Re: Question for the Roadie

> I'm always impressed when you find all the details of these scammers. Are
> there ever privacy issues with this disclosure?

All public databases and Google searches. I'm not a private investigator with "special" sources if that's what you think.

Internet domain registration records are public records, and anyone can access them using a web site like http://www.samspade.org/ or http://www.geektools.com/whois.php

> Not that we need to
> protect scammers but I mean if its so easy to find the background info,
> why do we bother to have sign-ups and passwords for domain sites and
> e-mail?

That's for the protection of private data. But when you register an Internet domain, you need to be contactable in case of issues with how that domain is used on the net. In case you don't want loonies stalking you or your family, there are proxy registration companies (I use one myself) that will register a domain for you, and put their address and phone number on the whois record. For a lot less than a private mailbox costs per year.

As a matter of fact, I wrote one of the customer testimonials that Domains By Proxy (one of these services - a division of GoDaddy) uses on their web site:
http://www.domainsbyproxy.com/FullTestimonials.aspx#billc

But those proxy registration companies are very concerned about being abused by scammers and spammers, and will drop the cloak of anonymity if they receive a credible spam report.

> is it also easy for dishonest people to access credit and banking info?

Not usually, unless you're one of the gullible ones who believes EBay or their bank will email them to "re-log-in" to verify their account data. I know nobody here is that gullible. :-)

> I'm not paranoid, just wondering.