Prevent Identity Theft

[Jetmaker737]

I learned this the hard way... Never give anyone your drivers license number.

I have rarely ever given this out for any reason, but in early December I went to a new doctor's office and it was one of the items of info they asked for (God knows why). Unbeknownst to me at the time, two weeks later two checks were stolen out of my mailbox (guess what lesson-learned #2 is??). So now some guy had my license # and checking account info. Within another couple of weeks this guy had a fake drivers license w/ my name and had printed fake checks and was passing them around town.

I am now in the process of getting bill collectors off my back via affidavits and registered letters, etc. A real pain in the ***.

And this is what really pisses me off: I went into my bank on Dec 28 after stumbling across the first bogus transaction on my account. The bank security blew it off, said it was minor... happened all the time... probably wouldn't happen again, etc. Next day I find $500 deposited in my account. So I go down to the bank and find out that they guy showed up at the bank in person w/ a $2100 check, cashed out $1600 and deposited $500. They could have caught the ******* right then and there if they had friggin payed attention to me!

 

[markjenn]

I learned this the hard way... Never give anyone your drivers license number.
I have rarely ever given this out for any reason, but in early December I went to a new doctor's office and it was one of the items of info they asked for (God knows why). Unbeknownst to me at the time, two weeks later two checks were stolen out of my mailbox (guess what lesson-learned #2 is??). So now some guy had my license # and checking account info. Within another couple of weeks this guy had a fake drivers license w/ my name and had printed fake checks and was passing them around town.

I am now in the process of getting bill collectors off my back via affidavits and registered letters, etc. A real pain in the ***.

And this is what really pisses me off: I went into my bank on Dec 28 after stumbling across the first bogus transaction on my account. The bank security blew it off, said it was minor... happened all the time... probably wouldn't happen again, etc. Next day I find $500 deposited in my account. So I go down to the bank and find out that they guy showed up at the bank in person w/ a $2100 check, cashed out $1600 and deposited $500. They could have caught the ******* right then and there if they had friggin payed attention to me!

I don't see the connection between giving your DL to a doctor and having checks stolen from a mailbox. Did someone who works at the doctor's office steal the checks?

- Mark

 

[Jetmaker737]

Someone got the info from doctor's office which included my address and birthdate and staked out my mailbox to steal the checks.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

They get your driver's license number for one of two reasons:

1) HIPAA issues regarding the use of the SSN

2) So that when you in collections (in case you are) they know how to find you

I would sue your Dr's office. They are responsible for protecting the data that you provide to them and if you can prove that the leak happened at their office, they are liable for your hardships.

 

[Windjammer]

Sorry to hear about your troubles Jet, hope it all works out.

Several years ago, I paid a bunch of bills by check and put them in my mailbox. Someone stole the whole pile, 7 or 8 of them IIRC. I lucked out in that no fraud took place, apparently in my case it was kids playing pranks or looking for cash in the envelopes. Since that happened, my mailbox at the curb is incoming only. I take all outgoing mail directly to the post office, or at least to a secure mailbox. It was a pain in the *** getting calls and mail from creditiors asking where their money was. Also a pain because I freaked when I found out and closed my bank accounts immediately and started new ones.

BTW Jet, you might consider finding a new bank. Their advice to you was abysmal.

 

[painman]

You can also arrange with your bank or creditor's to have an email and phone call sent to you automatically on a set dollar amout you choose to protect your accounts. It works great and allows you to keep tabs on account activity. PM. <><

 

[yanktar]

They get your driver's license number for one of two reasons:
1) HIPAA issues regarding the use of the SSN

2) So that when you in collections (in case you are) they know how to find you

I would sue your Dr's office. They are responsible for protecting the data that you provide to them and if you can prove that the leak happened at their office, they are liable for your hardships.

Orangevale is right:

The Dr's office IS responsible for your information. But lots of states may still be using your SSI as your DL #--insane!

I had my Amex # stolen at the local Neiman-Marcus. By the end of the week I got a call from Dooney and Burke "Is this REALLY for you???" going to Florida and I live in NJ. Very lucky to catch it. We changed all CC #s and bank account #s because at the same time my wife's corp. Amex # was stolen by a guy going through the office trash...

 

[zzkenoman]

When I was on a ride recently, one of the guys said his identity was stolen by a gas station out by borrega springs off 78 in southern california. He knew it was from that place, when it was the only CC he used for gas up when we stopped there. I think it was either MC or Visa, but not a gas card. He too is going through the same situation.

 

[Geezer]

Except for legitimate requests, like things that actualy involve income taxes or motor vehicles, I either refuse to provide the information or make up a fake number depending on who is asking.

As for mail. I frequently get other peoples mail delivered to my box and it makes me wonder how much of my mail ends up in my neighbors boxes. I can't even trust the carrier with incoming mail so I would never trust them with outgoing.

 

[yanktar]

Except for legitimate requests, like things that actualy involve income taxes or motor vehicles, I either refuse to provide the information or make up a fake number depending on who is asking.
As for mail. I frequently get other peoples mail delivered to my box and it makes me wonder how much of my mail ends up in my neighbors boxes. I can't even trust the carrier with incoming mail so I would never trust them with outgoing.

Yeah,

Any out-going bills and checks go in a red-white-&-blue,not in our street-side mailbox. Our neighborhood is prime pickings--large SF houses, mailboxes on the street---and pickup/delivery that comes late in the afternoon. People go to work in the morning and the bills sit there ALL day.....

 

[markjenn]

Except for legitimate requests, like things that actualy involve income taxes or motor vehicles, I either refuse to provide the information or make up a fake number depending on who is asking.
As for mail. I frequently get other peoples mail delivered to my box and it makes me  wonder how much of my mail ends up in my neighbors boxes. I can't even trust the carrier with incoming mail so I would never trust them with outgoing.

Yeah,

Any out-going bills and checks go in a red-white-&-blue,not in our street-side mailbox. Our neighborhood is prime pickings--large SF houses, mailboxes on the street---and pickup/delivery that comes late in the afternoon. People go to work in the morning and the bills sit there ALL day.....

We upgraded to locking mailboxes a year ago. It is the single most-important thing you can do to prevent identity theft and all around mischef. People have the perception that online identify theft is a big issue, but the vast majority or cases start with physical theft of mail and/or inside jobs at banks, doctors, etc.

There are some fairly strict requirements that a doctor's office has to follow to maintain patient's privacy. My insurance agent had a bad apple employee run off with client records a couple years ago and got a notice about a bunch of things I should to to monitor if anything was being done with my info. It looked like the mitigation requirements for this sort of thing were significant although I don't know the details.

- Mark