Theos-Talk Archives (September 1996 Message tl00239)

Hi
Couple of days ago, the long distance scam was broadcast in one of the
networks.

The 809 area code is in Dominican Republic. Most callers do not know it
is an International Call and I think it is charged around a dollar a
minute. The telephone company in Dominican Republic kicks back about 28
cents a minute back to the person who set up the scam.

One needs to look out for the 809 area code. The scam also comes in
several other flavors. One time my wife saw an ad in the newspaper to
call a 800 number. When she called the number, there was a message that
for more details she should call the 809 number.

	MK RAMADOSS

On Wed, 18 Sep 1996, Porreco, Nick - CPMQ wrote:

>
> FYI,      Heads up for anyone with a pager!   Nick
>  ----------
>
>
> This was sent to me by my friends at Intel.  Heads up...
>
> > Something that's circulating here...
> >
> > > I received a page on my wife's pager and returned the call.  After
> > > listening for a couple of seconds to the recorded message, I
> > > immediately hung up.  I called my wife to see if she was playing a joke
> > > and discovered the following:  There is a pager scam going on right
> > > now.  Someone is sending pages to get folks to dial a # that costs $25
> > > just to dial.  There is no warning so we had better get the news out to
> > > everyone ASAP. The number is 809-404-5468.  Don't call it!
> >
>
>  ----------
> From: theos-roots
> To: Multiple recipients of list
> Subject: Re: Credit Card Fraud (fwd)
> Date: Wednesday, September 18, 1996 12:34AM
>
> Hi, Here is a followup.
>
>     M K Ramadoss
>
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
>