AMERICAblog just bought General Wesley Clark's cell phone records for $89.95
Submitted by Gloria on January 12, 2006 - 2:39pm.
AMERICAblog just bought General Wesley Clark's cell phone records for $89.95
http://americablog.blogspot.com/2006/01/americablog-just-bought-general-wesley.html
Thursday, January 12, 2006
AMERICAblog just bought General Wesley Clark's cell phone records for $89.95
by John in DC - 1/12/2006 01:22:00 PM
I reported the other day that your cell phone records are on sale online for anyone to buy, without your permission. Well, this morning AMERICAblog bought former presidential candidate, and former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO (SACEUR), General Wesley Clark's cell phone records for one hundred calls made over three days in November 2005, no questions asked. (Clark's cell phone provider is Omnipoint Communications, which seems to be related to T-Mobile.)
All we needed was General Clark's cell phone number and our credit card, and 24 hours later we had one hundred calls the general made on his cell phone in November. The calls included a number of calls to Arkansas, to foreign countries, and at least one call to a prominent reporter at the Washington Post. To ensure that we actually had General Clark's correct cell phone number, we called the number this morning and the voice mail recording that answered said:
"Hi, this is Wes Clark, leave a message [unintelligible]."
We have retained a recording of that voice mail message.
This is clearly outrageous. But let me first say, as an aside, that I bought my own Cingular Wireless phone records this past weekend and reported on it on AMERICAblog. I wouldn't do this to any other public person without first doing it to myself. But even after reporting on this gross violation of my (and your) personal privacy, Congress, the Administration, and the phone companies have yet to act effectively. (And they have known about it since at least this past July when the Washington Post reported on it.) So we decided to attempt to buy the records of a celebrity, so to speak. And we unfortunately succeeded.
I also want to say a quick aside about General Clark. I was a big fan of his presidential campaign, and he was the first candidate I supported. This effort was not meant in any way as a slight to the general. We wanted to see if it was possible to buy the phone records of someone high profile in order to prove that this is a problem with serious national security implications, and frankly, we didn't want to pick a Republican since we thought such a choice would be perceived as partisan or mean-spirited, and that is not our intent for exposing this. Our intent is to get this problem fixed so that we all can benefit.
I bought my records via the Web site LocateCell for $110. We bought General Clark's records via the Web site CellTolls for $89.95. It is possible that both sites are run by the same company.
The following is the list we received from CellTolls detailing 100 consecutive phone calls either placed or received on General Clark's cell phone from November 15 to 18, 2005. The company only gives you 100 calls, then you have to pay more for additional calls. We have blacked out all but the last two digits of every phone number, including General Clark's cell phone number, in order to protect his privacy and the privacy of anyone he has been in contact with. This will permit General Clark, and at least one Washington Post reporter, to confirm that the record is legit.
The only question now remaining is why President Bush, our leaders in Congress, and our wireless phone companies (at the very least T-Mobile and Cingular, whose customers' records are available online to anyone) have known about this problem for at least six months but have yet to fix it.
PS CBS News is going to report on the cell records privacy scandal tonight (1/12/06) on their evening news broadcast.
(Graphic of phone log follows)
we didn't want to pick a Republican since we thought such a choice would be perceived as partisan or mean-spirited, and that is not our intent for exposing this.
Actually I think it's great that he chose the General for his experiment. Great publicity. Keep WKC in the news.
George Bush has had his day and he's bollixed it up.
Actually in their comments it says they wanted to pick someone they thought wouldn't sue them. :) Anyway- Wes can fend for himself & understands these issues perfectly. It makes me a bit ill, imagine how ill it would make you if it were a family member, etc. This issue needs lots of light thrown on it- quickly.
.... I hope CNN and MSNBC ask to interview Wes.
George Bush has had his day and he's bollixed it up.
anywho.
Wes is the most honest man I know - save my husband, who couldn't lie to me if Cheney tortured him.
What does the 'graphic' show???
list of numbers blacked out.
I am very upset with this easy availability of nos. John explains why he picked Gen. Clark....I'm just upset over everything, from Alito, NSA spying, and this.
Visit www.zianet.com/insightanalytical - Home of the World Media Watch M-W-F, also at Buzzflash.com
They know now. Not sure if this post should remain. Hate to see badgering of of any contacts due to propagation of this information. What do you think Gloria.
so I hope someone will see this...
Visit www.zianet.com/insightanalytical - Home of the World Media Watch M-W-F, also at Buzzflash.com
Dear John,As a strong supporter of both Wes Clark and Americablog, I guess I should both thank you and admonish you: Thanks for selecting General Clark as 'important' enough for you to select as your 'test case,' and thanks for getting him 'out there,' which is one of my (and OUR') goals. I'm sure you're aware of my reason to admonish you, as your story speaks for itself. You're made your point here anyway! Are you a DC resident? Shall we inform Eleanor?Please do us all a favor and and keep your eyes open for General Clark's appearances etc.Thanks.
'Hey, I adore the man, I'm very happy to help him in the future, and told him as much about the body armor issue for starters.'
John,
I hope you're planning on getting General Clark on the bandwagon with this. It seems like he could beat the drum and move for stuff forward. Have you considered contacting WesPAC to let them know this wasn't done maliciously?
Dude | 01.12.06 - 1:48 pm
George Bush has had his day and he's bollixed it up.
UPDATE: We tried to get the cell phone records of other high-profile Washingtonians like ABC's George Stephanopoulos, the Washington Post's Dana Milbank, and the New York Time's Adam Nagourney, but LocateCell was unable to provide me with their records (possibly because those three use Verizon as their cell phone service, or possibly because LocateCell was on to me).
George Bush has had his day and he's bollixed it up.
This activity should be illegal. Clark, as everyone, should have a right to obtain a record andseek legal recourse to determine those who may have sought his records. Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, and the other telecommunications companies should also outline their policies to restrict the sales of your private records and should only provide these records, subsequent to our written authorization!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Debate, Dialogue, Discussion, Disagreement - that's not wrong -that's not unpatriotic, that's one of the highest forms of patriotism and love of country, and we need to say it!" - Gen. Wesley Clark (US Ret.)
catching up on this site is often painful!
Gen. Clark definitely needs to look into this. Outrageous!
everyone can relate to. I hope Wes can run with this. God, it's stomach-turning, though.
---------------------
PS CBS News is going to report on the cell records privacy scandal tonight (1/12/06) on their evening news broadcast.
George Bush has had his day and he's bollixed it up.
NBC Nightly News did a bit on this story too. Clark's 'real estate' is going to skyrocket on that site that tracks mentions of the '08 potentials.
I've made sure that General Clark has been informed of what's going on, it's only fair to him.
So I guess John actually LEFT a message on the voicemail this time instead of hanging up, eh?
Hate to laugh here, but...
Oh for the love of God, MoveOn has picked it up already! Email excerpt:
Dear MoveOn Member,
It sounds unbelievable—but did you know that anyone can go online and purchase cell or home phone records of people like you?
Today, AMERICAblog was able to buy Gen. Wesley Clark's personal cell phone records with no problem. Phone companies and congressional leaders have known about this problem, but they've failed to address it.
Even at a time when our right to privacy is under attack on multiple fronts, the idea that someone can simply go online and buy another person's phone records seems beyond possibility—but it is true, and it must be stopped immediately.
Please sign this emergency petition to your congressional representatives today.<snip
What would you do for a Klondike Bar?
.pleeeeeeeez God
And thanks 
Blue!
What would you do for a Klondike Bar?
I also think it says something really nice about Wes that the guy chose to do it to him--a public figure he's not AFRAID of, who he didn't think would be AFRAID of the publicity.
UPDATE: We tried to get the cell phone records of other high-profile Washingtonians like ABC's George Stephanopoulos, the Washington Post's Dana Milbank, and the New York Time's Adam Nagourney, but LocateCell was unable to provide me with their records (possibly because those three use Verizon as their cell phone service, or possibly because LocateCell was on to me).
This is a wonderful way to get Wes's name out there on an issue that practically everyone will pay attention to. So many people have tuned out politics and the war in Iraq. But they listen to things like this that could possibly affect them personally.
WHOIS Record For
LOCATECELL.COMRegistrant:
Ist Source Information
ATTN: LOCATECELL.COM
c/o Network Solutions
P.O. Box 447
Herndon, VA 20172-0447Domain Name: LOCATECELL.COM
Administrative Contact :
Ist Source InformationATTN: LOCATECELL.COM
c/o Network Solutions
P.O. Box 447
Herndon, VA 20172-0447
Phone: 570-708-8780Technical Contact :
Ist Source InformationATTN: LOCATECELL.COM
c/o Network Solutions
P.O. Box 447
Herndon, VA 20172-0447
Phone: 570-708-8780Record expires on 26-Jan-2012
Record created on 26-Sep-2005
Database last updated on 18-Nov-2005Domain servers in listed order: Manage DNS
WSC2.JOMAX.NET
WSC1.JOMAX.NETThis listing is a Network Solutions Private Registration. Mail correspondence to this address must be sent via USPS Express Mail™ or USPS Certified Mail®; all other mail will not be processed. Be sure to include the registrant?s domain name in the address.
Well, it seems to me that the OWNERS of this domain are DEFINITELY trying to cover their tracks. Who's got a STAMP already!
Can you say CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT?
NOM DE GRRRRR! CHECK THIS OUT! Do a tracert and check out every top level domain feeding these slimes!
NSA "Tapping Into... Telecom's Main Arteries"
"The National Security Agency has traced and analyzed large volumes of telephone and Internet communications flowing into and out of the United States... by tapping directly into some of the American telecommunication system's main arteries," the Times is reporting.
- The volume of information harvested from telecommunication data and voice networks, without court-approved warrants, is much larger than the White House has acknowledged...
As part of the program approved by President Bush for domestic surveillance without warrants, the N.S.A. has gained the cooperation of American telecommunications companies to obtain backdoor access to streams of domestic and international communications.
MAKE OHIO BLUE
This link to the article below was posted at Americablog...
Phone record brokers targeted
January 6, 2006
BY FRANK MAIN Crime Reporter
....snip> " ...The Chicago Sun-Times reported Thursday that the Chicago Police Department and FBI are concerned about the potential for criminals to track officers' cell phone calls through Web services. Attorney General Lisa Madigan responded by issuing subpoenas to one Internet service, locatecell.com, highlighted in the newspaper's story."We will be asking locatecell.com how it obtains the telephone detail information it sells and whether it is through legal means," said Madigan's spokeswoman, Melissa Merz.
On another front, Gov. Blagojevich announced he will seek legislation this spring making it illegal for brokers to sell telephone account records and other personal information.
The legislation also would ban phone companies from releasing such information to anyone except the account holder, law enforcement agencies or someone with a court order. Phone companies would have to maintain tight security and notify customers of breaches.
Personal call
....snip>
"In a test of locatecell.com, the Sun-Times last week e-mailed this reporter's cell phone number and a $110 credit card charge to the Web service. The service provided a one-month list of 78 calls, including numbers for law enforcement sources, family members and Sun-Times staffers. The service also can track down records for land-based phones.Locatecell.com was operated by a Knoxville, Tenn.-based company, Data Find Solutions Inc., between January and September 2005, said Brian C. Quist, an attorney for the company, which he said is no longer in business. Locatecell.com was sold in September to 1st Source Information Specialists Inc. in Florida, Quist said.
"That company now owns and operates the Web site," he said. "The decision to sell the Web site was just a business decision based on the fact that it was perceived that this industry was going to be regulated, hence likely not much future in it, and not the result of any suit, court order, etc." ...snip>
In December, Cingular Wireless LLC sued Data Find Solutions and 1st Source Information Specialists in federal court in Atlanta, claiming they obtained and sold customers' confidential information through improper hacking and unauthorized access to online account information in Cingular's computer network.
The lawsuit said Data Find Solutions Inc. transferred ownership of locatecell.com, celltolls.com, datafind.org and peoplesearchamerica.com to 1st Source Information Specialists.
Password-protected accountsVerizon Wireless, a cell company with 47 million customers, has been "very aggressive and innovative to protect our customers' privacy," said a spokeswoman, Carolyn Schamberger. The company has filed lawsuits in Tennessee and Florida against companies that sold Verizon customers' phone records, she said.
"We encourage any wireless customer to let their carrier know if they think their information was fraudulently obtained," Schamberger said. ..."
Back atcha, Knight!
NOW we're making progress!
Next step: Who are the principles of Data Find Solutions and 1st Source Information Specialists? The Atlanta court records might reveal some names!
BUT the BIG QUESTION is: HOW did these people co-opt the wireless companies' records to begin with and continue to do so?
And (i would offer a bet) are these individuals tied to b/c04 or the RNC or Delay or TRMPAC or other Abramoff connections?
Hmmmmmmm. Follow the Money.
Keep going, CCN Investigators!
MAKE OHIO BLUE
I guess that's why we're progressive - WE MAKE PROGRESS!!!
Why Wes? Why not Jeff Gannon?