Recently, the people at Facebook decided it would be cool to incorporate their site with other sites. It would give their users a more tailored net experience. The setting would be enacted all around. And users would not be made aware. It’s called Facebook Instant Personalization. What it does is share your personal information with Facebook’s partners so they can personalize their features when you first arrive on their websites. This is probably not a threat to your identity or your finances, but it is a breach of your personal information. It’s not like Facebook asked. They just did it.
This is just capitalism. Facebook back in 2004 was not generating any significant revenues to speak of. Now they have sponsors and affiliate marketers to think of. Hence, the progressively different structure.
I just wanted to make everyone aware of the fact your info is being given out. I mean, it’s not like you are going to stop facebooking, write a concerned email, or delete your profile. We are all hooked anyways. Now you might not be able to hide what groups you are a part of or block your activity on the site from appearing on your profile page, but we still log on.
According to Computer Associates, a multinational computer software corporation headquartered in New York, Facebook even tracked user activity on sites affiliated with its Beacon advertising program, even when those users have opted-out of the program and logged off Facebook. Now this controversial service became the target of a class action lawsuit and was shut down in September 2009. This new wave of change looks vaguely familiar.
If you feel like opting out of their “personalization process”, it’s pretty simple:
- Log in
- Click the account tag in the right hand corner
- Go to Privacy Settings
- Go to Applications and Websites
- Click the Edit Settings button under Instant Personalization
-Uncheck the “Allow select partners to instantly personalize their features with my public information when I first arrive on their websites” box and save.
Otherwise you can do it by a site by site visit by visit basis. “When you arrive on these sites, you’ll see a notification from Facebook at the top of the page. You can easily opt-out of experiencing this on these sites by ‘No Thanks’ on the blue Facebook notification on the top of partner sites.”
Gizmodo.com, gives us a satirical look at the changes to come in the future.
The government says reporting a lost or stolen card to us will not prevent its misuse. You have to do more than just replace it. Some who is in possession of your card can undoubtedly get more of your personal info. Now, it doesn’t cost you anything to apply for a SSN card, either for yourself or for application of a newborn. But these things are not like debit cards. You can’t just have the government close one and open a new identity for you. This is why they made all these other outlets:
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (1-877-ID-THEFT or 1-877-438-4338);
- File an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov;
- Check your Social Security records (call toll-free 1-800-772-1213; TTY 1-800-325-0778) to ensure your income is calculated correctly
- File a report with the local police or the police department where the identity theft took place, and keep a copy of the police report as proof of the crime
- Contact the fraud units of the three major credit-reporting bureaus:
– Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; or Internet: http://www.equifax.com
– Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289; or Internet: http://www.transunion.com/
– Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (1-888-397-3742); or Internet: http://www.experian.com
But the best way to avoid all this is to not travel with the little blue piece of paper. Keep it at home locked up with the title to your car. I can’t believe it when people tell me they still keep it in their wallet or purse. You know how many times I lost my wallet when I was younger?!
“Hello, yes is this the US government? Hi. This is _________. I seem to have misplaced and misused how the entire system recognizes me. Yeah, I need a new number. Oh you don’t really do that. I see.”
The stance of Social Security on issuing new numbers is like this. They only want you to consider changing your Social Security number as a last resort. The thing being, changing your number may adversely impact your ability to interact with federal and state agencies, employers and others. Why? Well, because your financial, medical, employment and other records will be under your other SSN. If you have done all you can and someone still is using your number, they may assign you a new number. But they cannot guarantee that a new number is going to actually solve your problem. AND you can’t even get a new number if you filed for bankruptcy, appear to “intend to avoid the law or your legal responsibility” (Do alimony and spousal support payments count?), or – and here’s the biggie – if your social security card is stolen or lost and there is no evidence someone else is using it.
Gosh Jim, identity theft isn’t-very funny.
If you value your credit and like being in charge of your life, keep that stupid little card and the content printed on it under lock and key.
7
Surgical Identity Theft: How Far Will They Go?
0 Comments | Posted by admin in Uncategorized
We have heard of some crazy things people do to set scams, steal identities and then the crazy stuff they buy with your money. I have heard recently of women stealing Botox injections and even more astounding is the fact surgical procedures are also being chalked up to identity theft in the past year. It is being called surgical identity theft. It was only a matter of time before this started happening. I mean, healthcare is like 20% of our GDP.
This story really stuck out. And so I felt the need to show the extent of identity theft in 2010. Brace yourselves. This is the story of one woman’s quest to obtain fulfillment. Yvonne Pampellonne was your typical 30-year-old California girl. This typical girl walked into the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery and walked out with $17,000 in lipo and a brand new set of implants. She didn’t pay a dime. She stole a woman’s name to set up a line of credit. She hit the road and didn’t have to pack much, seeing as everything she stole was pretty much right in front of her.
The story gets better. She had implants already. Pampellonne has inherited the alias of “The Breast Implant Bandit”. The Bandit is now looking at six months of hard time after pleading guilty to grand theft boob, identity theft, and burglary.
However did the authorities catch The Bandit? Apparently there is serial numbers on implants. They used the serial numbers of her old set that were removed.
Don’t let your identity wind up on someone’s chest. Here are some tips to ward off surgicial identity theft:
- Watch your credit report and identify any medical debts on the report (make sure they are yours).
- Look at any explanation of benefits that may be sent to you by insurers. If anything appears to be incorrect, contact the insurer or provider for a full explanation. When a statement isn’t yours, don’t ignore it just because it says you don’t owe any money.
- Request and review every benefit associated with being paid in your name by insurance plans to which you belong.
These days banks are doing their part to make it easier for you to protect your finances. They are looking out for you by advancing their securities. It is much harder to hack computer systems at banks. Firewalls upon firewalls surround their networks. Anti-virus protection and encryption protects data to the nth degree. They also instill procedural safeguards in their employees to protect against unauthorized access to customer information.
So the bank is doing everything possible to keep your stuff safe. And yet you have not yet changed the way you take care of your identity and the assets tied to it. The bank even goes further. They tried to get you involved in the effort. What am I rambling about? Alerts. Alerts are the greatest tool for communicating between the two parties. Example: A charge is made to your account overseas. The bank finds this unorthodox. You have signed up for alerts. So you are sent an email or text message, or both, telling you of the transaction. You are made aware immediately and contact the bank letting them know it was not you. The transaction is cancelled followed up by authorities and your money goes on to finance the family camping trip that weekend.
If that same scenario occurred without alerts you may not notice until days or weeks later, assuming you actively check your statements. Bye Bye money. Some banks will reimburse you for your loss, but they can’t reissue an identity guys.
Work from Home Scam
SCENARIO: A victim answers an online email or newspaper ad or posts their resume on a popular Internet website and is then awarded a job title called something like “Payment Processing Clerk” or “Accounts Receivable Clerk.” The job description includes receiving checks on behalf of the company, depositing the checks into the victim’s personal bank account, and wiring the monies when the funds are posted to the account. The victim is instructed to keep 5% to 10% of the value of the checks as their “salary.” The victim deposits the checks and sends the money to the employer via wire or Western Union when the funds are available and posted to their bank account.
SCAM: The “employer” was a fraudster and the checks or money orders that were deposited are counterfeits. They are frequently drawn off well-known businesses or US Postal Money Orders, so they seem legitimate, but they are not.
Internet Auction/Overpayment Scheme
SCENARIO: The victim sells or auctions goods (usually high-priced items) via the Internet. The buyer sends the victim a check or money order for more than the purchase price and asks the victim to wire the excess money to a third party, often in a foreign country. The victim is informed that the excess money will be used as payment for the shipper who has been hired to pick up and ship the merchandise on the buyer’s behalf.
SCAM: The “buyer” and “shipper” were fraudsters. The check or money order that the buyer has used to purchase the goods is returned as counterfeit or stolen, and the victim has lost the money wired to the shipper. This scheme is often used when selling large items such as automobiles, motorcycles, boats, etc. The check or money order is frequently drawn off well-known businesses or US Postal Money Orders, so it seems legitimate, but it is not.
Canadian/Foreign Country Lottery Scam
SCENARIO: The victim receives an email or letter stating that they have an opportunity to receive a substantial sum of money. The letter states that the victim has won the Canadian Lottery (or some other country’s Foreign Lottery). The letter informs the victim that they must pay a processing or transfer tax or fee before receiving the money. A check or money order will be enclosed to cover the required fees, and the victim is instructed to deposit the check into their bank account and wire the money to a third party, usually in a foreign country.
SCAM: The person who contacted the victim about the “Lottery” was a fraudster, and the victim has not won any money. The checks or money orders that were deposited are counterfeits. They are frequently drawn off well-known businesses or US Postal Money Orders, so they seem legitimate, but they are not.
Foreign Business Offers/Advance Fee Scams
SCENARIO: The victim receives an email from a foreign official or businessperson who has a business proposal. The businessperson wants to move a large sum of money from a foreign country and needs assistance. The victim is usually offered 25% to 40% of the proceeds as payment for their trouble. If the victim agrees, they usually receive a large check in the mail. The victim deposits the check into their bank account and the funds are posted to their account. However, the businessperson now needs an advance fee of $30,000 to $40,000 to bribe an official, pay transfer fees or attorney fees, settle taxes, etc. The victim believes the previously deposited check was genuine, so they honor the request and wire funds to the businessperson.
SCAM: The “official” or “businessperson” was a fraudster, and the checks or money orders that were deposited are counterfeits. They are frequently drawn off well-known businesses or US Postal Money Orders, so they seem legitimate, but they are not.
Romantic Chat Room/Love Losses/Russian Bride Scheme
SCENARIO: The victim has been in an ongoing Internet relationship and is informed that funds are needed to pay for travel expenses for their Internet mate to travel to the United States and begin their life together. The victim soon receives checks or money orders and is instructed to deposit the checks or money orders into their bank account, then to transfer a portion of the funds, via a wire service, to cover their Internet mate’s expenses. The funds are posted to the account and the money is wired.
SCAM: The “Internet mate” was a fraudster, and the checks or money orders that were deposited are counterfeits. They are frequently drawn off well-known businesses or US Postal Money Orders, so they seem legitimate, but they are not.
Roommate/Rental Schemes
SCENARIO: The victim posts an on-line or newspaper ad looking for a roommate or to sublet an apartment, condo, house, etc. The victim enters into an agreement with a new roommate and receives a check covering the first and last month’s rent, utilities, security deposit, etc. Shortly after the check or money order is deposited by the victim, the new roommate contacts the victim with a tragic personal tale and informs them they will not be able to rent the property. They are requesting a refund of a portion of the money they sent, minus a fee for the victim’s time and trouble. The money is wired back to the fraudster.
SCAM: The “new roommate” was a fraudster, and the checks or money orders that were deposited are counterfeits. They are frequently drawn off well-known businesses or US Postal Money Orders, so they seem legitimate, but they are not.
Nanny Scams
SCENARIO: A wealthy family registers at a nanny-matching website looking for a nanny. They are willing to pay an excellent wage in exchange for child-care duties, and to attract a prospective nanny, they are willing to advance a generous amount of money in the form of a check or money order. The victim signs up, but then the wealthy family immediately says that they mistakenly sent too much money and requests that the remaining balance of the advance be returned via Western Union or other electronic means. The victim sends the requested money back.
SCAM: The “wealthy family” was a fraudster. The key here is, because the fraudsters ask for the money back immediately, the original payment hasn’t cleared the bank yet. The checks or money orders that were deposited are counterfeits. They are frequently drawn off well-known businesses or US Postal Money Orders, so they seem legitimate, but they are not.
Inheritance Scam
SCENARIO: The victim receives notification from an authoritative source such as a law firm, an executor of a will, or a barrister, notifying the victim of an inheritance from a long-lost relative or friend. The official has the victim provide their bank account number for funds to be deposited into their account, on the agreement that a fee must be made. The official may then do 1 of 2 things:
1. Tell the victim how much the fee is and request that it be sent via Western Union or other electronic means. The victim sends the requested fee.
2. Send the victim their inheritance as a check or money order, but then immediately say that they mistakenly sent too much money and request that the remaining balance of the advance be returned via Western Union or other electronic means. The consumer sends the requested money back.
SCAM: 1. The “lawyer” is a fraudster who cannot help with any inheritance. The fraudster keeps the fee that the consumer has sent.
2. The key here is, because the fraudsters ask for the money back immediately, the original payment hasn’t cleared the bank yet. The checks or money orders that were deposited are counterfeits. They are frequently drawn off well-known businesses or US Postal Money Orders, so they seem legitimate, but they are not.
Charity Scam
SCENARIO: The victim wants to help charities such as those for the victims of natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Sumatran Tsunami, so they sign up online to help out. Through a series of emails, the victim is hired to be the “middleman” or “broker” to receive donations into a new bank account they are told to open. The job description includes receiving checks, depositing the checks into their newly opened bank account, and wiring the monies when the funds are posted to the account. The victim is instructed to keep a certain percentage of the value of the checks as their “salary.” The victim deposits the checks and sends the money via wire or Western Union to the charity when the funds are available and posted to their bank account.
SCAM: The “charity” was fraudulent. And the funds sent to the newly opened bank account and then on to the charity belong to fraud victims’ from other banks, who may have had their identities stolen or responded to a phishing email on the Internet. The victim not only has received and kept fraudulent funds, but has also forwarded a portion of those funds on to the fraudster.
*Complements of Bank of America Corp.
The thing to remember is that it has become so commonplace that the odds are pretty high that you’ve been a victim or you know someone who has. I cannot stress this enough, be more aggressive with your monitoring. Get in a habit of checking systematically. I don’t care if you have $20,000 in the bank or $20. That doesn’t matter to these guys. It’s not fiat money they are after. Its credit and the doors that open once they get their hand on it. These days people are using stolen personal info to seek medical treatment. Yup, medical identity theft. So stay on the ball people. Watch you statements, for God sakes keep your info under lock and key (particularly on the web, maybe get more spyware or software protection), and take advantage of the government resources.
“What you’re doing as a salesman, what we are doing is painting a picture. Soon as they pick up the phone, and I get on the phone with them, my hand is on the way. My hand goes, two hands go through that phone. One hand goes up to the wall and starts painting pictures, the other hand is in their checkbook . . . and writing it out.” [Transcript of conversation, used in trial of United States v. Leake (Southern District of California)]
This is the state of things. It’s appalling to think that such a “business” exists. Their sole purpose is to swindle and misrepresent. Just listen to this sound bite. The victim is having their emotions preyed upon. They think they are going to be giving to a charity, when in actuality the victims of this scheme will routinely received prizes of little or no value as thanks for paying hundreds and even thousands of dollars to what was represented to them as a legitimate charity. There are other scams where they will say you’ve won a large sum of money, but have to pay fees or taxes on it within a strict time frame in order to receive it. Don’t fall for it.
The FBI gives us some tips to avoid falling victim:
- Don’t pay for “free prizes”
- Never pay in advance
- It’s never rude to wait and think
- If you don’t under it, ask. If they don’t answer all questions or become hostile, don’t respond.
- Credit Card numbers, bank account numbers, dates of birth, & social security numbers are never given out over the phone. Ever.
- If it’s a charity, research it first. Don’t just go on what they say. And find out how much is paid in commission and how much actually gets to the charity. (It’s usually best just to find a charity yourself. There is a better chance of legitimacy.)
No one wants to get deceived. It’s like being made fun of, kicked in the nose, and being picked last in a game of third grade dodge ball all at the same time. Only in this case you also get to see your hard earned cash go to some crook in a headset.
Sites like KilltheCalls.com help to not only stop calls from these people, but also help us fight back. When these telemarketers step out of line, and often they do, you stand to benefit to the tune of $500 to $1500!
You taxes pay these guys, you might as well utilize their resources.
How to File a Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission
We keep saying not to befriend strangers on Facebook or to actively devulge your SSN. We keep saying to not put your information out there for all to see. Identity thieves don’t discriminate in age guys. This video is a prime example. There is now talk not of insurance premiums going up for avid users of social media sites. The risk of identity theft is significantly higher and thus the risk of having to covering the losses is higher for your insurance company. Don’t be negligent.
1. Never post your home address or other personal information such as your home phone number on social networking sites
2. Don’t follow people you don’t know on social networks and use block others from seeing your profile if you don’t know them
3. Turn off location-based services on Twitter and Facebook unless you absolutely need to use them
When we think of gangs, generally we think of guns, drugs, and violence. In south Florida however, gang lifestyle is adapting to a new face of crime. This type of crime can affect you even if you never set foot on that side of town. Gangs in Broward County are now operating identity theft campaigns. The crime was found right at the top of the gangs activities alongside gun running and drug trafficking. This looks like it’s only the beginning; showing how vast this once non-violent low grade scam has ballooned.
What did the undercover cops with “Operation Smoking Gun” find? Well, there were 302 firearms; 6,035 prescription pills; 4 kilos of cocaine; 7,762 ecstasy pills; 5 kilos of marijuana; $5,000 in counterfeit cash; and this: more than 300 names related to stolen identities.
We cannot stress this enough: When you hand your credit card or debit card over to someone, anyone, DON’T LET IT OUT OF SIGHT. If the clerk needs to go take care of something do not be afraid to ask him/her to leave the card. Keep track of your account activity. If you go out to eat, use cash.
Federal authorities have found rooms in Miami with names, bank account info, and credit card machines. Identity theft cases jumped up 12 percent last year to 11 million adults. I don’t know when people are going to start realizing the threat. At this juncture, with all the factors in play, it’s time to start being paranoid.