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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
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From: bridesmom
Date: 02-10-2007, 01:21 AM (1 of 17)
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Hit my house today! I got a phone call from American Express asking if I had applied for a credit card. And when I told them no, never in my life, they told me that someone was trying to use my identification to get a card and to contact the credit bureaus. After talking to both of the Canadian ones I found that another bank had a credit card application as well. So I spent the rest of today on the phone, then drove around to the bank, police, post office, etc, and then came home and still have places to contact, but its Friday night and I can't do anything until Monday. So far it just looks like they have tried to get credit cards. Everything else looks ok, but am I pi**** off and just feel sick. I will definitely shred every piece of paper that has our name on it from now on as well as really being careful.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: pretnichols
Date: 02-10-2007, 09:12 AM (2 of 17)
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Oh, Laura, how horrible. We shred everything because of a real fear of theft. Looks like you were able to nip it in the bud very early, but still be on the lookout. I hope nothing else happens!
Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
From: Patty22
Date: 02-10-2007, 09:24 AM (3 of 17)
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Laura, I am so sorry. Another place to shred information is on medicine bottles you throw away. I read a story about a young man that was dying of cancer and then became a victim of identity theft. It seems that medical facilities/labs, are notorious for "leaking" information. Evidently the individual drawing the man's blood, and realizing that he was terminal, stold his identity. It turns out that the patient made it his mission to find out who had caused him so much grief and anxiety when he should have been concentrating on trying to stay healthy. I wish I could find the link as this story was incredible. Again Laura, I am so, so sorry that you have to deal with this. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: Magot
Date: 02-10-2007, 09:24 AM (4 of 17)
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We are sorting out the filing cabinet as we are moving soon - just been to buy a cross cut shredder. Tony is now playing. How horrid for you Laura. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: Bama
Date: 02-10-2007, 12:09 PM (5 of 17)
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A lady I work with had money stolen from her back account recently. Turned out it had happened to several people here on the same day and all of them had used their debit card to buy gas at a local gas station. They think someone stole their account #s and pin #s from there. I hope everything is straightened out for you Laura. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 02-10-2007, 04:15 PM (6 of 17)
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When you use a pin number for a credit card anywhere, beware because someone may be looking over your shoulder or the person at the checkout has that pin # availabel to them once it is entered. I used my debit card at Marshall's here in OKC before Christmas and dh and I just read the other day that both Target and Marshall's computers have been hacked and all the debit/credit card information has been taken, DH and I are closely watching our bank account and credit cards for any unusual activity. The debit card at our bank is issued through Visa so we are pretty much protected with it, but dh quesions everything on the checking account that was purchased with our debit cards just to be sure that we are the only ones that have used it. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 02-10-2007, 05:31 PM (7 of 17)
Laura...and any other fellow  ians. A couple of weeks ago one of the local news shows here in Ottawa had an RCMP officer on talking about identity theft. They referenced the RCMP website for info about identify theft & protecting yourself.One thing the officer pointed out is to never carry your birth certificate, SIN card or medicare card in your wallet unless you are needing it for something. If your wallet is stolen, they have everything that is needed to steal your identity. I never thought about the medicare card. Here's the link in case you want to check it out. http://www.rcmp.ca/scams/index_e.htm TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: Sancin
Date: 02-10-2007, 08:17 PM (8 of 17)
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Another Canadian here. That is VERY interesting about the Care Card, Judy. Due to an injury and some health problems I try not to carry a purse anymore. I have a small passport holder that I put only cards and paper money in when I go out and either wear it around my neck or put in my coat pocket (amazing how freeing it is). I always put my cash card, one credit card, my drivers licence and my care card in it, thinking I would need the care card should I be injured. Yet when I think about it, I have been to our emergency department more than I like to think about lately and they have never asked me for my care card - no one seems to as I seem to be on file!! Same with physician, lab, Xray, and dentist, where I may need it!  For those of you who say you could never go without your purse. Try it. I do take my purse but I lock it in my trunk if I am going to be out and about. In the past several months, I have never had to get it if I preplan. I am going to try to make a more decorative/attractive lightweight little bag, tho I do love leather. 
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 02-11-2007, 09:20 AM (9 of 17)
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Duh...made a mistake when I posted about carrying the medicare card...I should have said "your hospital card". I don't know about other areas, but here when we go to the hospital for tests we get a hospital card. That card contains your name, birthdate, mother & fathers names...everything necessary to steal an identity. The only time I need to use my care card is when I go to my family doctor. Sorry about the mis-info. And about putting your purse in the trunk...I'd NEVER do that. Used to play golf and know lots of women who did that...and when they came back the trunk had been broken into. Same for lockers at a golf club, gym, health club, etc.... TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
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From: Mom of Six
Date: 02-11-2007, 12:16 PM (10 of 17)
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My niece sent this to me. I thought it was interesting what some people will think of. Just think how rich these theives could be if they used their imagination for something good instead of evil! www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr23tpWX8lM Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: Sancin
Date: 02-12-2007, 05:47 AM (11 of 17)
Judy - Thanks for the correct info on the care card. I was telling someone last evening out your warning and she told me she never goes anywhere without her birth certificate - for many years I had mine and my childrens in my safety deposit box (I had one of those wall size certificates)! But now have mine somewhere in my house.....I am sure it is safe. I have this, probably mistaken philosophy, that if I can't find something, no one else will either.  I have always locked my purse in the car and never had any trouble, but I don't have a hatch back car and if needed I have an Echo that has so many hiding places I am constantly finding new ones. Perhaps it depends on the type of car. I never take anything into the gym or swimming pool (I don't golf) and never have - even my coat. But then I rarely lock a locker as if anyone wants my underwear or socks they are welcome to them. I keep them all in a disreputable old shoe bag with a tiny shampoo bottle.  When I was teaching nursing we always told our students to leave books and valuables in their car trunks when at the clinical agencies and no body seemed to lose anything, but duty shoes seem to go missing quite regularly from lockers. Go figure.  Now I wonder if there are any lurkers out there tracking me down!! *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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From: temom
Date: 02-12-2007, 10:13 AM (12 of 17)
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I watched the video, but couldn't get sound, so I read the article on the tv station web site. One of the locks that they said couldn't be bumped was a Schlage Primus. So I googled it, and apparently they have a factory cut on the blanks, and only issue them to certified dealers, so that the keys can't be duplicated unless by a certified dealer. Guess what is on ebay for $20.00 - lot of 50 Schlage Primus blanks.
Theresa
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User: temom
Member since: 01-19-2007 Total posts: 410 
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From: pretnichols
Date: 02-12-2007, 10:26 AM (13 of 17)
In the past year, I went to a "neighborhood watch" meeting offered by our Police Dept. They strongly urged everyone to get dead-bolts. They said that if a crook really wants to get in, no lock will ever stop them. However, homes with dead bolts (left locked or unlocked) were less likely to be targets. Why.....because it takes longer to open 2 locks and there is a better chance that they will be seen, the longer it takes to open a door. I too watched the video, with sound, and it was absolutely frightening to think of how easy it is to break into someone's home. I worry more about my parents, who are elderly (which they'd strongly deny). Growing up, our back door had a handle & lock that was very loose. AFter my brother lost the 100th or so key, my parents stopped locking the door at night, until he came home. He said that he could "jimmy" it open anyway, without the key, but not to tell my folks. When he finally moved out, they had the lock changed, and added a dead-bolt because they no longer felt safe. (Like having a 21 year old in the house made it safer) Thanks for the tip, and now I will always make sure that I keep my doors are kept locked! Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 02-12-2007, 03:24 PM (14 of 17)
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Worrying video but even more concerning was the list of seemingly enthusiastic lock bumping demos and how tos on the related video list next to it. There are the odd occasions I have to admit (from time to time I lock myself out) when I wouldn't mind knowing how to do this myself. I think we've managed to make our home fairly safe from break ins - which is a problem when I need to do it myself. Hope this is a trend that never makes it (I know as I write this I'm probably already too late) to Australia. I do love the internet but it makes it a very small world. Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 02-12-2007, 06:53 PM (15 of 17)
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mmmm... don't forget about patio doors too, when we had the locksmith rekeying our locks when we bought this house he showed me how easy it is to lift out a locked patio door!! Took him about 30 seconds. So he put in two screws in the top to keep it from lifting and we installed a lock bar as well. Plus if you have new to you house get your locks rekeyed, costs about $100 and then you won't have to worry about the previous owners friend he loaned a key 2 years ago...etc. Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 02-12-2007, 10:27 PM (16 of 17)
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Well, I took today off and did some more running around then spent the rest of the day sewing, that sure took my mind off stuff. I got my post office box lock changed. Thanks for the support and for the tips. You really start to back track to see if you can figure out how the heck it happened, but it's darn near impossible and I could drive myself to drink if I keep it up. So, onward and upward! At least I got my spring coat finished except for the buttonholes and buttons!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Sancin
Date: 02-13-2007, 03:02 AM (17 of 17)
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mmmm... don't forget about patio doors too, when we had the locksmith rekeying our locks when we bought this house he showed me how easy it is to lift out a locked patio door!! Took him about 30 seconds. My new patio doors came with several locks, one of which I really like is a button one can step on to lock or to unlock. At $6000 it should have been made of diamonds! Previously I had purchased a small gismo that inserted a pin through the top of the door and frame. It was very cheap and very secure. My dog sitter goes nuts locking the patio door. It takes me at least a day when I get home to figure out what she has done. I would really like to be able to lock and unlock from outside as I take my dog for a walk out that way. I hadn't thought about 2 locks on the main door and taking time to open. I actually had one removed when I had a new dead bolt installed. It was a special order and the locksmith said it was the longest bolt he had ever seen. My biggest problem now is leaving the door open for emergencies as I live alone. I recently purchased loud buzzers to attach to each door so chime and whatever whenever they open, and hopefully I will be able to hear anywhere in the house. It will be interesting to see how I like that. Certainly my dog is no help. I fear help not getting in rather than burglers not getting in. I am in the process of signing up for life line. In the meantime my neighbours and I hide the keys to each other's houses in the other's hiding place. eg. I hide my key in a matchbox stuck to the inside of Barbara's mailbox and she hides hers in mine. Bridesmom - it is a pain in the neck to lose all your documents. One year my wallet was stolen out of my office (where it was hidden) 2 weeks before Christmas. As all the cards were joint it was a comedy of errors trying to get my husband, who didn't like to be questioned, to understand why he couldn't use the cards. Six months later he was asked at Woolco what his mother's maiden name was and he thought the sales clerk had gone crazy!!
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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