posted
I'm trying to order a book called "Killer Camera Rigs" from www.dvcamerarigs.com
Fine, but I don't want to give out all that information on the order slip. That's why I have Paypal in the first place darnit! Unfortunately these guys don't accept paypal.
So I look at online bookstores. B&N=no Amazon=says yes, but is actually no. long story.
Ebay??? Nope.
So I'm kind of wondering what to do now. There's a store called OpAmp in LA where you can walk in and buy the book, but I live in WA State.
I had a crazy idea that I could find somebody here who lived in LA who could procure the book and ship it, and I'd pay for everything, but that's not...normal is it? O.o
posted
OK, now I'm serious. I just checked the site. They are asking for your name, address, email and phone as the only required information. You can put a fake phone number in as well as a fake email address if you want, though I wouldn't fake the mailing adress if you actually want the book.
Is it just because this seems like a seat-of-the-pants operation? I still wouldn't worry. You just might want to keep a close eye on your credit card account for the next couple of cycles and report anything immediately. You can check with your credit card company to be sure, but I don't think they can hold you liable for more than $50 of fraudulent charges, and most credit card companies nowadays don't hold you liable for any.
They also have a "contact us" link. You could send them a check or money order and have them ship the book. You could call the CA Better Business Bureau and see if they have any complaints against them if that will ease your mind.
Seriously, though, if I were out to cull info for identity theft I'd be sure to find a product that would target more than an extreme niche market.
Posts: 6394 | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
Karl, there IS no Federal Witness Protection Program. This is a myth, perpetrated on us by the Federal Government, and the liberal media. Think about it. When you are put in the alleged "Witness Protection Program", you are, supposedly, relocated to another state, where no one knows you, and must cut all ties with your past -- family, friends, criminal associates. An expensive proposition for the government, if it is true. And who can believe that these so-called protected witnesses really cut all ties to their old life. They are, for the most part, the kind of people who associate with criminals -- i.e. criminals themselves. Do you believe that our ever-loving Federal Guvmint is really spending the money to move these lowlifes into brand new split-levels in the suburbs? And the "Vinnie the Knife", or whatever his name is, is now mowing his quarter-acre lawn on Saturday afternoons and going to PTA meetings on Tuesday evenings?
Here's the real story. When people enter the Witness Protection Program, they are quietly driven out to restricted Federal land, and shot.
So NOW who's the paranoid one?
Posts: 10397 | Registered: Jun 2005
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Tante, if I ever have need of a Witness Protection Program, you will be my ultra-tippy-top secret contact. So if I ever "disappear" Tante will know where I am. If she doesn't, well then I guess I was shot. I hope they do it somewhere near Roswell so when my remains are found I can star in the next alien autopsy video.
Seriously, though, one needn't be a criminal to be in need of witness protection.
Posts: 6394 | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
That website is so unprofessional it is hard to take them seriously, like spam emails that contain tons of spelling mistakes.
The book looks interesting though. There are online instructions how to make steadycams for $14. Did you want more than that?
One option is that you can get 1 time use credit card numbers. I know Citibank offers that, but I never use it because I have a hard enough time going through the motions of ordering something.
But I wouldn't want to give that site my info either. The thing is, real criminals know we trust authentic looking stuff more and social engineers is what they call criminals who can convince people they are who they aren't. So I actually doubt this site is run by criminals as it is so *bad*. I just don't trust them as business people because they didn't go through the trouble to be more accessible (Paypal anyone?) and professional (a high schooler could have made a better website for $100...).
But I do want the book now...
Posts: 1209 | Registered: Dec 2003
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I didn't think the site was that bad. I've seen much worse. And face it, they're a company that has what, 3 products? They probably don't do a lot of business and just have the website so they can be found by people specifically looking for them. A lot of small sellers don't have resources to make something polished looking. And I've seen plenty of large "professional" commercial sites that are much more cumbersome to use and which almost seem to hide their pertinent information.
I'd send them my personal info, no problem. Unfortunately they don't sell anything I want.
And I've long suspected that many of the worst commercial sites on the net are so bad precisely because they paid "some highschool kid" $100 to create it.
Posts: 6394 | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
Ah, it is around here. Seriously, e-mail me. We can totally do this, I mail stuff to Hatrackers all the time (although I don't know that you'd be more comfortable giving your address to an Internet Stranger than a website whose business it is to send you the book.)
(But my family and I are Real, if that makes you feel better, and have many people to attest to our Reality. )
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: Ah, it is around here. Seriously, e-mail me. We can totally do this, I mail stuff to Hatrackers all the time (although I don't know that you'd be more comfortable giving your address to an Internet Stranger than a website whose business it is to send you the book.)
(But my family and I are Real, if that makes you feel better, and have many people to attest to our Reality. )
Oddly enough I don't trust these guys as much as people on hatrack.
It's not paranoia O.o but imo, "internet security" is an oximoron.
Posts: 1236 | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
Okay, well, like I said... That's not too far from us, and we all like driving around places on a Saturday. E-mail if you'd like to arrange something.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
And thank you KarlEd I suppose EMAILING them w/questions/working something out is feasible.
It IS seat of the pants as I've never had dealings with these guys before, I'm probably never going to have dealings with theses guys again. The website doesn't say "secure" to me no matter how many "certified" logos they display.
Ketchup I might take you up on that if I can't work something out with these guys.
Gawd I luv hatrack.
Posts: 1236 | Registered: Mar 2002
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does the website order form have the little secure thing at the bottom of your browser? I really am not paranoid enough on the internet. But my only stalker went to my high school so I think I'm ok.
Posts: 5362 | Registered: Apr 2004
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Unfortunately these guys don't accept paypal.
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