal Musings - Rex and my new metal blog
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About a month ago our flat was broken into. My wallet was stolen with my drivers licence, credit cards and other bits and my girld friends purse with the same things, her birth certificate and an expired passport. She got a phone call from GE consumer finance today as someone had attempted to obtain credit in her name using the stolen identification. I've contacted the credit reference authority here and paid $80 for each of us to have our files flagged so that we will recieve an email every time a company attempts to obtain our credit details. The whole situation has got me a bit worried. Any idea what else I can do?
System.IO.Path.IsPathRooted() does not behave as I would expect
Did you make sure the expired passport gets flagged? Someone may try to alter it. In the US it's harder than hell to get your SSN changed after identity theft. most choose not to even do it. Not sure if in Australia you can change your equivalent of our SSN. (The only thing I had was a tax ID for wages that I can remember.) I recommend either a safe deposit box at a bank for a large fireproof safe. (One that isn't easily carried out of the flat.) Ask your landlord if you can upgrade the locks (if that's how they got in). Hope there are no more problems. I'm sure it's very worrysome.
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The system is designed to give credit, not limit it.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ Metal Musings - Rex and my new metal blog
Christian Graus wrote:
The system is designed to give credit, not limit it.
That has not been my experience so far. As someone new to the States, I have been automatically categorized as a potential bad credit guy. Whatever happened to innocent-until-proven-guilty? :-(
Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
Currently working on C++/CLI in Action for Manning Publications. (*Sample chapter available online*) -
Christian Graus wrote:
The system is designed to give credit, not limit it.
That has not been my experience so far. As someone new to the States, I have been automatically categorized as a potential bad credit guy. Whatever happened to innocent-until-proven-guilty? :-(
Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
Currently working on C++/CLI in Action for Manning Publications. (*Sample chapter available online*) -
leckey wrote:
They probably profiled you based on your name.
My name's Indian sounding (I think). Are Indians notorious as bad-credit people in the States? I'd always assumed the reverse - because most Indians I know either own a restaurant, or are software devs and you'd think that chances are low for them to be bad-creditors.
Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
Currently working on C++/CLI in Action for Manning Publications. (*Sample chapter available online*) -
Did you make sure the expired passport gets flagged? Someone may try to alter it. In the US it's harder than hell to get your SSN changed after identity theft. most choose not to even do it. Not sure if in Australia you can change your equivalent of our SSN. (The only thing I had was a tax ID for wages that I can remember.) I recommend either a safe deposit box at a bank for a large fireproof safe. (One that isn't easily carried out of the flat.) Ask your landlord if you can upgrade the locks (if that's how they got in). Hope there are no more problems. I'm sure it's very worrysome.
leckey wrote:
Did you make sure the expired passport gets flagged? Someone may try to alter it.
I'll get her to call the passport office.
leckey wrote:
In the US it's harder than hell to get your SSN changed after identity theft. most choose not to even do it. Not sure if in Australia you can change your equivalent of our SSN. (The only thing I had was a tax ID for wages that I can remember.)
We dont have an equivalent, the Tax File Number is useless unless they want to pay our tax for us :)
leckey wrote:
I recommend either a safe deposit box at a bank for a large fireproof safe. (One that isn't easily carried out of the flat.)
My mum has a large safe so everything is in there now.
leckey wrote:
Ask your landlord if you can upgrade the locks (if that's how they got in).
:) I had a locksmith out that day and sent the real estate a letter saying I was taking the cost of it out of this months rent.
System.IO.Path.IsPathRooted() does not behave as I would expect
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leckey wrote:
They probably profiled you based on your name.
My name's Indian sounding (I think). Are Indians notorious as bad-credit people in the States? I'd always assumed the reverse - because most Indians I know either own a restaurant, or are software devs and you'd think that chances are low for them to be bad-creditors.
Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
Currently working on C++/CLI in Action for Manning Publications. (*Sample chapter available online*)LOL - do you know what percentage of restaurants go broke ?
Christian Graus - C++ MVP
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Christian Graus wrote:
The system is designed to give credit, not limit it.
That has not been my experience so far. As someone new to the States, I have been automatically categorized as a potential bad credit guy. Whatever happened to innocent-until-proven-guilty? :-(
Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
Currently working on C++/CLI in Action for Manning Publications. (*Sample chapter available online*)That's different, if you're from OS, what reason do they have to assume you won't leave again ?
Christian Graus - C++ MVP
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That's different, if you're from OS, what reason do they have to assume you won't leave again ?
Christian Graus - C++ MVP
Christian Graus wrote:
That's different, if you're from OS, what reason do they have to assume you won't leave again ?
Yes, that's a point. But they do give you credit if you are on a student Visa - that's really strange to me.
Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
Currently working on C++/CLI in Action for Manning Publications. (*Sample chapter available online*) -
LOL - do you know what percentage of restaurants go broke ?
Christian Graus - C++ MVP
Christian Graus wrote:
LOL - do you know what percentage of restaurants go broke ?
Yeah, a good % I guess, but I am talking about Indian-run Indian restaurants in the US (most of which serve pseudo Indian food).
Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
Currently working on C++/CLI in Action for Manning Publications. (*Sample chapter available online*) -
I was just thinking about this today. If someone has your name, address, and date of birth - that's all it takes? Wtf! I don't think a more insecure system could have been invented! The system needs to be changed!
Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
Currently working on C++/CLI in Action for Manning Publications. (*Sample chapter available online*)Nishant Sivakumar wrote:
Wtf! I don't think a more insecure system could have been invented! The system needs to be changed!
No kidding :)
I'd like to help but I don't feel like Googling it for you.
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Christian Graus wrote:
That's different, if you're from OS, what reason do they have to assume you won't leave again ?
Yes, that's a point. But they do give you credit if you are on a student Visa - that's really strange to me.
Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
Currently working on C++/CLI in Action for Manning Publications. (*Sample chapter available online*)Nishant Sivakumar wrote:
But they do give you credit if you are on a student Visa
Thats because you are spending money from your dad's pocket and you have no problems in paying up for stuff. :rolleyes::->
Tarakeshwar Reddy MCP, CCIE Q(R&S) Experience is like a comb that life gives you when you are bald - Navjot Singh Sidhu
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leckey wrote:
Did you make sure the expired passport gets flagged? Someone may try to alter it.
I'll get her to call the passport office.
leckey wrote:
In the US it's harder than hell to get your SSN changed after identity theft. most choose not to even do it. Not sure if in Australia you can change your equivalent of our SSN. (The only thing I had was a tax ID for wages that I can remember.)
We dont have an equivalent, the Tax File Number is useless unless they want to pay our tax for us :)
leckey wrote:
I recommend either a safe deposit box at a bank for a large fireproof safe. (One that isn't easily carried out of the flat.)
My mum has a large safe so everything is in there now.
leckey wrote:
Ask your landlord if you can upgrade the locks (if that's how they got in).
:) I had a locksmith out that day and sent the real estate a letter saying I was taking the cost of it out of this months rent.
System.IO.Path.IsPathRooted() does not behave as I would expect
and you've done the obvious calls - RTA (driver's license), Bankcard/Mastercard/Amex/Visa (etc), right ? Police report (for insurance purposes ?) (Im giving you credit for being a smart guy and trying to make it harder to get hurt/hurt again here) 'g'
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and you've done the obvious calls - RTA (driver's license), Bankcard/Mastercard/Amex/Visa (etc), right ? Police report (for insurance purposes ?) (Im giving you credit for being a smart guy and trying to make it harder to get hurt/hurt again here) 'g'
Garth J Lancaster wrote:
RTA (driver's license), Bankcard/Mastercard/Amex/Visa (etc), right ? Police report (for insurance purposes ?)
Yeah we canceled all the credit cards and they've been reissued with different numbers. We had to get new drivers licences. Mine was easy because I had two valid passports, for hers we had to get a new birth cert and someone to vouch for her. This worries me a bit as they have her old bert certificate and could easily get smoeone to vouch for them. We had the cops round when it happened, gave them a list of what was stolen and have the report number. We also have a bill for the mobile that was stolen that lists all the calls they made, we gave this to the cops a few weeks ago but they have not been in touch with us since. Someone tried to apply for a credit card on line using her details. Im hoping the cops will get the application details from GE (they must have entered an address to have the card delivered to) and be able to get somewhere from that but Im not going to hold my breath.
System.IO.Path.IsPathRooted() does not behave as I would expect
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Garth J Lancaster wrote:
RTA (driver's license), Bankcard/Mastercard/Amex/Visa (etc), right ? Police report (for insurance purposes ?)
Yeah we canceled all the credit cards and they've been reissued with different numbers. We had to get new drivers licences. Mine was easy because I had two valid passports, for hers we had to get a new birth cert and someone to vouch for her. This worries me a bit as they have her old bert certificate and could easily get smoeone to vouch for them. We had the cops round when it happened, gave them a list of what was stolen and have the report number. We also have a bill for the mobile that was stolen that lists all the calls they made, we gave this to the cops a few weeks ago but they have not been in touch with us since. Someone tried to apply for a credit card on line using her details. Im hoping the cops will get the application details from GE (they must have entered an address to have the card delivered to) and be able to get somewhere from that but Im not going to hold my breath.
System.IO.Path.IsPathRooted() does not behave as I would expect
Josh Gray wrote:
mobile that was stolen that lists all the calls they made
yeah, that sucks .. even if you can ring everybody and say 'my xxx has been stolen' seems like you still dont get a whole lot of protection. We use Blackberry(s) here at work - one advantage they have, is that should I lose it/it be stolen anywhere in the world, a reverse charge call to our comms team and they send it a self-destruct signal - yep, you read that right - it erases the sim card AND the operating system and renders it a useless piece of plastic ... 'g'
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Josh Gray wrote:
mobile that was stolen that lists all the calls they made
yeah, that sucks .. even if you can ring everybody and say 'my xxx has been stolen' seems like you still dont get a whole lot of protection. We use Blackberry(s) here at work - one advantage they have, is that should I lose it/it be stolen anywhere in the world, a reverse charge call to our comms team and they send it a self-destruct signal - yep, you read that right - it erases the sim card AND the operating system and renders it a useless piece of plastic ... 'g'
Garth J Lancaster wrote:
yeah, that sucks .. even if you can ring everybody and say 'my xxx has been stolen' seems like you still dont get a whole lot of protection. We use Blackberry(s) here at work - one advantage they have, is that should I lose it/it be stolen anywhere in the world, a reverse charge call to our comms team and they send it a self-destruct signal - yep, you read that right - it erases the sim card AND the operating system and renders it a useless piece of plastic ...
Wow thats really cool, we were lucky in that everything that was stolen other than wallet and purse belonged to her company. They replaced the laptop, phone and company car and paid the phone bill.
System.IO.Path.IsPathRooted() does not behave as I would expect
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About a month ago our flat was broken into. My wallet was stolen with my drivers licence, credit cards and other bits and my girld friends purse with the same things, her birth certificate and an expired passport. She got a phone call from GE consumer finance today as someone had attempted to obtain credit in her name using the stolen identification. I've contacted the credit reference authority here and paid $80 for each of us to have our files flagged so that we will recieve an email every time a company attempts to obtain our credit details. The whole situation has got me a bit worried. Any idea what else I can do?
System.IO.Path.IsPathRooted() does not behave as I would expect
My sympathies Josh, that sucks man. I was robbed of my mobile by two men at knife point yesterday - not nearly as bad as what you've been through but pretty awful nonetheless.
Josh Gray wrote:
Any idea what else I can do?
I think you've got most of it covered, has the flat got an alarm system/burglar proofing/etc? How'd your gf take it?
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Christian Graus wrote:
The system is designed to give credit, not limit it.
That has not been my experience so far. As someone new to the States, I have been automatically categorized as a potential bad credit guy. Whatever happened to innocent-until-proven-guilty? :-(
Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
Currently working on C++/CLI in Action for Manning Publications. (*Sample chapter available online*)I was once a new-resident of the US. It doesn't take long to 'get credit'. Just borrow a small amount of money ($2-3,000) for something like a very cheap car. Pay it back over a period of 3/4 months (based on your affordability, of course!). After two payments, someone will give you a $500 credit card. Get one of those. Max it out on stuff and pay it down a couple of times. Hey presto! Instant credit! You'll be flooded with credit cards in the post now :-) I understand the reluctance to give new residents credit - I mean, if you're new in the country, how is a credit provider going to know that you are going to stick around. Not many debts can be chased across national borders.
Bruce Chapman iFinity.com.au - Websites and Software Development Plithy remark available in Beta 2
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About a month ago our flat was broken into. My wallet was stolen with my drivers licence, credit cards and other bits and my girld friends purse with the same things, her birth certificate and an expired passport. She got a phone call from GE consumer finance today as someone had attempted to obtain credit in her name using the stolen identification. I've contacted the credit reference authority here and paid $80 for each of us to have our files flagged so that we will recieve an email every time a company attempts to obtain our credit details. The whole situation has got me a bit worried. Any idea what else I can do?
System.IO.Path.IsPathRooted() does not behave as I would expect
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Christian Graus wrote:
The system is designed to give credit, not limit it.
That has not been my experience so far. As someone new to the States, I have been automatically categorized as a potential bad credit guy. Whatever happened to innocent-until-proven-guilty? :-(
Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
Currently working on C++/CLI in Action for Manning Publications. (*Sample chapter available online*)Yup, that's something surprising when you're new to the US. Have you heard of the credit bureaus? They collect datas about you when you do some credit related activities. Using some algorithm they rate you with a number. Based on that number the creditor will determine how they charge you, or if they will do business with you. By default, no credit means bad credit, so you have to be patient and build yourself a good credit history. There are some traps with this. For example, each time you ask for a credit it is written in your file, and if you do this too frequently it lowers your score. This is like a vicious circle. You're new, you keep on asking for credit and being rejected, and this lowers your score... The worse is, it is hard to be informed about that, and people get trapped easily. Also when you go get credit the sales person pulls off your credit report, and most of the time hides it from you!! In the fine lines they usually tell you this, but this is weird to see someone getting your credit report and preveting you from accessing your own datas!!! Still I used to live in the US a couple of years ago, so this might have changed. I have heard there is now a federal law that says everyone is entitled to a free credit report, each year.