Theos-Talk Archives (September 1996 Message tl00225)

Hi, Here is a followup.

    M K Ramadoss

> Date: Tue, 17 Sep 1996 21:37:13 -0400
> From: Vivanaut@aol.com
> Subject: Re: Credit Card Fraud

A list member forwarded today a message about a Lexis-Nexis database that
stores - and sells - your mother's maiden name.  It's real, folks.

I called the 800 number listed below, and dialed extension 3385.

The person I spoke to said that it was all a hoax.  He said that they do not
maintain Social Security numbers.  That the e-mail warning I received is
wrong.  But according to http://netday.iworld.com/simba/9606/96061204.html
they did offer this information earlier this year.  Pressure from federal
regulators and privacy advocates forced them to pull the SSNs from their
product.  The person I talked to said that they now retain only your full
name and any prior names and aliases, your last three addresses, maybe your
phone number, maybe your date of birth.

Do they have your mother's maiden name?  YES!

They do.  Your mother's maiden name is on her record.  Anyone who knows your
mother's name and address - and is subscribed to their service - can get your
mother's maiden name.

I know of a bank which requires only the mother's maiden name when you want
to make a wire funds transfer.

As of 09/16/96 the phone machine at the 800 number listed below tells callers
who wish to be removed from this list that they must send the request in in
writing - they are no longer accepting removal requests over the phone.  They
do not require your SSN, but do ask that you send them your full name and
your address before they will remove you from this list.

Curious that the e-mail note below says that when you call them, you should
give them your SSN.  Sounds like they're keeping it, just not selling it.

So I'm going to send in a request to have my name removed, just in case.  And
suggest that my mother do the same.

Lexis/Nexis asks that requests for removal of one's name be submitted in
writing to "Att: P-Trak, P.O.Box 933, Dayton, Ohio 45401," or faxed to (513)
865-1930.  This mailing should include your full name and address, but they
do not ask that people include their SSNs.

It's real, laddies.

Dan Stevens

> Subj:	(Fwd) Credit Card Fraud
> Date:	96-09-17 15:59:07 EDT
> To:	listening-l@zrz.TU-Berlin.DE

.. snip ...

I guess this is only useful to US citizens.  Sorry to everyone else who
gets it.


>Subject:       Credit Card Information
>
>This was passed onto me and thought it might of interest to all of you!
>
>FYI:
>
>Your name, social security number, current address, previous
>addresses, mother's maiden name, birth date and other personal
>information are now available to anyone with a credit card through a
>new Lexis database called P-Trax.  As I am sure you are aware, this
>information could be used to commit credit card fraud or otherwise allow
>someone else to use your identity.
>
>You can have your name and information removed from this list by
>making a telephone request.  Call (800)543-6862, select option 4 and
>then option 3 ("all other questions") and tell the representative answering
>
>that you wish to remove your name from the P-trax database.  You may
>also send a fax to (513) 865-7360, or physical mail to LEXIS-NEXIS / P.O.
>Box 933 / Dayton, Ohio 45401-0933.  Sending physical mail to confirm
>your name has been removed is always a good idea.
>
>As word of the existence of this database has spread on the net,
>Lexis-Nexis has been inundated with calls, and has set up a special set of
>operators to handle the volume.  In addition, Andrew Bleh (rhymes with
>"Play") is a manager responsible for this product, and is the person to
>whom complaints about the service could be directed.  He can be reached at
>the above 800 number.  Ask for extension 3385.  According
>to Lexis, the manager responsible is Bill Fister at extension 1364.
>
>I called this morning and had my name removed.  The representative will
>need your name and social security number to remove you from the list.
>I suggest that we inundate these people with requests to remove our info
>from the list and forward this e-mail to everyone we know.
>
>Call when you have the 5-10 minutes it takes to speak to the right person.
>- Hope this information is helpful


---End of forwarded mail