On Aug 23, 2006, at 8:17 AM, authfriend wrote: >> -- It's a power trip. And I don't think getting involved >> in that kind of game is healthy. > > That's just paranoid, Sal. The TMO has always been on > a power trip, but SS#s aren't an example, *except* to > verify that one is qualified to go on particular > courses and so on, and they could certainly check that > just by using names and dates, although with more difficulty > and more possibility of error. I haven't gone on a course > in a while, so I don't know if they're still doing this, > but they also used to ask for the name of your initiator > when you applied for a course. That was another way of > checking to make sure you had actually learned TM.
Come off it, Judy. I'd be amazed if they had records going back a few years, much less when someone learned TM. The bit about the teacher's name is just more TMO silliness, as anyone could have made up a name. Tell you what...next time you apply for a course, make up some name to put in the initiator's blank, and see what happens--I'll bet nothing. (The name, of course, would have to be something that doesn't call attention to itself, could even be the name of an initiator, just not *your* initiator.) > > In other words, unless they were to ask for no personal > information at all, the "intimidation" you're imagining > would still be a factor. The only thing about SS#s is > that they're a very efficient means of identification. > >> And another point--usually when an organization asks you for one, >> that's it. They don't keep asking you every single time. > > Sure they do, in many circumstances, as a way of verifying > you're who you say you are. An SS# is sort of like a > password. "Sort of like"? I must have missed the secret handshake. > > These idiots >> just want you to know they've got something on you--again and again. > > Got WHAT on you?? > >>> And again, see the AARP link, which explains why >>> SS#s are routinely used for identification. >> >> I didn't see any link. > > There's been a lot of posting delays these days. I > made the AARP post before I made the one saying to > see the AARP link, but it just appeared this morning. > >>>>> For the record, if I had to give them my SS# to >>>>> go on a course these days, I wouldn't do it, even >>>>> if it meant I couldn't go. I don't trust them to >>>>> keep those records secure from people who might >>>>> use them for identity theft. >>>> >>>> So then you *do* think they could be used for nefarious purposes- > - >>> >>> Of course. But that's not why the TMO is asking for >>> them, obviously. >> >> OK, why are they asking for them then? > > AS A MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION. Sheesh! Same > reason so many other institutions have used them. And a photo ID would do just as well, same reason so many other organizations have used *them.* Sheesh. (Actually, your word "institution" to describe the TMO, is a much better one, for obvious reasons. You hit the mark.) > >>>> who else besides people in the TMO would ever have access to that >>>> info? >>> >>> Not everyone in the TMO is necessarily an upstanding >>> citizen, first of all. Some lower-level administrative >>> person with financial needs and no scruples might have >>> access to a list of SS#s and get ideas. Lists of SS#s >>> are worth big bucks in the identity theft market. You >>> can sell them to brokers, who then sell them to >>> individuals who commit the actual identity theft. >>> >>> Second, there are any number of ways the numbers could >>> get to non-TMO people. Someone could walk in a door >>> left unlocked and steal the records; some nitwit TMer >>> could throw a batch of unneeded printouts in the trash; >>> a janitor could find the records sitting on someone's >>> desk; a hacker could break into the computer system if >>> it weren't secured properly, etc., etc., etc. >>> >>> This is why you don't want to have to give out your >>> SS# if you can possibly avoid it--because they're >>> *worth lots of money*, and even an organization >>> with the most spotless motives can be careless about >>> how they're handled. >>> >>> Knowing the level of disorganization and general >>> incompetence in the TMO, I simply wouldn't trust them >>> to keep the numbers secure. >> >> That's my point exactly. Whether it's directly by someone with >> some nefarious intent, or simply because some idiot gets careless, >> you would not trust the TMO with potentially sensitive >> information. > > Once again: So they're trying to intimidate people by > suggesting that people with nefarious intent will get > hold of your SS# and commit identity theft because > the TMO is riddled with careless idiots? No, that was your point--I said they did it for intimidation. But I certainly agree with anyone who says the TMO is filled with a bunch of careless idiots--works for me. :) > > Sal, that was *not* your original point. If it were, > I'd have agreed with you instantly. You claimed they > are asking for it to *intimidate* people. And you > still haven't come up with what you think the actual > *threat* is that they're supposedly intimidating > people *with*. > > Fill in the blank: > > "We're asking for your SS# so that if you don't > toe the line, we can __________________________." > To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
