Like many of you, I received the “Twinspires database has been hacked” letter too.
This initially had me scratching my head because I have never once used Twinspires.com to place a bet. It turns out that I had given my ssn# to Brisnet several years ago as a requirement for playing in a few online contests there (before Twinspires acquired Brisnet.)
Q. What does the letter from Twinspires (and hackers breaking into the Twinspires database) really mean?
I think it safe to assume that someone unscrupulous has obtained my name, address, email, phone, ssn#, date of birth, and Brisnet/Twinspires account logon info.
I find it highly unlikely that whoever hacked into the Twinspires database will decide to use my Brisnet/Twinspires account logon info to log into the Brisnet site and download several hundred dollars worth of data files and/or handicapping reports.
That's not what hacking the Twinspires database is about.
I find it far more likely that whoever hacked into the Twinspires database will sell my personal info to someone (or multiple someones) who are likely to do far worse.
I fully expect that at some point in the future someone is going to pretend to be me and attempt to open up credit card accounts or obtain unsecured personal loans in my name. This will be done without my permission and without me even being aware of it until after the fact.
I further expect that this person (or persons unknown) are going to attempt to use these accounts opened up in my name (and without my permission) to obtain cash advances, purchase items that can be converted into cash, or possibly purchase expensive vacations. They will do this while pretending to be me - while running up substantial balances in my name - without ever once making a single payment to the bank or lender... leaving my credit report a shambles in the process.
THIS, my fellow horseplayers - is what hacking the Twinspires database is about.
Q. What should I do from here?
I did some poking around on the web and found what appears to be very good .pdf document on the US Gov FTC site.
What to do if your identity is stolen:
Jeff Platt
President, HANA
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3 comments:
Greetings,
Thank you for posting the links and information. I was frustrated and disappointed when I received the letter from Twinspires. However, I can't say I was surprised.
I've been a victim of identify theft in the past. Somebody stole my identity off a website that specializes in discounted hotel rooms. The first clue was a $3500 charge on my credit card for a trip to Dallas, Texas (a city I've never visited).
The most important thing I did was to become proactive in protecting myself from this predator(s). I filed a police report, put a hold on my credit report, diligently checked for unauthorized charges, and stayed in contact with my creditors.
What's frustrating is that it's impossible to assess the level of risk. I could be wasting dozens of hours protecting myself from a non-existent threat. However, it would pure folly to do nothing and simply hope that the scammers overlooked my account.
Jeffrey
I think they were censoring questions last night at Night school.
My friend and I could not get in any questions about the high cost of Past performances.
Not sure what I find more pathetic -- the fact that Twinspires got hacked [and waited a month before telling their customers] -- or the fact that no one in the mainstream racing media has the courage to write about this as the news story that it surely is.
Charlie James,
San Diego, CA
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