Identity theft and the silly woman on the radio

WillowTheWhisp · 16-10-2006, 08:26

There was an item on Radio4 this morning about identity theft and basically saying that we can't be too careful and should shred or at least rip up anything with our name and address on etc before throwing it away.

The silly announcer woman said that she doesn't have a shredder cos whats the point because people know her name and address anyway! D'uh yes Mrs but knowing where you live a producing one of your utility bills to identify themselves AS you ain't the same thing luv!

jimmi5bellies · 16-10-2006, 08:41

My mum and dad got their credit card cloned from a petrol station up Ossy ! This was about 2 years ago and the petrol station is no longer there.
I told them after, the next time you use your card and the cashier says she needs to take the card from out of their eyesight to get the card verified, always demand to go with them and the card. If you cant go with them ask for the card back immediately.

junetta · 17-10-2006, 00:24

Lots of the letters in the free English papers, here in Tenerife, complain about the same thing. Folk pass over their credit or debit cards to pay for a camera which isn't what it seems. A crap camera in a nice Canon case.....grrr.

Arriving home they find that their cards have been cloned. Their security conscious heads seem to stay home whilst they are on holiday.

Advice to anyone who decides to visit, don't buy anything from the blokes who sell cameras, don't open your handbag to women who want to give you flowers........they will nick your purse. Don't open your bag to give someone a light for their ciggie and the worst one I see is leaving a handbag on the chair next to you. They just whip past and it's theirs.

I never take a bag these days, money and mobile in short's pocket, pay for everything by cash...........sorted.

WillowTheWhisp · 17-10-2006, 07:32

I cringe when I see someone leave their mobile phone on a table while they get up to go to the loo or something. Even if someone is sitting opposite, the phone can be snatched and the thief gone before the person opposite has chance to move.

jambutty · 17-10-2006, 08:51

There is no doubt that identity theft does happen but does it happen as often as the government would have us believe? Are there hoards of criminals rooting through our rubbish bins during the dark hours?

I see all the noise about identity theft as scare mongering to make us more appreciative of the ID cards that the government wants to introduce. We are being softened up so that we will welcome the ID cards with open arms (and open wallets and purses) in the false hope that ID cards will be the panacea to cure the identity theft problem.

WillowTheWhisp · 17-10-2006, 08:58

But just look at how easy it is to "prove" who you are with a birth certificate and couple of utility bils - it proves zilch!

SPUGGIE J · 17-10-2006, 23:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

But just look at how easy it is to "prove" who you are with a birth certificate and couple of utility bils - it proves zilch!

I got copies of my daughters birth certificate and my wedding certificate without any questions asked at the registery office. If you have someones basic details it dosnt take long to aquire their identity.

WillowTheWhisp · 18-10-2006, 07:39

Anyone who has ever done any family history research knows how easy it is to get a birth certificate.