A Serious Question For Our Security-Savvy Readers
I was at the Police Station today dealing with an issue (it’s okay, I’m the Good Guy). The constable asked me for ID, entered my name in her computer, then asked me if I had ever lived in Gatineau. I said “no”. “That’s weird”, she said. “There’s someone with your exact name AND date of birth living in Gatineau”.
My surname is fairly uncommon; I have NEVER met anyone with the same name who wasn’t a relative. AND the same birthdate?
I asked her what she could tell me about my doppelganger: she said that she could only tell me he has a Quebec driver’s license in that name.
Anybody have a theory about what this means? Is someone setting up a scam? Is there a way I can find out more about my mysterious namesake?
See if he has a listing in one of the online directory services (eg. yellowpages, canpages) and have someone give him a ring.
I did. Nothing shows up. And googling my name gets only me, and another guy in New Zealand that I know about.
Did you broach the concept of identity theft with the constable? I’m assuming you have a not-so-common Surname or combination of given and last name.
Your identity has been lifted. The odds against this being a coincidence are too huge to be possible (especially with your very non-french name in Quebec).
Contact a credit bureau service and inquire about credit applications in your name.
It’s well known that Gatineau is full of Balbulicans…..isn’t it?
“Did you broach the concept of identity theft with the constable?”
I did. She was very cautious, was not authorized to release info, etc. And no crime has been committed yet. I’m wondering what other venues are open to me.
“Contact a credit bureau service and inquire about credit applications in your name.”
Will try that.
‘It’s well known that Gatineau is full of Balbulicans…..isn’t it?”
You’re probably thinking of Belle Bou’li Khan, the famous Syrian stripper/spy/mistress who settled in Plantagenet after the second world war. No relation.
Hmmmmmm…….where to find an “inside” copper willing to spill the beans. You always hear about people who asked “friends” in the force to run “checks” on people. How come they’re never around when you need them? But seriously can you go to the Quebec police and explain the issue? Hmmm, did the police people at the Station have any suggestions? Were they at all curious?
I’m with Throbbins theory…..and go to your finance people. Begin to leave your paper trail in case it is identity theft. Maybe the credit card people would be interested in a “Balbulican” in Gatineau with your birth date cause it is suspicious. But if it was identity theft, why there? Why not something father away, Gatineau is so close the risk of discovery is higher yes? I mean look….you just found out about it.
And if it is, then the person can’t be too smart so if there is a driver’s license then are there are probably other crumbs lying around like credit cards in your name. Hmmmm what would a PI do?
“…Gatineau is full of Balbulicans.”……dat’s funny.
Credit Bureau is the way to go in these cases, and we should all be keeping an eye on our credit history for reasons of possible identity theft. Hopefully its just a rather amazing coincidence. My understanding is that straightening out identity theft cases are a major headache. Good Luck.
Let me add to votes for contacting the credit bureau, Balb. I know your real name and yes, to have that name, with an identical DOB living so close is to big a coincidence.
I’ll be willing to bet there is a Credit Card with that name floating out there too.
A few years back, I got a call from CIBC Visa security, asking me if I had applied for a credit card with them. They thought it was suspicious as I had a Visa through TD already, have no accounts with CIBC and my Ottawa phone number did not match the Windsor address.
Turns out, they had my full name, my DOB AND my SIN number. It was later traced to a breach at a large Winnipeg based insurance company. Myself and most of my co-workers, who worked for a large Winnipeg based telecom who did business with this large Winnipeg based insurance company also had their identities stolen – some for thousands of dollars in bad debt run up in their name.
I got a call order put on my credit account with both of the major bureaus, so that if anyone tried to obtain a card, they would call me to verify. I have had to verify my company credit card twice since then.
If you get an address for your doppleganer, drop me a line and we can go out and have a look. My Windsor address turned out to be for an abandoned warehouse.
You can get your credit bureau reports on-line. The two major ones are equifax and trans union. It’s vital that you check this info. Even if your doppleganger guy is legit, they may have your info and his combined under the same file, and if this guy has screwed credit, it could effect yours. It’s good to know what’s on your credit reports anyway.
it will cost you a few bucks, but it takes over a month to get this info via mail.
I also encourage everyone to invest in a paper shredder and shred anything with your name and address on it. Everything a good con needs to steal your identity can be found on a discarded envelope with your name and address on it.
good luck bro. I hope it’s nothing. A buddy of mine got his identity stolen 3 years ago and he’s still dealing with the consequences.
Balby,
Be sure to let us know how it turns out.
Will do, Mike. I have some old contacts at the Credit Bureau ( see the disreputable early years of my resume) and will talk to them tomorrow.
Good Luck!
Sounds like identity theft is a distinct possibility.
Aside from the credit companies (to see if new cards in your name have been issued), it might be prudent to contact your current banks/credit cards and ask if any additional cards or replacement cards in your name have been requested lately…and sent to a Gatineau address. If you don’t know the source of the leak, you don’t know how they will hit you.
Nastyboy – If all they need is your name and address – isn’t that all listed in the phone book? That would imply that anyone with a listed landline is screwed.
@Deanna – They would also need, as Balbulican mentions, an accurate date of birth (and possibly accurate place of birth).
My friend did not know her identity had been stolen till she applied for a loan to buy a car. Imagine her surprise when she discovered she had declared bankruptcy, had a few credit cards she knew nothing about and a few other problems. She is still trying to get it straightened out.