Be CAREFUL what you answer! (wife, check, story, birthday)

[Gone-2-Beach]

I know - I'm supposed to be resting. But I saw something on the news this morning that has frightening implications for City Data members and wanted to post this caution.

It seems that someone has done enough research, using a variety of easily available sources, to predict your Social Security number and potentially steal your identities.

This is a fairly concise write-up of the story:

Eliot Lear’s Ramblings

Do not post information on line that includes your birthday (or your zoological sign which can be used as a predictor) or the city in which you were born. This is data that can be used to predict your SSN. Keep this in mind as you see threads, questions or conversations that relate to birth dates and cities of origin. In some smaller states, the ability to predict this information has been incredibly accurate in predicting the first five of the nine digits.

I'm not saying that anyone asking these questions is the one who is trying to mine information from you. I'd be more worried about the lurker who's reading it and may be using it. I'm not looking to cause panic. I just want to raise your awareness. I hope you'll find this helpful.

[AksarbeN]

Yeah,,, I saw a report like that last night on the news here locally. I agree that people need to limit their personal information online. However it's most important to remember this when you're emailing your different friends, banks, businesses etc that this info could be intercepted by criminals or monitored on your computer while you are busy online doing other things. I don't bank online for this reason, nor do I check any accounts online. As I'm typing this now, there could be two or three people hacking into my pc even though I have a firewall, and other protection. They are smarter then me!

[Dbl-r]

Just really goes to show nothing, absolutely nothing is safe...

When we as a society take back the right to protect ourselves and our lives and begin to seriously hurt the offender to the point of death we may at that time gain some small measurable amount of freedom !

well that just cranked my motor, thanks Charley

[LaceyEx]

Yes they said people from small states are more susceptible to this than say those born in big cities/states. Scary world.

[sayulita]

I have a freeze on my credit report with all three of the credit reporting agencies. Can any other harm be done to me if this safeguard is in place? What else can they use the number for?

[ECG]

Thank You Charley, For this information....Please take care and rest!!

[BabyBoomers2]

Unfortunately, in order to do some things online, you have to enter your DOB and SS#!! I have found this out many, many times. Wife doesn't like putting down either her DOB or SS#, but, depending on what she is signing up for or doing online.......she has to!! Every time I file my unemployment claim, I have to enter my SS#, but it does show on my computer screen as little black dots, but...........???? This is why there are ton's of folks out there that simply don't like using the Internet. Not me though! If it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen!!

[Gone-2-Beach]

One more thing. I should have been a little clearer. I'm not talking about entering information into secured web sites. That always calls for appropriate cautions, anti-spyware software, anti-viruses, frequent updates to your security software, etc.

I'm talking about giving away the information on forums like ours when answering questions like "Where Were You Born?" or "What's Your Birthday?" or "What's Your Sign?" or the like. Making the mistake of giving away this information can be avoided and that's why I shared my original post.

[Gue]

Thank you for thinking of us Charlie! Stay strong!

[Twinkle Toes]

This was in our local paper a few days ago, but thanks for the safety reminder, Charley. Say - how are you doing, anyway!!! Get better soon, cuz we need you here!!!!!