fraud victim

From: BOB FORD <BOB_FORD@compuserve.com>
Subject: fraud victim
Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 19:49:51 -0400

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>Date: Thu, 14 May 1998 22:32:40 -0400
>From: bonsai@channel1.com                   =

>Subject: Any advice for fraud victim?
 =

>Well, it had to happen sooner or later I suppose: I got a phone call thi=
s
>evening from Cyberian Outpost; they were trying to confirm an internet
>order charged to my Mastercard but ordered shipped to an address in
>Chelyabinsk, Russia. The rep only gave me the first four and last four
>digits of the MC used but they matched mine, so I called my issuer and
>cancelled the account.
 =

>I have never used my credit card over the internet out of fear of just
this
>type of thing happening, so the info had to have been procured some
other
>way, but what way, I do not know (well, I know the card hasn't been
stolen,
>but that's it). Which leads me to ask: how paranoid should I be? Should
I
>have my checking account cancelled/re-issued? Or more?? If someone
got a
>hold of my MC number, name, and address how hard is it for them to
find out
>my bank account info and/or ssn, or apply for additional credit in my
>name??  I'm not even sure what questions to ask...
 =

>Any advice would be appreciated!
>Bonnie
 =

BONNIE

Every time you use your credit card, you tell your credit card number to
someone.  Also your credit card statement has your number on it and so
do all of your credit card receipts.  People can go through your trash an=
d
find these. So any number of people could get your credit card number
without ever being on the INTERNET.   As I understand credit card
companies operations, you can not be required to pay a credit card bill
unless the merchant physically had your card when he/she recorded the
transaction.

I suggest you buy a shredder.  You can get them for less than $100.
Then never let anything leave your house with your credit card number
unless it is shredded.

Your bank is totally responsible for if they pay a check that has a forge=
d
signature.  Your bank account number is printed on every check you give
to someone so lots of people have your bank account number.  If
someone wanted to, they could have checks printed with your name on
the checks and write all sorts of checks on your account.  However if the=

signature is forged, the bank can not charge your account even if they
paid the check.

There is one key piece of information you should have only in a secure
place.  That is your social security number.  DO NOT carry it with you in=

your purse.  It is almost impossible to apply for credit unless you have
the correct social security number of the person.

Your address is probably on public records. If you own property your
address is available for anyone to look at.  If you registered to vote,
your
address may be on a public record.

GOOD LUCK
BOB FORD =




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