Scams - The Info

Tightarse

Hi, I've had a Phishing telephone call tonight, they told me my name, address & obviously they had my phone number.
I didn't give them any further info. We're always being told to shred EVERYTHING... But exactly what info do these people need & what can they do with it i.e. if they had my date of birth, could they then get a loan/bank account etc?
If they had my bank account number, could they actually do anything without my PIN?
What is the minimum info that will allow them to do serious damage?
Cheers - TA

fwor

I don't think there's a simple answer to this.

You only have to look into things like the Land Registry loophole (closed a couple of years ago now), where scammers took out mortgages on properties they did not own, or actually managed to sell properties they did not own, based on a very small amount of info about the property owner (plus the info the Land Registry was prepared to sell to the scammers for a small fee).

You can't anticipate how incompetent the many organisations that hold data about you will be, so the best you can do (IMO) is to be paranoid about your personal data at all times.

turbobob

Theres all sorts. Suppose they got enough information to pass security checks with your credit card company. They call up the company pretending to be you and change your address, then get a new card sent and PIN sent to them. They can then go on a spending spree in your name.

Avoriaz

Tightarse wrote: »

Hi, I've had a Phishing telephone call tonight, they told me my name, address & obviously they had my phone number.
....

Are you in the phone book?



:A

Tightarse

Avoriaz wrote: »

Are you in the phone book?



:A

Hi Avoriaz,

No. I do have a facebook page, but I made sure my date of birth wasn't on it which many people don't. I must be on the electoral role.

Browntoa

if you are really worried go for cifas protective registration , adds a password system so no credit can be opened without that

sharkie

here is one thing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2BB7mqBXXo

then there are possible passport scams, mail/internet catalogue scam, fraudulent company registration scam. Registering and sale of mobile phones, bank scams.

Virtually anthing, providing they prove that they live there. If someone gets a passport or drivers license with their picture in it with you details, apparently it becoms very interesting.