Connections #053 – A Victim of Identity Theft Speaks Out
Marc Freedman is a larger-than-life entrepreneur & businessman from Dallas, Texas. He’s also one of the world’s most prolific online networkers. According to TopLinked.com, he’s currently #6 on LinkedIn worldwide, with over 32,000 First Level Connections.
So it was surprising to learn that despite being a sophisticated and net-savvy Internet user, Marc was recently the victim of Identity Theft – losing control (for a short but crucuial period) of his Facebook account.
As a result, a devious financial scam was perpetrated in his name, drawing in a number of unsuspecting victims, before being brought inder control.
Connections #053 - A Victim of Identity Theft Speaks Out [19:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadIn this interview, Marc (a previous guest on the show), returns to provide a first-hand account of his experiences, including the difficulties he encountered in regaining control of his account again.
He also provides valuable tips and security measures for other users to follow, to ensure that a similar fate does not befall them.
Web Links:
LinkedIn – Marc’s LinkedIn profile
Facebook – Marc’s Facebook page
Dallas Blue Network – Marc’s Networking group
RoboForm – top-rated password manager and web form filler
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Thank you
Stan Relihan
Expert Executive Search: www.expertsearch.com.au
April 6th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I wonder how Marc can manage “relationships” with his 1000’s of contacts. Seems unrealistic and so the fraud was due to the size of his group and their relative disconnectedness (as well as naivety — unless they sent no more $10 via WU — I would have done some checking on the story). My friends would have asked for parts of my body as proof before sending any dough (just kidding!).
Would be do a show just on online fraud. A good hacker can make millions a year. Many of them are from FSU. See:http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_22/b3986093.htm?campaign_id=bier_tcm
Interestingly enough, most comments on this article are by hackers looking for business or offering services!
This is going to grow. There are no morals to appeal to when we have major bankers and officials committing massive fraud. See: http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04032009/watch.html
My advice: Use discretion (I would not go on Facebook if you paid me) , watch your back (and front and sides, have a few PHYSICAL friends with money and clout that you can call in times of trouble. Read THE BROKEN BOUGH http://www.economicclubsf.com/resources (my old favourite, now no 1 on the reading list of SF Economics Club). Meditate on it. This is just a ripple in a long journey.
April 7th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
I remember chatting with ‘Marc Freedman’ and him asking me for money to get to US from London as ‘his stuff was stolen and he was stranded just before Christmas’. For some reason I checked his LinkedIn page and found his identity has been compromised. Suddenly things hit close home.
I think this podcast is extremely important for everyone to understand how this happens and how it can happen to anyone. Thanks to Stan for getting this information for us.
April 10th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Hi Stan,
Listening to you and Marc Freedman made me recall a message that I got through LnkedIn a few months ago from a 1st tier member of my network, who was not personally known to me, but his earlier messages mentioned firms and locations that I knew.
I received a message from this person saying that he was in Lagos Nigeria, that he had been robbed and was looking for people to send about USD2,000 to allow him to pay his hotel bill and get an airticket home. He said that the hotel manager was trying to help him with internet access and he would provide a method for transferring funds. I ignored it and have never heard from him again.
Not sure if this was a case of identity theft or a con from the very first contact.
April 10th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I dont know who to thank more, Stan for the interview or Marc for coming out and admitting that a savvy person like him was a victim. It only reminds us that as time passes we get less paranoid and at times let our guard down.
Please read about this incident and what we need to take home from this on http://saquib.wbitt.com (A site about LAMP performance and web security)
The article regarding this incident is entitled “Facebook identity theft brings us back to the basics” you will find the article on the front page.
Thanks
Saquib
April 19th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Stan,
Great interview with Marc Freedman. I actually have had the good fortune to meet him on a few Dallas Blue Live Networing occasions. Great guy ! The show was very meaningful in terms of sending a message about security and identify protection on the various social networks.
Best regards,
Dave