Personality Theft

[pyrocam]

ARGHHGHGHAHAHGGHH

Good morning everyone, good weekend I hope? where was I, oh yeah

ARGHHGHGHAHAHGGHH BNZ just called me to talk about my global plus card. I dont have a global plus card!

It seems someone has got some of my details and taken out a credit card in my name! :angry2:
They have my name, my DOB, and for some reason they put my cellphone number on it?
and some dodgy address in Herne Bay.

The BNZ fraud department is calling me back soon. Scary!

[White trash]

That's weird! BNZ just called me asking if I really lived in Herne Bay and what my real name is.

What do they know?

[ManDownUnder]

ARGHHGHGHAHAHGGHH

Good morning everyone, good weekend I hope? where was I, oh yeah

ARGHHGHGHAHAHGGHH BNZ just called me to talk about my global plus card. I dont have a global plus card!

It seems someone has got some of my details and taken out a credit card in my name! :angry2:
They have my name, my DOB, and for some reason they put my cellphone number on it?
and some dodgy address in Herne Bay.

The BNZ fraud department is calling me back soon. Scary!

Are you serious?!?

Yeesh... it kinda proves THEIR systems are not up to scratch if someone else manages to do that. If this is legit, I'd alert the cops, insurance, and any other banks you're involved with also.

Put it in writing - have them ring you BEFORE any changes are made to your accounts... even if you are standing right in front of them. Put those instructions in writing to them, complete with your signature.

Only you have that cell phone (you do have one right?) and therefore you can authenticate transactions as you go for a while...

Bugger... good luck and let us know ho you get one.
MDU

[spudchucka]

Presumably the bank will have records of your signature and will be able to determine that the bogus credit card application was not made by you.

The bank will most likely initiate a complaint with the police.

[pyrocam]

Presumably the bank will have records of your signature and will be able to determine that the bogus credit card application was not made by you.

The bank will most likely initiate a complaint with the police.

God I hope so, I feel so violated.

It wouldnt have been that hard to do. I was involved in a 'theft-from-person' (sort of mugging) jan last year, lost cards (incl DL) with lots with signitures on them.

hopefully its just some smartass kid trying to be cool. I wonder how much money he spent..

Im still confused.
Why put MY cellphone number on there. wouldnt it be easiar to continue the fraud if they put their own phone number on. weird

[ManDownUnder]

Why put MY cellphone number on there. wouldnt it be easiar to continue the fraud if they put their own phone number on. weird

If you are taling about my comment... I mentioned the cell phone because any changes to your records will need verifying by you personally, and they can do that by ringing your cell phone. Any other forms of ID will possibly be BS (lets face it, they had enough ID to set up a Credit card, and then they could use THAT to do all manner of things)

I've always thought that was a weak link in the banking chain - they post out credit cards with no signature on them, you get them then sign them... then use them a ID.

What if someone nicked it out of your letter box... signed it then.. they'd be YOU!

Not goo... not good at all. Bank need to pre print your signature onto those cards (LTSA does it with driving licences, banks can put photos onto you credit cards...).

MDU

[jrandom]

By the way, not to be nitpicky or anything, but I think the crime here is more 'identity' theft than 'personality' theft.

I doubt that stealing your personality would be very profitable.

Not that there's anything wrong with it, of course.

[pyrocam]

Um what I meant was. The BNZ called me on my cell to talk about the card.

But if I was Joe-Fraudster. I would put my (joe-fraudster's) number on the application so they call me not Bob-FraudVictim

Ive called my real bank and advised them of the situation.

Good God, You can apply for a global plus online. proberly just need to fax them a copy of ID or something lame like that.

[pyrocam]

By the way, not to be nitpicky or anything, but I think the crime here is more 'identity' theft than 'personality' theft.

I doubt that stealing your personality would be very profitable.

Not that there's anything wrong with it, of course.

Yes your absoulutly right, But I cant edit the thread title now :(

Hmm, personality theft. I dont think anyone would want mine, Ive tried selling it on trademe heaps but no one bids

[pyrocam]

I just found out, they have been using this fake card since JULY!

holy CRAP!!! :angry2:

[ManDownUnder]

I just found out, they have been using this fake card since JULY!

holy CRAP!!! :angry2:

Not good, but hopefully they've done something stupid along the way like order goods to be delivered.

Track them down and sue their asses off. No compromise... they've done it a while, and they're enjoying it at your expense.

Get the list of all transactions they've done and present it to the cops... the fraud squad are bloody good people. It can take a while to get stuff done (unresourced and so much to do) but they do get there in the end...

Go for reparation in full, plus the additional costs you have incurred (interest on the CC bills, and the addition lost "use of money" amount).

i.e. if they racked up $100 in buying something, It might have cost you
1) The original $100 to pay for it
2) The interest on the $100 (let's say 5%) - so that's $5
3) Interest you would have otherwise earned on your $100 becasue it wopuld have been sitting in the bank (add anoth 3% or whatever).

In fact - due to the bank's tardy policies, I'd have them tot it up for you.

Your best friend right now is your diary. Make notes of everything you know as it comes up - date's times, people spoken with etc. An accurate timeline will possibly save you a lot of hassles later on...

Good luck
MDU

[bugjuice]

what's your details? Just want to check them against mine, so I know I don't have yours..
I'll need your full name, DOB, IRD number, and a sig (you can scan that in if you want..), then just pm me with them. Once I know it doesn't match mine, I'll take care of the evidence.
Thanks..

now, where did I put that SnapOn catalogue..?

ps - genuinely sorry to hear about that.. I'd be just as livid as you! theivin buggers

[Riff Raff]

Presumably the bank will have records of your signature .
Don't count on it - I set up a new AP a couple of weeks ago, the bank then sent the form back to me so that I could come into the branch and verify my identity. Turns out they didn't have a copy of my signature on file. I've only been with them for years, and have a cheque book etc. WTF????

[pyrocam]

I just got off the phone with them, they wont give me much details. except.
they spent $6000

Omigosh!
shit If I had know I could get a credit limit of $6000 I would have gotten one myself!

I have to goto a police station at lunch to report it.

deep breaths deep breaths

[spudchucka]

Um what I meant was. The BNZ called me on my cell to talk about the card.

But if I was Joe-Fraudster. I would put my (joe-fraudster's) number on the application so they call me not Bob-FraudVictim

Ive called my real bank and advised them of the situation.

Good God, You can apply for a global plus online. proberly just need to fax them a copy of ID or something lame like that.
Most credit card fraud scams have a limited lifetime before someone realises whats up. The fraudsters know this and they are no doubt already involved in the next scam by the time anyone realises they have been ripped off.

Putting their own cell number down would provide a link back to the perpetrator so the are unlikely to do that unless they are real dumb, (some are).

[spudchucka]

I just found out, they have been using this fake card since JULY!

holy CRAP!!! :angry2:
That is very surprising. Presumably the offenders haven't been making monthly repayments? You would expect the bank to look into things a little sooner than February, seven months, unbelievable.

[thehollowmen]

this is terrible
good luck in getting it sorted

[spudchucka]

Don't count on it - I set up a new AP a couple of weeks ago, the bank then sent the form back to me so that I could come into the branch and verify my identity. Turns out they didn't have a copy of my signature on file. I've only been with them for years, and have a cheque book etc. WTF????
Incredible. If a signature has been forged to apply for the card then original sample signatures can be supplied and compared to the fraudulent ones. Police have a document examination section that do this sort of stuff everyday.

[k14]

Woah, thats a massive amount. I doubt you would be held accountable for the $6000 though. Better get on top of this quickly before your credit rating etc takes a hit.

[wari]

HUlo ... my name is Bishop MGaumbo GRabiittol .. I am good christian ...

I am direct descendat of Premierr MAbutto GOnelong of EThioppia in exile ... PLease hellp me recoverr my legittimatly securrd funds ... I Am good christian ... trust me on this ... and I will trust you... I AM good cristin

SEnd me yurr creditt card detalis and I will transfrr funds therre .. $152,045 will be yurrs if you will hellp me .. remember I am good christin .

[spudchucka]

I just got off the phone with them, they wont give me much details. except.
they spent $6000

Omigosh!
shit If I had know I could get a credit limit of $6000 I would have gotten one myself!

I have to goto a police station at lunch to report it.

deep breaths deep breaths
The bank can't ping you for the debt if the account has been opened fraudulently.

The police will no doubt become involved and unfortuneately you will be a suspect in that investigation. However if you co-operate fully with the investigation it should be dead easy to eliminate you from the inquiry.

You said earlier in the thread that you were mugged and had your wallet stolen with cards, driver licence etc etc in it. I'm presuming you reported that to the police. Its important as the two offences are extremely likely to be linked and also it offers an explanation of how someone has obtained your personal details. If you didn't report it at the time it may look like a cover up story to anyone investigating the credit card fraud.

[pyrocam]

The bank can't ping you for the debt if the account has been opened fraudulently.

The police will no doubt become involved and unfortuneately you will be a suspect in that investigation. However if you co-operate fully with the investigation it should be dead easy to eliminate you from the inquiry.

You said earlier in the thread that you were mugged and had your wallet stolen with cards, driver licence etc etc in it. I'm presuming you reported that to the police. Its important as the two offences are extremely likely to be linked and also it offers an explanation of how someone has obtained your personal details. If you didn't report it at the time it may look like a cover up story to anyone investigating the credit card fraud.


Yeah Im sweet, I reported it to the police. I had an insurance claim also, Im going to shoot home at 12 pick up the lost property report etc and maybe go in to auckland central or balmoral police station to report it.

I doubt very much that they would hold me liable for those costs. I just hope it doesnt affect my credit rating or anything.

man. what a rip.

Thanks for your support KB'rs. especially spud.

[spudchucka]

Yeah Im sweet, I reported it to the police. I had an insurance claim also, Im going to shoot home at 12 pick up the lost property report etc and maybe go in to auckland central or balmoral police station to report it.

I doubt very much that they would hold me liable for those costs. I just hope it doesnt affect my credit rating or anything.

man. what a rip.

Thanks for your support KB'rs. especially spud.
As long as any investigation proves you had no involvement then your credit rating should be fine.

[ManDownUnder]

Don't count on it - I set up a new AP a couple of weeks ago, the bank then sent the form back to me so that I could come into the branch and verify my identity. Turns out they didn't have a copy of my signature on file. I've only been with them for years, and have a cheque book etc. WTF????

Yup - inspiring isn't it...

Bank fees, penalties etc all go to pay for WHAT???

It raises the question though - if they charge 25c per cheque to process them... they would ahve to be ABLE to process them... no signature on file = no chance of verifying the signature on the cheque (so remind me again what they're charging for???!!!???)

YEESH...

Re the $6 grand, good luck...
MDU

[Holy Roller]

Hope it gets sorted quick.
Will looking for a good outcome, hope its no one you know...

[ajturbo]

Don't count on it - I set up a new AP a couple of weeks ago,?


was that to pay off the booze bill...???? :shake:

[Slingshot]

BNZ recently launched their on-line application system, lets just say that their appetite for risk a lot greater than most other banks operating in NZ.

From memory, they do not ask for a full statement of position, they do not confirm income nor do they confirm id...does that mean they're not complying with the Banking Code of Practice, quite possibly.

Rem ember, if the BNZ doesn't sort this out for you, call the ombudsman.

[NC]

Oh that fucken sucks...

You'll be in good hands, my sister works in the fraud dept at BNZ :)

[pyrocam]

BNZ recently launched their on-line application system, lets just say that their appetite for risk a lot greater than most other banks operating in NZ.

From memory, they do not ask for a full statement of position, they do not confirm income nor do they confirm id...does that mean they're not complying with the Banking Code of Practice, quite possibly.

Rem ember, if the BNZ doesn't sort this out for you, call the ombudsman.

Hmm interesting.
yeah the police told me it kinda wasnt my problem but theirs.
this person has had the card since July 2004 btw




Oh that fucken sucks...

You'll be in good hands, my sister works in the fraud dept at BNZ :)

Rofl
jane or veronica :)
or possibly lisa/laura

Im emailing jane at the moment.

I just went down to the police station and they have told me they cant do anything. BNZ needs to lodge the complaint.

Bah, back to BNZ and see what they say...

[NC]

Rofl
jane or veronica :)
or possibly lisa/laura

Im emailing jane at the moment.

I just went down to the police station and they have told me they cant do anything. BNZ needs to lodge the complaint.

Bah, back to BNZ and see what they say...
None of those chicks :lol:

[Maximus]

Man I feel for ya, I work for BNZ myself, and used to work with situations such as the one you have found yourself in. I know from experience that they have been really good with fraud claims in the past, and I hope that they give you the treatment that you deserve,and that everything is sorted ASAP. If not let me know, I mite be able to give someone a kick up the arse for ya!

[Aaron]

Remember, if the BNZ doesn't sort this out for you, call the ombudsman.

Don't have much faith in 'him' or banks. My father is a policeman and wastes much of his time with bank fraud, (Westpac/ANZ). They basically told him, it's not worth trying to prevent, it's cheaper to pay out when it does happen.

Eg: Young kids passing pre signed checks to the tellers... who don't check the signature or that the kid even has a checkbook... "hey look mum, free money!". :2thumbsup

[pyrocam]

Man I feel for ya, I work for BNZ myself, and used to work with situations such as the one you have found yourself in. I know from experience that they have been really good with fraud claims in the past, and I hope that they give you the treatment that you deserve,and that everything is sorted ASAP. If not let me know, I mite be able to give someone a kick up the arse for ya!

Cheers buddy! Ill update here as it progresses.

I asked Jane if she wouldnt mind doing a baycorp check for me to see if anyone else has a credit card with my name on it. I suppose I cant just call up eg: Westpac and say. Hi got a card in my name?

I could pay $15 to baycorp and have one done myself but might as well ask them to do it. someone there must have forgot something. proberly as simple as checking to see if the license is valid.

ah well. I dont expect they would have. tsk tsk :)

[Maximus]

I could pay $15 to baycorp and have one done myself but might as well ask them to do it. someone there must have forgot something. proberly as simple as checking to see if the license is valid.



Aw, mate if I new ya better I could do it for free "on the sly". I doubt tho that they gave their correct details.
Have the bank checked to see if their is someone with the same or similar name to you on their system at all?

[pyrocam]

Aw, mate if I new ya better I could do it for free "on the sly". I doubt tho that they gave their correct details.
Have the bank checked to see if their is someone with the same or similar name to you on their system at all?

no, not as far as I am aware or have been notified. well thats BNZ anyway. ASB wouldnt issue a new visa if I already had stuff/details but the person who has my DL also has my eftpos so he wouldnt go to ASB.

I dont want to spend the rest of my day trying to convince bank people that its not against the privacy act if its actually ME

man. $6000 whimper whimper. what a fucking arsehole.
:cry: :disapint:

[ManDownUnder]

no, not as far as I am aware or have been notified. well thats BNZ anyway. ASB wouldnt issue a new visa if I already had stuff/details but the person who has my DL also has my eftpos so he wouldnt go to ASB.

I dont want to spend the rest of my day trying to convince bank people that its not against the privacy act if its actually ME

man. $6000 whimper whimper. what a fucking arsehole.
:cry: :disapint:

Chin up ol' son... they'll get what's coming in the end... :buggerd:
MDU

[Slingshot]

Don't have much faith in 'him' or banks. My father is a policeman and wastes much of his time with bank fraud, (Westpac/ANZ). They basically told him, it's not worth trying to prevent, it's cheaper to pay out when it does happen.

For starters, the ombudsman is a her, not a him.

And believe me, banks do everything they can to prevent fraud but tellers will make mistakes, they're only human.

[Sniper]

HUlo ... my name is Bishop MGaumbo GRabiittol .. I am good christian ...

I am direct descendat of Premierr MAbutto GOnelong of EThioppia in exile ... PLease hellp me recoverr my legittimatly securrd funds ... I Am good christian ... trust me on this ... and I will trust you... I AM good cristin

SEnd me yurr creditt card detalis and I will transfrr funds therre .. $152,045 will be yurrs if you will hellp me .. remember I am good christin .

You are always good for a laugh Wari.

Sorri to hear that Pyro, best of luck getting it sorted

[ManDownUnder]

For starters, the ombudsman is a her, not a him.

And believe me, banks do everything they can to prevent fraud but tellers will make mistakes, they're only human.

And my experience is that the mention of the Ombudsman generally gets a reaction in the bank. They do take it very seriously.

MDU

[Slingshot]

And my experience is that the mention of the Ombudsman generally gets a reaction in the bank. They do take it very seriously.

MDU

Yes...you're right. If you take a case to the ombudsman, it costs the bank $3000ish straight off the bat. Doesn't matter if the bank is in the right or wrong...they still have to pay.
There is a process though, you have to exhaust all avenues within the bank before going to the ombudsman.

[Ms Piggy]

Thats scary mate! It could be a case of someone you know of. I mean all they would need to get your Full Birth Cert (if you're NZ born) is your name and year of birth and $26- and then if they had your mobile number it may all look credible. It does seem pretty stupid that they gave your cell # though aye!

It sounds like you're getting it sorted anyway.

[pyrocam]

Thats scary mate! It could be a case of someone you know of. I mean all they would need to get your Full Birth Cert (if you're NZ born) is your name and year of birth and $26- and then if they had your mobile number it may all look credible. It does seem pretty stupid that they gave your cell # though aye!

It sounds like you're getting it sorted anyway.
yeah I know. its bloody easy to get a birth certificate. I applied for one a year ago.

yeah its seems sorted. I havent heard from the bank and honestly im not giving it too much thought. they cant hold be liable. I spose I am worried about joe-fraudster continuing to take out policies/accounts/credit cards in my name but there is nothing I can do about it.

:spudwhat:

[vifferman]

So, does this mean you're in imminent danger of getting your personality back? :spudwhat:

[Maximus]

yeah its seems sorted. I havent heard from the bank and honestly im not giving it too much thought. they cant hold be liable. I spose I am worried about joe-fraudster continuing to take out policies/accounts/credit cards in my name but there is nothing I can do about it.

:spudwhat:

Hows things going with this?
Just be aware that even though you haven't heard anything from them it does not mean its all ok, I would "harass" them a little bit if I were you, cause no news is not always good news and its better to know whats going on then guessing and then having a nasty surprise when it all turns to shite!

Good luck man

[ManDownUnder]

So, does this mean you're in imminent danger of getting your personality back? :spudwhat:

I traded up on mine - the kid I had was a little worrysome... now I've gone to a full blown pending crisis... :banana:

[pyrocam]

Hows things going with this?
Just be aware that even though you haven't heard anything from them it does not mean its all ok, I would "harass" them a little bit if I were you, cause no news is not always good news and its better to know whats going on then guessing and then having a nasty surprise when it all turns to shite!

Good luck man

No response today. just wasting time till 5pm now. Ill shoot her an email tomorow sometime.

I will advise of response

[pyrocam]

Latest response:


Hi Cameron,

We have been working on your case and are in the process of gathering all of the information needed for the Police Complaint. My colleague Veronica has been also looking into where the card was used to ascertain whether there is likely to be any surveillance of the people using the card. It is difficult in that the tranasctions took place so long ago, but we are making every effort to find something. We are also considering getting our investigators involved.

In order to continue with prosecution, we will require from you a signed disclaimer to state that the card was not applied for by yourself. We'll send this out to you as soon shortly.

We'll keep you posted with any further news,

Regards,

its been 5 days now and I have to say I am surprised they are only thinking of getting an investigator now. It seems that there must be alot of this kindof thing going on to keep the team so busy. bah

[Ms Piggy]

I'd also be asking why it's taken them so long to actually get in contact with you in the 1st place (I think someone touched on this earlier) but, if it takes them 6 months to contact someone who hasn't paid their c/c bill at all then thats why they're having problems now! Sheesh!!

[vifferman]

It's probably normal.

When my wife had her handbag (and all credit cards, chequebook, etc.) stolen, the police faffed around so long that a service station video tape of the perpetrators was wiped before they got their act together.
Although the local bank branch was very good, they cocked up too: allowed some stolen cheques to be processed yet disallowed some valid ones we'd written before the theft, even though we gave them the numbers of the stolen cheques. :brick:

[Maximus]

Latest response:



its been 5 days now and I have to say I am surprised they are only thinking of getting an investigator now. It seems that there must be alot of this kindof thing going on to keep the team so busy. bah

Sorry to say dude, but this IS quite normal, painful I know but unfortunately these things take time, they have to do it "officially", if they dont, it will take longer. :brick:

I would however be rarking them up about the fact it's taken them soo long to be in touch, I wouldn't be nice either . . . . :angry2:

[pyrocam]

Sorry to say dude, but this IS quite normal, painful I know but unfortunately these things take time, they have to do it "officially", if they dont, it will take longer. :brick:

I would however be rarking them up about the fact it's taken them soo long to be in touch, I wouldn't be nice either . . . . :angry2:

I could, but its not jane's or whoever's fault. I dont think it would help much me venting some steam at them, just make them like me less. I reckon when I call and email Ill just be nice and hopefully they will be more inclined to help me more.

Ill let you guys know if/when I hear more.

cheers for the support!

*edit:
I just got an email from her as I was writing that post. so thats cool, its being actively followed up from the sounds of it.

[inlinefour]

I just got off the phone with them, they wont give me much details. except.
they spent $6000

Omigosh!
shit If I had know I could get a credit limit of $6000 I would have gotten one myself!

I have to goto a police station at lunch to report it.

deep breaths deep breaths

Hope you get it all sorted and while your there cancell your DL (if you have not allready) and any other important stuff that was nicked. Puts me off carrying around my wallet.

[pyrocam]

Hope you get it all sorted and while your there cancell your DL (if you have not allready) and any other important stuff that was nicked. Puts me off carrying around my wallet.

cancel a DL?
I dont think you can. the version number (5b on your license) becomes invalid when you get a new one which would technically make the card invalid when someone tried to check the numbers with the LTSA. (www.drivercheck.govt.nz) but alot of companies dont bother because it costs to do that.

but yeah when I was mugged last year I had everything cancelled and re-issued.
I wouldnt worry about carrying a wallet, just not legless by yourself on the shore at 3am :wacko:

[pyrocam]

update.

the theif is paying the card off but they still havent caught him. I dunno he got smacked with a big stick of karma?

[myvice]

He's paying it off? Sounds like he was waiting to do the big "$20,000? not a problem sir" hit on your card!
I wonder if the bank will wait for the card to be used again to try and catch him?
It could have been much worse. better than repo men takeing your gear caus you owe 10k you didnt know you had spent!

[pyrocam]

He's paying it off? Sounds like he was waiting to do the big "$20,000? not a problem sir" hit on your card!
I wonder if the bank will wait for the card to be used again to try and catch him?
It could have been much worse. better than repo men takeing your gear caus you owe 10k you didnt know you had spent!

yeah it was pretty lucky in some respects. he got up to 6/7000 before the bank called me (dunno if youve bothered to read up) but anytime he calls up he gets put through to the fraud dept.

what bothers me is they havnt retrieved the image from the banks security. nothing they can do with it really.

I could post here that would be a ripper

[myvice]

yeah it was pretty lucky in some respects. he got up to 6/7000 before the bank called me (dunno if youve bothered to read up) but anytime he calls up he gets put through to the fraud dept.

what bothers me is they havnt retrieved the image from the banks security. nothing they can do with it really.

I could post here that would be a ripper
Why? Do you think we would do the 3am knock on the door thing do you?
Well, 3 is the best time... :devil2:
(Go to the big rave about neighbours thread for hints and tips)

[pyrocam]

Why? Do you think we would do the 3am knock on the door thing do you?
Well, 3 is the best time... :devil2:
(Go to the nasty neighbours thread for hints and tips)

assuming someone in the KB community knows or has seen them first

thats the problem