I saw the plurb on the 'It's none of your business' book at Amazon. I want to order this book. Can you answer a few questions if you have read it.? a) Does the book tell you how to OPTOUT from these databases like Ancestry.com that will sell info about you under the guise of geneology but people including stalkers buy the info for other purposes.? b) Does the book contain a fairly complete list of these personal info databases. I mentioned Ancestry. Another I believe is Rootweb. c) My wife and I have a BK. Does the book mention how to get our BK off the websites that sell names of people who have BK'd. I believe Pacer is such a website. Your help in answering these ?'s will be really appreciated. My wife and I have never had a listed phone #, yet we are in these databases.
I purchased the third edition last fall. I did not want to wait for the current version that should be even better. A) The edition I have is week on web sites in general. You may want to read the reviews at Amazon. If you know the site addresses you are worried about, go there and see if they have opt out pages. The opt out thing is new. The law came out around June 2001. The publication date of my old edition is May 2000. B) NO. C) NO. The book does go over how to keep your information from leaking out into the world in general. The next time I move I sure as hell won't file a change of address with the post office. I don't give out my personal phone number like water anymore. And I get very cagey about people who ask for my social security number. Like Oliver North had to learn to repeat the phrase "I have no recollection of that senator", we have learn the phrase "I don't give out that information." Have fun.
RE: SS#...I was going to register to vote...the first thing...not name & address...it was SS#...I said NO THANK YOU~~~BUH BYE...they said wait...we will give you a "FAKE" #...WHY NOT GIVE EVERYBODY A "FAKE" NUMBER??? Saw an accident...POLICE...1st question~~~SS# PLEASE...NO WAY JOSE'...WHAT CREDIT CARD AM I APPLYING FOR??? Wanted to take a class at the local college...SS#...NO WAY JOSE'!!! Do you want your SS# on your drivers license??? YOU GOTTA' BE KIDDING!!! No way JOSE'...but when I renewed it this time they DEMANDED IT...said it was law (something about skip tracing deadbeat parents and for the IRS)...but luckely, it doesn't have to appear on the license. A membership warehouse wants SS#...NO WAY JOSE'!!! Car caught on fire in the parking lot at work...I called 911...The ARSON INVESTIGATOR wanted the SS#...NO WAY JOSE' I asked how my SS# has a baring on what I saw or didn't see... HE SAID IT'S JUST ON THE REPORT...(they can CROSS-REFERENCE by name, or address, or SS#)
I have a list of thing to do to prevent identity theft. Here are some of them. One: keep your: Social Security card and any documents that have your social security number on it. Medical insurance cards if they have your social security number on them Birth certificates date of birth mothers maiden name Drivers licenses, both current and past Passports pre approved credit card offers Debit cards and their account numbers Credit cards and their account numbers bank statements, bank transaction slips any paperwork that has your bank account (transit) number or on it credit card statements Telephone calling cards locked up under lock and key. Two: Do not carry your social security card, or birth certificate with you unless you are going to sign papers for a new job. Unfortunately most insurance companies that offer medical coverage use you social security number as an ID number. Wile not carrying your medical card is probably not an option, be aware that if your card has your social security number on it, carrying it is as bad as carrying you social security card. Three: If your drivers license uses your social security number, ask your department of motor vehicles to give you a randomly assigned number. Four: Have you checks list only your full name on them. Do not include your address, phone number, and especially your social security number. The main purpose of having your contact information on your check is to be able to pass a check in a store. Don't use checks except to pay bills. For transactions in person, use ether a credit card or a debit card or cash. If you use a credit card or debit card, make sure you get the charge slip and put it in your wallet or purse, don't leave it in the bag. Five: If the place you leave your outgoing mail is not locked up, take your mail to a mail box or a post office. Six: If your incoming mail isn't already under lock and key, purchase some kink of locked mail box so that it is. Seven: Purchase a paper shredder and shred all documents that have your social security number, bank transit number, or account numbers on them. Shred unused credit card applications. Eight: Consider changing you phone number and paying to have it unlisted and unpublished so it doesn't show up in cross street directories. Cross street directories can be used to link you name to your address and phone number. Another option is to ask your phone company to have your name and phone number listed but not your address. Nine: Don't give out personal information unnecessarily. There are only a few transactions where you have to give out your social security number. These include accepting a job, medical insurance through an employer, and transactions involving most government agencies. Ask if they absolutely have to have your social security number, date of birth, or mothers maiden name. Don't give out you phone number or address unnecessarily. If someone insists on your phone number because they use it as an account number ether say "I don't give out that information" or give them one you made up. Ten: When ordering new checks, do not have them sent to your mailbox, pick them up at the bank. There are more tips but this should get people started. Remember "It's not that you are paranoid, you just know to much."
I just got DSL - they need my SS# - said it was for my protection in case someone called and wanted to change credit card information. I could not get it without giving my SS#. I pay in advance by credit card. Why they needed it I don't know - but the more I think about it, the angrier I get.... made a dr. appointment today... first question was - not my name - what's your SS#? Then they tell me who I am and then schedule the appointment. Talk about being 'just a number'. Ozzy.
Ozzyburger O Well .These things happen. If you want the service you may have to cough up the SS#. But at least you taught about it. I hear that DSL is as fast as it gets, for home connections anyways. I would check them out at the better business bureau http://www.bbb.org. As long as they are legit, I wouldn't worry to much. But it does make you thing about just how many databases have your vital numbers. Amex last month wanted my mother birth date. That was a new one on me.
THAT'S NOT TRUE...THEY DON'T NEED IT!!! JUST S.O.P. TELL THEM TO CHARGE YOUR CREDIT CARD EVERY MONTH...
I refused to give US WEST now QWEST my SS#...they said anybody can "MESS UP" your service...if they (US WEST/QWEST) has your SS# they would ask that question... I said NO!!! They said give me a PASSWORD...FINE!!! They got carried away with the PASSWORD deal...I HAVE TO GIVE THE PASSWORD TO PAY THE BILL ON MY CREDIT CARD!!! They now have "push the button" payments...GOOD!!! (no password)
Ozzyburger Wouldn't it be ROTTEN if I called and changed the billing on your DSL to my credit card!!!! GOOD THING YOU GAVE THEM YOUR SS#!!!
