Targetted Scam Letter

[thehawk]

I changed my surname by statutory declaration about 20 years ago (nothing sinister, father disappeared when young and I wanted to carry on my grandfathers name who was more of a father to me)

So the only link between the old and new name was really the passport office who I supplied the details to. I won't go into details but there is just no way that the two names could ever be linked.

Underwent UK security clearance several years ago and had to declare my birth name etc, details obviously sent to the defense vetting people who then ran a credit check against both names, hence a link established. Still the only link in the public arena.

Yesterday I receive a scam letter from some African :

Scam letter said:

Dear Steven NewSurname (formerly Steven OldSurname) ,

This is an official legal notice of an unclaimed fund left by ( Late Engr. Jim OldSurname), who died as a result of an industrial accident in his Energy & Gas exploration company on the 12th December 2006.

etc

Somehow they have linked an old unused name, my new surname and my email address. Quite a sophisticated thing to do and is obviously a leak from either within the UK government or Experian.

Quite concerning really.

[LongQ]

Good grief.

That is ......

I'm speechless.

If broadcast to the public via the media no-one would ever trust a government database again.

[Mark-C]

LongQ said:

Good grief.

That is ......

I'm speechless.

If broadcast to the public via the media no-one would ever trust a government database again.

Sadly not true .... if broadcast to the public via the media no-one would pause for a minute before turning back to the I'm A Celebrity Blah Blah Blah bks on pages 2 through 17

Anyway ... I could be wrong but isn't all of the name declaration stuff now basically open to the world through various online census information? Not saying this is agood thing, mind.

Edited by Mark-C on Friday 28th November 01:08 to sort out the spelling .... and again below :-(

Edited by Mark-C on Friday 28th November 01:09

[thehawk]

Sadly most government organisations are totally staffed by dimwits and uncleared immigrants, particularly at the lower levels, that do much of the routine processing. Having worked closely with IT security specialists, security really is an absolute joke in most places.

I really wouldn't trust anyone.

[LongQ]

Mark-C said:

LongQ said:

Good grief.

That is ......

I'm speechless.

If broadcast to the public via the media no-one would ever trust a government database again.

Sadly not true .... if broadcast to the public via the media no-one would pause for a minute before turning back to the I'm A Celebrity Blah Blah Blah bks on pages 2 through 17

Yes, agreed, up to a point. But then that's because they don't yet understand and believe how badly screwed the 'system' mostly is. They will stay that way, and the 'authorities' will continue along their unsatisfactroy paths, until it finally gains their attention.

If not, oh well. Never mind. The kids will get the rulers they deserve. Me? I'll be out of it most likely before it becomes completely unbearable.

Pity the grandchildren though ... if there are any.

[Mark-C]

LongQ said:

Mark-C said:

LongQ said:

Good grief.

That is ......

I'm speechless.

If broadcast to the public via the media no-one would ever trust a government database again.

Sadly not true .... if broadcast to the public via the media no-one would pause for a minute before turning back to the I'm A Celebrity Blah Blah Blah bks on pages 2 through 17

Yes, agreed, up to a point. But then that's because they don't yet understand and believe how badly screwed the 'system' mostly is. They will stay that way, and the 'authorities' will continue along their unsatisfactroy paths, until it finally gains their attention.

If not, oh well. Never mind. The kids will get the rulers they deserve. Me? I'll be out of it most likely before it becomes completely unbearable.

Pity the grandchildren though ... if there are any.

I already have grandchildren .... I'll be making sure they know ....

[LongQ]

thehawk said:

Sadly most government organisations are totally staffed by dimwits and uncleared immigrants, particularly at the lower levels, that do much of the routine processing. Having worked closely with IT security specialists, security really is an absolute joke in most places.

I really wouldn't trust anyone.

Hmm.

I don't think the concerns are limited to government departments - but your particular story seems quite conspicuous for its apparent ease of misuse.

So much for witness protection programs ... but then I suppose any criminal who might be given a new identity on release would also be somewhat worried by such a report. Swings and roundabouts.