There are plenty of out-of-the-way ATMs where suitable disguises or masks can be worn. Of course, this still gives a generic description approximate height and weight and possibly gender; but there’s no human across the counter wondering why you are doing something suspicious. (Although I presume some bank systems are programmed to spot obvious clues like too many max withdrawals in a row.)
The additional risk is that some areas may have additional security cameras - you are never unwatched, as we see with the FBI security camera pics of the Jan 6 bomber.
But the whole point of all these scams is to walk away with untraceable funds. I assume by now both criminals and authorities have seen or thought of a lot more than we have.
I know we’re off topic now, but if I wanted to do that, I’d probably convince someone else to do it for me. Tell someone to go withdraw X dollars from the ATM and you’ll give them a few bucks. There’s plenty of people that will be willing to take the risk for 20 bucks or so.
For some reason I wonder if someone at the care home was involved. Someone in the central office, or someone who was there just long enough to grab a bunch of identities and then deploy them later, at leisure.
That was my first thought as well, since I believe that the bad guy had Mom’s SSN as well as perhaps her state ID number. But the mailing address was over 2 years old. If it was a staff member, they would know what Mom’s current street address and apartment (room) number would be.
But I suppose the information could have been grabbed two years ago and then deployed later, as you suggested.
Here in Minnesota, it was -18 temp when I went out this morning. Between hat, insulated jacket neck scarf, face mask, gloves, etc. there was probably only my eyes visible. And others were wearing full ski masks. A photo would be pretty useless.
And even in good weather, there are techniques to avoid a good picture (wear big sunglasses, wear a scarf or floppy hat, look away from the camera, hold your hand over your mouth, hold papers up to your face, etc.).
Plus, finally – what do authorities do with the photo?
It isn’t like fingerprints where they have a giant database that the computer can search for a match. Mostly, the photos are useful as additional evidence – once they have caught the criminal and are prosecuting in Court. But not much use until they have a suspect to compare them to.
The more people who see you, can describe you, and take notice because (a) you asked them to do something odd (b) for money - the easier it is for the cops to track you down. Simplest to have a ski mask worn as a hat and pull it down when nobody is around.
As I mentioned about the DNC/RNC bomber on Jan 6, the FBI have not identified the person, but there’s a decent amount of helpful data in assorted security cam footage from the area and a decent amount of footage. (Some claim that the person sits at the park bench and does a characteristic shoulder move that suggests shrugging the bra strap back up onto the shoulder.) Either it’s serious impersonation with heel lifts to change height, careful gait change etc. or the FBI has some accurate data on approx height, weight, gait, etc. It doesn’t nail the suspect, but helps eliminate those who can’t fit the profile.
Plus as someone in security once told me about shoplifters, the thieves may change their clothes between jobs, but they always wear their same expensive sneakers.
You can talk to SSA about locking down her number. We just had to do that when an older relative was scammed on the phone and provided her SSN and all manner of other information, including other family members’ numbers.
Your social sec number is permanent for your entire life.You cant change it like a password.
And it is linked to your bank accounts, your IRS reports etc—important stuff that you need to use.
What happens when you tell the government to “lock down” your SSN?
(and how do you do it?)
You contact SSA. There are a couple of options. They set you up with extra layers of authentication to stop anyone else from claiming your benefit. I don’t know if this matters once the person is deceased.
I have already contacted SSA notifying them of Mom’s death and sent them a death certificate. I think that’s all I need to do at this point. Her online credentials at her bank have been revoked, per my request.