June 21, 2006
Cabscam
From our mailbag comes the following from a DCist reader:
I thought I'd write about something that happened last night. I took a cab from Adams Morgan to Woodley Park (short hop, but it was 11, and I wanted to be safe) -- I was sending messages on my blackberry, and the cab driver asked me if I saw his cell phone, I looked around under the seat, and didn't, then he asked if I had a cell phone and could call him to help him find it."Ah, it was in my pocket!" he said. I didn't think anything about it. He dropped me off. Two minutes later, my phone rang and it was the cab driver's number. I didn't answer, and found it a little creepy. Then I started to think about it, and found it really creepy.
I realized he now had my phone number, name and address -- everything you need for identity theft.
Call me a little paranoid, but now I feel it was a well rehearsed scam. Get someone to give your cell number, your cell recording usually has your name on it, your full name if you use it for business, and maybe even your employer, the driver knows where he just dropped you off, writes it on his log. That's more than enough to do a little idenity damage. Or a lot.
I put a fraud alert on my account this morning.
Maybe the driver was just calling back to thank me for helping locate his phone or the generous tip, but you can't be too careful.
This is not a scam we've heard about before, but it does sound plausible. DCist readers, have you had similar experiences? Does this seem like an actual lost phone or a clever ruse?
Picture taken by the mat.
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Yikes. That is frightening. And the implications run far from just cabs . . .
If you've ever paid for anything with a personal check, not only does it have your full name, phone number, and mailing address on it, but it also has YOUR BANK ROUTING AND ACCOUNT NUMBERS!
OH NO!!
THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING!!!!
OH NO!!!!!
CALL THE WASHINGTON POST!!!
Oh and Adams Morgan to Woodley Park--such a unsafe area!!
was this person male or female? maybe the cabbie was lusting after a girl and thought that was a clever way to get her number? totally creepy, but we need more details on this one before we can label scam vs. creepy monkey cabbie foreplay behaviour.
OMG!!! Foreign DC Cabdrivers scheme to steal white person's identity!
Jeez, lady, you think that I couldn't find out your address, phone number, and place of employment by doing a three minute search on Google? Or that every salesclerk that you have ever handed your credit card to can't do the same thing... Or ever worker at your bank or the DMV? How about the random intern that works for your ANC rep? I could go on and on...
Shame on you, Ryan, for publishing this... this website gets worse and worse every day (like wonkette), which is why in general I have stopped visiting it and similar blogs that for some reason have developed into masturbatory vanity projects for writers that can't get real jobs in journalism.
you are paranoid. who would want your crummy identity anyway?
I understand your point, but there's no need to drag Wonkette through the mud. In all fairness, there has been marked improvement in that corner of the blogosphere recently.
It's entirely possible that the cabbie forgot to put the keylock on his phone and somewhere in the jostling of his pocket and the car, the recent calls list came up and dialed the number since it was the most recent call received.
I second Scott's notion. By the way, I don't want to alarm anyone, but did you know there is a document that contains the name, address, and phone number of nearly everyone in the DC area. Even worse, any criminal can get their hands on it. Yikes! It's called the PHONE BOOK. Dumbass.
The cab driver probably just wanted to get the emailer's phone number so he could hit on her, like ryan suggested.
Sheesh.
Wow.. a lot of people having a bad day today? Lighten up.
Scott - Google simply isn't that powerful and your exaggeration does not help. Please continue to stop visiting. For real this time.
Andy - The phone book is opt-out and they ask you your preference when you activate a phone number. Ta-da.
That said, I agree that this isn't anything more than a lame way to get someone's phone number.
My fat sweaty stomach hides my moving hand as I read this...young ladies on birth control taking taxis, strangers with cell phones, the picture this paints intoxicates me with passion
What's with the assumption that it was a foreign cab driver? You calling the person possibly xenophobic and racist without any knowledge of the cab driver. No where in the email does it mention anything about the driver, I've had plenty of local DC cabbies.
And lots of people actually pay extra to not be listed in the phone book. And even if there is a listing, it doens't have your full name on it, and many people don't pay much with personal checks anymore because of fraud.
Oh, and lots of people get mugged in that super safe Adams Morgan area. Someone was beaten to near death in the middle of 18th street a few weeks ago.
Maybe the passenger was paranoid, but cabdrivers are trusted with our safety, they don't pass background checks, and just about anybody with a drivers license can be a cabbie. I've had friends threatened by drivers, even one who had a gun pulled on him (yes here in DC, and no, when you have a gun pointed at you, remembering to get the cab number isn't the first thing on your mind), so maybe being paranoid isn't the worst thing.
Isn't it also possible that the cabbie looked at his phone, saw that he had a missed call from a number he didn't recongize and called it, forgetting that it could have been this passenger's?
sailmejy15@yahoo.com?
I'm not convinced name and address are sufficient enough for "doing damage" to a person's identity.
Yes, the phone book is "opt-out", but if name + address (even name + address + business name + phone number) were truly a threat, the phone books would be empty.
In any event... it's usually a pretty easy (and free) service to block your caller ID. On Cingular at least (Verizon too, I believe) just prepend your call with *67 -- i.e. *672025551234.
How did he get the address? I, for the life of me, can't figure out how.
Let's see, this person has the cabbie's cell phone number, his information and knows where he works. She can stalk him. Who cares?
Politburo, your wish is granted, I will no longer visit DCist.com.
You see, after living for five years in DC, I have decided to move back to the place from where I came. It's a place in America where the residents don't feel the need to write local "reporters" in order to tell them that a brown person has their phone number and name. Like I said before, OMG! I'm just not sure that a taxi cab driver scheming to hit on a drunken sorority girl is particularly something worth reporting on this wonderful website. It seems we have larger problems in this city... Scratch that, you have larger problems... I'm out of here!
Should I save you some time by posting your "good riddance" reply? Ok... Good riddance, Scott.
One last thing... this does matter. People in DC have open hostility towards cab drivers, usually with perfectly valid reason. But do we really need to accuse them of a widespread identity theft scam because one of them wanted to make out with his passenger? Seriously, white college kids collect people's names, phone numbers, and addresses EVERY day in this city for their various causes, and I guarantee you that no one has ever written dcist.com accusing them of identity theft. Enough said.
Scott you lack critical reading skills. DCist never claimed this was a scam or accussed anyone of anything. Goodbye!
Never mind. I guess I don't have this problem since I just give cross streets to whereever I go when I take a cab.
It is amazing to see the conclusions people jump to on the comment page. Where was it written that the writer of the email was a white female who is the member of a sorority? When was it stated that the cab driver was black and foreign-born? Adams Morgan attracts people of all walks of life so it could have just as easily been a 40 year single black male, correct?
Making assumptions is dangerous and can lead to unfair attacks on various groups. Get your facts straight before posting a comment on the blog.
Definitely creepy. Although I don't see much of an identity theft angle (one's name, addy and phone number aren't exactly state secrets) but the cell part is really fishy. Other posters seem to assume this is a woman, but it doesn't actually say that anywhere.
Well, if the writer was female, at worst I think this is just a creepy cabbie. As mentioned by others, info like name, address and phone number is very easy to find -- phone book, google, etc. If that's all it took to steal an identify, many of us would have been screwed a long time ago. I'm not saying it's not possible, but I'm sure it's a heck of a lot easier to pull off with a birthdate and social security number.
Agreed that this is pretty creepy, and seems scam-esque, but calling the person later would have showed the cabbie's hand, no? If you were going to steal someone's identity, would you make sure they knew you had their phone number? Probably not.
Kaloramist has some issues.
While the chain of events does seem sort of weird, I think that Casey had it right- "Isn't it also possible that the cabbie looked at his phone, saw that he had a missed call from a number he didn't recongize and called it, forgetting that it could have been this passenger's?". Cab drivers are required by law to have their ID visible, he'd be taking a huge risk trying to steal someone's identity while his is readily available.
what race am I?, in what comment did someone assume the cabby was black? none that I can see. glass houses, what race am I?. glass houses.
pointlessly hostile message threads are fun.
personally, I was picturing an asian subcontinental driver and a driven, paranoidish, 20-something professional white female passenger. sorority girls and people of african descent never popped into my head.
Scott: Forget cab drivers, man, sounds like people in DC have open hostility towards EVERYBODY; what a vitriolic bunch of comments.
Don't feign shock at this woman's fearful hindsight. Paranoia is our biggest growth industry; it keeps the nation functioning. If it wasn't for our habit over-reacting to everything, we'd have no culture at all. The best way to support America is to stay friggin' scared of everything, as you've been taught. Do your part. It's never too late to Freak Out.
In the meantime, relax with the spiteful remarks. We're all going to die soon. Probably.
also, i was picturing her as blond, petite, hot and wearing lots of black for some reason.
I have no idea why.
Wait, you got into a cab that actually had a driver who was NOT already talking on his cellphone!!!! Now that's some crazy talk.
this is by far the funniest comments thread i've read on this site. keep up the good work everyone.
I'm back.
Is there some sort of Internet law that is similar to Godwin's Law, that states a person who is pissed off will inevitably post a rambling, emotional announcement that they're leaving some Web site or message board for good, only to come back multiple times?
all of you are just like HITLER!
I'm going with the "creepy foreign guy angle" with the worthless game.
There really should be an article about how old men either get with all the young ladies (see gtown waterfront on a friday night), or creepily hit/ask out young ladies in random transportation related situation. What's your worst story?! Anyone? Bueller?
Where did he get name and address anyway? Yes, he has the addresses he picked up and dropped off at, but how would he know those are the passenger's residence (and would they be specific enough -- apartment numbers, for example?). But assuming he has the full name and correct address, how does having a cell phone number help with identity theft? And why would he call the number?
How does this paranoid story rate being in DCist?
It's not explicitly stated, but I think it's a fair assumption that the writer is a woman just from the way she writes about how reaction to this guy having her number. It's not just weird, it's creepy, for example. I don't feel like a lot of guys think it's "creepy" for a random guy to have their phone number.
Anyway, I do think this is really paranoid and doesn't make any sense. I mean, if it were a "well-rehearsed scam" to steal identities, why would he call her cell phone two minutes after she'd left the cab -- from the cab drivers' own cell phone without blocking caller ID? If I were going to well-rehearse something I would sure do a better job of it.
The above "Scott" is an imposter. I am not back.
A different individual is posting under the name "Scott". Maybe it is an impostor pretending to be me (Identity theft, anyone? I did take a cab last week...). Maybe there is more than one person in this city with the first name Scott. I just don't know the answer to that question. The world can be a confusing and whacky place...
On a more comforting note, I'm not leaving DC til next week, so I will check back periodically between now and then to see what other hilarity has ensued here... Keep up the excellent work!
oh, but you are.
Poliboro - while I agree with most people commenting here that it was probably either a mistake or a cabbie trying to hit on a passenger, it also pays to be careful... However, in regard to this comment by you:
DCist never claimed this was a scam or accussed anyone of anything.
Dcist did call it a scam - the title of the post was "Cabscam" - not "Cabscam?" or something else. I understand that Dcist is just reporting on a possibly weird event - and actually, I like that about Dcist - if I wanted the same news I could find on the Washington Post site, I wouldn't need to come here. Dcist news tends to be more local and quirky, which is a good think, to my mind. But it just seems a little weird that you are criticising someone else's critical reading skills when you missed the title of the post.
In other news - there are like a billion people standing outside of every Caribou Coffee in the city, for a free coffee(?). The lines are at least an hour long. Doesn't anyone have a better use for their lunch hour?
Reposting in this comment section as it might get seen by DCist folk:
You know I have been wondering if DCist considers itself a newspaper in the matter of a City Paper? I also wonder who gets the money from ad revenue?
Does DCist get perks like invitations to media only events? Do DCist contributers sign in at events as press all the time or only when it gets them in (a) for free or (b) because the event is sold out?
Seriously, I am just curious. Wasn't sure where to post this so I thought I'd throw it in here... look forward to responses.
Tor - You're right on the headline. These things happen. I was focusing more on this part:
"This is not a scam we've heard about before, but it does sound plausible. DCist readers, have you had similar experiences? Does this seem like an actual lost phone or a clever ruse?"
"This is not a scam we've heard about before," reads to me like it *is* a scam but not one DCist's heard about.
"These aren't the droids you're looking for" doesn't negate that they are droids.
If I was that girl in that cab I would be really freaked out. There, I said it.
My husband was out of town the other weekend and I got locked out of our condo and had to call a locksmith. the locksmith was super sketchy and bashed my doorknob in with a hammer. He then charged me $500 to put in the new lock + doorknob. i needed the door closed so i paid him.
I was really paranoid that he was going to come back and get into my apartment with an extra key and he knew I was by myself that weekend. yikes!
I don't know what's more scary--creepy locksmith or paying for a $500 doorknob.
Now I am all paranoid. Yesterday I saw someone on the street -- they saw what I looked like, what I was wearing, and the direction I was heading (FROM MY APARTMENT). Also, since I wasn't on the lookout for scams then, I think I walked near enough to them that they could hear what I was listening to on my headphones. Put all this together I think they could do some MAJOR DAMAGE. Particularly if they happened to come across one of those big classified government records of everyone's phone number and address. All together, it could be COLLASAL damage. I just crapped my pants.
Now I am all paranoid. Yesterday I saw someone on the street -- they saw what I looked like, what I was wearing, and the direction I was heading (FROM MY APARTMENT). Also, since I wasn't on the lookout for scams then, I think I walked near enough to them that they could hear what I was listening to on my headphones. Put all this together I think they could do some MAJOR DAMAGE. Particularly if they happened to come across one of those big classified government records of everyone's phone number and address. All together, it could be COLLASAL damage. I just crapped my pants.
Holy paranoia, Batman! Are you kidding me?
Maybe you should move and change your name and phone number to be extra-safe. Perhaps you should contact the FBI about the Witness Protection Program.
Now I am all paranoid. Yesterday I saw someone on the street -- they saw what I looked like, what I was wearing, and the direction I was heading (FROM MY APARTMENT). Also, since I wasn't on the lookout for scams then, I think I walked near enough to them that they could hear what I was listening to on my headphones. Put all this together I think they could do some MAJOR DAMAGE. Particularly if they happened to come across one of those big classified government records of everyone's phone number and address. All together, it could be COLLASAL damage. I just crapped my pants.
Holy paranoia, Batman! Are you kidding me?
Maybe you should move and change your name and phone number to be extra-safe. Perhaps you should contact the FBI about the Witness Protection Program.
Holy paranoia, Batman! Are you kidding me?
Maybe you should move and change your name and phone number to be extra-safe. Perhaps you should contact the FBI about the Witness Protection Program.
WASH THOSE PANTS THOROUGHLY! If they fall into the wrong hands, that's a load of DNA!
1) a cab from AM to WP? are you english or just retarded? i'm assuming you have two legs, try walking..it would take all of ten minutes.
2) wow, a cab driver has your cell phone number and address, but you don't think twice about handing over your debit card three times a day for that $5 double decaf whipped mochachino.
3) go back to where you came from, dc doesnt want you.
The part about this non-story that find amusing is that on the five minute drive from Adams Morgan to Woodley Park she managed to find time to check and send some email on her Blackberry. DC people are such nerds.
Kaloramist, that was hilarious.
"young ladies on birth control taking taxis."
i don't know what's sicker, your assumption she was on birth control, the value judgement implied, or the fact that it turns you on.
gold.
let's ignore (the admittedly disturbing) racism tangent for a moment. While I agree identity-theft is far-fetched, it also seems there are a lot of male posters who just don't get that (making the logical jump here that this is a woman in the cab) women simply have to be paranoid about things generally. It's awful, but walking around late at night alone is a risk. Letting people have our phone number can be a risk. Better to be skeptical and safe than otherwise. Men more often than not just don't think twice about some of these things.
let's ignore (the admittedly disturbing) racism tangent for a moment. While I agree identity-theft is far-fetched, it also seems there are a lot of male posters who just don't get that (making the logical jump here that this is a woman in the cab) women simply have to be paranoid about things generally. It's awful, but walking around late at night alone is a risk. Letting people have our phone number can be a risk. Better to be skeptical and safe than otherwise. Men more often than not just don't think twice about some of these things.
Former ny-er: Not only that, but if women aren't paranoid (Imette St. Guillen comes to mind), then they're ridiculed as stupid and naieve and deserving of whatever horrors befall them.
former ny-er, I can understand a woman being worried about giving out her name, number, and address to a stranger (though I might wonder why she's giving her name, or even her full address, to the cabbie in the first place), but I assume the worry in that case isn't about identity theft. Identity theft is specifically what this person is writing about, and that worry is what I consider kooky.
you are stupid and lazy. take a cab to virginia and dont come back.
What a great occasion to pay this place a visit.
Hah hah hah hah hah... the chick, the driver, these commenters playing the race card like a drunk salesman fumbles his face cards at a 10 dollar blackjack game, all tools and fools the whole lot of you. Thanks for the laugh. Have fun on 18th street tonight.
ADCF
Dcist, can we get some confirmation of why you posted this?
I assume you tried to confirm the story with the reader, perhaps asked how on earth the cab driver knew the full name and address of the passenger? Because a lot of things about this story seem to not make sense.
I'm a woman (as well?) and I'm not so stupid as to give out my personal information to random people who haven't asked for it. But really, this story sounds fishy unless there's more to it than is being said here, and if there is I would like to hear it, either from DCist or the reader who sent in the story. I mean really, I don't see how this is a scam.
The claim was that he would know her name (and possibly employer) because of either her outgoing voicemail message or the Caller ID from when she called his phone. He would apparently know her address because he delivered her to it. It's all pretty plainly laid out in the text of her email, actually . . .
I also vote clumsy pick-up skillz over identity theft, though, if there was anything the least bit underhanded going on here. What would be REALLY awesome, of course, would be to find out that he was calling her because she left something behind (valuable or not) in his cab.
Nate, he/she (there! now gender doesn't matter) left that stupid Crackberry wedged in the cushions in the back seat along with his/her jockey shorts/VS panties. Caller ID explains the number folderol, taking him/her to an address in WP explains the address paranoia. Other than that, there are 8 million stories in the "NAKED CITY"...
Good morning, DCist. I'm still here.
Wow. I always read DCist via the RSS feed, and almost never read the comments. I can't believe how bitchy you idiots are.
Quoth Rob:"Wow. I always read DCist via the RSS feed, and almost never read the comments. I can't believe how bitchy you idiots are."
so this message makes you ...what? a bitchy idiot? an idiotic bitch...fie...what a putz.