On 03/08/2011 10:55, Martin Brown wrote:
On 03/08/2011 10:34, Martin wrote:
On Wed, 3 Aug 2011 02:01:35 +0100, "Christina Websell"
wrote:


"Bob wrote in message
...
Just found out I had a Twitter account, I didn't open it but it had 2
followers despite no input from me at all. How can that happen?
Perhaps it might be worth those who haven't got an account checking
that
they actually haven't.

It can't happen. You've been spammed and scammed.

You cannot have a Twitter (or Facebook) account if you haven't opened it
yourself, in the same way that you cannot discover you suddenly have an
account at Lloyds bank if you know you haven't ;-)

Plenty of people have found they have bank accounts that they never
opened. UK bank security is a disgrace. My wife forgot her
password/code for internet banking. She visited a bank to get a new
code. The only proof of ID they required was her debit card.

They are supposed to ask for a geographic correct address component as
well like a gas or water bill with your name on it. About 10 minutes to
forge one these days if you are so inclined. It shouldn't matter too
much if all they do is reset the password and send a new one out to the
registered cardholders address. I am amazed how difficult it is in the
UK to prove who you are to a bank in a satisfactory manner. Most bank
clerks do habitually get it wrong and I never volunteer information.

I think there is one substantial point that people fail to understand.
This includes banks most of all!

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS PROOF OF IDENTITY.

The only people who can be sure of who you are, are people who have
known you whist you grow up. All the methods of obtaining documents
that are EVIDENCE of identity are easily subject to fraud.

Does that person who typed your details into the passport computer know
you? Of course not!

If a bank thinks that a utility bill proves anything then they seriously
need their heads read!

If anyone ever asks for "proof" of identity then your data is not safe
with them because they are likely to be easy prey for fraudsters.