13:42 <meekay> I was on a train once and the woman in front of me called her bank and started giving them identifying information over the phone.
13:42 <meekay> Name, birthdate, social security number…
13:43 <meekay> I was like, “I must not use my powers for evil… I must not use my powers for evil…”
On a Metra in 2000, I was in near a cell-user like this. After she had started giving her information, I whipped out a pen and paper and started scribbling, starting with what I remembered from the start of the conversation. During times she helped me out by repeating the information, louder.
I got everything above, including the “passphrase,” and even some account number.
When I got off the train, I handed her the paper while addressing her by her first name “Here you go, Whatever,” and kept walking.
Lesson here: have a pen and paper handy on Public Transit. Carbon paper optional.