Twitter Used Illegally

Were you wondering what happened to your Twitter recently when something took them down? Reports are that the attack on the Twitter system was politically motivated and had to do with Russia and Georgia. There was a secondary problem found while investigations were taking place with a user using it to control several hundred computers in Brazil causing problems online for others. That account was taken down. I've barely managed to figure out how to use Twitter correctly and others are using it to cause mayhem.

Computers are great...when they work right and don't create more problems, aren't they? You have to be careful about what information you use your computer for and what information you have available on your system for others to steal. Taking safety precautions can go a long way in helping you avoid this. There are companies who can help you do this, as well as companies that will provide you great computer support (for back up, networking, etc.) like orange county computer services.

I've had my identity stolen. I am not sure whether it was done online or if my credit card number was passed along by a merchant in a store I visited, but it's not pleasant getting it all fixed.

Read more...

Post 3: Somebody Stole My Bank Card Number

Well, finally we have a conclusion to somebody stealing my bank card number and shopping all over the United Kingdom with it! (For background, see the first and second post.)

All the fraud charges were reversed on my card. My bank, who seemed to enjoy charging me overdraft fees every single day this whole ordeal went on even though they knew my account was with the fraud division of their bank, finally reversed all their charges too. We got our money back.

We never were able to file a police report. Every time we went to our police department, they were closed. Locked up tight. Nobody working. Our tax dollars at work!! We don't know how my bank card number made it to the United Kingdom and there isn't a police report to go after the people who did this (which likely wouldn't result in any charges anyway...these hackers are good). It's over with.

Now that our money is back, it won't be there long. I'm not keeping that account.

Read more...

Post 2: Somebody Stole My Bank Card Number

The bank messed up. They told me they'd canceled my card when I called them the other day. I even went down there after I called them and asked them again and they confirmed my card was canceled it. Imagine how surprised I was when I go to check the account activity and the hackers had charged about $400 more onto the card!

I went back to the bank yesterday and the manager canceled the card. Unfortunately, it messed up my online account access so now I can't even check my account activity online. Geez! I was able to dispute about half the charges yesterday and will go back tomorrow to dispute the rest (had to wait until they moved from "pending").

I've tried going to the police department twice in the last two days to file a police report. Both times, there was nobody there. I don't just mean the officers were out on patrol. The building was locked and NOBODY was there. I walked down to city hall and they called around. Apparently, they didn't have ANYBODY on duty. Huh? Serve and protect eh? So who is watching our town then? I want to work there! I don't ever have to show up apparently.

What a pain.

Read more...

Part 1: Somebody Stole My Bank Card Number!

Apparently, somebody is having one helluva good time in Great Britain and California with my bank account. I just went online to check balances today. Imagine my surprise (horror!) to find that our bank account is over a thousand dollars in the hole!!

I called our bank. They said it looks like you've been traveling all over having a good time. Yeah, I wish!

I have to go up to our bank in about a half hour to sign the forms to dispute all the charges. What a mess. Now I'm wondering where/how they stole it, if I need to cancel regular credit cards, if my social security number is safe, etc. I will have to look up later how to go about checking on other items for identity theft right away. I'll have to keep in mind to contact the credit agencies too regularly over the next several months and see if they've stolen anything else from me. What a pain.

Damn thieves!!

Read more...