identity theft

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

Pat,
I just checked, and your balloon on the map IS in the Simi Valley, but it's probably a couple miles from your home.
I also checked mine, and its in the middle of the parking lot of one of the Camarillo cinemas.
So, as others have said, unless the balloon is actually over your home on the map, there's no additional information the bad guys can extract from the map that isn't already on the forum.

Hi Don . You have been to our home so you know what I am worried about . Sounds like our balloons are Ok then .thankyou for your response too . Pat

[sunrisetrucker]

I had my balloon positioned exactly where my house is (it's one of only two on the entire street) but after reading the concerns on this thread I decided to move it a few blocks away to an empty lot.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by sunrisetrucker

I had my balloon positioned exactly where my house is (it's one of only two on the entire street) but after reading the concerns on this thread I decided to move it a few blocks away to an empty lot.

But, what are you going to do if they read this post and learn what you've done?
Is this a neighbour?

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

I asked a serious question ,except for Brian didn't get my question seriously answered , so I need to get it answered elsewhere . Pat

My answer was serious and I stand by it without apology.

[Donna D.]

I worry more about identity theft than I do this issue. To begin with my last name doesn't start with a D and I don't live in Portland, OR. But, I do understand others concerns, they're just not mine.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

I worry more about identity theft than I do this issue. To begin with my last name doesn't start with a D and I don't live in Portland, OR. But, I do understand others concerns, they're just not mine.

I have had my identity stolen in the past and again recently, so I have no idea who I am and where I live because there are at least 2 more of me floating around......somewhere......

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by KarenH

My answer was serious and I stand by it without apology.

Karen with due respect your answer was a statement , not a answer that helped us . At least you stated how you feel instead of giving us a joke . Pat

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

I worry more about identity theft than I do this issue. To begin with my last name doesn't start with a D and I don't live in Portland, OR. But, I do understand others concerns, they're just not mine.

Good idea 's Donna . Pat

[cpaharley2008]

Karen's answer was an attempt to give you a different perspective on the situation, that is all.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Karen's answer was an attempt to give you a different perspective on the situation, that is all.

Got it Jim . But not what we were looking for or our belief's or helpful to our situation . Pat

[gbaglo]

To use the map for nefarious purposes, you would have to read the forum religiously, sift through the poutine posts to find somebody who isn't home, discover that there was an owners map, send a post asking the map master to fix the map, locate the pin for your target ...

[sunrisetrucker]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

But, what are you going to do if they read this post and learn what you've done?
Is this a neighbour?

How would they know where I moved it from
Why would you think that's my neigbour?
I think you'll have to explain yourself.

[jamman]

Can a moderator please split off this discussion about internet ID theft and leave this thread for problems with the owner's map?

[cpaharley2008]

good idea

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by jamman

Can a moderator please split off this discussion about internet ID theft and leave this thread for problems with the owner's map?

The discussion is regarding how folks view the potential to trailer (and home) security regarding having a marker on the map, which is a fairly valuable discussion for this thread.

[JohnB]

This thread reminds me of a news article from the Vancouver Sun paper a few years back. It was about a theft ring working in the Pacific Northwwest. The location is not important, the story is. It could, and probably does, happen everywhere. Thieves are opportunist and usually expend the least amount of energy to obtain their end goal. Why surf thousands of web sites when you can, in this example, B&E a vehicle and get all the info needed with a high expectation of success?


The operation would target vehicles with BC plates down in Washington and Oregon who were most likely down there on vacation. The vehicles would be broken into but little appeared to be missing. Till later. The thieves were actually taking note of the owners address from the vehicle registration papers. The information would be relayed to another part of the ring in the greater Vancouver area that would then case out the homes to determine that no one was indeed home, break in and take everything that they wanted knowing that time was on their side. S—t Happens.


As LeonW posted, take all the precautions you can to make your residence look occupied when you are away. Notify neighbours. Make sure you have adequate insurance. Be cautious what personal information you have out on social media, like this site for example.


Then, like KarenH, go out camping and have fun.

[Marry]

So true. Be careful with what you post! Richt now here it is so bad that after an obituary is placed, close family members are getting a house sitter for the day of the funeral. For me this discussion about the map is very important!

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by sunrisetrucker

How would they know where I moved it from
Why would you think that's my neigbour?
I think you'll have to explain yourself.

I didn't spend a lot of time on this. I just looked at the map, picked out a likely marker ( your profile says 17B and Santa Fe and that you are in Nanaimo ). You also said in your post that you are one of two houses on your block. I found where your marker currently is and then went to Street View to look around nearby. Found the trailer that I posted ( not yours. but I'm guessing near yours ).
People do reveal a lot of info if a bad guy has the time to spend sleuthing, but as posted above, there are easier ways to go about it. I spent about five minutes looking. There are two other 17Bs north of Nanaimo, but I didn't bother looking at them.

[Patandlinda]

If any one can get the 60 min . Program last night, Sunday , interesting information concerning W-fi and smart phones . Even our President is at risk , listening to his conversations , when you think the phone is off , they are viewing you , getting your passwords , credit info etc. . A lot over my head but information is out there to be made aware . They explained and showed what can be done . Like I said over my head . We just have dumb flip phones for emergencies because good luck finding a phone booth today and if you did you really don't want to touch it . Pat

[gbaglo]

I watched 60 Minutes last night. I'm not concerned, but I'm not the president of a country or the CEO of a rich corporation. The hacking they described, and the hackers said themselves, would not be employed against ordinary citizens. Too much work for too little return. It does point out the potential however.