Thread: Improving my TM security - TM had helpful helpdesk.

Not a sensational story, but a story with a good outcome.

So, I once upon a time opened my TM account, way before thinking of getting a NZ FAL, and my username was really too much of a clue to my identity.

I wrote to the TM helpdesk about this problem, citing concern about lining myself up for burglary given that TM continues to list my username against past firearms purchases.

TM got back to me, and helpfully I now have a new username in spite of them not usually being happy to change long-standing usernames. Much preferable to restarting with a new account!

Thanks TM.


The E-mail exchange:

Change my username from my real name -- (ID# ***-***-***)
Inbox
x

Trade Me Support
6 Dec (2 days ago)

to me
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi ***,

Thanks for getting in touch with us about changing your username, I'm happy to help you out.

We don't usually like members changing their usernames because your username is how other members know who you are on Trade Me. No worries though, the reason you want it changed is totally understandable and I'm more than happy to make an exception for you this time around!

You're also in luck! The username '***' was free and it's now all yours. The next time you log into your account you'll see your awesome new username which the Trade Me community will use to recognise you on the site from now on.

If anything else crops up in the future, feel free to get back in touch. We're available 24/7 on 0900 TRADE (0900 872 33). Keep in mind, calls cost $1.99 + GST per minute, but you’re welcome to flick us an email at any time.

Warm regards,

***

Trade Me Support
https://www.trademe.co.nz

**************************************************

Our conversation so far:

Dear TM,
Could you please change my user name from XXX to YYY.
This change has become necessary as my user name is displayed with past and present firearms / ammunition purchases, increasing my risk of targeted burglary.
Thanks
***

Awesome that's a great result

Been wondering about doing the same for a while, so after seeing this I emailed them and changed easy as.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

Why would you ever give websites like Trademe your real name and address?

Just so they can give your buying and selling records and full name and address to lawyers and shitbags like they did after the Urewera raids?

Originally Posted by systolic

Just so they can give your buying and selling records and full name and address to lawyers and shitbags like they did after the Urewera raids?

@systolic

What was it that happened back then?

Originally Posted by Cordite

@systolic

What was it that happened back then?

The cops had used search warrants to get information off Trademe of what Tama Iti and his activist mates were buying. Guns, ammo, military equipment and the like.

As part of the discovery rules, all the names and addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of the people who they brought stuff from, along with what they brought and sold, were given to the lawyer for eight the people arrested. In one case apparently directly to a nutter called Jamie Lockett.

These are a couple of online reports:

Police deliver TradeMe names to prisoners - NZ Herald

Raid Me - The Listener

Originally Posted by systolic

The cops had used search warrants to get information off Trademe of what Tama Iti and his activist mates were buying. Guns, ammo, military equipment and the like.

As part of the discovery rules, all the names and addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of the people who they brought stuff from, along with what they brought and sold, were given to the lawyer for eight the people arrested. In one case apparently directly to a nutter called Jamie Lockett.

These are a couple of online reports:

Police deliver TradeMe names to prisoners - NZ Herald

Raid Me - The Listener

@systolic,
Hmm. Not great, but then not bad either as the buyers already had the sellers' details anyway, so no harm done. Anyway, they were Tuhoe and so would have been too proud to abuse that information.