How concerned are You...
By ShepherdSpy
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
Omagh, Northern Ireland
November 11, 2008 4:21am CST
...About identity theft?
I work in a restaurant,and one day recently, after customers had left and I was clearing the table,found one of those cover sheets from a new cheque book that had been torn out and left behind-the one that comes with name,address,the bank sort code,and account number on it.the one that has "Please remove and destroy before use" on it!
I tore it up and disposed of it,but someone COULD have taken advantage of it..
Do You know of anyone that ID theft has happened to? Do you take measures to prevent things like this from happening?
Thanks for responses!
1 person likes this
4 responses
@nadooa247 (1096)
• United States
11 Nov 08
That is why i never carry a check book, i have my debit card yes, but my checkbook stays at home unless i have to pay a bill with it, even now adays no need since almost any bill can be automatically withdrawn or paid online!
ALWAYS tear up those credit card offers! They contain your info and really could be misused by others... i am 25 but i worry about it, i got my credit report and found unusual activity and reported it. It isnt just financial loss it also is damaging if you plan on buying a home. Your credit score sinks, so does your chance on getting a good loan for anything.
1 person likes this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
7 Dec 08
The banks can be overly cautious too...I'm visiting in the US for the Thanksgiving Holiday with Family,and brought a Credit card along with Me...I got to use it once,the second time I tried to use it,it was declined and referred to the card company..I called the bank in the UK to ask why the card had been blocked,they told Me as I hadn't let them know in advance I was travelling,the change in location had raised a red flag,so they put the block on...They told me it would be unblocked within the hour...I was out for a Meal later that evening,took the chance and used the card again,and it was STILL blocked! I'm nearing the end of my visit,and I've been using a different card for the remainder of my shopping since,as the first one still appears blocked..(And I've had no problems or queries from the second card issuer the entire time!)
@nadooa247 (1096)
• United States
7 Dec 08
I honestly never heard of such a thing happening! They should have reactivated it that is for sure... good thing you had a backup plan.
1 person likes this
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
11 Nov 08
I am very concerned, I use a shredder and shred everything and anything that has any of my information on it. There are a lot of people who "dumpster dive" and go into others trash just to get their information.
1 person likes this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
7 Sep 09
A while back I heard of a scam that may have involved info theft..basically,they'd somehow picked up enough of your banking details to make a convincing sounding call to you from "Your Bank",and tried to get you to divulge your PIN code or something else that would enable them to request duplicate cards under your name...It didn't happen to Me,but I received the warning in a forwarded email from someone..
@dorypanda (1601)
•
11 Nov 08
Yes, I do know someone who that's happened to, unfortuantely I can't go into details here. Just now I had a message on my answerphone, the woman asked if I could call her and tell her my National Insurance number. Funnily enough, I've not rung them back!
I do try to be very careful with my information, but as our government tends to lose a lot of it, it's very difficult to ensure identity theft doesn't happen.
1 person likes this
@Fafner (68)
• United States
11 Nov 08
I am very careful with my data and papers that have financial information on them.
I shred anything that has account information on it.
Unfortunately, my precautions are useless when compared to the data breaches that happen. My data has been 'lost' or compromised by the state of Illinois, a bank, and a department store. I wish I had some recourse against these institutions that do not have the necessary procedures and security to keep sensitive data safe.
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
7 Dec 08
My Fiancee was doing some work on Her house and needed to buy a ladder last weekend,and I was along with her at the time..We inquired as to the cost of delivery of the ladder (an 8' extending one!) and was told within the town limits,it would be $79!..with delivery maybe on Monday..alternatively,we could hire a chevy truck outside there and then for 90 minutes for $19 and deliver it ourselves?! Fair enough...we only needed about 20-25 minutes to get to the house,and it was fun riding in the truck for a while instead of the car..looking in the glovebox for the manual to check the specs of the truck (V6 2500)I found a hire invoice from a previous driver with their credit card details on it! I handed it in to the desk on our return and watched as they ripped it up..You can't be too careful..
