Home Office: Avoid Identify Theft

I just filed a PC World magazine story about Google's cache and the potential for it to invade your privacy. Along the way I discovered Anybirthday.com, a Web site that could be used by someone in the business of identity theft. Once I saw what Anybirthday.com could do, it was imperative that I write a newsletter to help you keep your privates private.

Happy, Happy Birthday

I've never had my identity stolen. But readers and friends have and they say it's a holy terror. Identity thieves need only a handful of information about you to get started--some combination of a social security number, driver's license number, birth date, mother's maiden name, and maybe a bank or credit card number.

Your job? Do your best to keep these things from public view.

Want to know my birthday? For a fee, Anybirthday.com provides birth dates (and boy, the thing's accurate), an important ID theft ingredient. No doubt, the info's available elsewhere, say, on DMV and voter registration lists. But my goal is to make it difficult for opportunists to get hold of it.

I contacted Chris Skeeles, CEO of American Automated Systems, the owner of Anybirthday.com and Locateme.com, and asked what he thought about the potential for his sites being used for identity theft. "Privacy is essential," said Skeeles, "but details about how old I am if I want to, say, have a drink at a bar--or anything that needs my age--is [sic] essential. Our world and economy revolve around this data." He went on to say that "the proof is by the number of daily hits--Anybirthday.com is a very popular site."

I asked again if there's a possibility that Anybirthday.com can be used for ID abuse, Skeeles said, "I don't believe, not for a second, that Anybirthday.com has any impact on someone trying to steal an identify. In fact, even without us, identify theft will still occur as there are countless other sources that supply this information."

My advice? Check to see if you're listed on Anybirthday.com. If you've moved anytime in the last few years, make sure to try the old location's Zip code. Chances are good you'll find yourself. If you do, my advice is to use the site's opt-out page and remove your listing. I opted out, as did over 1900 people on the Pasadena IBM User Group list. In about an hour my name was gone, as were all the names of family members I removed from Anybirthday.com.

BTW, some people reported opting out several times, but their name was still listed. Your best bet in that case is to send an e-mail requesting to be removed from the site.

Dig This: Have you received an e-mail from any of those Nigerian kings, the ones asking for your bank account number? Some people scam them right back--and the results are utterly hilarious. (Tip: Make sure to read the asides in italics.)

Plug Up Google's Lookup

Google's phone number lookup feature is handy, but you may find it intrusive if you're watching your privacy. Stick your home telephone number into Google's search field and see if it's listed. If it is, you'll see two map options that may show your address. (Try it on PC World's phone number: 415/243-0500.) But never fear, you can opt out.

ID Theft Protection and Prevention

Too many people are falling for e-mails that request more information than even a home loan company would. Computerworld's Linda Rosencrance takes you through the steps of one unsavory character who was able to coerce people out of their credit card numbers--and lots more. Read how it was done in "Discover Card Users Hit With E-Mail Scam," and learn how to protect yourself.

I found a couple of articles that tell you more about taking care of your identity:

• "Experts Search for Ways to Fight Cybercrime" is a short news piece by IDG's Paul Roberts that reports on how computer crime fighters are sharpening their skills at the third annual Cybercrime conference.
  
  
• Anne Kandra, our Consumer Watch editor, has lots to warn you about in "Net Tricks That Muddy Your Reputation." Dig into the hassles of using chat rooms, buying on EBay, and sending e-mail on Yahoo. Anne also doles out good advice.
  
  

If you want to spend a few days with a terrific book, try "Secrets & Lies: Digital Security in a Networked World." Author Bruce Schneier does a great job of exposing dozens of scams, digital thefts, and threats, and offers many ways to protect yourself.

And if you didn't have enough to worry about, our very own Andy Brandt poked around the Internet and found that court records, "such as the financial settlements in a divorce or, worse, a Social Security number," are easy picking on many county court Web sites. Swell news, eh? Read all that Andy has to say in "Divorce and Other Court Records Broadcast by Browser."

Worth the Trip: California has its very own ID Theft Registry. Imagine you're a victim of identity theft and someone starts charging tons of stuff in your name. The risk is great that you may be falsely arrested, even though you're the victim. The Registry puts your name in a database, and you're given a special phone number and PIN. If you're hassled by the law, a police officer can call a toll-free telephone number to hear a message explaining that you're a victim of identity theft. You can read the California Attorney General's take on the problem, and link to the Registry itself, at the California State Identity Theft page.

Dig This: Ready for an outrageously stupid copyright hassle, one that I hope you never encounter? (Warning: Take your blood pressure meds before clicking!)

For Those Who Missed It: My Own Survey

Even with 120,000 readers, I don't often get feedback. So here's a chance to tell me exactly what you think.

I'm using SurveyMonkey, a Web-based survey program, to ask you a few questions. The whole thing will take you about five minutes to do. Here's the quid pro quo: I get feedback from you, and you get to experience SurveyMonkey, a product I think you'll want to try yourself. (You'll read about it later in my Home Office magazine column.)

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