MasqMe

Letter to Dish Network - MasqMe's Personal Security Patch in Action

2011-05-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

The following is a letter from MasqMe to Dish Network concerning a security breach. The service is called MasqMe's Personal Security Patch.

Mr. [********], is a Dish Network customer. He is also a customer of MasqMe, an an identity theft prevention company. MasqMe has identified a security breach within your company and is bringing it to your attention and will require immediate action on your part.

Mr. [*******] is a customer of Dish and needed support today, 5/19/11 at 12:30p PST. He was shocked that a customer service representative from the country of the Phillipines asked him for his Social Security Number to verify his account. Now, his personal identity is prone to internal corporate identity theft. It's obvious that Dish Network does not understand the seriousness of this crime and how easy it is to sell personal information on the black market and how painful it is, as a victim, to try to recover from.

We would like to contact the highest managerial levels of Dish to have this discussion and to seal this security hole within your company. No employee below the executive level or CFO for that matter, should EVER be privy to a customer's Social Security Number, especially a lower-level employee out of the country. But no employee's should be able to see the entire Social Security Number of every customer. This is a serious breach in security.

The home phone, address or PIN is sufficient information to validate an existing customer. The Social Security field of the Dish Network system should be hidden and encrypted for complete security and not accessible.

Please contact Mr. [***********] at:
C: *********
Email: ******@******.com

Thank you,
MasqMe Management
http://www.masqme.com

How does the theft of identity happen?

2011-03-06T11:58:00.001-08:00

Criminals don't think like we do. They're a different breed. They're always thinking of new ways to take what doesn't belongs to them. That means that they're willing to do anything to get ahead. Here's how low they're willing to go to steal from you:

- Stealing personal information from Credit applications
- Garbage Rummaging
- Skimming Devices
- Email Phishing
- Changing Your Home Address
- Old-fashioned Stealing your purse or wallet
- Gaining access to vital documents i.e., health record
- Eavesdropping or shoulder surfing
- Computer Theft
- Impersonation
- Conning employees of companies who have your data
- Stealing personal checks
- Using false pretenses
- Organization infiltration
- Bogus Job Offers
- Public Social Network Surfing
- Data breaches and much more

What's the solution? Control!

The only effective way to protect your identity is for you to CONTROL the exposure of your personal information.

The United States Social Security Administration states that "The routine and often indiscriminate use of SSN's as identifiers creates opportunities for individuals to inappropriately obtain personal information."

No one cares about you more than you! So you're the best person to control who sees your information.

The Answer is MasqMe!
MasqMe provides the tools you need to help protect your identity beyond what you can do yourself. MasqMe's tools put you in control of your identity.

The MasqMe Difference
No other identity theft prevention company gives you the keys to control your identity Take control and enroll now to gain the peace of mind that you deserve.

Click here to Join MasqMe today.

Click here To learn more about the tactics used by identity thieves.

Download our "Don't Be A Victim" brochure.

MasqMe, the Identity Masquerade

Established avenues of checking credit

2010-09-14T18:53:00.000-07:00

Mr. Dullea,

I am an identity-theft conscious consumer that would like to prevent the unnecessary exposure of my social security number for the credit check that you require, to determine my creditworthiness for the purchase of a new car. Please note my email to one of your employees and his response in the thread below.

Clearly times are changing. People like me are trying to limit the exposure of our data to prevent the terrible crime of identity theft. But I realize that your company needs my credit history, as does the company financing my new car. But frankly, I just don't think that your salespeople should know my Social Security Number. Do you really think it's secure and good policy to allow an employee below a certain pay-grade, to have access to such a private identifier? I realize it's the established status quo like David told me. But, we also used to pay our bills and send letters through snail mail. Times change. Technologies change...in many case, for the better.

I am a consumer that is a member of a new online company that provides me with the security that I'm looking for, and provides you with the tri-merged credit report that your company needs for both you and the finance company to make a sound decision. The only difference is, my SSN is not exposed needlessly. I'm sure that you can appreciate that.

Just like you've partnered with ADP to provide you with credit reports, you can partner with this company for credit reports. Whether it's through ADP, CWBC, MasqMe, the credit reports come from the same places; Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Hopefully this is important enough to you, to at least look into. I'm sure that many many more consumers will start demanding this secure process for obtaining a new car. Maybe this can be something that separates you from the rest; the most secure method for obtaining credit for a new vehicle...

Please visit: http://www.masqme.com/merchant to learn more about signing up as a merchant partner. You can also contact the company with more questions at: merchantexpertise@masqme.com.

I added them to the CC in case you folks want to talk.

Thanks,

Unfortunately our finance department has its own established avenues of checking credit.

If I can ever be of further assistance please let me know.

Regards,

****

Subject: Re: 2nd follow up
Hello ****,

Thanks for getting back to me. I have been receiving your messages, but have been a little busy. Thanks for staying in touch!

Actually you can do something that could possibly earn my business. We are very interested in purchasing a new vehicle. However, I am an identity-theft conscious, successful consumer that worries about exposing my social security number and don't like giving it out to anyone due to the potential for identity theft. But, I realize that my SSN is needed to review my payment history and credit scores. I'm not against having you check my credit, just against you, your coworkers and management knowing my SSN.

There is a way however, where we could possibly do business if you're interested. Of course, the terms have to meet my expectations, but, for my privacy and security, the only way I'd consider purchasing a vehicle from you would be if you'd check my credit using a different online credit reporting company that has a unique and secure way of generating a tri-merged credit report of my personal data, from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You still get your report showing my credit data and history. The credit report is still generated using my Social Security Number, since it's in their system. You get everything you need to determine my credit worthiness. The key is that it keeps my SSN secure by not exposing it unnecessarily.

If you're interested, you simply have to sign up as a merchant member. I'm told it takes 3-5 business days to get approved, then you can begin generating tri-merged credit reports.

Truth is, more and more consumers are getting tired of being victims of the mis-management of our identities. More and more people are looking for protection. The government will soon begin to get involved in demanding that companies provide more secure methods of doing business.

I hope you do your research and take my proposition seriously. If your company joins, more business may come your way. I am a member of this company and I'm sure there are many many more just like me. I would like to invite you to check my credit for my security, using MasqMe.com. Please join and become a member of MasqMe, so we can potentially do business.

For more information about joining as a merchant member, visit them online at: http://vinurl.com/Y95DS.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Subject: 2nd follow up

September 10, 2010

Dear ***

Recently you sent in a request for a through the internet. I've been trying to reach you for the past couple of days without success. I wanted to see if you were still interested in this vehicle or if you already purchased a car.

When you get this email, please call me at and let me know what your status is. Perhaps I can do something special to earn your business. Here at British Motor Car Distributors, Ltd. we offer a level of service that is extraordinary as the vehicles we sell.

Thank you for the opportunity. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

***

John Muir Health Loses Patient Data

2010-04-10T19:05:00.000-07:00

On Friday April 9, I received the dreaded letter from John Muir Health; "We are writing to notify you of a recent incident at John Muir Health that involves the potential loss of your personal information." Yes, as the founder of MasqMe (http://www.masqme.com), I received a letter stating that my identity was stolen. What's sad about this is that millions of people have received dreaded letters like this all the time.

The good news is, we never provided our Social Security Numbers to them. So, our personal information is safe.

On our first visit to John Muir Health, one of the first things they wanted was our Social Security Numbers. But because we're so identity theft conscious, we did not provide it. Just weeks later, we received the letter.

There is absolutely no reason for health agencies to obtain our Social Security Numbers. So, as a free tip, when you're asked for yours, just say "I don't give it out."

For more tips and identity theft prevention tools, join MasqMe, the Identity Masquerade at: http://www.masqme.com.

MasqMe protects you from identity theft.

No one protects your Social Security Number like MasqMe.

2010-01-09T14:54:00.001-08:00

No one protects your Social Security Number like MasqMe. You NEED to care!

Most people won't think twice about handing over their "most important" personal identifier to a cellphone salesman to get a phone, or to a used car salesman to get a car. Why is that? Most of us just haven't put two and two together...

We're saturated with news of identity theft on TV, in the news, friends and family. Yet, we've been programmed into thinking that on one hand, we need to some how prevent it, but when presented with having to hand over our SSN to a $7 per hour employee of a company, we do it without batting an eye. Why? Because no one has offered to tell you the truth about it. Most importantly, major corporations don't really care. If consumers don't see the need to protect their own identities, or demand more security, why should they care? The status-quo works....for them. But frankly, not for you! MasqMe is here to give you back control of your identity.

Listen carefully folks. Identity thieves need your Social Security Number to destroy your identity. They will do anything possible, to get it. Your Social Security Number is the key. This most unequivocally includes conning, or bribing employees at banks and finance companies, or any company that stores our Social Security Numbers for that matter i.e., hospitals or utility companies. Even more unfortunate, banks and companies that store our Social Security Numbers allow lower-level employee's full-access to our personal data. Be not dismayed...MasqMe is here to give you what you need!

Finally, the consumer has a secure choice. Disguise your identity to prevent identity theft! Never give your Social Security Number to a $7 employee of a company again! How? By joining MasqMe. MasqMe allows you to generate an on-demand temporary disguise that you can use, in place of your Social Security Number! Keep your Social Security safe in your firebox and memory bank and use a MasqMe disguise to protect your identity!

MasqMe, the Identity Masquerade - http://www.masqme.com

Prevent Identity Theft During the Holidays

2009-12-21T16:51:00.000-08:00

Identity thieves run rampant during the holidays. But now, in a recession, they're drooling at the mouth hoping to catch you too busy and frantic to watch your wallet or purse. They're also looking for every opportunity to get at your mailbox. Be extra-vigilant during Christmas shopping season!

Give your wallet or purse and extra tap and look when shopping. If anything looks or feels suspicious, trust your gut.

Have a safe and Merry Christmas!

MasqMe, the Identity Masquerade!

http://www.masqme.com/

Disguise your identity to prevent identity theft!

2009-12-10T15:51:00.000-08:00

Disguise your identity to prevent identity theft!

I logged into my online banking account the other day and generated a "disguise" for my credit card so I could purchase something online. I was able to very easily generate an alternate credit card number that I gave to the merchant so they could charge my credit card account. In seconds I had a "disguised" credit card number!

Creating a disguise for my credit card protected my "real" credit card number from being "exposed" to the merchant, keeping my credit card number private! The process was identical and I received my purchase flawlessly!

MasqMe, the Identity Masquerade offers that same type of privacy, BUT for your Social Security Number! MasqMe disguises your identity so not to expose it unnecessarily during credit checks for new cellphones, cars, houses, apartments..whatever. Keep your Social Security Number private at all times! Now, you don't have to give it to anyone for those important purchases in life. Give them your on-demand temporary disguise!

Disguise your identity to prevent identity theft only at: http://www.masqme.com/

MasqMe, the Identity Masquerade

Privacy and my Social Security Number

2009-12-09T14:52:00.001-08:00

What is identity theft anyway? Identity theft is the theft of your identity. If my identity is prone to theft, wouldn't my primary objective be, to keep my identity private, from all exposure? Of course. The problem is, we're not treating our identities like our money. We don't let anyone know how much we have in our little piggies now do we. But, when we need a car, a cellphone, car or apartment, we stuck giving it out.

Now, you might be comfortable with that. I'm not. I never have been. I prefer keeping my data private. Now, there are those cases and entities that by law, require knowledge of my SSN. In those cases, I concede. But, please...anyone, try convincing me that a car salesman needs to know my social, just so he can type into a web site to pull my credit. Anyone?? Anyone?? No one can make the case. So, I choose MasqMe, the identity masquerade! With their system, I can generate a temporary disguise that expires mind you, that they will use inplace of my Social Security Number. It's perfect. I don't have to share it, yet the salesguy gets my credit report and can approve or deny me based on my credit score and history...simple and easy. The merchant logs into their account at http://www.masqme.com/ to look my disguise up..clean simple and private...

More people need to take MasqMe's security seriously. I'm so serious about the privacy of my ID, that it's the first thing I ask for... "Do you check credit through MasqMe?" If they don't I ask them to, or leave...

MasqMe, the Identity Masquerade
Don't check credit without it!

http://www.masqme.com/

Credit Checks and our Social Security Number

2009-11-18T22:04:00.001-08:00

www.masqme.com

How safe is your social security number really? The other day I happened to be strolling through a well known store with my family. My wife was busy looking at digital cameras and my son was chilling in the game isle.

As I approached the digital area minding my own business, a suave cool sounding dude calls out and says "how about a new phone sir!" I responded with the typical response I give, "I'm set, thanks!" He continued trying to get more information from me, in pure salesman style. I asked him what it took to get a phone. His response was, "all we have to do is check your credit!" This guy doesn't know me at all. But if he did, he'd know that I HATE giving out my social security number. I absolutely hate it. I think it's one of the most insecure processes known to mankind. Identity theft is skyrocketing, and he wants me to hand over my social security number for a quick credit check right??? No way!

What's the difference between a stranger asking me for my social security and him? None. The only real difference between them really, is that the sales guy gives me a phone after checking it. But the bigger question is, is it really safe to have to hand it to this employee at all?

How about a car salesman? Do you truly think that it's a good idea to give your social security to a salesman and his crew to have them check your credit?

How about a realtor or loan broker? The answer is an emphatic NO! There has to be a more secure method to have credit checked that maintains more privacy!

Well, finally there is. MasqMe lets you generate a temporary, on-demand disguise (security key) that the salesperson uses to check my credit, NOT my private Social Security Number!! Now, if that doesn't sound more secure and private, I don't know what would! Using a temporary security key in place of my social security number keeps my social security number private. That's all I care about...more privacy! That's all that "everyone" should be caring about! I highly recommend MasqMe, the identity masquerade!

Identity theft is a huge growing problem affecting millions. More privacy and security is what we need. MasqMe provides that much-needed security.

Join the masquerade! Visit http://www.masqme.com/ to learn more.