[totallytotontuffy]

I know there are several SM'rs who are on facebook and I've found and "friended" those that I recognize. I've noticed that a few people list their dates of birth along with some personal information such as the names of their spouses, kids, etc.

I know it seems harmless to add this information but unfortunately there are con artists who are always finding new ways to take advantage and victimize us in any way that they can. There are so many search engines that gather data about us that even with an unlisted phone number. There is a new one called People Search | White Pages | Phone Book | FREE! that has quite a bit of information, some accurate, some not.

I've received cases where someone will receive a call saying that a close relative has been arrested, hospitalized after a crash, etc. and they are asked to wire money. The con artists can catch you off guard and can be very convincing. I had grandparents as victims but also unsuspecting people who are younger.

Actually there is a list of do's and don't's in this month's Consumer Reports also warning people to remove their personal information from Facebook.

Hope this information is helpful.

Deb

 

[Johita]

Thank you. People Search has been around for quite some time and I believe it may be linked to Intellius (another public records search engine) now. I'm unsure how some people get listed and others don't, but yes they've alwasy included your age and loations where you have lived and I believe most recently they have also started to include names of relatives. What's worse is that for a small fee people can actually get more inforamtion (like actual phone numbers and addresses and even marriage, divorce and death records). It's a crazy world out there.

 

[Cosy]

I've used Intellius twice in an effort to find someone. Both times the info was WRONG. Facebook just doesn't feel safe to me at all.

 

[Nikki's Mom]

These people searches have been around for years.

If someone wants to find you and do a scam, they don't need Facebook.

 

[totallytotontuffy]

well that is the craziest thing, people search was not the link that I uploaded to my post. It is www dot spokeo dot com, sheesh it is still coming up at people search if I use it as a web address. I know that people search has been around a long time.

 

[totallytotontuffy]

These people searches have been around for years.

If someone wants to find you and do a scam, they don't need Facebook.

Suzan, my advice isn't directed at someone trying to find a specific person. My point is that there are financial identity thieves and con artists that randomly cull social networks such as Facebook and that the more personal information you allow the public to see, the easier it is for you to be victimized.

Deb

 

[coco]

You should put your e-mail address into that link. You may be very surprised.

 

[barefoot contessa]

Excellent Post Deb

I know there are several SM'rs who are on facebook and I've found and "friended" those that I recognize. I've noticed that a few people list their dates of birth along with some personal information such as the names of their spouses, kids, etc.

I know it seems harmless to add this information but unfortunately there are con artists who are always finding new ways to take advantage and victimize us in any way that they can. There are so many search engines that gather data about us that even with an unlisted phone number. There is a new one called People Search | White Pages | Phone Book | FREE! that has quite a bit of information, some accurate, some not.

I've received cases where someone will receive a call saying that a close relative has been arrested, hospitalized after a crash, etc. and they are asked to wire money. The con artists can catch you off guard and can be very convincing. I had grandparents as victims but also unsuspecting people who are younger.

Actually there is a list of do's and don't's in this month's Consumer Reports also warning people to remove their personal information from Facebook.

Hope this information is helpful.

Deb

Thats exactly why I decline invitations to join Facebook, My space and Twitter and stick to my safe beloved SM. Too many wackos and scam artists out there!:blink:

 

[myfairlacy]

I have all my info set to "Friends only" so it is private unless you are approved as my friend. And I don't just add anyone as my friend either

 

[maggieh]

I have all my info set to "Friends only" so it is private unless you are approved as my friend. And I don't just add anyone as my friend either

The problem with Facebook's privacy settings is that you may have "friends only" but someone viewing the page of one of your friends can still see a lot of the information about you if the "friend" doesn't lock down their information. Someone poking around facebook can find out a lot of information that you don't think is public that way.

 

[Nikki's Mom]

Suzan, my advice isn't directed at someone trying to find a specific person. My point is that there are financial identity thieves and con artists that randomly cull social networks such as Facebook and that the more personal information you allow the public to see, the easier it is for you to be victimized.

Deb

I understand.

Facebook is only one in a million ways to steal identity. I don't put personal info on Facebook.

Most of those people searches have my info wrong. Funny, I put my email address in Spokeo and it comes up with nothing. I have a blog and a website. It found neither. It has an incorrect town, also.

You are more likely to have your identity stolen by someone going through your trash or stealing your mail or your wallet than hacking into your info on FB, unless you put all of your info on that page and make it public. There are ways to keep info private on FB. There are settings that you can uncheck so that your friends aren't able to share any of your personal info.

 

[Delilahs Mommy]

Yeah try googleing your name, phone number and email address's. You'd be very surprised!

 

[I found nemo]

Yeah try googleing your name, phone number and email address's. You'd be very surprised!

The reason why it comes up is because it's public information. My phone number for example wont come up cause it's unlisted, but everyone's address will come up, anything that is public record will come up/ People should not be surprised if it does, it's the norm.
As far as google, not facebook

 

[Nikki's Mom]

That's correct. Public Records are Public Records.

I suggest this for FB:
Put an incorrect year for your date of birth.
Don't use FB applications.
Don't put your home address, or unlisted/cell phone number.
Don't give out specific info on your job, your kids etc.
When posting photos, don't post shots you don't want the entire world to see.
Don't post the email address from your IP, instead, get a web mail email address from Yahoo or Google.
Use a firewall on your computer.

I hope that everyone realizes that once you are online, your identity is out there.

 

[jodublin]

These people searches have been around for years.

If someone wants to find you and do a scam, they don't need Facebook.

i agree with Nikki's mum .

 

[gigigirlz]

thank you for the heads up.....

 

[Katkoota]

I hope that everyone realizes that once you are online, your identity is out there.

That is true.

 

[uniquelovdolce]

i dont think fb is the culprit, i have fb and i only add who i know and i have everything private that only friends can see not friends of friends.. those online phonebooks , like spokeo get ur info from alot of other places as well , and some is not accurate, i think u shouldnt post or put any info u dont want to share. and always beware cause there are scammers everywhere not just on fb.

be careful is all.