Is this safe?

[jcodespoti]

When you go to the "members" web site and you click on "e-mail member services" do you include your member # in the e-mail?
If credit card transactions should not be done thru e-mail, why would you want to include your member #?
Everytime I call ms all they ever ask me is for my member#. Could not somebody steal your member # thru the e-mail and then take your points? I am just asking and I have not thought this all the way thru. But it makes me wonder.

Joe in CT

 

[Doctor P]

I don't think there would be a problem. Would it be possible for someone to get your member number? Yeah, it is possible that it could happen. It is also possible that someone could get it if you use any type of wireless technology, including a cell phone or a cordless phone, when you call MS. Keep in mind that you will not normally include either your address or your contract # in an email, and that all activity on your account in terms of point usage will be sent to you in the form of a confirmation to your address. I wouldn't worry too long about this, but it never hurts to be careful.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

Recently my BIL and sister had an issue where they received a phone call from DVC that their Member Exchange Wait list had come thru. Problem was they didn't request one. They are extremely new to DVC and I have been helping them with their recent travel plans. The bigger problem is that when they first signed up their contract didn't arrive and they requested a new one. Well, about 3 days after the new one arrived the original arrived (probably left on the front steps by the neighbor who it incorrectly got delivered to in the 1st place), but it had been opened and definitely "rummaged" thru. Was my BIL ever pi$$ed that a) FED EX (who is at his house at least 3 times a week) delivered it CLEARLY MARKED to the wrong house and b) that his neighbor opened it without even looking at the name on the box.

Anyway, all this was too coincidental and we got nervous about people having their info, so we called DVC and they said you could put a verbal password on your account for when you make ressies, just need to send a written request asking for a password.

The other thing I was worried about was the sign up for the Member e-mails on the dvc site...in theory, (at least I think) you could cycle thru member numbers until you came accross a valid one and it would give you the member's name(s) which is all you'd need to make the ressies if they didn't have a password. Not exactly thrilled about the security levels on our information, but I don't think it is any worse than cell phones and credit cards...heck, even H&R Block in our area is under investigation for it's employees running an idenity theft ring - allegedly.

Just be aware of your points in your account, and add a password if you feel the need to err on the side of caution.