Web sites selling your cell phone records for just $100

Sun-Sentinel Co. & South Florida Interactive Inc. ^ | January 16 2006 | TED PHILLIPS

[rit]

You may already be a victim of cellular "records rip-off" and not even know it.

Anyone -- a stalker, a jealous lover, a curious employer -- with merely your cell-phone number can visit one of several Web sites, pay around $100, and in a few hours find out whom you've been calling and who's been calling you.

Indeed, the Web site Americablog revealed last week that it successfully obtained the records of Gen. Wesley Clark, the former presidential candidate.

"All we needed was General Clark's cell phone number and our credit card, and 24 hours later we had one hundred calls the general made on his cell phone in November," according to a posting on the site, which said it contacted Clark about its efforts to expose the dangers of the practice, which is in a legal gray area.

[Emile]

I'd love to know if this is legit. We were informed of this by a lefty wacko in my office, who seemed to imply, as with everything else, that Bush was behind it all. It's not worth $100 to me to find out for myself, but I'd love to know anyway.

[Doogle]

yeah big brother is watching over you............for a price

[rit]

I called my senator's office about this today. They are looking into it and will let me know what they find out. I also sent an email to the governor's office. If you have the time, call your representative and make them aware of this.

[tfecw]

Funny how no one seems to care that the feds/cops/person with a badge can get these if some guy in a robe says they can have them (presumably with "Just Cause")
But when regular folks to have access to them people get their knickers in a twist. Sigh.

[faloi]

It's apparently legit. I read an article that said that Cingular is seeking injunctions against some companies, and that Verizon already has those injunctions. I have a hard time blaming Bush for it, but Lord knows that won't stop most people from trying.

[flashbunny]

"Funny how no one seems to care that the feds/cops/person with a badge can get these if some guy in a robe says they can have them (presumably with "Just Cause")
But when regular folks to have access to them people get their knickers in a twist. Sigh."

Eh, try using logic much?

[tfecw]

"Eh, try using logic much?"

Thanks for clearing that up.

[flashbunny]

let me be clearer: your post is idiotic and asinine.

[tfecw]

"let me be clearer: your post is idiotic and asinine."

That's a little better. Perhaps you, as someone who likes to point out when logic isn't being used, could use a bit of your own and explain why my post is "idiotic and asinine" and maybe we could have a discussion.

[MineralMan]

I think this data should never be released to third parties, except to law enforcement when there is a subpoena.

That said, if they got my cell phone record, they'd find, for the month of January:

6 phone calls to my wife asking if she had thought of anything else she needed at the grocery store.

1 call to AAA for a tow when the timing belt broke on my winter beater car.

That's it. If I'm not making a call, my cell phone is off. I don't even know the cell phone's number.

[bkepley]

I can't think of why anyone would want mine. I'll let you guys worry about it.

[Revolting cat!]

Simple solution (I tried it, and it works, or your money back, seriously): Don't get a cell phone!

[Balding_Eagle]

We were informed of this by a lefty wacko in my office, who seemed to imply, as with everything else, that Bush was behind it all.

Let me guess. Your co-worker believes in 'Big Government"? Suddenly 'Big Government' is bad? Yet he continues to support and vote for politicians who want even "Bigger Government'?

He deserves to be challanged on that point. Yeah, I know, in an office setting YOU and't allowed to do that, only his attacks are allowed.

[flashbunny]

Well, if you can't figure out out yourself, I don't hold out much hope for you.

But here it goes:

Wire taps/ eavesdropping:
- Authorized powers given to the government under the constitution
- Within the law
- subject to review and approval by the courts
- everybody knows the government CAN and DOES do this, and can act accordingly

Stealing cell phone records:
- Against the law
- Theft is NOT subject to any review ("Gee, were their grounds for stealing those confidential phone records???")
- People have an expectation that their cell phone records remain private and not for sale on the open or black market.

Now, read the two comparisons. Take some time to think about it. Then maybe you'll see why your original post was one of the dumbest I've ever seen here.

[marty60]

Sounds like some hacker has found a way to make a few bucks. Until the FBI, Homeland Security, NSA, etcetc come knocking.

Oh yeah and don't forget about the attorneys suing the phone companies.

[Emile]

No, she's only against Bigger Republican Government. Bigger Dem Government is just fine with her.

And I wouldn't waste my time with her. She's too far gone. Most of the people in the office just shake their heads and go back to work.

[tfecw]

"Then maybe you'll see why your original post was one of the dumbest I've ever seen here."

You’re an ass. Maybe you should go take your aggression out over at DU instead of like minded (and sometimes confused, inarticulate, and occasionally plain wrong) conservatives.

When did i say anything about wiretapping or eavesdropping?

All i was getting at was this was another example of the police having more power that the rest of us ordinary folks (not that that is a completely bad thing). I did see your post before you decided to kick me around this one was, what I assume to be, a sarcastic remark about police being the only ones allowed to own a gun.

Sarcastic, but is it feasible? I wouldn't be too surprised to see it pop up in 50-100 years. Gun rights are a constitutional right as well. That one's clear as day actually, but already folks are redefining that and rewriting grammar rules to work around it. Point of that digression is I don't care if it's lawful for the government to pull your records. It'll be misused in the future.

The article isn't completely clear about how the companies are getting the records. It does appear to be that they are being stolen somehow, but they(the telephony industry) don't know how. Could be a network of fake warrants, corrupt cops, or corrupt judges maybe a combination of the 3. If that is the case, I would the "review and approval by the courts failed."

[flashbunny]

"When did i say anything about wiretapping or eavesdropping?"

Uh, gee, I wonder what this means?

"Funny how no one seems to care that the feds/cops/person with a badge can get these if some guy in a robe says they can have them (presumably with "Just Cause")"

I guess what you meant all depends on the meaning of the word 'is' then.

sheesh.