ETHICS-IN-GENEALOGY-L Archives

Archiver > ETHICS-IN-GENEALOGY > 2003-08 > 1061630842


From: Fridrik Skulason <>
Subject: Re: [Ethics] Anyone here besides me?
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2003 09:27:22 +0000
References: <35.3c5dfd39.2c77fdf1@aol.com> <5.1.0.14.2.20030822182409.01c3b660@mail.earthlink.net>
In-Reply-To: <5.1.0.14.2.20030822182409.01c3b660@mail.earthlink.net>


> Identity theft only requires a living person's birthdate and mother's
> maiden name.

In the US, yes. The fact is that most other countries are just not that lax
with personal security. Think about it - how on earth is access to this
information supposed to prove that I am the person in question? (Ignoring for
a moment the issue that in my country there is no such thing as "maiden names").

Over here, if I wanted to get a credit card, I would have to do the following.

1) Go to the bank and fill out the application form, presenting my
government-issued ID card as a proof of identity.

2) When the card is ready, a note would be mailed to my registered address -
it cannot be sent anywhere else, not evan an address I put on the
application form.

3) I then have to go to the bank, and again present my identity card to
pick up the credit card.

It is not 100% foolproof - but there is not a single known instance in my
country someone getting a credit card in the name of someone else ... of
course, we have some cases of people using stolen cards, but that is a different
issue.

Just because the US has a lot of problem with safeguarding personal rights,
does not mean other countries have the same problems.

-frisk

This thread: