Dr Phil - Identitity theft how it can happen right under your nose without you suspecting the person who has done it

[pcslookout]

Its not gettings your identitity stolen online either. Most people always think it happens online a lot of the time. Thats the mind frame we think of whenever we hear stories about it.

Text

What would you do to the person if you found out this is how it happen?

 

[pcslookout]

Has anyone had this happen before ? I can't imagine this being the person who stole credit. What would you do ?

 

[nater]

not listen to dr. phil

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: nater
not listen to dr. phil

:thumbsup:

 

[jdini76]

I was at the Comcast place yesterday to get a new cable box for my TV. there were about 5-7 people in line behind me. The woman behind the counter asked for my phone number to bring up my account, then my name and address to verify. Then she asked for my whole SS#. I was surprised because they usually only ask for last 4 digits. So I verified with her and said "You want my whole number? not just the last four digits?" she replied "Yes, the whole number." I was shocked. I have always been protective of such informations. I refused to say it outloud as there were people behind me paying attention becasue she was the only clerk open. She then gave me attitude. She said "Well you don't have to give it to me but without it you can't get the cable box." I was again shocked! I said I am not anouncing my SS# to the whole room. Then she said you can write it down. I agreed, and then asked for a piece of paper and pen she did reluctantly. She read the paper and then gave it back to me. That I was happy with.

But I was still suprised they required me to anounce my whole SS#. To me, that is like going to an ATM and it requesting I say my pin instead of pressing the buttons. Why don't I just throw money at peopele to avoide the trouble.

Just in that timeframe I gave my name, address, and almost SS#. If I had given my SS#. That would have been all a person needs to steal my identity.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I would have just cancelled my account with comcast. The ONLY way to get companies to follow better business practices is to not do business with them. A different situation but, I was once denied a haircut at a salon because I wouldn't give them my phone number. I left and they no longer are in business. While I doubt my leaving had anything to do with their going out of business, only by excercising our right to do business with whom we choose, can we hope to influence the marketplace.

 

[jdini76]

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
I would have just cancelled my account with comcast. The ONLY way to get companies to follow better business practices is to not do business with them. A different situation but, I was once denied a haircut at a salon because I wouldn't give them my phone number. I left and they no longer are in business. While I doubt my leaving had anything to do with their going out of business, only by excercising our right to do business with whom we choose, can we hope to influence the marketplace.

hehe. God only knows what informations they would have required me to say in order to cancel my account!

But yea. I do not plan to stay with them long. Only until FIOS is avaialble.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Well isn't it a law that a company can't use your SSN for identification purposes? It's a government issued # for paying taxes for god sakes. If a company wont accept a picture ID in person then I won't do business with them. Hell when the Rewards cards came out for grocery stores they wanted info on the applications for them like Address, SSN phone, DL# and if you wanted to use it to pay you could put your credit card number or bank account # on it. They would actually deny people the card if they didn't put their Social on it, which got them in a lot of trouble because the courts said that a SSN is not a valid ID since it does not have a picture on it.

 

[pcslookout]

Do you here her ask for it from the other customers ? Did the customers seem mad as well that you wouldn't say it out loud because you were taking to long? Not saying they did or that I care because I don't. You can take as long as you want in a line. I have something I can do while waiting. You can take an hour or longer. I encourage people to take their time.

 

[jdini76]

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
Well isn't it a law that a company can't use your SSN for identification purposes? It's a government issued # for paying taxes for god sakes. If a company wont accept a picture ID in person then I won't do business with them. Hell when the Rewards cards came out for grocery stores they wanted info on the applications for them like Address, SSN phone, DL# and if you wanted to use it to pay you could put your credit card number or bank account # on it. They would actually deny people the card if they didn't put their Social on it, which got them in a lot of trouble because the courts said that a SSN is not a valid ID since it does not have a picture on it.

I have always hated using my SS# for identification purposes. Especialy for something that shouldn't even have you SS# in the first place. Why does comcast need my #? I am not taking a credit line out with them.

This clerk didn't seem to want any othe rofrm of ID. Which, irks me more and more when I think about it. I should complain to the compnay.

Do you here her ask for it from the other customers ? Did the customers seem mad as well that you wouldn't say it out loud because you were taking to long? Not saying they did or that I care because I don't. You can take as long as you want in a line. I have something I can do while waiting. You can take an hour or longer. I encourage people to take their time.

When I was there, the people in front of me were only returning items so no identification was required. And no, people behind me didn't seem annoyed. but they didn't appluad me either when i stood up for myself.

But When I told friends and co-workers about my experience they just kind of shrugged their shoulders. They don't really understand the dangers in doing this.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Didn't Dr. Phil just blame the VA Tech killings on our "video game culture?"

Yeah, pardon me while I tune him out...

 

[imported_nerve]

My Gf's 30 yo brother used his mothers SS# to open 5 credit cards. He took cash advances out of all of them.

The total amount stolen was about 15k.


drugs r bad

 

[George P Burdell]

Originally posted by: jdini76
I was at the Comcast place yesterday to get a new cable box for my TV. there were about 5-7 people in line behind me. The woman behind the counter asked for my phone number to bring up my account, then my name and address to verify. Then she asked for my whole SS#. I was surprised because they usually only ask for last 4 digits. So I verified with her and said "You want my whole number? not just the last four digits?" she replied "Yes, the whole number." I was shocked. I have always been protective of such informations. I refused to say it outloud as there were people behind me paying attention becasue she was the only clerk open. She then gave me attitude. She said "Well you don't have to give it to me but without it you can't get the cable box." I was again shocked! I said I am not anouncing my SS# to the whole room. Then she said you can write it down. I agreed, and then asked for a piece of paper and pen she did reluctantly. She read the paper and then gave it back to me. That I was happy with.

But I was still suprised they required me to anounce my whole SS#. To me, that is like going to an ATM and it requesting I say my pin instead of pressing the buttons. Why don't I just throw money at peopele to avoide the trouble.

Just in that timeframe I gave my name, address, and almost SS#. If I had given my SS#. That would have been all a person needs to steal my identity.

You should let them know in writing about this security risk. And write to Consumerist as well. Maybe they'll change the policy. There is no reason for a clerk or customer service rep to know your whole SSN