by Robert T. Melaccio Sr.
We live in an age where security consultants get big bucks. Encryption, special software and all kinds of technological methods just to keep our personal data safe. However, have you ever heard about data being put out on the internet by mistake? Well if you haven’t your one of the very few. Do you really think your personal information is not out there for someone who knows how to get it? Here is an example. When we call our local bank to make a transaction, that call goes out over the technological highway and winds up many times somewhere outside this country. Many times in the area of the world we are most concerned about. The service person in that part of the world answwers the phone and says he is Mike or Joe but his real name is Rajah or something like that. This “Mike” ask us our address, phone number, bank account number, date of birth and other identifying questions to insure we are who we say we are. remeber, all the while he is not who he says he is. We assume all is well because they represent our bank. Companies will tell you they only ask for your last four numbers of your social security. I ask, how many are asked for and give the whole number? That aside, has anyone heard of a pencil and paper? Well, you say these people are bonded and insured and we can trust them. Hey, I have a bridge in N.Y.C. that you can get real cheap.
Here is another example. You go to a retail store and make a purchase. To pay, you write a check. They jot down your drivers license, address and phone number and place it right on the check. They even give your discription- height, weight, eye color, sounds great. They know they can’t ask for that phone number, but frankly they don’t care, they ask anyway. If you want to pay by check you have to give up the info. That check passes through any number of hands. The question is whose?
Go to a bank or any other financial institution and see if they don’t require your social security number and all the rest. I always tell them I just printed my new information off of the internet. It seems it is readily available to those who want it. How do I know? Have you ever been harassed by a collection agency? You say your not listed in the phone book and no one has your address but your bank. Where do you think they get it from? You got it- the bank, government and everyone else. Try getting medical help and you will also get the same line of questioning. It goes on and on. Yet, they warn us to guard our personal information! [Update-do you read the paper and do you hear about these “Data Bases”?]
Think your credit information is secure at a site somewhere in the U.S.A? What about that computer you financed? Who do you get on the phone when you call? Do they have an dialect and from where do you suppose they are? cetainly not here int he U.S.A. Oh they say they hire people of diverse ethic backgrounds. No problem with that, just where they are! Well anyoine can steal your information. Yes, that is true but why with all the terror concersn would we put it out for all to see and possibly get? You know they give you a phony name just because if they said the truth you would be concerned. They don’t give you their location or even employee number. Does that scare you? Well if you don’t give a damn you will once someone starts to call you for money you didn’t spend.
Yes, and sadly, the entire system is a farce. Your private information is not tucked secretly away. Those who want it and those who will use it for no good can get it! I will bet any number of illegal immigrants have all the I.D. they need to get around. If that was not true then why all the push to buy protection from I.D. theft? Once, your hooked by the crook guess who gets harassed and gets the nightmare. Your right – you, the poor honest slob!
So the next time your giving all that information out over the phone, or when they are writing it onto your check, say no and see what happens. You’ll be asked to leave and never complete your transaction. Yes, rest assured, your information is secure in your wallet, anywhere else it’s a crap shoot!
Robert T. Melaccio Sr. Copyright ©2006 Robert Melaccio
