[TheForge] reversal of fortunes in a blink of an eye

[CGRAF]

Keziah's Forge wrote:
>  They should, in any sort of decent world, be able to assume it is you.
>> Is your mailbox secure?
>> How many CC apps do you get a month?
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> 
> You're kidding, right?  I am in the only one in the world who could possibly 
> know these four things?  Any one who knows this has to be me?  How many 
> people know these things abut you?  I could probably find them out in two 
> minutes.
I am not kidding.
This is often a first port of call. Having the app already makes them you.
The information is out there and the app with your address gives them a 
place to start, as does access to the card when it is out of your sight.
I shred the apps , because there are folks who harvest them from the 
trash, along with other information bearing goodies like utility bills 
and bank statements.
> 
> The bank may assume anything it wants to.  If it wasn't ACTUALLY me, I don't 
> owe them jack.  Nobody can incur a debt on my behalf without my actual 
> assent. Sorry.  If I didn't agree with the bank, otr do anything to lead 
> them to believe I agreed, they can't stick me with it.  I don't care how 
> stupid they are.

Of course you owe them nothing. They are , however also confronted by 
the other side of the scam, that is, folks trying to dodge charges they 
racked up, by claiming that the card was stolen.

It was much simpler when Ed at the gas station and Mr Bonhoff at the 
grocery store were the only credit accounts other than the mortgage.
They both went to church with you and at least one had probably known 
you since childhood. No possibility of identity theft there.

As a society we have opted for convenience in this area. The identity is 
one of the wrinkles that needs working out.
Retinal scans and chipping would solve that , but those open new 
problems. Don't it?
Several stores around here are using the Chinese signature. Thumbprints 
on checks and CC tickets.

Mike Graf



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