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Watch your back, and your bank account
Nise Note's
By Denise Schoppe
The Marlin Democrat
September 29, 2004
Mid-week last week, I began getting a strange call to my cell phone. It was a toll free 800 number, and despite being curious I'd always just let the call go to voicemail. There was never a message, so I'd always just forget about the call moments after it came.
However, after this same number showed up on my phone multiple times I decided I'd answer and see what it was all about.
What I found was someone calling to confirm my address, because I'd been approved for a credit card. They indeed had my name, my full address and obviously they had my phone number. After saying that they were correct, I was transfered to another person who began confirming the same information. I was definitely confused and weary of the whole situation. When they began asking for my checking account information, I began asking questions back.
Who are you and why are you calling me? I've not applied for any credit cards, and I would like to know how you got this information on me.
They gave a very canned response. That is when I knew without a doubt their "excuse" for calling did not fit my situation. As soon as I began to point that out, they hung up on me and I've not heard from them since.
They wanted my account information. I'm sure they wanted to take what money they could from me.
Sadly this type of thing is more and more common today. Identity theft is on the rise, and it can happen to anyone. As the world gets more high tech, criminals get equally as high tech.
It was very disconcerting to find these people had my phone number and address, especially considering that I rarely give my cell phone number out.
I've been wearily watching my bank account, despite the fact that I stopped the conversation before they got any information from me. I keep expecting to find one day that I have been wiped out of every penny.
As I conveyed this story to others, I found myself getting similar stories back. It seems everyone has had a something like my situation happen. The stories ranged from, "I received a check in the mail, cashed it and then found my telephone service had been changed." to "I received a letter in the mail that my savings and checking account had not only been frozen, but it had been wiped out."
What would have happened had I not grown suspicious and started asking questions? I hesitate to even consider the possibilities. Granted, they'd have not gotten much out of my accounts -- I tend to have my money spent before I get it -- but what about my credit cards? How far would they have gone?
Be careful and ask questions. Trust no one and nothing. Read the fine print. It could mean the difference between eating your next meal at home, and begging for food.
Nise Note's
By Denise Schoppe
The Marlin Democrat
September 29, 2004
Mid-week last week, I began getting a strange call to my cell phone. It was a toll free 800 number, and despite being curious I'd always just let the call go to voicemail. There was never a message, so I'd always just forget about the call moments after it came.
However, after this same number showed up on my phone multiple times I decided I'd answer and see what it was all about.
What I found was someone calling to confirm my address, because I'd been approved for a credit card. They indeed had my name, my full address and obviously they had my phone number. After saying that they were correct, I was transfered to another person who began confirming the same information. I was definitely confused and weary of the whole situation. When they began asking for my checking account information, I began asking questions back.
Who are you and why are you calling me? I've not applied for any credit cards, and I would like to know how you got this information on me.
They gave a very canned response. That is when I knew without a doubt their "excuse" for calling did not fit my situation. As soon as I began to point that out, they hung up on me and I've not heard from them since.
They wanted my account information. I'm sure they wanted to take what money they could from me.
Sadly this type of thing is more and more common today. Identity theft is on the rise, and it can happen to anyone. As the world gets more high tech, criminals get equally as high tech.
It was very disconcerting to find these people had my phone number and address, especially considering that I rarely give my cell phone number out.
I've been wearily watching my bank account, despite the fact that I stopped the conversation before they got any information from me. I keep expecting to find one day that I have been wiped out of every penny.
As I conveyed this story to others, I found myself getting similar stories back. It seems everyone has had a something like my situation happen. The stories ranged from, "I received a check in the mail, cashed it and then found my telephone service had been changed." to "I received a letter in the mail that my savings and checking account had not only been frozen, but it had been wiped out."
What would have happened had I not grown suspicious and started asking questions? I hesitate to even consider the possibilities. Granted, they'd have not gotten much out of my accounts -- I tend to have my money spent before I get it -- but what about my credit cards? How far would they have gone?
Be careful and ask questions. Trust no one and nothing. Read the fine print. It could mean the difference between eating your next meal at home, and begging for food.
