Got NAUI C-Card yesterday.......

[Archer_Pensacola]

And I am wondering how come there is no ID number assigned to me written on it? The card is blue with a gray stripe on the left side containing the NAUI logo and it says "SCUBA Diver" in yellow and my name, cert date, instructor and shop written in white. Is this my official, permanent card? My dive shop indicated that it was so I didn't question it, but shouldn't it have some identifying code on it?

And while we are on the subject, is it safe to give out your ID number in a public forum like this, i.e. is there a risk of identity theft that I should be concerned about?

 

[CAPT HOOK]

Think NAUI uses your Social-Security number.

 

[johntt1986]

Think NAUI uses your Social-Security number.

Nope they didnt use mine

 

[David P]

Naui just changed things in the past year. Naui uses a PIN number (your social security number). instead of a generated number. When you go out on a boat and you sign in for the dive, do NOT write down you SSN where they want your c card number, just put down "PIN".

 

[mike_s]

My Naui card doesn't have a dive cert number on it either.

When I go on a boat, etc, and they ask on the forms for
my certifiying organziation and diver number, I just leave the
number blank or write Naui in the space. No one has ever
give me any issues about it.

 

[StSomewhere]

I know jack about Naui, but I know a lot about data security.

No company should have your SSN unless they *legitimately* have a reason to run a credit report on you. This is one place (of many) where identity theft can start. There is no reason to use your SSN in this manner. Naui is seriously blowing it on this one.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I know jack about Naui, but I know a lot about data security.

No company should have your SSN unless they *legitimately* have a reason to run a credit report on you. This is one place (of many) where identity theft can start. There is no reason to use your SSN in this manner. Naui is seriously blowing it on this one.

NAUI doesn't assign ID numbers until you reach the level of Divemaster. Then, because you have to pay dues and effectively "join" the organization, you get a member number.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[neil]

I know jack about Naui, but I know a lot about data security.

No company should have your SSN unless they *legitimately* have a reason to run a credit report on you. This is one place (of many) where identity theft can start. There is no reason to use your SSN in this manner. Naui is seriously blowing it on this one.

NAUI has been "blowing" it for several decades with no problems that I've ever heard of. Times, however, have changed, and I do take security experts' advice to heart.
I recommend that students make up any 9-digit number for their PIN. Most use a birthdate with some zeroes. If NAUI needs to look you up in their database they can use your name as easily as a number.

 

[calscubagirl]

And I am wondering how come there is no ID number assigned to me written on it? The card is blue with a gray stripe on the left side containing the NAUI logo and it says "SCUBA Diver" in yellow and my name, cert date, instructor and shop written in white. Is this my official, permanent card? My dive shop indicated that it was so I didn't question it, but shouldn't it have some identifying code on it?

And while we are on the subject, is it safe to give out your ID number in a public forum like this, i.e. is there a risk of identity theft that I should be concerned about?

The number you use on boat dives is the last 4 digits of your SS#.

By all means don't write down your full SS#!

Or you can just write NAUI, which I've done before too.

That's that!

 

[Aquatic Eagle]

NAUI has been "blowing" it for several decades with no problems that I've ever heard of. Times, however, have changed, and I do take security experts' advice to heart.
I recommend that students make up any 9-digit number for their PIN. Most use a birthdate with some zeroes. If NAUI needs to look you up in their database they can use your name as easily as a number.

Guys, NAUI is not "blowing" anything. If you'll notice that there is no way to look up a person's certification online with NAUI. The reason for that is that NAUI instructors keep track of their students. NAUI doesn't keep track of every single person that is certified. It is up to the instructor to keep records of students. They start keeping track of divers when they become professional level. I wish there was a way to look up divers online but that's the reason that NAUI doesn't have that service. Because the instructors keep track of students and not NAUI, they don't issue numbers until you become a member.