Comments on: StolenIDSearch.com: Encouraging users to be too casual with their personal info? http://benmetcalfe.com/blog/2007/01/stolenidsearchcom-encouraging-users-to-be-too-casual-with-their-personal-info/ The Virtual Investor Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:25:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Leon http://benmetcalfe.com/blog/2007/01/stolenidsearchcom-encouraging-users-to-be-too-casual-with-their-personal-info/comment-page-1/#comment-164601 Leon Tue, 13 Feb 2007 21:03:54 +0000 http://benmetcalfe.com/blog/index.php/2007/01/23/stolenidsearchcom-encouraging-users-to-be-too-casual-with-their-personal-info/#comment-164601 I first learned of this stolenidsearch.com website from a TV show (tech trend or something?) aired this past weekend on NBC. I went to the site and was tempted to give it a try to find out, but stopped for the same reason you mentioned in your article. Now I know the reason they were mentioned in the TV show is merely another paid advertisement in disguise of bring the end users the latest techno trend. I first learned of this stolenidsearch.com website from a TV show (tech trend or something?) aired this past weekend on NBC. I went to the site and was tempted to give it a try to find out, but stopped for the same reason you mentioned in your article. Now I know the reason they were mentioned in the TV show is merely another paid advertisement in disguise of bring the end users the latest techno trend.

]]> By: Ben http://benmetcalfe.com/blog/2007/01/stolenidsearchcom-encouraging-users-to-be-too-casual-with-their-personal-info/comment-page-1/#comment-155508 Ben Mon, 29 Jan 2007 22:57:36 +0000 http://benmetcalfe.com/blog/index.php/2007/01/23/stolenidsearchcom-encouraging-users-to-be-too-casual-with-their-personal-info/#comment-155508 Ron - I think this is the best course of action to take. That and be mindful as to who you give your ID, esp Social Security Number (if you're in America), to. I declined to give my SSN when I was setting up a account (non-financial) somewhere. They wanted to have it as the answer to a secret question, should I forget my password. I didn't feel that disclosing my SSN (along with my address) was worth the risk so I declined. Ron – I think this is the best course of action to take. That and be mindful as to who you give your ID, esp Social Security Number (if you’re in America), to.

I declined to give my SSN when I was setting up a account (non-financial) somewhere. They wanted to have it as the answer to a secret question, should I forget my password. I didn’t feel that disclosing my SSN (along with my address) was worth the risk so I declined.

]]> By: Ben http://benmetcalfe.com/blog/2007/01/stolenidsearchcom-encouraging-users-to-be-too-casual-with-their-personal-info/comment-page-1/#comment-155507 Ben Mon, 29 Jan 2007 22:55:30 +0000 http://benmetcalfe.com/blog/index.php/2007/01/23/stolenidsearchcom-encouraging-users-to-be-too-casual-with-their-personal-info/#comment-155507 Thomas - unless you begin to see signs of actual id theft - like credit reports stating you have bad credit, etc - then there is no sure-fire way of knowing whether your ID has been stolen. If people steal your ID they're going to keep it to themselves until they intend to 'use it' - which is why it is dubious that StolenIDSearch are able to claim they can search these lists. They might have found _some_ of them, but clearly only a very few. I could work at a cell phone shop, discretely copying everyone's Social Security Number from their contract application forms, and sharing that list privately with my organized crime buddies in Russia... Your ID has been stolen but how would a search engine like StolenIDSearch ever know? Thomas – unless you begin to see signs of actual id theft – like credit reports stating you have bad credit, etc – then there is no sure-fire way of knowing whether your ID has been stolen.

If people steal your ID they’re going to keep it to themselves until they intend to ‘use it’ – which is why it is dubious that StolenIDSearch are able to claim they can search these lists. They might have found _some_ of them, but clearly only a very few.

I could work at a cell phone shop, discretely copying everyone’s Social Security Number from their contract application forms, and sharing that list privately with my organized crime buddies in Russia… Your ID has been stolen but how would a search engine like StolenIDSearch ever know?

]]> By: Ron http://benmetcalfe.com/blog/2007/01/stolenidsearchcom-encouraging-users-to-be-too-casual-with-their-personal-info/comment-page-1/#comment-155274 Ron Mon, 29 Jan 2007 12:40:44 +0000 http://benmetcalfe.com/blog/index.php/2007/01/23/stolenidsearchcom-encouraging-users-to-be-too-casual-with-their-personal-info/#comment-155274 I was about to use the StolenIDSearch engine, but after reading your artical, it just does not make sense to do so. I will keep my own eye on personal accounts and work with my own bank regarding security of my credit card and other banking information. Thanks! Ron I was about to use the StolenIDSearch engine, but after reading your artical, it just does not make sense to do so.
I will keep my own eye on personal accounts and work with my own bank regarding security of my credit card and other banking information.
Thanks!
Ron

]]> By: Thomas R Dolan http://benmetcalfe.com/blog/2007/01/stolenidsearchcom-encouraging-users-to-be-too-casual-with-their-personal-info/comment-page-1/#comment-153348 Thomas R Dolan Wed, 24 Jan 2007 20:59:40 +0000 http://benmetcalfe.com/blog/index.php/2007/01/23/stolenidsearchcom-encouraging-users-to-be-too-casual-with-their-personal-info/#comment-153348 How do I find out if my ID has been stolen, I do not understand how or where this can be done. How do I find out if my ID has been stolen, I do not understand how or where this can be done.

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