FIDO Security Question from newbie

Hi, I just registered with this forum because I'm pretty desperate to find out some information.

I have a FIDO cell phone...the company just phone me and said that they had been talking to me 5 minutes ago...I informed them that they definitely weren't talking to me as I had been out of the office. The guy at FIDO replied that that was weird. That's when I started getting nervous.

Apparently, this woman gave my name, my cell phone number but didn't know my present postal code, she gave the wrong apartment number (and the FIDO guy gave her the right one! God! ) and when the FIDO guy asked for my social insurance number she hung up. We now have a password on my account. But what I want to know is, what could be the reason for someone doing this? Fraud? I'm pretty nervous. Oh, and the FIDO guy said that he didn't know what phone number she was calling from. I hope someone can help. Thanks.

One other question...how can I make my cell phone more secure?

Sounds like someone trying to collect information on you. You piss anybody off lately ;) . It would appear this person may know you in some way as she has your cell phone number. You likely just don't give that out to everyone. Did the FIDO guy give you any other info? (e.g. why did she call in the first place.)

Cheers:

I definitely don't give out my cell phone number and no, I don't think I've pissed anyone off (lately) :D That's all the info the FIDO guy gave me...I would have thought that he could have tried harder to get more info - or at least where she was calling from. Thanks for your info DjM...although I'm still pretty nervous - why would someone want to collect info on me??? :halo:

Somewhere on this board is thread about identity theft, so be alert about any suspicious activity on any of your accounts like credit card, mobile bill and others and report to concerned authorities if you suspect something. They are better equiped to save you apart from all usual precautions recommended by service providers.

To make you cell phone more secure, well, there is hard n fast rules, but you can disable any useless service like bluetooth (until required), any advert service messages etc.

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why would someone want to collect info on me???

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Many answers to that question. Could be an attempt at identity theft, could be she has some sort of grudge against you or maybe she has a crush on you. ;)

If it's not to much trouble, you may want to think about changing your cell phone number and watch your Credit Card statements closely.

Cheers:

Thanks for the tips you guys! Awesome! I'm looking into everything now and calling my bank, credit card company, etc.

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the company just phone me and said that they had been talking to me 5 minutes ago...

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You're SURE it was the phone company ?? :eek:
It could all be a scam regarding the woman who 'they' spoke to .............

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Originally posted here by foxyloxley
You're SURE it was the phone company ?? :eek:
It could all be a scam regarding the woman who 'they' spoke to .............

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Definitely...I called back and confirmed and everything is on the up-and-up. What they're going to do is go over the tape (yes, it is recorded)...if need be, they'll let me listen to the voice - I really really hope I don't recognize it. :verypisse

Hi Sheryl, and welcome to AO.

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Apparently, this woman gave my name, my cell phone number but didn't know my present postal code, she gave the wrong apartment number (and the FIDO guy gave her the right one! God! ) and when the FIDO guy asked for my social insurance number she hung up

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The first question you should ask FIDO is who originated the call..............her or them? If it was her you may have a problem depending on what she was trying to do.

If it was them, then they have a problem, as they obviously connected to the wrong phone. I guess your name is not unique in your area? I gues if someone pretending to be my cellphone company rang and didn't know my appartment number and postcode, then asked for my social security number, I would hang up as well.

It could be they have gotten their records screwed up? If they are driven by name and 'phone number and they are identical, there is a very good chance that a search will only display the first record? which is obviously yours.

Now, just because a system does not allow a person to enter a duplicate record does not mean that they cannot happen due to data corruption.

It might be worth asking them?

Thanks for the welcome, nihil....and all the info. I never even thought of the phone call originiating with FIDO and I'll definitely ask them to check their system for duplication. Thanks again. :)

Do NOTHING.

ESPECIALLY if you DO recognise the voice.

Vengeance is a dish best served cold

Assume that you won't know the voice - they could be total strangers .......
They didn't give out much information, BUT the phone company DID [apartment No !!!!]
Ask them what THEY intend to do about their lapse ???

I.D. theft is a growing concern, just let this be your intro, with [hopefully] minimum impact. Learn from it, and keep yourself aware of your situation at all times.
But don't let them stop you from being / doing what ever it is YOU need to do, to keep YOUR life as your own. Otherwise the scum win :( and that is NEVER a good thing.

Their are people here who will never sit with their back to a door in a public place, because that's how you managed to survive long enough to get here :) I got into some strange habits when in crowded places [malls etc] wallet into front pocket, cell phone into other front pocket, no watch, all pockets that can button up - button them, and a constant movement of head to keep as much of the masses in 'view' [spatial awareness]. Mind you, I also shred EVERYTHING that has my address on it before it goes into the bin, AND I never leave empty cardboard boxes out by the bin either [why advertise that you've bought something ??

You don't HAVE to be as paranoid as me :eek:
But SOME paranoia helps.

Security : It's not ALL about PC's :

Nowaday it's ID theft :
Tomorrow ?

Who knows.

Luck to you ..........

Oh, I totally agree with you foxyloxley...I'm paranoid enough as it is - this just added the fuel. I am always vigilant with my personal items, be they mail, my purse, wallet, you name it...I'm definitely going to be thinking twice about a lot of things....thanks for the advice about vengeance being served cold. I never thought about FIDO giving out my apartment number...*sigh*...time for another phone call. :rolleyes:

Sheryl, hopefully the FIDO rep didn't give out your apartment number. Not to add to any paranoia but you may want to check with other places such as utilities, banks in case this woman has attempted other means of trying to steal your id. I do hope the matter is closed for you.

I agree with foxyloxley about some level of paranoia is a good thing and I foxyloxley I don't think you’re being overly paranoid, just very diligent about protecting yourself.

I've been reading all the news stories lately about personal information being stolen (most recenly reported was the US FTC Chief had her information stolen) or attempted to be like in Sheryl’s case and I am wondering where the ultimate responsibility is placed or shared by whom?

For example with on-line transactions it’s my opinion that it’s the responsibility of person making the transaction to ensure that their computer is up-to-date with all security and operation system updates and for making sure the site they are doing the transaction on is secured. But it stops there and becomes the responsibility of the site owner to ensure the information is kept as secure as possible and then it becomes the responsibility of the credit card company to ensure they keep the information secure. I know some people refuse to do any transactions on-line because they don’t feel it secure at all. But with the case of the FTC Chief, her information was stolen from the DSW company database probably from an in store purchase.

It seems that when these instances like DSW occur, all the responsibility eventually falls to the customer, not the businesses. Sure DSW was ordered to seek out and inform all those customers about the theft but that was all they had to do. Anyone who has had to fix an error on their credit report will understand the pain, time and frustration trying to fix one error, not alone the potential multiple errors that can occur from ID theft. It could jeopardize these people getting cars, houses, and even jobs.

As consumers there is a level of expectation, risk, and responsibility that must be accepted by them but in my opinion, these businesses must take a greater level of the same more than they have in the past. Having a password on Sheryl’s FIDO account is a step in that direction but given this growing wave of ID theft, it should have been something that was done when her account was created in the first place.

Given the current culture to sue I am waiting for someone to submit a lawsuit against these companies for not securing their information and for the time and money spent trying to fix the problems that resulted from it.

Have a good 4th holiday!