Internet and identity fraud costing millions

**PrincessBandit** · 3rd March 2010, 05:42

I just read this morning that crims are using social networking sites to fish for personal information in order to gain personal details which can benefit their own dodgy activities. No surprise really, given that the popularity of bebo and twitter etc. encourage people to post info about every little detail about their lives and it's there for pretty much anyone to see.

This type of phishing is not new (even the word "phishing" didn't get the red dotted underlined spellcheck treatment when I typed it!!!) but most of us associate it more with ensuring security regarding fiscal transactions over the net. How many post upcoming holiday details etc. with little thought to who might get to read them?

Apparently there is a Dutch website called PleaseRobMe.com which has been set up to draw people's attention to this topic (not to advertise likely targets, but to educate the man in the street about how easy it is for undesirables to learn of their private information, I believe).

I remember even back in the 70s whenever our family went away on holiday (which wasn't very often) that especially us kids were like "our lips are sealed" - we weren't to talk to anyone about what the family plans were as we already knew there were child burglars at the very least operating in our street. It was something we tried to instill in our own offspring, not spouting off to every tom dick and harry about our intended absences from home, yet with the ease of the internet we spill info so easily about our comings and goings without a thought. I'm sure this is something we'd never do if it translated into the equivalent of blabbing f2f with others!

Why does the internet seduce us into handing over valuable personal information which we'd never otherwise "publish" so publicly?

**crazyhorse** · 3rd March 2010, 06:09

Gosh, to think you had to live like that back in the 70's. Sort of robs you of your childhood. We used to leave our house unlocked over night, admittedly, we locked it when we went on holiday, but to not be able to tell people, is abit scarey, but I understand exactly why your parents instilled those values in you.

Its a sad world we live in with people trying to gain any information in any way they can. Unfortunately there are too many honest folk around and they do believe some of the scam emails that come in. I must admit, some of those emails are very believeable. Thankfully for me, I don't and won't do twitter or facebook etc.

**Dave Lobster** · 3rd March 2010, 06:14

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

Why does the internet seduce us into handing over valuable personal information which we'd never otherwise "publish" so publicly?

Because a lot of people are stupid!

**Pascal** · 3rd March 2010, 06:45

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

Why does the internet seduce us into handing over valuable personal information which we'd never otherwise "publish" so publicly?

I suspect for the same reasons that people turn to dickwads when they communicate online. Anonymity and disassociation with a real human being. Steve Riley talks in depth about security and ensuring you keep your information safe, which includes protecting yourself against unwarranted searches of your personal information by the law and so forth. I'm sure there will be some of his talks on Youtube somewhere ... let me see if I can dig one up.

Talking in very basic terms, but his Tech Ed presentations are typically a bit higher level.

**CookMySock** · 3rd March 2010, 06:48

I think it's important for kids' self esteem to not tell them too much. The rule I use is, always make sure they're safe, but never tell them they are unsafe. You might find this a risky proposition but it has served me well so far, and my kids self esteem and general positive view of society is in excellent condition.

Kids learn enough harsh lessons from society without me adding terrible stories that leave them fearing for their safety and protecting themselves in advance. The consequences are too great for me to do that, when really it is just me acting out my fears for their safety anyway. My job is just make sure the lessons they do learn don't kill them, but yeah sometimes they sting a bit, but thats life.

Steve

**FJRider** · 3rd March 2010, 07:04

Originally Posted by Dave Lobster

Because a lot of people are stupid!

AND ... believe it wouldn't (COULDN'T) happen to THEM ...

**Dave Lobster** · 3rd March 2010, 07:16

Originally Posted by FJRider

AND ... believe it wouldn't (COULDN'T) happen to THEM ...

I'm led to believe that some people find Nigerian business men to be as honest as the next man.

**FJRider** · 3rd March 2010, 07:38

Originally Posted by Dave Lobster

I'm led to believe that some people find Nigerian business men to be as honest as the next man.

When you read the court pages ... and see the treasurer's of various charity/service groups, and bank officers ... here in New Zealand ...

Dishonesty is international, but ignored ... untill it affect US ... personally ...