Got an e-mail from Snohomish County PUD Credit Union this morning alerting me that there was suspicious activity on my credit account and that it was temporarily closed until I reactivated it. The e-mail had the correct corporate logo and the copyright insignia with the text. The 1800 number they listed asks you to enter your card number, personal ID, etc. This is a complete scam, if you have an account with them, I suggest you call your local branch as this e-mail is fraudulent. Whatever you do, don't call the e-mail # and give them any personal info. The funny thing is, I have never held an account with these people, so now I have to check and see if someone who has stolen my personal info in the past has generated fraudulent accounts. I hate thieves.

AMEX and others have a killer service that notifies you immediately of any credit report activity so you know who is pulling inquiries, new accounts being opened etc...I was a near victim of identity theft at BECU years ago. Walked in to set up an acct and they immediately had security come down, im like what the f*&C is this? After verifying who I was they showed me a completed loan application filled out about a year previous with my name and ALL of my personal info filled out. They stopped it before it got going but scary for sure...ID theft is a huge business for tweakers and it DESTROYS your credit if it takes hold...cheers

These people need to be hunted down and shot in the street.

Twice!

Shootins too good for em. Public hanging.

I like the idea of public stoning. (Seriously)
Something about the "hands on" aspect.

I get Emails from "banks" I've never heard of and that don't even operate in this country saying that my account has been suspended and that I need to send them all my personal credit info.

I just send them Blue_Jay's.

ID theft is another good reason to have a shredder at home. I now shred anything that has my name, address or any other info about me on it. I work with a gal who had her ID stolen. Huge hassle to get it cleared up and it isn't on the top of the priority list for the cops.

I like your thinking hohbomb!

Does it have the spelling mistakes and non-linear, free association thought form?

No, those are my posts you're thinking of.

You mean the google translation from Nigerian to English?

Two months ago Bank Of American contacted me and said my debit card had been compromised. They were quick about fixing the problem and a new card with a new number was in my possession in just days.

I try to use cash as much as possible. In a grocery store I'm usually in line behind the guy buying just a pack of gum..........with a debit card. Swipe, enter pin, amount correct?, cash back?, wait...........here's your receipt. I guess he can't carry $1 in his wallet.

Amen
Let's start up a company to do just that

I prefer the idea of public caning. (Seriously)

I'd rather listen to them scream, live, and maybe learn a lesson from it. Stoning would be an option for other crimes.

A couple days ago I received a call about my Alaska Airlines account. They just wanted to see if I had made a purchase. A flight from Seattle to Atlanta for $719.50. I hadn't and was still in possession of my card. The person had all my info but used a name other than mine for the actual ticket.

I asked the guy what raised the flag and he said they have a watch out for certain IP addresses when purchases are made. I asked someone could get access to my card info. I guess there's a million ways and one of them might just be as simple as someone at a bank with the info and gives it out for a few bucks here and there. Pretty scary.

I got hit a few years back when I was still living in Seattle, got my drivers lic, SS#, checks, laptop. So I finally get his name and SS#, but the police basically said they didn't have the time to deal with it, so tough luck. Now, I still have this guy's info and am having unhealthy thoughts involving a roll of duct tape, a bow saw and a cutting torch. Just when I thought I had matured enough to let those uncontrollable things go.

I win the UK lottery about three times a week and am somehow on all third world countries e-mail donators/assistant for helping laundering money into the US list. This e-mail was nothing like that, I could see how someone could fall for this scam and not feel stupid.

They say instead of clicking on the link provided in the email body, manually type it in the address bar.

If you hover over the link the real address will show up most of the time.

What Jerry said, or right click on email and open the 'properties' - which will show you IP address and true server name etc... and, just keep in mind that no financial institution will ask you for this kind of info through email.

Who?

The people DUMB/NAIVE enough to fall victim to this crap?

Ok, I'd go along with that.