AIM Warning Letter ???

sheepherder · 04-29-2016, 12:35 PM

I received this first class letter today, along with an accompanying "Protect My ID" instruction sheet & password for a free year of the service.

I already have CC protection from two other sources.

I've never heard of AIM...And I don't recall uploading my drivers license to any site...

Anyone have any knowledge concerning this???

alanint · 04-29-2016, 01:12 PM

AIM Surplus is a premier provider of gun parts and gun related stuff. Have you or someone you know ordered parts from them recently? It appears that somebody compromised their site and stole information from FFLs and individuals with C&Rs who have them stored there for repeated orders?

AIM is kosher, but the letter may not be. Contact them directly to determine if they actually sent this. It may be a mining attempt to get information from you.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/

4 Scale · 04-29-2016, 01:13 PM

Smells like a scare tactic to push an insurance product. They likely get a cut of any identity insurance, credit monitoring service etc. you may buy. I'd ignore it as identity theft insurance and related "insurance/monitoring" is a poor bargain.

Most people have low/no exposure on credit cards, and little exposure on debit cards if they review their bank statements regularly. IMO the fact that such products are be offered without disclosure of actual loss potential is a legislative failure to provide reasonable consumer protections.

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/article...nd-debit-cards

Edward Tinker · 04-29-2016, 01:41 PM

well, its not Aims phone number...

I like the vagueness of 'an unauthorized person gain access to images on the site...'

alanint · 04-29-2016, 02:09 PM

And AIM is based in Ohio, NOT Pennsylvania!

sheepherder · 04-29-2016, 02:27 PM

I really have no idea if I've ever ordered anything from AIM...It doesn't sound familiar, but I've ordered stuff from hundreds of sellers over the years...

And I don't need the CC protection; my bank and an unrelated FCU already provide that free...

I might visit the site and send them an email...

Only AIM I know of is the American Indian Movement...Which I support in spirit if not monetarily...

Edit: OK, I checked my 12 pages of web sites/usernames/passwords and found a listing for AIM and then logged into their site: I did order 2 - Zastava M57 TT 9rd 7.62x25 Magazines from them in 2012. I don't recall any drivers license, this was before the magazine ban, so maybe it was my CC information that got hacked...

alanint · 04-29-2016, 03:51 PM

I checked with AIM, and the letter is legitimate. If you never stored information with them, you have nothing to worry about.
Why you received the letter, I have no idea.

sheepherder · 04-29-2016, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

I checked with AIM, and the letter is legitimate. If you never stored information with them, you have nothing to worry about.
Why you received the letter, I have no idea.

I do have an account there; I sent them an email, no reply yet.

Edit: But it seems that emailing them automatically adds you to their email list...I just got their "New Deals" newsletter...

04-29-2016, 12:35 PM	#1
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,441 Times in 2,329 Posts	AIM Warning Letter ??? I received this first class letter today, along with an accompanying "Protect My ID" instruction sheet & password for a free year of the service. I already have CC protection from two other sources. I've never heard of AIM...And I don't recall uploading my drivers license to any site... Anyone have any knowledge concerning this??? Attached Thumbnails __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

04-29-2016, 01:41 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,926 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	well, its not Aims phone number... I like the vagueness of 'an unauthorized person gain access to images on the site...' __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

04-29-2016, 02:27 PM	#6
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,441 Times in 2,329 Posts	I really have no idea if I've ever ordered anything from AIM...It doesn't sound familiar, but I've ordered stuff from hundreds of sellers over the years... And I don't need the CC protection; my bank and an unrelated FCU already provide that free... I might visit the site and send them an email... Only AIM I know of is the American Indian Movement...Which I support in spirit if not monetarily... Edit: OK, I checked my 12 pages of web sites/usernames/passwords and found a listing for AIM and then logged into their site: I did order 2 - Zastava M57 TT 9rd 7.62x25 Magazines from them in 2012. I don't recall any drivers license, this was before the magazine ban, so maybe it was my CC information that got hacked... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

04-29-2016, 01:12 PM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	AIM Surplus is a premier provider of gun parts and gun related stuff. Have you or someone you know ordered parts from them recently? It appears that somebody compromised their site and stole information from FFLs and individuals with C&Rs who have them stored there for repeated orders? AIM is kosher, but the letter may not be. Contact them directly to determine if they actually sent this. It may be a mining attempt to get information from you. http://www.aimsurplus.com/

04-29-2016, 01:13 PM	#3
4 Scale User Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 544 Thanks: 194 Thanked 489 Times in 251 Posts	Smells like a scare tactic to push an insurance product. They likely get a cut of any identity insurance, credit monitoring service etc. you may buy. I'd ignore it as identity theft insurance and related "insurance/monitoring" is a poor bargain. Most people have low/no exposure on credit cards, and little exposure on debit cards if they review their bank statements regularly. IMO the fact that such products are be offered without disclosure of actual loss potential is a legislative failure to provide reasonable consumer protections. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/article...nd-debit-cards

04-29-2016, 02:09 PM	#5
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	And AIM is based in Ohio, NOT Pennsylvania!

04-29-2016, 03:51 PM	#7
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	I checked with AIM, and the letter is legitimate. If you never stored information with them, you have nothing to worry about. Why you received the letter, I have no idea.