Suggest an idea about privacy
I just had someone call this morning who said they were from California (named a city) and from the police. They said they got my information from FamilySearch. I assume it was because of my name — PatriciaOccleshawDecker — but don't know if that is true. They said a Person (named my cousin) died and they need more information on her.
Now, I am 86 years old and I do a LOT of genealogy. I know my name is probably plastered all over the place in FamilySearch. But I didn't say anything about my cousin because she is still alive. Was. I don't know if this was a real call or a crank call. The phone number was not from the police station.
I have a concern. With all the crank calls and emails going around, is there a brilliant person there who might be able to come up with a way that we can foil these calls/emails unless they are really from a legitimate source? I wouldn't have minded them sending me an email, but they called me at 6 in the morning to my unlisted number. I know you don't have my phone number public. I do know this cousin but am not willing to share information to someone who just calls out of the blue. I don't know how they got my phone number but I know it wasn't from FamilySearch. I will consider changing my name to something with numbers and not my name. Maybe that is all I need to do. But I just wonder if you need to do something to protect us members from weirdo's. Perhaps telling us not to use our names anymore.
It's just a thought. Thank you for ALLLLLLL you do to serve us with this program. I have been on three missions from home for it and just love everything about FamilySearch. You are all geniuses.
Patricia Decker
[Location removed for privacy]
Answers
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I think you have legitimate concerns. I certainly would not call that number back without further information. I would first try to contact the family of your cousin and find out her current situation. You could also call local police to you and have them verify the information for you. If the information is correct they may have her phone or other information and are using that as well.
Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be anything available at the moment to stop the scammers.
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I agree! You should call your cousin and warn her about this. You have quite an unusual middle name and the fact that your full name is listed could make it easier for scammers to find information about you. I think I would definitely change your name in FamilySearch after this experience. You can use something very simple, and then you would be harder to find electrionically. Thank you for all you have done to help FamilySearch grow the tree. You are wonderful!
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I can assure you that none of your information came from your FamilySearch account. These people have much easier places to get your information and your relatives information as information on living individuals is hidden on FamilySearch however public records and other family history sites do not hide living individuals as well as we do. Those who seek to deceive often use FamilySearch name as a source and police departments to gain your confidence to get needed information to rob you.
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@Patricia Occleshaw Decker just for the avoidance of doubt, if you want to Suggest an Idea formally, you need to go to the Suggest an Idea area (Quick Link below) and complete the dedicated form there.
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@Patricia Occleshaw Decker Just for peace of mind, you might consider changing your name in the FamilySearch community to something that does not identify you so clearly. I'm considering changing mine too!
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We like to think these 2nd and 3rd world scammers are working from a cardboard shack. These guys are college educated, technologically sophisticated, and have hardware that would blow you away. They come from a society and culture where scamming, lying & stealing are a way of life and not a moral taboo as we feel here in the Western world.
I.E. some have equipment/software access to track your location, even mobile; to use in their pressure communication.
Practice good security by changing passwords often. Using different passwords for different sites. It is also a good idea to change bank card numbers from time to time as well. - yes you will have to reset auto payments; but you will also clear leach accounts and fraudulent use of your card numbers.1 -
@Jack Hern You recommended to "Practice good security by changing passwords often." But that is very outdated advice. It's much better to have a unique strong password for each site, and then there's no need to change it (unless you have reason to think it has been compromised).
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