Urgent: Checking and savings account information stolen from major banks

Kommando.com ^ | 8-27-14 | Kim Kommando

[Old Sarge]

Basically, this article is nothing more than an alarmist infomercial for “Lifelock”.

[COBOL2Java]

Obama and his Criminal Organization(Administration) are probably helping the Russians out

Or someone else...

[reaganaut]

As does mine, I can’t imagine going back to a big bank. I always have kept one account at this small bank and now use it exclusively.

[Augie]

We do scans on hospitals. They are really bad. Some won’t even apply patches.

You can thank the FDA for that. The health system where I work still has quite a bit of software running on Windows Server 2003 because the stinking FDA is so far behind in certifying 3rd party vendor applications on newer operating systems.

We patch everything that we're allowed to, segment our network to the point of insanity, and firewall everything, but some of these apps were written when Fred Flintsone was around.

It's ridiculous.

[Friendofgeorge]

but you just told everybody you have a coffee can with cash in it

[Vendome]

Now figure out where they’re buried....

[Friendofgeorge]

I was kidding, I actually do something with a mattress, but I better not say more :)

[Vendome]

What’s your address?

[Tired of Taxes]

Sorry to hear that you’ve had to deal with the identity theft for so many years. I hope the problem will be resolved finally, once and for all, for you soon!

I’m still receiving notifications about new accounts, by the way. The thieves have been very busy little bees with my name and information.

[Tired of Taxes]

Dude you are screwed.

Oh, no, I hope not! :-( For the record, though, I'm a "dudette." I don't know if going Galt would solve the problem because each one of us is issued a social security number. Once the thieves get their hands on a name, address, and SSN, it seems they start opening accounts in that name, whether we're living off the grid or not. :-(

[Tired of Taxes]

It's too late to help in your situation but I what did about a year ago was to put a freeze/lock on my accounts at the 3 big credit bureaus.

As soon as I found out about the identity theft, I did the same thing. I'm hoping it helps.

[Pining_4_TX]

http://www.wired.com/2014/08/openbazaar-not-for-drugs/#disqus_thread

[eartick]

Did not mean it in a literally......sorry...stand corrected.

and you are correct

[Tired of Taxes]

There’s nothing to be sorry about, Eartick... I didn’t take the comment literally. Plus I have a brother, so I’m used to hearing, “Dude...” lol

You’re right that living off the grid would help to a certain extent. That way, the access to our SSN and other info would be limited.

Happy Labor Day. :-)

[antidisestablishment]

I pity the fool who tries to use my info to open a new account. Guess there are some perks to losing a house. ;)

[Tired of Taxes]

I’m in a similar situation. ;-) When I found out thieves had stolen my info and were opening accounts in my name, one of my first thoughts was: “Well, maybe they’ll pay off my medical bills.” lol

[Shimmer1]

Neither can my little piggy.

[Vendome]

I ate mine...

[Liz]

.....hackers stole my information (I believe from hospital records) and opened accounts in my name....

EXHINIT ONE--Anytime you give out such info, write a "friendly" letter to the hospital, retailer, doctor's office, etc.

Say that you know the range of crimes that are committed using such info.......list the crimes.

That if you become a victim of financial crimes, ID theft, and so on.......you will use every means at your disposal--including litigation, public exposure, license challenges, oversight agency mobilization----in order to obtain justice.

COPY THE FILE, YOUR LAWYER, THE FBI, FTC ID THEFT CLEARINGHOUSE, ETC.

At the top of the letter note in bold letters: "This is a paper trail."

=====================================

EXHIBIT TWO--When you contact a bank, credit card office, or other finance-related entity----before you discuss anything, do this:

Get the name and employee number of the phone person accessing your account;

Get the name of their immediate supervisor;

Tell them you are time-dating the phone call; AKA a paper trail;

Tell them you are copying your lawyer.

==========================================

To report suspected irregularities WRT ID theft, contact:

Federal Trade Commission
(Solicits reports to assist ID theft investigations)
web site ftc.gov/idtheft
Tele 1-677-438-4338

SNAIL MAIL
FTC
ID Theft Clearinghouse
Washington, DC 20580

[Tired of Taxes]

Thanks for the information, Liz.

I reported it to the police, the FTC, the credit bureaus, and the bank involved.

The rest of the information you gave, though, sounds like very good advice. Those sound like suggestions for all of us to keep in mind from now on.