A Word Of Warning!

PsychoHippy · Jammy Git Joined: 02 Jul 2002 Karma :

I know everyone always says that it'll never happen to them, but it has now happened to a friend of mine. So I thought I'd post this as a reminder to be careful with your personal details.

The story goes like this (no names to protect the innocent).

My friend/colleague came into the office looking rather concerned this afternoon, and asked if he could talk to us for a few mins, only to explain that he had been in court yesterday after being charged by the police for buying kiddie porn with his credit card on the internet at some point between 3 and 4 years ago. This of course he denies (well you would wouldn't you?), and having known him for 4 years I find it totally unbelievable.
However, the story gets worse. Once at the magistrates court yesterday, his solicitor asks him if he has any previous convictions, to which my friend says "I've been done for speeding twice and that's it" - which is again the truth. So his solicitor then asks him to explain the two and a half pages of previous convictions that the police have provided him, all of which are ABH, GBH, Aggravated Assault or Causing An Affray over the last 3 or 4 years!
Now as I said earlier, I find it hard to believe the this guy could even consider buying kiddie porn, but as for having been charged for multiple violent crimes Shocked

So, his solicitor seems certain that somebody has 'cloned' him, and he now has to prove that it was not him but this 'clone'.

So, just a friendly reminder to be very careful with who you give your personal details to - because bad things can happen!
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I spend all my money on bikes and beer, the rest I simply waste!

xlfive · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Karma :

hell fire thats terrible hope it works out for your friend

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Hope he gets it all sorted out.

Surely after offences like those, they'd take DNA/ finger prints? Can't they compare his with those they have on file?

Makes you wonder though Neutral

PsychoHippy · Jammy Git Joined: 02 Jul 2002 Karma :

Mrs_Hippy · The Pink Lady Joined: 07 Jul 2002 Karma :

And don't forget (when you have finished with them) to shred / destroy al those utility / credit card, etc bills that hold all the lovely useful information for unscrupulous individuals to use.
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Karma

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Mr.Everready · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Karma :

Look what happened just this week, everyone thought Huntley was a mild mannered janitor, look what he done Evil or Very Mad

Korn · Admin Joined: 01 Feb 2002 Karma :

This will most probably have been a case of somebody selling fake identities with your friend used as the template, then the buyers getting themselves into trouble and it going on your friend's record. Preventing this is one of the very few good reasons I can think of for have a national biometrics database.

Also if you're worried about your card being used fraudulently I have a tip - renew it every 3 months. Barclays don't charge me for this, they just send me a new card with a different number and once I've used it for the first time the old card becomes invalid - meaning if anybody has the details of the old card on file it's useless to them. Only problem I had doing this is I would keep forgetting to call up BT and change the number they had on file and they would keep cutting off my ADSL without notifying me of the problem Embarassed

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3516 Miles, 11 Countries

PsychoHippy · Jammy Git Joined: 02 Jul 2002 Karma :

Mrs_Hippy · The Pink Lady Joined: 07 Jul 2002 Karma :

except the school that employed him! Is it my imagination or in this rampant political correctness Doc Octopus could get a job as a janitor at a junior school?

Danny · Ask Me About Stoppie School Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Karma :

I was watching a news clip about junkies and how the pick through rubbish to find personal info, they get £10 for name and address and more for bank statements etc....

Susi · Whitton Girl Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Karma :

You know, after reading that it makes me wonder what happened to my passport when my bag was stolen right from under my nose at a pub in Victoria. The worst bit of it all is that it was my Spanish passport and unlike British ones they not only come with your nationality and date of birth, but your home address too. I wouldn't be surprised if someone is currently using it as their own, claiming to be me and has cut out the photograph to replace it with their own.
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Sometimes, I like to think I'm 'spe-cial'.

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

Susi - If they even try that they'll get picked up by immigration the first time they try to enter any country.

On European passports there are about 5 security features on the photo alone, as soon as you lift the laminate they all get damaged and it looks different under a UV light.

carvell · Scuttler Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Karma :

Yes, but they don't look at it like that when they just glance at it when you're coming into the country, do they?

Sure, if you were taken in by immigration and checked out there they'd notice straight away, but cleverly replacing the photo would probably suffice for a passing glance?
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Yamaha TDM 850

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Danny · Ask Me About Stoppie School Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Karma :

I mentioned this thread to my sister and she said she had a credit card stolen a while back. The card ended up at a murder scene. Exclamation

Mrs_Hippy · The Pink Lady Joined: 07 Jul 2002 Karma :

when I was 21 my wallet was stolen by kids who used my drivers licence to get into over 21 clubs - I don't suppose they will be using it now - I shouldn't think any15 year old could pull off being 30!!