Credit Reporting/Identity Theft SCAM!!

[JoLLyRoGer]

Please read this through...

edited copy of e-mail thread i just received.
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Original Message
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Credit Agency - VERY IMPORTANT!


Just wanted to let everyone know who hasn't
already heard, the four major credit bureaus in the
US. will be allowed, starting July 1, to release your
credit info, mailing addresses, phone numbers..... to
anyone who requests it. If you would like to 'opt out' of
this release of info, you can call 1-888-567-8688. It only
takes a couple of minutes to do, and you can take care of
anyone else in the household while making only one call,
you'll just need to know their social security
number. Be sure to listen closely, the first opt out is only
for two years, make sure you wait until they prompt you to
press '3' on your keypad to opt out for good.
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1st Reply
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I received a notice from an LY employee that he read in Saturday's Macon
paper this is an identity theft scam and anyone who took the actions below
have opened themselves up to possibility of someone using their identity to
obtain credit cards, run up bills, etc.
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2nd Reply
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FYI - wide distribution please

There is a scam posing as the credit bureaus "opt out." Removing your
name from the credit bureaus' solicitation lists is called "opting out" and can be
accomplished by calling the bureaus directly. The National Better Business Bureau
is not a credit bureau and according to the information below, is a SCAM.

Here is a copy of the Macon Telegraph article.
Betsy

http://www.macontelegraph.com/content/macon/2001/07/28/local/SCAM0728.htm


Ga. BBB warns of e-mail scam

From staff reports


The Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia warned area residents Friday
of an e-mail scam that is being issued in the name of the non-existent
National Better Business Bureau.

The scam e-mail advises the recipient to call a toll-free number and give
their Social Security number and other data in order to protect their
personal and credit information from being disseminated to anyone who wants
it.

"There is no known entity ... as the National Better Business Bureau," the
BBB of Central Georgia said in a news release. "If the recipients of that
e-mail dial the 888 number as indicated, there is not a living body to
answer the phone; it is simply a recording asking for pertinent information,
including the caller's Social Security number.

"Releasing your Social Security number to an unknown entity is a direct step
into potential identity fraud," the bureau said, adding that identity fraud
has been the fastest-increasing fraud in the nation in the past year.

According to the Central Georgia BBB, the scam e-mail is follows (typos
included):

"I have checked this out with the National Better Business Bureau and the
National Credit Reporting Agency, this is a legitimate action. What it does
is remove your name and credit information from a data base that is used to
sell that information to others ... just follow the prompt. FYI Please pass
this on to others."

The e-mail goes on to say that the four major credit bureaus are now allowed
to release credit information, mailing addresses and phone numbers to anyone
who requests them.

"If you would like to 'opt out' of this release of info, you can call
1-888-567-8688. It takes only a couple of minutes to do, and you can take
care of anyone else in the household while making only one call, you'll just
need to know their social security number," the bogus e-mail says and adds,
"Pass this info on to every one you know. We need to protect ourselves and
each other."

Area residents wanting more details can contact the Better Business Bureau
of Central Georgia at (478)-742-7999.


Be Careful,
JR..

 

[flamingelephant]

HA! A sucker is born every minute!

 

[ghostman]

There seems to be confusion:

Thread: Some info you should know ...

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Hmmm. Shoulda figured that this had been posted already. I didn't know if it had. Just wanted to share info.

Sorry bout that.
JR..

 

[ghostman]

No, no...it wasn't a repost, well, kinda...read that thread! We have conflicting stories with the same phone number.

From other thread:
FTC.gov
1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688) for all three credit bureaus.

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

O, my fault. At a first glance at the other thread I thought this was a re-post. I work in the Air Force and this came through my gov't e-mail. I feel like if their calling BS. That's a pretty good indication .

It all boils down to another identity theft ploy.

 

[ghostman]

But the phone number is from the FTC website...

 

[ShizNitz]

If this is truly a scam and the BBB knows about it, then why is there still an answer at that phone number. After listening to the VRU, everything seemed really professional (they were able to identify your street address by your telephone number). Anyways, you should be labeled as a complete fool for randomly giving out your social security number to anyone.