The Ins and Outs of Social Security Number Scams
It’s a bit of a dichotomy. We’ve been told many times to be careful about giving out our Social Security numbers, but it seems like we’re being asked for all or part of it in almost every business transaction. I once saw a video rental store — back when there were such things — requiring a customer’s SSN before allowing them to rent a video. One guy refused to give it. They told him to get lost.
But why is it such a big deal? Everyone knows that the answer is “identity theft,” but how?
Your Credit Identity
The most common thing you hear about is someone applying for a loan, only to learn that someone else has opened credit cards in their name and had a spending spree. All it takes to do that is your SSN, and maybe a pre-approved credit card offer in some junk mail you’ve thrown away. These problems are solvable, but not without some incredibly inconvenient process.
And this whole scam can get very easy. Some department stores will have you fill out a one or two page form for a credit card application. They key your SSN into the computer, and give you credit that can be used in the store right away. A thief can load up on clothing, tools, electronics, and leave you holding the bill.
Your Employment Identity
The most commonly-heard form of this is when employers use stolen Social Security Numbers for undocumented workers. Why would this hurt you? At the end of the year, when you file your taxes, your information will not match what the IRS has on file for you. Suddenly, you tax refund is reduced, and there goes that car you were hoping to put a down payment on.
Your Political Identity
There is an unbelievable number of people who subscribe to the conspiracy theory that President Obama is using a stolen Connecticut Social Security Number. There have been three different variations on this, all of which have explanations. The notion has been long disproven, but that doesn’t stop it from spinning around the interwebs.
Read more here: Security Pro News
Here’s what Elop told the 12,500 Nokia employees who just got axed
It’s safe to say that Stephen Elop really isn’t very popular in Finland, especially after Microsoft announced on Thursday that it was laying 12,500 people who currently work for its Nokia devices and services division. Since Elop is both the former CEO of Nokia and the current boss of Microsoft’s devices and services division, we were very curious to get his take on this week’s massive layoffs that hit his division harder than any other.
Read more here: Boy Genius Report
Fantastic plastic might be prone to heat damage on Samsung’s best tablet yet
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S is the company’s best tablet family yet, especially considering the stunning 2K AMOLED displays Galaxy Tab S models pack. But the Galaxy Tab S tablets are still made of plastic, which, while good enough for Samsung, may not be as great for some users because plastic appears to be significantly affected by dissipated heat in some cases. Russian publication hi-tech.mail.ru has posted a gallery of images showing the 8.4-inch version of the tablet and its heat-damaged rear plastic shell.
Read more here: Boy Genius Report
Ditching Kinect may have saved the Xbox One from falling permanently behind the PS4
So far it seems like Microsoft’s decision to unbundle Kinect from the Xbox One has been a good one. Microsoft said this week that monthly sales of the Xbox One in the United States more than doubled ever since it decided to start offering the console by itself without the Kinect sensor for $400, or $100 less than what the console cost with Kinect.
Read more here: Boy Genius Report
Microsoft announces massive round of layoffs, including 12,500 Nokia employees
As expected, Microsoft on Thursday announced a huge round of layoffs that will see roughly 18,000 employees lose their jobs. Of these layoffs, 12,500 will come from Microsoft’s Nokia devices division, representing yet another major blow to the one-time mobile phone giant. In his announcement of the layoffs, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said that they were necessary as part of “starting to evolve our organization and culture.”
Read more here: Boy Genius Report
Ultra-thin iPhone 6 design posing technical difficulties to component makers
Apple suppliers that will provide various iPhone 6 parts are apparently “facing technological difficulties maintaining or hiking yield rates” for various components, Digitimes reports, including panels, chassis and battery packs. Supply chain sources talking to the publication said that iPhone 6-related orders will contribute to revenues, but will not help increase gross margins because of the challenges they had or have to face.
Read more here: Boy Genius Report
‘I saw a Moto 360 this morning’ and I liked it
The Moto 360 smartwatch is not available to buyers yet, unlike other Android Wear devices from LG and Samsung, but that doesn’t mean some people don’t get to use them in the wild already. Such is the case with a Motorola employee in Chicago, who was spotted by a savvy tech enthusiast on two consecutive train rides.
Read more here: Boy Genius Report
Netflix would rather the FCC do nothing than authorize ‘fast lanes’
It’s safe to say that Netflix is still really not a fan of the Federal Communications Commission’s proposal to possibly allow for Internet “fast lanes” where ISPs can charge content companies more to get their traffic delivered more quickly than on the “standard” Internet. The Verge has spotted Netflix’s official filing with the FCC discussing its proposed new net neutrality rules and the company basically says that it would be better if the FCC just did nothing instead of making things worse with its current proposal.
Read more here: Boy Genius Report
Upcoming LG G3 S (mini) uncovered
Android smartphone buyers who fell in love with LG’s newly launched G3 but would like something smaller yet similar, should know that an LG G3 S is in the making – or a G3 mini. Phone Arena reports that the LG G3 S user manual has been found online, providing more details about the unreleased phone, including pictures, but also specs and features.
Read more here: Boy Genius Report
One chart shows the wild fluctuation in game console prices over the years
When we try to justify the price we pay for a game console, we rarely think back past the last generation. At just $400, the PlayStation 4 is a steal compared to its $600 predecessor, yet Microsoft has received plenty of flak for launching the Xbox One at $500. What’s interesting is that when we step back just a few generations further, prices suddenly plummet to $300 or less.
Read more here: Boy Genius Report