Clive Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 On the TV the other evening a police man was advising drivers NOT to carry their driving license with them because if you loose it or perhaps your wallet containing it is stolen the license has all the information necessary for someone to steal your identity. Now, I thought that we were legally obliged to carry our driving license and certificate of insurance whilst driving for the last few years. Which bit have I got wrong? Mel perhaps?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 I don't think its a legal requirement to carry cert of ins or driving licence in this country unless you are a commercial driver. I was under the impression that you need to have these docs with you when abroad though. I'd be interested to hear Mel's thoughts too. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 Further to the topic of this thread I just found this on the FSB forum: "MIT workers today demonstrated that the new 'No Swipe' credit cards can be read quite easily at ranges from a few inches to a foot or so. They are based on the the underlying technology, called radio frequency identification, or RFID which many you will no doubt have heard of in connection with retail applications It all means that someone equiped with about £100 of homemade electronics can wonder through a crowd and could come away with dozens of perfectly valid credit card number complete with the name and expiry date. Think Paddington at 08:00. You may not have seen them yet but they are in the US and will be here before very long. Amex, Visa and Mastercard are all in there. There are claims about 'It's all encrypted' It's totally impossible' from them but the fact remains MIT did it through an envelope at a demonstration and used it to purchase goods." Now that is real cause for concern because before long we will be getting these "no swipe" cards over here. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Madge Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 [QUOTE]Clive - 2006-10-25 11:17 PM On the TV the other evening a police man was advising drivers NOT to carry their driving license with them because if you loose it or perhaps your wallet containing it is stolen the license has all the information necessary for someone to steal your identity. Now, I thought that we were legally obliged to carry our driving license and certificate of insurance whilst driving for the last few years. Which bit have I got wrong? Mel perhaps?? [/QUOTE] Clive, The last time I checked you had 5 or 7 (I can't remember which) days to produce your documents at a police station of your choice. When abroad we usually only carry photocopies of passport/driving license/IDP and the originals are kept in a secure place in the van. We have a photocopy of all documents we take abroad with us, we even have a photo copy of all our credit/debit cards, no Clive you can't use the photocopies unfortunately. With all these belt and braces precautions we take we have been very fortunate that we have never been robbed, gassed, broken into or chased by bandits in Spain. Dave, We use the plastic all the time while abroad and it's always in the back of our minds the problems that can arise. We have been using "no swipe" cards for some time now at home and abroad, so far no problems. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 As far as I'm aware Don the "no swipe" card hasn't been brought in over here. Do you mean "chip and pin" by any chance? The idea of the "no swipe" card is that you don't have to put it into the machine at all, instead an RF scanner reads the card details (which are supposedly encrypted) without you having to even take it out of your wallet. The existing cards do have to have physical contact with the terminal machine. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 These people are so bedazzled by their own technology that they have forgotten the old axiom that there is no lock so secure that a good locksmith cannot pick it. I recently retired after nearly 40 years as a computer programmer. In the mid-1980s, just before Big Bang, I was working in the City on what was then the most tightly encrypted computer system in the world. Somehow the master password became known, so it was changed. It took me all of 30 seconds to hack the new one! The only safe way to make credit card purchases is to insist that all vendors do what is now available as an option from Amazon.com – when you place an order you are given an order number, and it is then up to you to get the payment through to them by any method you please. If your credit number never enters the Internet then it is impossible to hack it from the Internet. It is time we, the public, demanded that the government make this system a legal requirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 [QUOTE]Bill - 2006-10-26 10:23 AM I recently retired after nearly 40 years as a computer programmer. In the mid-1980s, just before Big Bang, I was working in the City on what was then the most tightly encrypted computer system in the world. Somehow the master password became known, so it was changed. It took me all of 30 seconds to hack the new one![/QUOTE] Bill ... is that why there was a 'Big Bang'????? There are similar 'access control cards' out and about already where you don't have to stick a card in/up against a machine, you just have to walk nearby and it'll unlock the door (assuming you have access permissions set up to do so), similar to the new type card that is used instead of car keys etc on some posh cars, you just sit in and it'll let you drive, if you don't have the card you ain't going no-where. On the subject of identify theft - how many of you take part in 'on-street' surveys? When asked for your info are you willing to give it? Sometimes you can give your 'personal identify' info away without even thinking about it. Lots of people do unfortunately, even to the extent of giving their credit card etc details. Next time you're approached, if you are willing to take part, just be careful what info they ask you to supply, if they're asking for names etc then smell a very big rat, if the smell is too great call the coppers (don't let the surveyor know otherwise they'll scarpa), better safe than sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 Bill, nobody mentioned your card details being "hacked" off the internet. Mel, I was aproached today in Halfords by a very attractive young lady trying to get me to take out a Halfords credit card. She was very friendly but didn't want to take no for an answer and proceeded down the questionaire "do you fit this profile?" etc. I gave her my best smile (but she still persisted) When she asked my name I politely told her for the fifth time that I needed another credit card like I need a hole in my head. She asked my name again and I finally gave in.................................................................................. and told her in no uncertain terms that I would not give her any personal information because I most definitely did not want, or need, another credit card. She finally gave up and went off to pester someone else. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted October 26, 2006 Author Share Posted October 26, 2006 RFID has been used for some years by the Post Office to track parcels. It,s not used on all but a percentage as a cross check. (We had a talk on it at the Low Power Radio Association show at the NEC a few years back) An RFID dongle need not be on a credit card, its also found in the tops of many car keys as its the coding system used. Its easy to make the hardware, the de-coding is another matter! Someone with a pocket PC coupled to a RFID unit has all the hardware necessary to detect and read passing credit cards. Making use of the data is the clever bit. C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbarian Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 Perhaps I can assist on the issue of driving Doc's, regarding this Country you are not legally obliged to carry any driving documents with you when driving, the main reason being if your vehicle is stolen and all the documents are available the thief 'could' sell it on. If you are stopped and asked to produce your Licence, Insurance and M.O.T. for any reason, you have 7 days commencing from midnight on the day the request was made. Failing to produce within the time is an offence in itself, it could also be assumed that non production is because you do not have any documents for that vehicle at the time and place of the request. You can elect the Police Station to which you produce your documents, so if on holiday miles away from home you can choose the Police Station nearest to your home, or anywhere of your choosing. If on holiday for longer than the 7 days the Police DO have discretion to extend the time, within reason. Driving documents must be produced by the person driving at the time the request was made because that person has to sign a form that is then compared to the signature on your driving licence. Regarding driving in Europe the AA has a very easy to use website that lists all you need to know about Europe Country by Country listing compulsory and reccomended items for each one on a spreadsheet format, all printable and last updated June 2006. It also includes toll roads and fees between Cities. You do not have to be an AA member to access or print the info. My understanding is that if stopped in a European Country and asked to produce your documents and passport, only the originals are acceptable. By all means it is a good idea to have copies with you in case of loss or worse theft but you must be able to show the originals upon demand or you could face a spot fine. Hope this is useful. Barbarian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartan3956 Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 Barbarian Well said although you are obliged to produce your driving licence in person. In the case of a photo licence both parts are to be produced. Anyone can produce the Insurance and test certificate if applicable, Your vehicle document can be produced in a reasonable time if required. The reasoning being it may be a company vehicle and held at their premises. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel E Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 Sorry, Clive & Dave - been away. Barbarian and Spartan are correct - there is no regulation requiring the carrying of driving licence or Cert of Ins in the UK. But it is necessary (essential, in fact) to carry them abroad. Certain countries such as the Baltic States won't even let you in unless you produce a valid Cert of Ins at the border. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel E Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 As to IDENTITY THEFT, like most theft, it's pretty difficult to falling victim to a determined targetter. There are things you can do, such as: - ensure that ALL your mail is being properly delivered. For anyone to successfully pose as you, they need access to your mail, at least initially. - shred all documents containing your name and address, any other personal details, and, of course, all Bank and BSoc Statements and the like. But these days, to be safe, you mst use a CROSS-CUT shredder. (The output composts wonderfully with grass cuttings and leaves.) - never reply to unsolicited emails, letters or phone calls, asking for personal details. Only ever give passwords information for such things as telephone B Soc accounts when YOU phone THEM. - refuse totally to give any personal info or password info to Indian Call Centres - too many are not secure. - if you move house, ensure that mail forwarding is working properly, then change your address details with banks, etc., to ensure you get their notification which most now send to both the old and new addresses. - buy a secure, fire proof safe, make it impossible to move (e.g., by screwing down to the floor from inside) and keep all sensitive documents and passwords in it. - do not keep passwords on you computer, even in a password-protected file - you can download software that will break these passwords. Doubtless others will add numerous other bits of advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Madge Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 [QUOTE]Mel E - 2006-10-28 1:04 PM But it is necessary (essential, in fact) to carry them abroad. Certain countries such as the Baltic States won't even let you in unless you produce a valid Cert of Ins at the border.[/QUOTE] Mel, Did you need a Green Card for the Baltic States (?) :-D :-D Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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