[ Date Index ] [ Thread Index ] [ <= Previous by date / thread ] [ Next by date / thread => ]
I moved house recently and have paid the post office to redirect my post for 6 months. I was surprised to get a final demand from the water company. The bill had not previously been in my name, but my partner's. We told them that we were moving. I contacted them and they said they used a "data company" to find a likely name at that address (in this case I suspect they used the electoral role), and speculatively send out a bill to anyone they pick. That means that after I leave the house, the next resident gets a utility bill with my name on it. Very handy for committing identity fraud. When companies act like this, it is not surprising that we are awash with identity fraud. D On Wednesday 28 November 2007 11:56:28 Julian Hall wrote: > Hi All, > > One of the main issues with preventing identity theft is ensuring that > those who hold information use it *responsibly*. For example I don't > consider it particularly responsible of the DWP to use my National > Insurance number as a transaction reference for my Incapacity Benefit > paid into the bank. If someone (say a temp at the bank) were to see any > of my statements, not only would they have access to all the information > the bank has on me which is enough, but they would also have my NI > number.. which *nobody* except myself and the DWP has any business > knowing. I *have* mentioned this at the Job Centre and the response I > had was 'We know.. we've *told* the management but they don't seem to > care'. > > Kind regards, > > Julian -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html