The researchers use advance search methods, but Cohn also admits to
misrepresenting who he is and what he is after. He says the law lets licensed investigators use such tricks as “pretext calling,” or fooling company employees into giving out information about customers over the phone (legal in all but a few states)
That is how Cohn finally pierced my privacy. First, he plugged my name credit bureaus online. In minutes, he had my Social Security number address, and birth date. Credit agencies are supposed to ensure that their subscribers (retailers, auto dealers, banks, mortgage companies) have a legitimate need to check credit; but Cohn Say no one has ever checked up on him.
With this information, Cohn next got access to a Federal Reserve database that told him where had bank deposits. Then he located my bank account: my account balance, direct deposits from work, withdrawals, ATM visits. check numbers with dates and amounts, and the name of my broker.
How did Cohn get my bank secrets? Directly from the Source. Cohn Says he phoned the bank and talked to one of 500 employees who can tap into my data. "Hi I'm Cohn, a licensed state investigator Conducting an investigation of an Adam Penenberg, he told the safe knowing the words
"licensed” and “state" make it sound like he works for law enforcement.
Then he recited my Social Security, birth date, and address, and before i could get out anything more he spat out your account number. Cohn told the helpful worker: “I talked to Penenberg's broker, um, I can't remember his name….”
"Dan Dunn?" the bank employee asked."Yeah, Dan Dunn, Cohn said The employee then read Cohn my complete history-balance, deposits withdrawals, check numbers, and amounts.
It was a similar story with my phone numbers. My long distance carrier said that a Mr. Penenberg had called to inquire about my most recent bill. A company spokesman explained that whoever made the call "posed as you and had enough information tO CONVINCE OU Customer Service representative that he was you.
For the most part, Cohn's methods are not illegal. "There is no general laW that protects consumers' privacy in the U.S.," says David Banisar, a