Shredders

[peterbirks]

I see that shredders are the new big seller. Is everyone secretly hiding tawdry secrets that they don't want the press to get hold of? No, of course not. They are panicking at the scare stories of "identity theft". What they don't realize is that most of them have finances of such outstanding tediousness that no-one would want to steal their identity anyway. And those that are in danger, well, shredding credit card bills won't make any difference.

Identity theft is not complex. Foraging in bins isn't necessary. You can find out about a person through the purchase of information available on CD and supplied by such underground organisations as BT, Experian and the local Council. A few applications later and you have got someone else's identity, with a photo ID. Not that most of these zeroes have anything to worry about, but shredders are about as useful as water filters here.

Comments

Shredders

[(Anonymous)]

There were at least three separate comments post election that ID cards were the best example of something that now won't happen because of the reduced majority. Apparently there are enough Labour MPs that feel strongly enough against them to kybosh the entire scheme. So, Britain will be saved from the totalitarianism of states like Holland, Sweden and Germany
John Webley

Re: ID cards

[(Anonymous)]

Spain has ID cards too. By now I have one myself, although I'm not Spanish. The ID number is frequently requested as a matter of routine. I also have to use mine to log on to my bank's Web site.

An ID card also serves in place of a passport within the EU.

-- Jonathan, near Barcelona