A proud student passes his driving test and shares the excitement on Facebook, posting a photo of his new drivers license for all his followers to see. A few months later this photo is hijacked and used to steal money from another student looking to buy parts for his motorcycle.
According to GMA News, the college student who was looking to buy an exhaust pipe for his motorcycle, posted about his desire on his Facebook profile. Shortly after, a user sent him a message offering the part for 50% off retail.
The student wanted proof of the seller’s identity and asked him to show an ID. The seller obliged, sending him a photo of a driver license. The student noticed, though, that the seller’s name on the license was different from what he had published on his Facebook profile. Nonetheless, the buyer sent his payment and waited patiently for delivery. The part he purchased never arrived.
It turns out that the seller sent someone else’s driver license. The student posted the story of his encounter on the Facebook page for motorcycle riders to warn them against the thief.
The victimized student researched and approached the owner of the drivers’ license provided – again through Facebook – repeatedly asking for his money back. He denied that he ever sold exhaust pipes and that he made the transaction through Facebook.
As it turns out, the student whose drivers’ license was used in the online fraud is none other than the son of a Government official. And the student’s father is now reportedly working with the National Bureau of Investigation to track down the identity thief.
Be careful what you post on Facebook. In the age of social media, being vigilant with what you post and reviewing Privacy and Security settings can go a long way in preventing identity theft. A lesson both these students will surely not forget.
