VENTRINO TRAFFIC EXCHANGE SCRIPTS

I had a remarkable conversation with the Liberty Reserve support team which left me wondering if they’re just a scam of some kind.  No I take that back, but it certainly felt that way.  There are a few stories about them and Wiki mentions a $1 million loss due to a hacker, but what bank hasn’t suffered the same?  Tempting to mention the cause for the credit crunch, but I won’t =)

I wanted to know how to get their encryption to work.  While I am sure it used to, it doesn’t now.  Their own example code proves it.

I had hoped to hear they are working on it, but even if they were just aware of it that would have been enough.  Instead their operator treated me like I was a hacker, big words like encryption appeared to bring out nervous responses from him, so I left it.

I opened a support ticket a few days ago and they are yet to reply or acknowledged it.  I raised another today but I’m not raising my hopes.  While they hold on to millions of dollars they have the power to do and say as they please, and they are exercising that right with an abundance of silence.

I am of course generalising.  Liberty Reserve is responsible for wasting my time but they haven’t seen any of my cash, and never will, but they are not necessarily the scam other folks claim them to be.  They are certainly not any worse than many of the other payment processors.  The lax attitude towards our money is frightening and I wonder why, we the depositors, let them get away with it?

More importantly, and a somewhat tender subject is the “Patriot Act” and “Know your customer” excuses these guys use to get your details.  Did it ever occur to you that it’s just as important you do the same?  How many times have people been ripped off in Stormpay style scams?  Far too many and a few simple checks would have saved them.

Give your personal details to complete strangers?

Why would you give your details to strangers?  Some of these payment process even ask for a utility bill and they have no basis for that request in law or common sense.  With those details they can go open an account in your name and begin money laundering 10 minutes later. The existence of these companies make it so easy for terrorists to transfer as much money as they want, to where they want and in whatever numbers the like.

Not by using these companies but by operating them.  A little complacency on our part or willingness to handover our details means these guys have an easy way to finance their evil deeds, and they appear to do that with our blessing.

If a website asks for your date of birth – refuse
If a website asks for a copy of a utility bill – refuse
If a website asks for any identity details – refuse

And if you think you are safe on a website because it shows a little golden key or padlock remember that is not evidence the company is reputable.  You can get free SSL certificates and do not need to prove anything so it wouldn’t take much to setup a payment processor and look legitimate.

How can you safely open a payment processor account?

If they’re legitimate they won’t demand you provide documentation electronically.  You may choose to send it electronically but that should only be done after proper due diligence.  If you can’t walk in to a branch or post it to an address you can see in google maps then it’s unlikely to be legitimate.

What makes me an expert?

Nothing.  But it’s common sense don’t you think?

Be Sociable, Share!

•