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Date:	Sun, 14 Mar 2004 10:41:18 PST8
From:	Peter Skye <pskye@peterskye.com >
Reply-To:	scoug-help@scoug.com
To:	scoug-help@scoug.com
Subject:	SCOUG-Help: OT - Identity Theft

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Larry Tawa wrote:
>
> I was asked to verify my identity "please give
> the last four of your social security number"

I wonder what they were verifying?

For background info, everyone's SS# is widely available as I've learned
recently. You can buy anybody's credit report and SS# online for $25 if
you also have their birth date; also, if they have a criminal record
(including drunk driving) then the SS# is almost certainly available as
part of the public record at the courthouse.

So you also need to protect your birth date. That's not easy; if
someone knows your city of birth then your birth record is easily looked
up online.

You won't get _my_ SS# because I don't have a criminal record or any
arrests and you don't have my birth date or city! :)))

Maybe you don't even have my real name . . .

- Peter

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