People are Stupid

[jarandhel]

One of my neighbors just had a very interesting discussion with me about how he's been the victim of identity theft, computer hijacking, credit card fraud, etc....

This neighbor has talked to me all of five times or so in the year and a half I've lived in this building.

In the course of this conversation, he GAVE ME ONE OF THE SECRET QUESTIONS HE USES FOR HIS BANK ACCOUNTS AND CREDIT CARDS. QUESTION *AND* ANSWER.

Completely unprompted.

I kinda feel bad for the guy, he's disabled and I think at least part of that is a mental disability. But I was so not getting involved.

There are days I think you should need a license in order to drive on the "info superhighway"...

Comments

[primaldog.livejournal.com]

Somehow I find that freaking hilarious.

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

I would, except he's kind of a nice guy. He's just really mentally addled. I'm kinda worried about him, but just from talking with him for a few minutes I know I don't want to get involved. He was apparently printing out hundreds of pages worth of those Ukranian scam emails as "evidence" at one point.

[jolantru.livejournal.com]

Ya know, I feel sorry for this guy...

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

I do too, he's a really nice old guy, never even acted weird about me being a guy and having a boyfriend or anything (which you kinda expect from older people, especially men.) But this is just levels of stupid that I can't even bring myself to get involved with. I hope the authorities working with him on this have enough patience to be able to take care of the matter for him, including wading through his long convoluted accounts of things for the actual relevant facts rather than what he thinks is important.

[kitten-goddess.livejournal.com]

Poor old mentally handicapped guy. I hope he has relatives or friends to look after him.

I hope he's not getting dementia. Sounds like it.

[blueeyesblazing.livejournal.com]

This is the sort of thing I'd ordinarily laugh at, but if he's mentally ill or disabled, this may not be the sort of thing he could help or knows how to handle. The people who took advantage if him are at fult. Same goes if the people are scamming the hapless elderly who simply are not net saavy.

[jarandhel.livejournal.com]

I'll grant that, but at the same time... the guy went so far as to SPELL the secret answer for me. Without any prompting. (I was speechless and just looking at him in absolute horror when he started telling me his secret question and answer.)

[blueeyesblazing.livejournal.com]

I've talked w/ people who post their home address on their Yahoo profile before. I caution them and ask them to remove it. People tend to be like "Oh thanks!" But i can see where you wouldn't want to touch this guy with a ten foot pole. The entire situation just seems way beyond the aid of most people.