Clan x86

General Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: iago on March 11, 2006, 12:48:53 PM

Title: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: iago on March 11, 2006, 12:48:53 PM
I couldn't decide whether to put this in the funny forum or security forum or what.  So I'm just putting it here.  It's more scary than funny. 

A man wanted to know if ripping up a credit application would stop dumpster-drivers from using it.  So he tore a credit card application, taped it back together, filled it out with a different phone/address, and submitted it.  Sure enough, a few weeks later, he was sent a nice new credit card at his new address. 

Full story (http://www.boingboing.net/2006/03/10/guy_gets_credit_card.html) (although it doesn't say much more than I did)

And here's a picture of it, if the site allows hotlinking:
(http://www.boingboing.net/200603101119.jpg)
If that doesn't work, just go to the full story.  It's right there. 

Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: Sidoh on March 11, 2006, 12:51:13 PM
Wow, that is really scary.  My teacher was saying the bank passed a check that she didn't even sign a few weeks ago.  That kind of stuff makes you wonder...
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: JTN Designer on March 11, 2006, 03:24:30 PM
Quote from: Sidoh on March 11, 2006, 12:51:13 PM
Wow, that is really scary.  My teacher was saying the bank passed a check that she didn't even sign a few weeks ago.  That kind of stuff makes you wonder...

It happens to people that are idiots. My business checks, since I write only 1-2 each month, the credit union I go through confirms them with me, as well as my other transactions, upon my request. Same thing for my credit cards, I also burn my paper's so, unless they can put that back together, I thyink I am pretty much safe. :P
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: Sidoh on March 11, 2006, 03:26:00 PM
Quote from: JTN Designer on March 11, 2006, 03:24:30 PMIt happens to people that are idiots. My business checks, since I write only 1-2 each month, the credit union I go through confirms them with me, as well as my other transactions, upon my request. Same thing for my credit cards, I also burn my paper's so, unless they can put that back together, I thyink I am pretty much safe. :P

This was a check she wrote to a gas station... you use business checks to pay for your gas?  My teacher isn't an idiot.
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: trust on March 11, 2006, 03:56:08 PM
debit card plzkthx
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: Sidoh on March 11, 2006, 04:04:36 PM
Quote from: OG Trust on March 11, 2006, 03:56:08 PM
debit card plzkthx

That's not the point...
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: iago on March 12, 2006, 02:36:15 AM
Quote from: OG Trust on March 11, 2006, 03:56:08 PM
debit card plzkthx
There have been many cases of debit cards being abused recently.  I don't feel like looking up any stories, but there have been a couple cases of PIN-readers being installed over a normal debit machine, and a shitload of PINs were stolen from a company earlier this week.  Debit cards aren't 100% safe. 
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: Sidoh on March 12, 2006, 03:22:39 AM
Quote from: iago on March 12, 2006, 02:36:15 AM
There have been many cases of debit cards being abused recently.  I don't feel like looking up any stories, but there have been a couple cases of PIN-readers being installed over a normal debit machine, and a shitload of PINs were stolen from a company earlier this week.  Debit cards aren't 100% safe. 

Yeah.  Debit Cards are, in general, less safe than checks.  They're also a lot more convinient, though...
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: iago on March 12, 2006, 02:59:09 PM
I stumbled upon a story today: Debit Card Fraud Continues (http://www.securityfocus.com/brief/160).  That's only one example, there are others. 

And incidentally, the original story in this also affects people who don't have credit cards, since anybody without bad credit can get an application in the mail.  It's just another reason why you need a paper-shredder or fireplace. 
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: Sidoh on March 12, 2006, 03:06:26 PM
I started getting applications in the mail a few months after I turned 18, haha.  I agree.  People definitely need to be more careful with potentially damaging materials such as these.
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: rabbit on March 12, 2006, 04:26:26 PM
I've been getting credit applications since I was about 16....weird.
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: Sidoh on March 12, 2006, 04:36:23 PM
Quote from: rabbit on March 12, 2006, 04:26:26 PM
I've been getting credit applications since I was about 16....weird.

Hehe, strange.  I'm not sure why I suddenly started getting them.  Oh well. :)
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: Nate on March 12, 2006, 04:43:42 PM
My bank is really good about this stuff.  My brother got his credit card number stolen and the bank killed the card as soon as some one else tried to us it.  On a side note he wsa in VA and some one tried to use it in Australia.
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: Sidoh on March 12, 2006, 05:00:20 PM
Quote from: Nate on March 12, 2006, 04:43:42 PM
My bank is really good about this stuff.  My brother got his credit card number stolen and the bank killed the card as soon as some one else tried to us it.  On a side note he wsa in VA and some one tried to use it in Australia.

Haha, that's crazy.  I wonder if it got online or if it actually got into the hands of someone who was in Australia?  Maybe they were ording something online on a Australian proxy server or something like that?
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: Quik on March 12, 2006, 05:11:03 PM
Quote from: rabbit on March 12, 2006, 04:26:26 PM
I've been getting credit applications since I was about 16....weird.

Mr. Quik Ness gets applications mailed to him all the time.

This is yet another reason why everyone should have a shredder in their home.
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: AntiVirus on March 12, 2006, 05:37:52 PM
Quote from: rabbit on March 12, 2006, 04:26:26 PM
I've been getting credit applications since I was about 16....weird.
I haven't gotten any, and I am 17. :(

I guess they don't love me.. -.-;;
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: Explicit on March 12, 2006, 06:57:46 PM
For one reason or another, 1st Financial Bank sent me a credit card that was ready for activation and everything.  I didn't apply for it, nor am I with that bank, so I'm not sure how they got the notion that I wanted one.

Tomorrow, I'm going to call and see what's going on.  I hope this isn't as bad as I think it is.
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: AntiVirus on March 12, 2006, 07:15:33 PM
I bet they sent it to you just so you would check them out and maybe start using their bank.
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: Blaze on March 12, 2006, 08:24:28 PM
Quote from: AntiVirus on March 12, 2006, 07:15:33 PM
I bet they sent it to you just so you would check them out and maybe start using their bank.
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: Explicit on March 12, 2006, 11:41:58 PM
Typically, don't you have to actually apply and provide identification?  That's what I was getting at when I said, "I hope this isn't as bad as I think it is."
Title: Re: Torn Up Credit Application
Post by: Sidoh on March 12, 2006, 11:42:44 PM
Quote from: Explicit[nK] on March 12, 2006, 11:41:58 PM
Typically, don't you have to actually apply and provide identification?  That's what I was getting at when I said, "I hope this isn't as bad as I think it is."

A fraudulant person can fill out a form.  That's why you have to tear them up.