Have I been pawned is really nice, but only includes confirmed data leaks. If you use other services like Google or Malwarebyte, they will tell you more leaks. I was involved with the MoveIt data leak from a financial institution recently, which basically leaked all the information that possibly can be partly/wholely used for identity theft. This didn’t show up in HIBP. Fidelity Financial Life Insurance just leaked enough info via Infosys for another 30,000 customers with enough data for identity thefts recently.

In the US, it seems if somebody is able financially to aggregate all these sensitive data leaks, they probably can cause havocs to many people. These info often come from financial institutions, which you can’t totally withhold or lie about your personal information.

Spoofing a number means they can call somebody and appears as calling from your number. In order to receive SMS or call made to your number, they would have to hijack your SIM, typically convincing your telecom provider to transfer your phone info over to theirs.

In the US, someone knowing your full name and phone number is commonplace. There is no wide-spead havoc because of this. Someone who wants to harm you would really have to be motivated to get more information from the info you gave them. This is obviously possible because of wide-spread data leaks, but does your emissary have the perseverance and the knowledge to do this?

I am somewhat reluctant to say it, but if you get into a top-branded school, it will absolutely help you as it will open doors that otherwise would be closed. People will look at you differently, expect from your differently, and you’ll expect from yourself differently.

OTH, look at Bill Gate, Steve Job, Michael Dell, etc.; extraordinary people will be extraordinary given the right circumstances, ideas, and perseverance.

Tools, yes, instances, no, but there are Lemmy explorer (https://lemmyverse.net/) which you can search for both instances and communities.

Can you curse regularly?

Haha, apparently, there is no direct law against cursing, but they can still throw these at you:

Disorderly behavior: Under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act, using abusive or insulting language in public can be considered disorderly behavior. This offense carries a maximum penalty of 6 months imprisonment, a fine of up to S$2,000, or both. The key factors here are the volume, tone, and target of the language. Shouting profanities at someone in a way that creates a disturbance could fall under this category.

Abusing a public servant: The Protection from Harassment Act protects public servants from verbal abuse, including threats and insults. Using abusive language towards a police officer, teacher, or other public service worker while they’re performing their duties is an offense with a maximum penalty of 12 months imprisonment, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both.

The above comment also is in SGD, not much solace.

I bet they don’t have to do too much to enforce some of these laws. Singapore is one of the places (along with Japan) with really low crime rate. The legend (see youtube) is that, if you leave your iPhone on a table in a coffee shop, you can come back to claim it a few hours later. A good part of it is probably because of socioeconomic reasons.

Otherwise, I also bet it’s just your getting caught by the authorities (with whatever Orwellian technologies they use to catch you) and your being reported by people surrounding you.

I must say, you are a fine-avoiding citizen! ;-)

Meanwhile, other laws in Singapore (with some exceptions):

• No Smoking in Public. Fines up to $200, increasing to $1,000 if taken to court.
• E-Cigarettes are Prohibited. Fines up to $10,000, imprisonment up to 6 months; subsequent offence up to $20,000, mprisonment up to 12 months.
• No Eating or Drinking on Public Transport. Fine up to $500.
• No Playing Musical Instruments in Public. Fine up to $1,000.
• No Connecting to Someone Else’s Wi-Fi. Fine up to $10,000, imprisonment up to 3 years; subsequent offence up to $20,000, imprisonment up to 5 years.
• No Importing or Selling Chewing Gum. Importation fine up to $100,000 or imprisonment up to 2 years; subsequent offence up to $200,000 or imprisonment up to 3 years. Sale fine up to $2,000.
• No Drinking After 10.30pm. Fine up to $1,000 (first offence), up to $2,000 and/or imprisonment up to 3 months (repeat offence).
• Don’t Feed the Pigeons. Fine up to $500.
• Don’t Feed Any Wildlife. Fine up to $5,000, or up to $10,000 for subsequent offences.
• Flush the Toilet. Fine up to $1,000.
• No Littering. Fine up to $2,000 (first conviction), $4,000 (second conviction), $10,000 (subsequent convictions).
• No Singing Explicit Lyrics. Imprisonment up to three months and/or a fine.

Life is grand!