Amazing sloppiness at Mastercard

Cadaverous Pallor · 03-30-2006, 12:14 PM

Cockeyed.com, the site that brought you How Much is Inside Mustard among other wonderful projects has done it again, albeit in a more serious vein.

Incredible story.

I got so mad I emailed Mastercard.com. I can't believe that some human being employed by them looked at a scotch-taped application with a new address on it and said "sure".

BarTopDancer · 03-30-2006, 12:22 PM

GRRR!

Thanks for sharing this.

Snowflake · 03-30-2006, 12:27 PM

Sputter, phfffffttttttt, that's astonishing.

Alex · 03-30-2006, 12:31 PM

Having had some insight into how credit card applications are processed when I was at Wells I am somewhat surprised by this and must give some small credence to the possibility that the story isn't true.

But only small credence, particularly since it is Chase and their persuit of new accounts is particularly cutthroat.

This is why no piece of paper with personal information on it goes into our regular trash. Not even shredded. We have a separate box for all such paper and periodically we take it into the office and put it in the official secure "to be shredded" bins at work.

innerSpaceman · 03-30-2006, 12:36 PM

Wow. I'm gonna start burning stuff.

Snowflake · 03-30-2006, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

This is why no piece of paper with personal information on it goes into our regular trash. Not even shredded. We have a separate box for all such paper and periodically we take it into the office and put it in the official secure "to be shredded" bins at work.

Ditto, I pulled a banker's box, overflowing of paper, statements, pay stubs and such from my closet of hell last weekend, I'm bringing it here to go in the secure shredder. Never mind that anyone hijacking my identity would get not more than 5 miles courtesy of me.

scaeagles · 03-30-2006, 12:56 PM

I have a crosscut shredder that makes pieces 2 inches long by 1/16th inch wide. If some thief is gonna go through my trash and take that and reassemble it, then I guess I have to live with it.

Not Afraid · 03-30-2006, 12:57 PM

I swear the City-provided trashcans should come with a shreader attachment. A powerful one and not the slow, loud one we already own.

SzczerbiakManiac · 03-30-2006, 01:58 PM

I'm thinking maybe shredding THEN burning may be in order....

tracilicious · 03-30-2006, 04:32 PM

I don't shred anything. I don't even rip it up. I often toss credit card applications in the mail without even opening them. Truthfully, my credit is already crappy enough that there isn't much anyone could do with my info.

I worked in the fraud department for Sears credit cards about four years ago. What I learned there is that there is very very little you can do to protect yourself. Most identity theft happens because someone took something out of a mailbox or even straight from the post office. Once it's taken, it's a pain getting it back too. I dealt with people who had even called each credit bureau and added an identity theft alert to their reports that listed their contact info should anyone try to apply for a card. Those people still had cards opened in their name.

This is beyond inexcusable though. I may get a confetti type shredder.

03-30-2006, 12:14 PM	#1
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	Amazing sloppiness at Mastercard Cockeyed.com, the site that brought you How Much is Inside Mustard among other wonderful projects has done it again, albeit in a more serious vein. Incredible story. I got so mad I emailed Mastercard.com. I can't believe that some human being employed by them looked at a scotch-taped application with a new address on it and said "sure". __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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03-30-2006, 12:22 PM	#2
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	GRRR! Thanks for sharing this. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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03-30-2006, 12:27 PM	#3
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Sputter, phfffffttttttt, that's astonishing.
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03-30-2006, 12:31 PM	#4
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Having had some insight into how credit card applications are processed when I was at Wells I am somewhat surprised by this and must give some small credence to the possibility that the story isn't true. But only small credence, particularly since it is Chase and their persuit of new accounts is particularly cutthroat. This is why no piece of paper with personal information on it goes into our regular trash. Not even shredded. We have a separate box for all such paper and periodically we take it into the office and put it in the official secure "to be shredded" bins at work.
	Submit to Quotes

03-30-2006, 12:36 PM	#5
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Wow. I'm gonna start burning stuff.
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03-30-2006, 12:56 PM	#7
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	I have a crosscut shredder that makes pieces 2 inches long by 1/16th inch wide. If some thief is gonna go through my trash and take that and reassemble it, then I guess I have to live with it.
	Submit to Quotes

03-30-2006, 12:57 PM	#8
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	I swear the City-provided trashcans should come with a shreader attachment. A powerful one and not the slow, loud one we already own.
	Submit to Quotes

03-30-2006, 01:58 PM	#9
SzczerbiakManiac "ZER-bee-ak" Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,409	I'm thinking maybe shredding THEN burning may be in order....
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03-30-2006, 04:32 PM	#10
tracilicious avatar transition Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in-between Posts: 2,487	Anyone who might rifle through my trash don't read this I don't shred anything. I don't even rip it up. I often toss credit card applications in the mail without even opening them. Truthfully, my credit is already crappy enough that there isn't much anyone could do with my info. I worked in the fraud department for Sears credit cards about four years ago. What I learned there is that there is very very little you can do to protect yourself. Most identity theft happens because someone took something out of a mailbox or even straight from the post office. Once it's taken, it's a pain getting it back too. I dealt with people who had even called each credit bureau and added an identity theft alert to their reports that listed their contact info should anyone try to apply for a card. Those people still had cards opened in their name. This is beyond inexcusable though. I may get a confetti type shredder. __________________ And now Harry, let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure! - Albus Dumbledore
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