Identity theft & the public library

[sheclown]

I just got a notice today from the library stating that I had 39 overdue library books.  Funny thing is that I haven't been to the library in over a year, nor have I ever checked out that many books at one time and certainly never laid eyes on any of these titles.

I called up and was told that library cards are treated like credit cards.  Really?  Well, I get monthly statements from my credit card company.  I also have a due process with them.  

My library card is indeed missing.  Not the one that I carry in my wallet, but rather that little tag one that was (at one time) attached to my key ring.  No doubt it fell off at some inconvenient time and in some rather inconvenient place.

It was picked up by an art lover, all of the books are art books.

According to the small voice on the library's line I should have reported it stolen when it happened. Too late now.  I owe for these books.  

Anyone else ever been in this position?

I would caution anyone out there to throw away that little tag card as it can easily fall off of your key ring.  And obviously the library never checks ID.

I know it is hard times for the public library, but not protecting people's identity, and allowing just anyone to check out a book without looking at an ID is not the way to go about it.

And, btw, I was told that a person can check out up to 50 books.

The thief no doubt thought:  Start Here.  Go Anywhere.

[NotNow]

Can they make you pay?  I would immediatly file a police report for the lost card, unknown date.

[sheclown]

They say they can (good luck...stand in line).

Good point about the police report.  I'll do this on Monday.

My credit card company would have called and said something like this:

"This is a security call.  We realize you have not used your card in the past two years, so when there was a charge of 39 books, at one time, we thought we would call and confirm."

[wsansewjs]

They say they can (good luck...stand in line).

Good point about the police report.  I'll do this on Monday.

My credit card company would have called and said something like this:

"This is a security call.  We realize you have not used your card in the past two years, so when there was a charge of 39 books, at one time, we thought we would call and confirm."

If this really happens, guess who takes the fall? The public library. This is why there are so many small business and corporations are stepping up their practice of checking your ID to minimize the negative impact of their products / services (declined credit transactions etc.).

The public library is going to keep this up and realize that they cannot keep up recovering the lost books, they will join the party eventually.

-Josh

[thekillingwax]

Never carry anything on your keyring you aren't willing to lose/let someone else have- most things will eventually fall off if you use your keys enough, the friction against the ring just wears them down.

I also have no idea why people think it's safe to carry USB drives on them- I found one at the zoo one time and it had this couple's entire financial history on there, legal documents and all sorts of stuff and if the wrong person had found it, they'd still be digging themselves out of a hole. Luckily I did a bit of internet detective work and found them and got it back to them. If you need to carry all that stuff with you, for god's sake- encrpyt it. I like those Ironkey drives- too many password attempts and it will destroy itself, they also offer some that if you mark it as stolen, the second someone hooks it into a device with internet access, it destroys itself.

[sheclown]

Library cards should have "pin" numbers associated with them.  Unlike credit cards which have a credit limit, library cards are unlimited.  If someone finds your card, they can go into the library and check out 50 books, without showing ID.

Surely when someone used my card to check out 39 art books (probably the expensive ones) AT ONE TIME (I'm thinking they needed help to carry them all out), you'd think someone, somewhere, would have at least raised an eyebrow.

If there had been a pin number attached to the card, if my card had been found and used, the thief would not have had access to that number.

Does the library have surveillance cameras?  Does anyone know?

[CS Foltz]

sheclown......don't know about Dowtown Library, but know that the Deerwood Branch does not have security camera's! My card does not have the pin/Id written on it and no number.........card is useless! You can not use the card if you have no pin or id number , at the automatic checkout counter, and thats the one I use......hate standing in line, so have never used the front desk to check anything out!

[Jerry Moran]

The Library is completely wired.  Unfortunately, the excellent former security director Mike Sigler was fired a few months ago to save money, so the current state of security at the Library is unknown.  Mike was on top of everything and could always be relied on to identify a mug shot or M.O.

I suggest finding out when the books were checked out, and then visiting the security office.  Call me, and I will go over there with you.

This would have been much less likely to have happened if the Library required positive ID for admission, but that idea has always been turned down by the Library management.  The Library is "Open to All", as we all too often have painfully found out.

[sheclown]

@ Jerry...awesome.  Thanks.  I will.

[sheclown]

Following NotNow's sage advice, I went to my neighborhood police station 44th and Norwood.  "I'd like to file a police report" I said to the officer behind the bullet proof glass.  "What is the nature of the crime?"

"Someone stole my library card."

[uptowngirl]

you need a pin for self service, so you should need a pin or ID for the front desk. Why ask for the pin at self service only? it is a form of ID verification. I do get email confirmation of books checked out, and notification of upcoming due or past due books. Anyone with a library card should sign up for this service, as I have had books I checked out DT and returned to Brentwood that were just sitting there on the desk and not scanned back in.

[Springfielder]

So, did the officer take the report? If so, did you get a copy to take to the library? What's the outcome, if any?

[hooplady]

you need a pin for self service, so you should need a pin or ID for the front desk. Why ask for the pin at self service only? it is a form of ID verification. I do get email confirmation of books checked out, and notification of upcoming due or past due books. Anyone with a library card should sign up for this service, as I have had books I checked out DT and returned to Brentwood that were just sitting there on the desk and not scanned back in.

Is that new?  I don't recall ever using my PIN at the self-service station.  I only use it online when I'm reserving books or checking my account.

Also I wonder if you can change the max checkout quantity on your account?  I have no need for 50 books at one time - at least that would limit the exposure.

[Jumpinjack]

you need a pin for self service, so you should need a pin or ID for the front desk. Why ask for the pin at self service only? it is a form of ID verification.

Exactly, Uptowngirl. Any kind of id should work for the library. The pin is required whenever we do the self-service but they don't ask at the checkout desk for either id or pin.

Also, be sure to point out any damage to library materials before checking out or immediately on return. 

[sheclown]

FYI: Our libraries do not take any precautions to protect their patrons' identities. Don't ask for IDs, check cards for signatures, nada. Library patrons have a reasonable expectation of having simple, basic precautions taken to ensure their safety, especially since one can check out 50 books at a time. Not good for the patrons, certainly not good for the library.