> > > << Subject: SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER > > > Subject: End distribution of your Social Security number, etc. > CALL:1-888-567-8688 > > Just wanted to let everyone know who hasn't already heard, the four > major credit bureaus in the US will be allowed, starting July 1, to > release your credit info, mailing addresses, phone numbers, etc., to > anyone who requests it. If you would like to 'opt out' of this release > of your info, you can call 1-888-567-8688. It only takes a couple of > minutes to do, and you can take care of anyone else in the household > while making only one call, you'll just need to know their social > security number. > > Once the message starts you'll want option #2 (#1 sounds like the > right one but it's not) and then option #3 (#1 is only for 2 years. > Make sure you wait until they prompt for the third option which opts > you out forever. > > I received their paperwork in the mail confirming my 'opting out'' > within less than one week of making the call. > > > PASS THIS MESSAGE ON TO ALL IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK AND YOUR PERSONAL FRIENDS > > >

This is a semi-Urban Legend that has been circulating in emails since July of last year! There really is no emergency. The "alert" is full of half-truths and misinformation, according to the FTC. See more info at http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/library/blcredit.htm. More importantly, these kinds of messages should not be posted on this mail list. Most of the these messages are hoaxes, often very old ones! It is entirely off-topic and usually expressly forbidden by the Acceptable Use Policies of mail lists. At the risk of being overly preachy, let me suggest a couple of "red flags." When you get an email that tells you to "pass this message to everyone in your address book", you should be tipped off that it's probably a hoax. At the very least, check out the veracity of the message before blindly passing it on. If there are markings indicating that the message has already been forwarded several times, this should also raise red flags in your mind. If the language in the message seems designed to make your blood boil, or nerves to suddenly get frayed, it's probably not true. A combination of any of the above, hit the "Delete" key and get on with living! I am confident that it is with the best of intentions that people forward these messages to mail lists and bulletin boards. However, may we all remind ourselves to help stamp out the idiocy of a few loonies by avoiding the passing along of virus warnings, public alerts, etc. The Hunt-L list is an active and beneficial mail list. So, let's keep it that way by staying true to our purpose -- genealogy. Climbing down off my soapbox, now. ----- Original Message ----- From: "ridgerun" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, June 21, 2002 12:29 AM Subject: [HUNT-L] Protect your personal info. - IMPORTANT! > > > << Subject: SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER > > > Subject: End distribution of your Social Security number, etc. > CALL:1-888-567-8688 > > Just wanted to let everyone know who hasn't already heard, the four > major credit bureaus in the US will be allowed, starting July 1, to > release your credit info, mailing addresses, phone numbers, etc., to > anyone who requests it. If you would like to 'opt out' of this release > of your info, you can call 1-888-567-8688. It only takes a couple of > minutes to do, and you can take care of anyone else in the household > while making only one call, you'll just need to know their social > security number. > > Once the message starts you'll want option #2 (#1 sounds like the > right one but it's not) and then option #3 (#1 is only for 2 years. > Make sure you wait until they prompt for the third option which opts > you out forever. > > I received their paperwork in the mail confirming my 'opting out'' > within less than one week of making the call. > > > PASS THIS MESSAGE ON TO ALL IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK AND YOUR PERSONAL FRIENDS > > > ==== HUNT Mailing List ==== The HUNT Document Archives: <http://www.c2i2.com/~tompkin/index.html>