Identity theft anyone ?

[Wolfman]

I just got my Sprint cell phone bill today and saw that it was a whopping $386.54, up from the $41.83 that I have been paying ever since I got the phone over 3 years ago. A further look showed the reason was my being billed for several phone calls on May 4th to places like Jamaica, Antigua, and the Dominican Republic. Nice. So I call Sprint customer service to get this fixed. They ask the usual questions, name, phone number, and then they get to PIN # and security question. The security question was the make of your first car. I gave them two possible pin numbers and my first car which they said was wrong. I was beginning to feel like the knights of the round table when asked questions by the Bridgekeeper. Eventually I was able to have them send me the information via e-mail. The PIN# was nothing I'd ever use and my first car was allegedly a Fiesta. WRONG. Back on the phone to Sprint with the correct/wrong information I was able to get things fixed. Sprint was actually on the case already as apparently the extra phone calls flagged their system and my account "had a note on it." I was given instructions to reprogram my cell phone and hopefully it will be good to go for a while. I'll just have to check my bank account on line next month to make sure the extra charges have been removed.
Two years ago I had my bank card skimmed. I think it happened at a gas station. I was lucky that the skimmers only bought some Restaurant coupon books and some DVD's and didn't go to the casino and wipe out my account. Any time I use my card at an ATM or card reading device, I check to see that nothing has been inserted into the machine. BOA removed all charges from my account. They only totaled about $80.
Technology is great, but it seems like these events are something we will have to deal with. Be alert.

[PSUFAN]

My pretensions are leaning towards BSkimmed.

[Screw_Michigan]

I'll just have to check my bank account on line next month to make sure the extra charges have been removed.

That's why you shouldn't choose to have automatic debiting for phone bills or jizz-mopping services.

[Mikey]

Somebody hacked my Sprint account about a month ago and was somehow able to change my PIN#. They were registering a phone to my account (we have 4 in the family) that was not supposed to be there, with unlimited everything. It wasn't even a new phone. Once I convinced them that I was really me I cancelled the extra phone, and reset my username, password, PIN and all security questions.

Come to think of it I need to go back and check to see if everything is still OK...

[Wolfman]

It is a huge problem and thank goodness the phone companies and banks seem to be trying to do something about it. I have no idea how they were able to change my PIN# and even my security question. I'm going to ask #1 son about this. BTW-- I monitor my BOC account daily at least once. I check my bills before any automatic transactions are made.
Like I said---be very alert out there.

[Trampis]

I only barter.

You know, a little over a year ago when the markets were tanking, I had people telling me how they were woried that we would be in a barter type situation when the dollar collapsed. Collecting scrap copper, gold, silver and going online to figure out how to live off the grid with solar/wind setups.

[OCmike]

... and thank goodness the phone companies and banks seem to be trying to do something about it.

Of course they are. They're protecting their own ass by doing so.

You might as well stop checking for skimming devices. The only ones you'll ever be able to detect are made by Pookie and RayRay with crap from Radio Shack. The ones that you have to worry about will both look and act "real".

There are several ways that you can protect yourself.

1. Use your debit card at the bank ATM only.

2. If you must use your debit card, use the "Pay using credit" option, rather than debit. Credit purchases offer better protection than if someone gets your PIN#.

3. Pay with cash.

[Van]

I toldja, just barter. Ain't nobody gonna trace your goats and pies.

-88

[BSmack]

I toldja, just barter. Ain't nobody gonna trace your goats and pies.

-88

I recomend chickens for when you go to your doctor.

sin

[Wolfman]

Here's some information:

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/apr/01 ... er-out-ap/

[Screw_Michigan]

Here's one for Wolftard:

District food servers charged in theft of patrons' credit card numbers

By Josh White
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, May 24, 2010

Three servers at the Cheesecake Factory restaurant on Wisconsin Avenue in the District allegedly stole credit card numbers from patrons as part of a scheme that racked up more than $117,000 in fraudulent charges between 2008 and last year, authorities say.

Investigators with the U.S. Secret Service allege the servers were working for a larger fraud ring and were using electronic devices to "skim" the credit card numbers of customers they served at the restaurant. The devices were handed off to others, and the stolen numbers were used to make fake credit cards and later used to buy gift cards and merchandise in the Washington area, according to court records in U.S. District Court in Alexandria.

Federal officials became aware of the scheme in April of last year, when Citibank investigators reported numerous fraudulent charges on cards that had been used at the Cheesecake Factory at 5345 Wisconsin Ave. in Friendship Heights, just south of the Maryland line. Because servers at the restaurant have to swipe a server card unique to them before processing a credit card, investigators were able to narrow the transactions to three servers, according to court documents.

Secret Service agents interviewed two servers, identified in court documents only by their initials because they are cooperating with the investigation, who said they were recruited by Nicole L. Ward, another server at the restaurant. Ward allegedly provided the servers with "skimmers" to capture the credit card numbers and would then hand off the devices to two men, known only as "Slim" and "G."

Investigators also interviewed Ward, in November at another District restaurant, and say in court documents that she admitted her role.

"Nicole Ward stated that 'Slim' had approached her after work one day about a potential scheme to earn some extra money," wrote Special Agent Nathan Fleisher. "Nicole Ward stated that 'Slim' had provided her with a skimmer in order to capture credit card account numbers" and that they worked together for about a month.

Ward was supposed to be paid $40 per stolen card, and the other servers told investigators that Ward recruited them and paid them $25 for each stolen number. But when "Slim" wasn't timely with his payments, Ward began working for "G," who was higher up the chain. "G" would give Ward the skimmers, pick them up two weeks later and return them in a day or two.

Ward told investigators she thinks she made about $5,000. It was unclear from court documents how many card numbers were stolen or how many patrons were affected, but officials estimated the fraudulent charges were at least $117,172.