miff Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Paul,
>
> Even if the credit card number was
> encrypted,cancel that card # and get a new one
> from the issuer.
>
> Notify the three credit bureaus that you had
> personal info compromised and they will put a
> fraud alert up.
>
> Anyone who has ever had their SS number stolen is
> at risk for having cards/loans fraudulently
> opened.While you will NOT be financially
> responsible, the hassle is substantial, been
> there!
>
> Do it now and monitor your credit card mailings
> and your credit reports to check for possible new
> accounts that you did not open.
>
> Morons at CD taking this way too lightly or are
> too stupid to understand the possible problems for
> those whose info compromised.
>
>
> Mike
All good stuff, Mike.
One extra tip that I will share: open \"throwaway\"
accounts / cards, etc., if you are doing any sort
of business online.
I have a throwaway e-mail address, PO Box, Credit
Card, and Checking / Savings account. Suggest you
do the last two through your local credit union,
usually low or no cost (fees).
Due to the Patriot Act, you must supply your home
address to open credit card and other accounts, but
I make sure to put the PO Box down as the \"official\"
address whenever possible.
I keep the minimums in my credit union checking and
savings account ($0 checking, $50 savings) until I
need to pay a bill or fund my ADW account -- only
then do I transfer any money into the credit union.
I don\'t leave the money in there very long, and I
move pretty much the exact amount I need.
(I was paying a fee for transfers until it dawned on
me to open a sleeper account at the credit union --
one that I DO NOT disclose on the Internet, and I have
parked a decent chunk of money there. Transfers between
credit union accounts are free at my place, and can be
done with a simple phone call.)
The credit card is really a no-fee debit card linked
directly to the credit union checking account, but it
looks and act like a credit card. The limit? Whatever
is in the checking account NOW...and that\'s it.
The Internet has never seen anything relating to my
primary bank account or everyday credit cards. The way
I have things set up, if my \"Internet use only\" accounts
or debit / credit card are breached, 99.9999% of the time,
they can only get me for the $50 I am required to leave
in the savings account. If they beat me out of $50, I won\'t
like it...but I can live with it.
This approach can create certain hardships, like not
being able to fund my ADW after 12 noon on a Saturday
(credit union is closed), or not being able to sign up
for a porn site at 2 AM on Labor Day, or not being able to
buy (even more) shit off of e-Bay that I don\'t need, but
I\'ve learned to live with it, in return for the peace of
mind that keeping my financial pants pulled up and unsoiled
gives me.
Sounds like a PITA to set up, but it\'s not that bad. It\'s
your money; make it hard to get.
