Your true identity

[SS427]

I've heard people on forums talk trash people who hide their true identity, usually in a situation where someone is trying to sell something. This usually means using a pen name such as Otter, rather than their real name, and not revealing which city and state they live in.

I've always been concerned about using anything that could identify who I really am and where I live. My gun collection is modest compared to most of you, yet I still have a small fortune invested. I'd rather not advertise to the world who I am, and where I live, in case some thief decides what I own would be better off in their possession.

Anyone else have this concern? Ever hear of anyone getting ripped off or otherwise violated due to posting their name and location on a forum?

 

[TheSnake]

I understand your concern and would say most of the time, I do not post detailed information in an open forum. I have no problem stating what city and state I am from or my full name. All of the dealings I have had on this forum have been good ones. The thief's should probably think real hard about attempting to rob anyone that spends as much time as we do on gun forums.

 

[zullo74]

You're paranoid.

 

[nhm16]

As many people who've taken naked pictures of themselves with a digital camera have found out to their chagrin, the Internet is forever. I avoid revealing my true identity because, honestly, it's nobody's business what my hobbies are, now or in the future. Similarly, I have a Facebook profile because it is just too useful to keep in touch with people, but I carefully manage what I disclose on it.

 

[Klong]

It does not hurt to be "paranoid". I do not reveal a lot, but anybody that is really interested can find you. With a small amount of work they could easily tell what your hobbies are, where you work and where you bank.
It is the world we live in.

 

[SS427]

Zullo - I noticed the city you live in is North Florida.

Klong - yes if someone wants to find you they will. I just think it is best not to advertise. Long shot someone would track you down off the Internet, but it is possible. Usually if you get ripped off it is a local job. The guy working for the yard maintence company is a perfect example of someone who cases property and comes back to rob you. When I load my rifles into my truck or car I always keep the garage closed until I am done. That might be paranoid, but I still have all my stuff.

 

[12man]

Ok the secret is out on my identity, I am Superman! I will always keep my personal stuff personal & you could track me down with some work. BUT I DON'T think it would be worth it !

 

[zullo74]

Zullo - I noticed the city you live in is North Florida.

Klong - yes if someone wants to find you they will. I just think it is best not to advertise. Long shot someone would track you down off the Internet, but it is possible. Usually if you get ripped off it is a local job. The guy working for the yard maintence company is a perfect example of someone who cases property and comes back to rob you. When I load my rifles into my truck or car I always keep the garage closed until I am done. That might be paranoid, but I still have all my stuff.

Look again.

 

[Flybuster]

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean their not after you! ;D

I just like to keep my personal name from being pasted all over the internet, you know in case I say something dumb. Not because I am a troll who causes problems on forums but nowadays hiring companies will actually do internet research on the people they hire. That means they will be looking anywhere your name pops up on Google.

If someone really has a problem with me not posting my real name they can deal with it. If you really need to know I'll tell you I'm not afraid! ;D

 

[dreever]

One thing I always do when contemplating buying anything advertized in the classifieds is look at the sellers profile. If there isn't anything listed I usually pass on that sale.
As to worrying about being robbed because of the information I list on my profile well that's why I have a gun safe. If they cut through it with a torch that's why I have a nasty little surprise inside. It dosen't hurt that I have a guard dog either not to mention a nineteen pound catnip drug crazed Maine Coon Cat! LOL!

 

[ourway77]

Otter I think I know you from another forum? Good guy. If someone wants to rob you it will most likely be some one close in proximity to your address, maybe some one you know or some one one of your kids know. Or some one who has heard from any number of sources that you have some nice fire arms. Rest assured I won't rob you. I have two gun safes and a big mutt, and if that fails I have a house alarm as well as all six of my brothers and they are all named 38. Lou

Don't he look vicious :-X

 

[SS427]

The reason I brought this up is I do forensic investigations of computers at times and have found all sorts of data stored that on the surface made no sense at all, including data that I had to conclude came from Internet forums because of how it was written. Granted I never found anything gun related, but the investigations I conducted were around information theft, not material possessions.

I think it would be very easy to mine information from these forums. If a criminal can identify who you are and where you live, and the fact you have 50 grand worth of ordinace stored at your house, the temptation to case you out and figured out when you are not home goes up big time. For a talented criminal, a gun safe is only an added challenge. The odds are slim, but you never know. Call it paranoid - I call it being careful. I thought it was an interesting observation and my intent was not to counsel you on what to do or not do.

Of all the defenses listed, I think dreever's 19 lb drug crazed Maine Coon might be the most effective.

 

[queen_stick]

Otter,

I'll probably never hear the end of saying this but....
Anyone who says you're paranoid is ignorant. By "ignorant" I mean they don't realize how information can be obtained and used through computers, which is magnified once they're connected to the Internet. (I DO NOT mean that they're stupid, or a 'rude person'). Social Engineering is a crazy phenomenon that works VERY well. Anyone who says you're paranoid obviously does not understand how vulnerable digital information is. We're discussing "smart criminals" here, not some douche bag that wants to break in and steel some items for drug money. Combine some social engineering with data mining from a forum and a 'smart criminal' can clean you out.

People need to understand that not everyone is a nice person, and there a lot of people out there that won't hesitate to rob you of your identity, or physical possessions. The Internet allows them to lurk without showing their face...

I also agree that that the nineteen pound catnip drug crazed Maine Coon Cat is the best defense! LOL!

 

[Steve Blair]

"Defense in depth" is a viable strategy. If there are more obstacles, the criminal is less likely to pursue it. The end game for me, besides a belligerent, armed property owner , is Bart. It is obvious that he is poised to leap into action. Fortunately, at 210 pounds, he usually just needs to be seen.

 

[Spook]

You're paranoid.

You're naive

 

[canuck]

You're paranoid.

Sorry but I would say you are completely naive. I know of a couple of guys who have been ripped off by posting their personal info.The guy pretended to want to buy something or to "send payment" getting a complete address only to come back later and rob the place.

 

[Rust]

I've recently had to deal with identity theft.

This despite the fact I keep no personnal information on my computers, do not order anything by way of the internet, pay cash rather than let some waiter or clerk wander around with or even see my credit card, don't list my phone number or let anyone other than family and close friends have it or my personnal cell number (business cell or office phone for that stuff), drop mail off at the post office (NEVER leave mail in my mailbox for pickup), shred everything with a cross cut shredder etc.

Then there was the recent home invasion double homicide in the area...

So as far as I'm concerned, discretion is a virtue.

And if you think that these and similar forums aren't monitored by our friendly federal officials you are naive indeed (even if it's all automated data mining looking for key words and phrases from Carnivore and Echelon). Which I wouldn't mind quite as much if it actually produced tangible results for all the money spent and if any of it actually say lowered the crime rate or prevented tons of narcotics from coming over the border........ Not a lot of cost effectiveness there, but it is the government after all.

 

[raauto]

Zullo74 is that you joe? rich adams here man I rteally miss Denny

 

[jerrschmitt]

Well, I'm out there for everyone to see. I spent 25 years in the Navy and 20 years as an Investigator. If someone wants to come get me, I say, "Bring it on."

 

[Thorbird]

That Maine coon cat looks just like mine. Mine goes 21 Lbs. I bet the 2 of them would have a great wrestling match, and then eat a load of food afterwards to celebrate.