Comments on: Is it for real? http://chenpn.com/2006/07/03/is-it-for-real/ ... you have been warned... Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:16:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: moz monster http://chenpn.com/2006/07/03/is-it-for-real/comment-page-1/#comment-241 moz monster Mon, 03 Jul 2006 11:56:24 +0000 http://chenpn.com/2006/07/03/is-it-for-real/#comment-241 Just to show how available your phone number is under public domain, here's the last 4 digits of your phone number: 4435. <strong>pelf: Gosh.. You are right.. How the h*ll did you find that?!</strong> Just to show how available your phone number is under public domain, here’s the last 4 digits of your phone number: 4435.

pelf: Gosh.. You are right.. How the h*ll did you find that?!

]]> By: moz monster http://chenpn.com/2006/07/03/is-it-for-real/comment-page-1/#comment-240 moz monster Mon, 03 Jul 2006 11:53:06 +0000 http://chenpn.com/2006/07/03/is-it-for-real/#comment-240 It's so easy to get phone numbers and the registered name under a phone number. The phone directory probably has it. On its own, that doesn't count for much. If you're afraid, you can ask to not have your name registered in the phone directory. And if you have ever come across user databases, you'd probably be surprised. These are like lists of names and contact details that are sold openly in the market. Marketing companies like to buy databases and make calls to the users - to do telemarketing, for user surveys and what nots. The important thing is not do give additional information. If they insist it is a real thing, ask for a Telekom number. Tell them you will call them back. If they say you can't reach them on that number because it is a hunting line, ask them for their name and other details that will identify them so that when (and if) you take the offer, they can still get the credit (or commission) due. I have learnt how easy it is to make a forged copy of photocopy IC - just user a color printer to print out an IC (any photo will do), changing the name, IC number and address so everything will match, and make a photocopy of that bogus IC, and then use it to make credit card applications, etc. Since the company that receives the photocopy IC just verifies that the IC number, address and name matches, an identity theft case happens just like that. Now you've been warned. This is a pretty serious problem. <strong>pelf: OMG.. I am beginning to see how serious this is..</strong> It’s so easy to get phone numbers and the registered name under a phone number. The phone directory probably has it. On its own, that doesn’t count for much. If you’re afraid, you can ask to not have your name registered in the phone directory.

And if you have ever come across user databases, you’d probably be surprised. These are like lists of names and contact details that are sold openly in the market. Marketing companies like to buy databases and make calls to the users - to do telemarketing, for user surveys and what nots.

The important thing is not do give additional information. If they insist it is a real thing, ask for a Telekom number. Tell them you will call them back. If they say you can’t reach them on that number because it is a hunting line, ask them for their name and other details that will identify them so that when (and if) you take the offer, they can still get the credit (or commission) due.

I have learnt how easy it is to make a forged copy of photocopy IC - just user a color printer to print out an IC (any photo will do), changing the name, IC number and address so everything will match, and make a photocopy of that bogus IC, and then use it to make credit card applications, etc.

Since the company that receives the photocopy IC just verifies that the IC number, address and name matches, an identity theft case happens just like that.

Now you’ve been warned. This is a pretty serious problem.

pelf: OMG.. I am beginning to see how serious this is..

]]> By: moz monster http://chenpn.com/2006/07/03/is-it-for-real/comment-page-1/#comment-236 moz monster Mon, 03 Jul 2006 03:24:12 +0000 http://chenpn.com/2006/07/03/is-it-for-real/#comment-236 This is a scam for sure - Telekom is all about forms and forms and forms. How could you subscribe to anything without filling in forms?? And why would Telekom call you at night? Their people don't even receive calls after 5 p.m. <strong>pelf: This is so so true..</strong> At the same time, if it's really Telekom, you would have to call a fixed line number to respond to them, isn't it? This is something we call phishing - "phone fishing" - it's a ploy to get you to part with your personal details. <strong>pelf: But he got hold of my name and my phone number! So what can I do now?</strong> This is a scam for sure - Telekom is all about forms and forms and forms. How could you subscribe to anything without filling in forms?? And why would Telekom call you at night? Their people don’t even receive calls after 5 p.m.

pelf: This is so so true..

At the same time, if it’s really Telekom, you would have to call a fixed line number to respond to them, isn’t it?

This is something we call phishing - “phone fishing” - it’s a ploy to get you to part with your personal details.

pelf: But he got hold of my name and my phone number! So what can I do now?

]]> By: KY http://chenpn.com/2006/07/03/is-it-for-real/comment-page-1/#comment-235 KY Mon, 03 Jul 2006 03:19:16 +0000 http://chenpn.com/2006/07/03/is-it-for-real/#comment-235 sounds like an attempted identity theft case to me. <strong>pelf: I thought so too, but he did not request for any critival information from me though.. But is my IC number "critical" enough?</strong> sounds like an attempted identity theft case to me.

pelf: I thought so too, but he did not request for any critival information from me though.. But is my IC number “critical” enough?

]]> By: EiLeen http://chenpn.com/2006/07/03/is-it-for-real/comment-page-1/#comment-234 EiLeen Mon, 03 Jul 2006 02:51:18 +0000 http://chenpn.com/2006/07/03/is-it-for-real/#comment-234 Ya... better be careful. Nowadays.. got a lot tipu customers case.. Better call Telekom.. !! <strong>pelf: Yea, that was what I intended to do, but I am always not at home during office hours..</strong> Ya… better be careful. Nowadays.. got a lot tipu customers case.. Better call Telekom.. !!

pelf: Yea, that was what I intended to do, but I am always not at home during office hours..

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