Safeguard

Identity Theft Soars

2005-11-08T16:05:00.000-05:00

"The number of cases of identity fraud has rocketed in the last six years, increasing by almost seven times, it has emerged. By the end of the year, the UK's fraud prevention service Cifas estimates there will have been 135,000 reported incidents of identity theft in 2005 - compared with just 20,000 in 1999. Most of the victims are ordinary consumers. The spiralling crime is now thought to

California Laws to Protect Against Identity Theft

2005-10-25T09:29:00.000-04:00

"An April 2002 security breach at California's Stephen P. Teale Data Center triggered public outrage. It eventually led to California's security breach notification law called SB 1386. SB 1386 calls for notification of California residents following some kinds of security breaches.On January 1, 2005, California legislation called AB 1950 went into effect. It requires businesses to protect certain

Courts Concerned About Identity Theft

2005-10-23T17:38:00.000-04:00

"Rhode Island courts will no longer list the dates of birth of defendants in its online database. A court spokeswoman says the policy change, reached earlier this month, is designed to protect privacy and thwart identity theft. Full dates of birth will still be available in paper files kept at the state's courthouses. Federal courts already have policies limiting the use of Social Security

Safeguards for Identity Theft

2005-10-19T20:54:00.000-04:00

"Identity theft is a big concern for everyone. Tips on how to safeguard identity from thieves will be discussed at a presentation from noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the Hatfield Marine Science Center, Barry Fisher Building, conference room 101.Edna Abbott, a volunteer with the Lincoln County District Attorney's Office, will present the latest information about identity theft safeguards."

Insurance Companies Selling Policies for Identity Theft

2005-10-16T08:36:00.000-04:00

"If someone has stolen your identity, it can take many days and hundreds or thousands of dollars to restore your financial credibility. Several insurance companies, however, are offering to soften the blow by providing counseling services to help you regain your identity or payments that cover the cost of doing so, or both. Some people already have this coverage and may not even know it. Some

Phishing for Identity Theft

2005-10-03T19:51:00.000-04:00

"Why did you miss jury duty?' the caller asks in a threatening tone. The phone call, according to federal officials, is the latest ploy used by crafty individuals to coerce citizens to provide-over the phone-their Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, and other personal information. The hoax works like this. Perpetrators, pretending to be court employees, call potential jurors demanding

Drug Addicts Steal identities

2005-09-30T16:09:00.000-04:00

"Methamphetamine addicts are using the Internet to commit identity theft, law-enforcement officials and medical experts in the USA and Canada say. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., has introduced a bill that asks for an investigation of the link between ID theft and meth use. Meth is a highly addictive, cheap alternative to cocaine and heroin. Meth addicts -- already adept at stealing personal

More Prosecution Needed to Deter Identity Theft

2005-09-29T10:11:00.000-04:00

"According to the Federal Trade Commission, 27.5 million Americans have had their identity stolen in the last five years. Also, one in four of us will become a victim of identity theft in 2005, which is up from one in six in 2004. Kim and Tim of Chesterfield, who asked that their last name not be used, know the heartache involved when someone commits identity theft. For the past year, the couple

Soldiers Exposed to Identity Theft

2005-09-28T11:56:00.000-04:00

While fighting in Iraq, Army Sgt. Steven Behr suddenly found himself vulnerable at home. Four computer hard drives containing soldiers' Social Security numbers and other personal records were stolen from Fort Carson _ a crime that could expose Behr to identity theft. Behr was one of 15,000 active duty soldiers notified this month of the theft, along with family members and civilians who work at

Canadian Issues of Identity Theft

2005-09-27T08:51:00.000-04:00

"Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner, Dr. Ann Cavoukian, today called for businesses and organizations to develop a 'Culture of Privacy' in a paper entitled, Identity Theft Revisited: Security is Not Enough.In discussing her position, the Commissioner said: 'Identity theft is one of the most serious threats to the public today. When data begins leaking due to a company's negligence, it

New Guidance on Safeguarding Information From Identity Theft

2005-09-26T08:42:00.000-04:00

"The British Security Industry Association has produced a guide to the Data Protection Act aimed at business users of information destruction services. BSIA Information Destruction Section Chairman, Simon Pearce, said: 'End-users are often unaware that their obligations under the Data Protection Act extend to ensuring that their Data Processor, i.e. the company they use to dispose of their

Identity Theft Affecting Seniors

2005-09-25T10:46:00.000-04:00

"Magelende and Robert Jansen carry their Medicare cards in their wallets everywhere they go. They never thought not to.But elder financial abuse and identity theft experts say people should only carry Medicare cards and all other identification that lists an individual's Social Security number when they need them.Far too many seniors become victims of identity theft, and lifting Social Security

New Jersey Signs Identity Theft Laws

2005-09-23T01:04:00.000-04:00

"New Jersey consumers and businesses will receive tough new tools to combat identity theft thanks to a package of bills signed into law Thursday by acting Gov. Richard J. Codey.Advocates called the legislation among the nation's most comprehensive and easy-to-use, and praised Codey's leadership in consumer protection issues'This is a triumph for the entire state and sets the stage for tough

Identity Theft in California

2005-09-22T11:12:00.000-04:00

"Police are questioning employees at the Children's Health Council in Palo Alto about the theft of a backup computer hard drive from a locked room. The drive contains sensitive patient and employee information-- including Social Security numbers and credit card numbers that could be used for identity theft -- for approximately 5,000 patients, plus personal information for 600 to 700 present and

Senator Speaks Out About Identity Theft

2005-09-20T17:59:00.000-04:00

"I thought shredding my important documents to protect my identity was enough to ensure those documents could never be used to gather vital information. How wrong I was! During a Senior Identity Theft Workshop I hosted in Rancho Cucamonga recently, I was shocked to learn that many of those who are stealing the identities of victims are methamphetamine users. Because of the nature of meth users,

Financial Institutions Dealing With Identity Theft

2005-09-20T10:05:00.000-04:00

"In order to increase identity security and combat the growing threat of identity theft and related frauds, financial institutions are looking at ways to strengthen two-way, 'mutual' authentication between themselves and their customers. As customers access financial services through online services, telephone, and ATMs, better mutual authentication that works on all these channels can help

Safeguard Your Personal Information

2005-09-19T09:41:00.000-04:00

"It's information we rattle off routinely: our name, date of birth, even Social Security number. And it's information thieves love. They use it to obtain credit, cash checks, take out loans, get professional licenses, even cross international borders. As Tribune business reporter Jo Dee Black reported in Sunday's newspaper, identity theft is quickly overtaking other crimes in frequency. You

Take Precautions Against Identity Theft

2005-09-17T13:49:00.000-04:00

"It's not just in the movies that impostors pretend to be someone else. It happens in real life, and if it's your identity that's stolen, you may be in for a lot more hassle than you might expect. We all need to be informed, and take precautions to keep identity theft from happening. Identity theft involves criminals getting information about you that they use to purchase items or agree to

Spyware a Threat to Identity Protection

2005-09-15T21:33:00.000-04:00

"A study by security company Aladdin's eSafe Content Security response Team (CSRT) found that 15 percent of spyware threats successfully copy user's passwords, usernames, hashes of administrator's passwords and email addresses. The analysis of 2,000 known spyware threats shows that there is a growing amount of malware designed for identity theft.'The study illustrates that a growing amount of

Identity Theft on the Rise in Arizona

2005-09-14T22:44:00.000-04:00

"Authorities in Arizona are fighting a type of fraud that can strip a person's good name and leave it in ruins. It's called identity theft. 'Arizona is number one in the country for I.D. theft and it's time consumers start fighting back,' said AARP Arizona State Director, David Mitchel. 'It's shocking, because sometimes you don't even know that you've been victimized until you start receiving

Taking a Look at Identity Theft

2005-09-13T21:03:00.000-04:00

"Norma Foster, chief executive of The North East Regional Portal (TNERP), examines the growing threat of identity theft online and advises how to safeguard your assets from the e-criminals. Identity theft is the process by which someone steals your identify, commits fraud in your name and pilfers money from your personal bank accounts, and there are a number of way that this can happen online.

How Extensive is Identity Theft?

2005-09-13T14:29:00.000-04:00

"Many readers were stunned last month when the August Experian/Gallup Personal Credit Index (PCI) poll showed nearly one in five Americans say they've experienced identity theft. As a result, we decided to dig deeper into the issue of identity theft in the September PCI poll. The results provide some added insight into how consumers think about the problem."This survey was conducted by Dr. Dennis

Possibility of Identity Theft at Kent State

2005-09-11T20:54:00.000-04:00

"Officials at Kent State University are warning more than 100,000 students and professors that stolen campus computers could contain their Social Security numbers and school records. The information, which is used to compile commencement lists, class rolls and instructor assignments, is password protected, said KSU spokesman Ron Kirksey. The e-mail messages providing information on preventing

British Are Trying to Avoid Becoming Identity Theft Victims

2005-09-08T23:07:00.000-04:00

"Consumers have been urged to be more aware of the risk of identity theft and to improve the way they keep personal finance details confidential. Many people are not fully aware of the risks of identity and credit crimes and therefore do not take enough care in disposing of their bank account statements or any documents relating to their finances. Over ten million Brits are failing to close

US Losing the Fight Against Identity Theft

2005-09-08T06:51:00.000-04:00

"There have been at least 104 serious 'data incidents' in the US since 1 January which represent just the 'tip of an iceberg' in serious systemic computer security problems.The incidents potentially affect more than 56.2 million individuals, according to the US-based non-profit Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC).Congressional committees are waging a turf war over a security breach notification

Technology May Make Identity Theft Worse

2005-09-06T23:14:00.000-04:00

"A reliance on technology to solve security problems is misguided, claims a British academic. She also says that not enough is being done to study the way in which real pieces of information about an individual could allow a criminal to steal their identity. In a lecture, 'Life-swapping in cyber suburbia - the problem of stolen identity and the Internet', at the BA Festival of Science in

PIN Numbers May Make Identity Theft Easier

2005-09-06T09:12:00.000-04:00

"Chip and PIN technology and ID cards will make it easier for criminals to engage in fraud and identity theft instead of tackling the problem, according to a leading criminologist.Dr Emily Finch, researcher at the University of East Anglia, claims checkout staff in shops are less vigilant about transactions because of new anti-fraud technology, such as chip and PIN cards, and that criminals are

Identity Theft and Fraud in the U.K.

2005-09-05T21:53:00.000-04:00

"New report written by leading criminologist Professor Martin Gill and commissioned by Capital One suggests that free annual credit reports would enable consumers to monitor their accounts and take action as appropriate. Professor Gill’s report looks at how the UK might better tackle the growing issue of identity theft by appraising measures introduced in the US.A key recommendation made in

New York Law to Protect Against Identity Theft

2005-09-02T11:20:00.000-04:00

"New Yorkers will get some extra protection from identify theft this year under a law passed by the Legislature and signed this month by Gov. George E. Pataki. The cornerstones of this law are requirements that businesses and state agencies with computer records notify consumers and citizens when their financial and personal information has been compromised. Those data leaks could include

Requiring Your Social Security Number

2005-09-01T22:12:00.000-04:00

"J. H. Wilcox, Baltimore: Why has there not been legislation enacted by Congress to make it illegal to demand one's Social Security number as a requirement for services having absolutely nothing to do with its original, or other authorized purposes?Ambrose: Consumer advocates say that businesses have lobbied long and hard against any legislative attempts to limit their ability to ask for

Identity Theft in Canada

2005-08-31T13:25:00.000-04:00

"An identity-theft ring uncovered by Langley RCMP targeted at least 500 people in the greater Vancouver area, officials say. The alleged fraudulent activity was discovered before any personal or financial harm was carried out, police said yesterday. Two unidentified women from Langley and Surrey were arrested on the morning of July 24 after staff at a Langley motel notified

Massive Identity Theft

2005-08-30T09:57:00.000-04:00

"Millions of people now have a new reason to dread the mailbox. In addition to the tried-and-true collection of Letters You Never Want to See -- the tax audit, the high cholesterol reading, the college-rejection letter -- there is now the missive that reveals you are on the fast track to becoming a victim of identity theft. Someone may have taken possession of your credit-card info, bank account

Companies Charge Their Customers to View Compromsied Data

2005-08-29T10:13:00.000-04:00

"For its victims, identity theft means worry, headache and countless time spent restoring bad credit. But for some businesses, the collective fear that consumer identities may be stolen can mean opportunity.The surge in identity theft, estimated to affect more than 9 million Americans each year at a cost of $50 billion, is spurring credit bureaux and banks to offer credit-monitoring services

New ID Theft Scams in the U.K.

2005-08-26T17:33:00.000-04:00

''Postal thefts in Sheffield have enabled criminals to construct false identities for themselves, police have said.A caller rings people to whom bank statements should have been delivered and asks for details such as password and date of birth. Because the fraudster already has some information about them, many people think the call is genuine.Police say these false identities are used by

Medford Police Empower the Community

2005-08-25T18:22:00.000-04:00

"With technology progressing at such a rapid rate, cases of identity theft are becoming more and more prevalent. The Medford Police Department, however, is determined to empower the city's seniors by providing helpful tips so they can protect themselves. Medford Police Officer Dave Ciampi visited the Senior Center on Aug. 16 to talk with older residents about identity theft and what to do if

Thousands Victimized by ID Theft Ring

2005-08-24T22:06:00.000-04:00

"Security firm has warned that a notorious identity theft operation is still running, having stolen a huge amount of credit card and banking details. An estimated 27,000 people have been affected by an identity theft ring that was discovered earlier this month, according to Sunbelt Software, the security firm that uncovered the operation. Eric Sites, the vice-president of research and

Air Force the Victim Of Hackers

2005-08-24T17:16:00.000-04:00

"A suspected hacker tapped into a military database containing Social Security numbers and other personal information for 33,000 Air Force officers and some enlisted personnel, an Air Force spokesman said Tuesday. That figure represents about half of the officers in the Air Force, but no identity theft had been reported as of early Tuesday, said Tech. Sgt. James Brabenec, a spokesman at

North Carolina Passes Bill to Combat ID Theft

2005-08-23T07:23:00.000-04:00

"The state House on Monday unanimously passed a bill to combat identity theft by requiring companies to take preventive measures in handling customers' personal information. The bill, which returns to the Senate, also would restrict the sale and display of Social Security numbers and force companies to properly destroy information when they throw it away. The House approved an amendment by Rep.

ID Theft Concerns in New Jersey

2005-08-22T20:24:00.000-04:00

"Recent media reports concerning databases of major financial institutions being compromised and personal information of clients being released into the abyss has caused many individuals and organizations to think twice about preventing identity theft. This financial criminal activity, the newest and fastest growing crime of the 21st century, has become a real and growing threat that

Fighting ID Theft

2005-08-21T20:31:00.000-04:00

"Imagine this scenario: upon opening your credit card statement, you suddenly see that the balance is a whopping $20,000! As you look closer, the $17,500 charge for a luxury cruise jumps off the page, a cruise someone else enjoyed at your expense. You decide that it must be a simple mistake, one you're sure you can rectify with a phone call. Sadly, scenarios such as this are not as rare as you

Criminal Impersonation

2005-08-20T12:18:00.000-04:00

"For over ten years, Wilmington police say James Inman has been breaking the law and telling officers he's Kevin Horn. It's leaving Horn with a long criminal record that he didn't even know existed. Horn explains, "Every time this happens I get a failure to appear because I don't know anything about the charge. I straighten it out, my license gets clear, but he does it again." Inman knew

Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

2005-08-19T22:26:00.000-04:00

"Who are you, really? While this is undoubtedly a question many people ask themselves, they're not the only ones doing the asking. In today's world, banks and creditors are asking the same question. Identity theft is a serious crime, and in recent years it's been on the rise. In 2004 alone, there were more than 246,000 cases reported. Identity theft happens when someone steals another's

Pennsylvania Takes ID Theft Seriously

2005-08-19T12:49:00.000-04:00

"To help protect Pennsylvanians from identity theft, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Stephen M. Schmerin and State Treasurer Robert P. Casey Jr. have taken action to stop printing Social Security numbers on Unemployment Compensation (UC) benefit checks.'Governor Rendell is committed to protecting our workers and businesses from identity theft and other forms of fraud,'

Companies Cashing in From ID Theft

2005-08-18T19:03:00.000-04:00

"Identity thieves aren't the only ones making money from stolen financial information. Widely publicized breaches at companies such as CardSystems Solutions Inc. have driven consumer interest in products intended to protect consumers against identity theft. And companies have responded by either creating anti-theft products or remarketing existing products as identity-theft fighters. But the

ID Theft Victims Mistakenly Jailed

2005-08-16T22:30:00.000-04:00

"Victims of identity theft could pay a much bigger price than lost credit cards and raided bank accounts. Hundreds of victims across the country have been mistakenly arrested because the justice system failed to distinguish them from the criminals, according to victim advocates and criminal-justice experts.Police are sometimes operating on faulty warrants that name the victims of identity theft

ID Theft Increasing Internationally

2005-08-15T11:59:00.000-04:00

"State-based legislation must be changed to prevent criminals stealing the identity of the dead, say the nation's two largest credit agencies.Dun & Bradstreet chief executive Christine Christian has written to the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General urging it to allow credit agencies to carry out 'deceased persons checks'.'If credit agencies had the capacity to record deceased data on credit

ID Theft in the U.K. on the Rise

2005-08-14T21:07:00.000-04:00

Thousands of cases of identity fraud could be prevented if financial services companies and credit reference agencies shared more data, according to a report from a leading criminologist. Professor Martin Gill said criminals behind ID fraud, now the fastest growing type of theft in the UK, were exploiting the fact that people's credit files contain different information, depending on which

How Did the ID Theft Ring Do It?

2005-08-13T09:57:00.000-04:00

"Last week we reported that Sunbelt Software uncovered an identity theft ring. This week we learned how that ring managed to gather so much sensitive information. Sunbelt CEO Alex Eckelberry said the company finally were able to directly examine an infected machine. What the company discovered was, in Eckelberry's own words, 'the keylogger from hell.' Eckelberry also said the keylogger, which

Eastern European Theives Jailed in the U.K.

2005-08-11T12:40:00.000-04:00

"A gang of Eastern European 'card skimmers' have been jailed for stealing hundreds of thousands of pounds from cash machines.Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones QC sentenced the four men to four years each. The judge also recommended that the four men: Rulan Ashan, 20, from Chechnya, Lucian Carabgeac, 32, from Romania, Ivan Grosu, 23, from Moldova and Vornicu Florin, 26, also from Romania; be

Is Paying For Credit Monitoring Worth the Price?

2005-08-10T22:42:00.000-04:00

"Identity theft is a growing problem, with more than nine million people becoming victims last year alone. That's why credit monitoring services are now a multi-billion dollar industry, promising to alert you if anything suspicious shows up on your credit report. Early detection can limit your damage, and banks, independent companies, and even the three major credit bureaus are now offering to

Stopping Identity Theft

2005-08-09T17:07:00.000-04:00

"There are worse crimes than identity theft, but having suffered from it, I vew identity thieves as despicable.A year ago, I had my wallet stolen along with my bank cards and passport: everything, in fact, that somebody needs to be a convincing clone of me. A little ingenuity and a series of plausible stories gain the thieves access to all manner of things, supposedly as me.All the high-tech

ID Theft Thieves Attack At Least 50 Banks

2005-08-08T14:59:00.000-04:00

"A major identity theft ring discovered last week has affected the customers of at least 50 banks, according to Sunbelt Software, the security firm that uncovered the operation. The operation, which is thought to be under investigation by the FBI and Secret Service, is currently gathering personal data from compromised machines and sending them to a server where they are saved in a file.

U.K. Consumers Appathetic to ID Theft

2005-08-07T20:38:00.000-04:00

An independent study, commissioned by Unisys, yesterday revealed that UK consumers' apathetic attitude to fraud could be helping to perpetuate the rapidly growing identity theft industry; when asked, for example, if they were aware of the security phenomenon "phishing," only 9% of consumers had heard about "phishing" from their bank or building society.1,000 UK households were surveyed to

Credit Cards Restrict Information

2005-08-07T15:01:00.000-04:00

Identity thieves will have a harder time using credit card receipts to steal people's personal financial information, according to Attorney General Roy Cooper. Under a law that took effect July 1, businesses in North Carolina that use electronic credit card machines will not be allowed to print more than five digits of the card number on customers' receipts. "By deleting a few numbers from

onsumers Don't Protect Themselves Against ID Theft

2005-08-06T11:11:00.000-04:00

By W. David GardnerCourtesy of TechWeb NewsTwo-thirds of consumers who have not been the victims of identity theft think it could never happen to them, says a poll taken by Experian and the Gallup Organization. The poll surveyed more than 1,000 adults in July on level of debt, monthly payment burden, credit rating and debt extension capability.It found that 18 percent of consumers have

ID Theft Prevention Better Than Dealing With the Consequences

2005-08-05T23:51:00.000-04:00

"What is really scary about identity fraud is the final chapter, when victims, and not their banks or credit card companies, discover the crime, usually almost six months afterward, with no real advocate to help them argue their innocence and get their money back.Sometimes, that last chapter has no ending. More than 1 of every 4 victims of identity fraud are unable to resolve their cases after a

U.S. Legislation Hasn't Deterred ID Theft

2005-08-05T11:47:00.000-04:00

One year ago, President George W.Bush signed into law the Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act in response to the growing proliferation of Internet scams, such as phishing, pharming and other ploys aimed at stealing consumers' private information electronically. One year later, however, the evidence suggests that this new law has done nothing to reduce identity theft or fraud.Rather, the number

ID Theft Affects One in Five People

2005-08-04T16:59:00.000-04:00

Almost 20 per cent of US consumers admit to falling victim to identity theft, and younger adults are at greatest risk, according to the latest Experian-Gallup Personal Credit Index published today.Twenty-five per cent of consumers across America under the age of 30 admitted to having their financial information stolen, compared with about 18 per cent in the middle-aged group and just 11 per cent

APWG to Focus on Eliminating Phishing

2005-08-04T13:05:00.000-04:00

"The Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) today announced that it has expanded its charter to encompass broader identity theft issues on the Internet. The members and steering committee of the APWG have requested the group to expand its focus to encompass emerging identity theft problems including pharming (DNS attacks) and crimeware (malicious spyware designed to steal identities).The APWG is a

ID Theft From Phishing on the Rise

2005-08-03T15:52:00.000-04:00

During the past 12 months, almost three million U.S. bank customers were victims of online phishing scams involving ATM machines. The thieves set up fake web site to look exactly like the ones banks have, and draw unsuspecting users with e-mails requesting their credit card numbers, bank accounts, and other personal informaiton.Now, criminals are also using keylogging -- a program that monitors

Focus on Preventing Phishing and Pharming

2005-08-03T09:03:00.000-04:00

The Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) today announced that it has expanded its charter to encompass broader identity theft issues on the Internet. The members and steering committee of the APWG have requested the group to expand its focus to encompass emerging identity theft problems including pharming (DNS attacks) and crimeware (malicious spyware designed to steal identities).The APWG is a

Congressional Legislation for ID Theft

2005-08-02T07:12:00.000-04:00

In late June, Sens. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) introduced a new bill--S.1332, Personal Data Privacy and Security Act of 2005. This sweeping legislation raises the punishments for identity theft and stipulates security measures for protecting Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and Social Security numbers. Among other things, the new bill requires enterprises with

ID Theft Can Strike Anyone

2005-08-02T00:04:00.000-04:00

The cover story in Sunday's edition of Parade Magazine, written by Lynn Brenner, was all about identity theft. It mentioned that retired General John Shalikashvili, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had his Social Security number published in the Congressional Record and on a web site. That was all that was needed to make him a victim of identity theft.Criminals need very little

Company Prevents Identity Fraud

2005-08-01T07:56:00.000-04:00

Edentify, which specializes in identity fraud prevention, didn't even exist a year ago. Now, though its office is barely furnished, it has stock and a ticker symbol.The company's sudden emergence on the stock market was the brainchild of founder and Chief Executive Officer Terrence DeFranco, whose entrepreneurial style was shaped by his Wall Street background. He got the idea for Edentify while

ID Theft Can Wreck A Vacation

2005-07-31T00:37:00.000-04:00

You have planned for months, and now your bags are packed and you're on your way to a long-awaited summer vacation. Like many vacationers, the threat of identity theft isn't on your mind, much less your itinerary. As millions of Americans pack their bags and plan their summer excursions, many of these travelers could be easy targets for identity theft, which, according to the Federal Trade

Missouri Hot Line for ID Theft Victims

2005-07-31T00:10:00.000-04:00

State hot line will aid identity theft victimsThe Missouri attorney general's office has a new identity theft hot line: 1-800-392-8222. Attorney General Jay Nixon said his staff will help victims to report identity thefts to local law enforcement for prosecution and help people who want to learn how to protect themselves.

Stolen ATM Card Used in Romania

2005-07-30T13:40:00.000-04:00

A Kansas University student says her ATM information might have been stolen by a thief using a fake card reader, or a surreptitious device attached to a legitimate machine. That is the best explanation Mitzi Keel, 21, has for why her bank account was cleaned out by somebody using her PIN at ATMs in Romania, where Keel has never been. "That is what the police are telling me because I had my card

Nightmare of Identity Theft

2005-07-30T10:14:00.000-04:00

The Newark woman thought her case of identity theft had been resolved within a few hours. But, no. Six months later, she and her husband started getting calls at home from a collection agency demanding payment on a $6,000 loan someone had taken out in her husband's name. They later learned of a second one worth $2,000. They aren't alone in finding justice -- or recovery -- slow.An online

Identity Theft Increasing

2005-07-29T17:35:00.000-04:00

Identity theft has been sweeping the nation, and the UT campus is not immune to the epidemic.A recent survey released by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. found that one-third of the 122 Austin area victims polled still have open cases. While the survey also showed the average victim to be a 41-year-old married Caucasian woman with a college degree and an annual income of $50,000 to $70,000, UT

Senate Proposal for ID Theft

2005-07-29T15:09:00.000-04:00

As the problem of identity theft becomes more and more prevalent, legislators on all levels, most recently the national level, have been working to remedy the situation. Members of the U.S. Senate Commerce Science and Transportation Committee passed legislation Thursday morning that would provide consumers with a way to fight identity theft. The bill is expected to reach the full Senate in

Woman in Seattle ID Theft Gang Jailed

2005-07-29T13:03:00.000-04:00

A woman who authorities say was second in command of an identity-theft ring that raked in more than $800,000 was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court to six years in prison. Prosecutors said Monica Jones worked with 53-year-old Gary Williams to obtain identifying information on approximately 200 people and steal large sums of money. Williams pleaded guilty in February to being the leader

ID Theft Bill Considered by Senate

2005-07-29T12:58:00.000-04:00

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee passed legislation today requiring disclosure to consumers when sensitive personal data is breached or lost. Approved on a voice vote, the Identity Theft Protection Act requires data brokers, government agencies and educational institutions to disclose security breaches to consumers within 45 days if there is a 'reasonable risk' of identity theft

Department of Homeland Security Not Providing Internet Security

2005-07-28T19:28:00.000-04:00

The Internet is both a wonder and a curse. It has the ability to connect people around the world instantaneously. It's the universal marketplace. A soldier in Iraq can see his little girl in Kentucky and talk to her. The entire world, China, Iran, the U.S. Norway, everywhere connected all the time. It's both enlightening and frightening when you think about it. It is bringing people closer

Student Finds Personal Information Posted on the Internet

2005-07-28T11:10:00.000-04:00

Google Search Leads To Trove Of Social Security Numbers On SiteMorgan Community College Pulls Link After Student Finds SiteFORT MORGAN, Colo. -- Hundreds of college students in Colorado are at risk for identity theft after their personal information was discovered on the Internet.Lou says she was shocked to find out that her personal information was so accessible through the Web.The names,

Preventing ID Theft in Colorado

2005-07-28T10:58:00.000-04:00

Colorado's Identity Theft Prevention Symposiums: a Significant Step to Deter and Detect FraudThe National Notary Association, Secretary of State Donetta Davidson and Local Law Enforcement Team Up to "Equip Notaries With Techniques to Help in the Fight Against Identity Theft." - Donetta Davidson, Colorado Secretary of StateThe National Notary Association's (NNA) commitment to fighting fraud

Repairing ID Theft Takes a Long Time

2005-07-27T23:45:00.000-04:00

They write letters, make phone calls, wait for hours on hold — and, after a year of trying to set the record straight, a third of identity theft victims in the Salt Lake area are still in identity limbo, according to a new survey.In addition, 14 percent of victims have to cover some or all of their identity thief's purchases, to the tune of $17,794 on average. That's $11,000 higher than the

ID Theft Victims Still Suffering After a Year

2005-07-27T23:02:00.000-04:00

Jed Boal reported this story for KSL TV. You or I could be a victim of identity theft right now and not know it yet. Most people don't find out for six months, when they discover the bad news on their own. A new survey by a national insurance company paints a grim picture of the victims' frustrations. Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America. Stats show one in ten people are

ID Theft by Davenport Woman

2005-07-27T11:59:00.000-04:00

A Davenport woman is facing multiple charges after allegedly using two stolen credit cards and cashing three business checks, Davenport police said.Aretha Ann Tot, 31, of 614 Taylor St., is charged with one count of theft, second degree, two counts of credit card fraud, two counts of identity theft and four counts of forgery, police said.Tot allegedly charged $3.63 for cigarettes and $26.80 for

Top 20 Internet Security Vulnerabilities

2005-07-26T23:10:00.000-04:00

This story was submitted by Anonymous for Technology News DailyThe team that collaborated to compile the Quarterly Vulnerability Update to the Top 20 Internet Security Vulnerabilities includes representatives from seven key security organizations.More than 422 new Internet security vulnerabilities were discovered during the second quarter of 2005, according to SANS Institute and a team of experts

ID Theft by Florida Woman

2005-07-26T22:56:00.000-04:00

A South Florida woman used stolen identities to make off with more than $341,000 in financing, credit and property. This story was written by Bridget Carey, Miami Herald A South Florida woman who used the Social Security numbers of two unsuspecting victims for more than two years pleaded guilty Friday to six federal counts of identity theft and fraud. Angela Blount, 34, who has listed

Identity Theft News

2005-07-26T22:04:00.000-04:00

Identity Theft has been making headlines for months. Last fall, the feds broke what may be the largest identity theft case in U.S. history (total losses from the case are estimated at $2.7 million). Federal investigators arrested in November 2002 a help-desk employee of a third-party credit agency, Teledata Communications, who was able to access confidential information about the

Two Businessmen Sentenced for ID Theft

2005-07-26T19:42:00.000-04:00

The following story comes from Channel 2 News in Buffalo, New York.Two western New York businessmen have been sentenced to three to nine years in prison for an identity theft scam that stole nearly a half million dollars from thousands of credit card holders. Amer Abdallah and Marcus Brown Junior were sentenced in state Supreme Court.Abdallah is owner of the Lockport Athletic and Fitness

One of Four Victims of ID Theft Don't Recover

2005-07-26T19:29:00.000-04:00

Courtesy of TechWeb NewsMaking things right after a stolen identity can take months and cost thousands, a survey of identity theft victims released Tuesday said. Worse, in more than one in four cases, victims haven't been able to completely restore their good name.The survey, conducted by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., found that 28 percent of identity thieves marks are not able to

Employees Get ID Theft Benefits

2005-07-24T19:29:00.000-04:00

A few forward-looking companies are starting to add identity-theft services as a workplace benefit. They're doing it to keep employees happy - and productive. Everyone knows ID-theft crimes are on the rise, especially in the Southwest, where Arizona leads the nation in the number of victims per capita.What you may not realize is ID theft can exert a big drag on productivity if

Hundreds Victims of ID Theft

2005-07-23T01:04:00.000-04:00

A suspected identity-theft and counterfeiting ring busted earlier this week in Ceres may have had hundreds of victims, police said Thursday.Police Sgt. Jeff Higginbotham said his estimate was based on "the number of items that appear to be fictitious, or stolen, personal information and documents" that police found stashed at a warehouse during a raid Tuesday in an industrial park at 3008

Help for Victums of ID Theft

2005-07-23T00:56:00.000-04:00

A recent study by the better business bureau shows nearly half the victims of identity theft knew the suspect. If you believe you've been a victim, the state says you need to call the fraud departments for the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian or Trans Union, then do three things.1. Tell the bureau to immediately flag your file with a fraud alert. This means agencies have to get your

ID Theft is Preventable

2005-07-22T17:42:00.000-04:00

This article was written by Liz Vernon. Although many law enforcement officials in Clermont County say they haven't seen many serious cases of identity theft, most agree it is in fact a serious issue. Chief John Wallace of the Bethel-Tate Police Department said he thinks identity theft is a bigger problem than it appears to be 'because people have not been educated on what they can do about

A victim of Identity Theft Speaks

2005-07-21T22:38:00.000-04:00

The Federal Trade commission reports that identity theft has been the number one consumer fraud complaint for five years running, affecting 10 million people each year. Some states require companies to notify consumers if they lose track of their personal information.Recently I was notified by one of my credit card companies that my address was being changed on my Credit Card. This was a surprise

British Consumers Concerned About ID Theft

2005-07-21T22:22:00.000-04:00

Identity theft fears are prompting some UK consumers to avoid buying goods or services online or over the phone, according to a national survey published this week.The poll of 1,000 Brits found that one in five had already stopped making telephone purchases because of the threat of identity theft. A similar proportion (17 per cent) has moved away from online banking and 13 per cent of the

Phoney Consumer Sites Mimic Credit Report Site

2005-07-19T22:12:00.000-04:00

A Web site created by federal mandate last year to help consumers spot identity theft is opening up new avenues for fraud, according to a privacy watchdog group. The site, AnnualCreditReport.com, offers consumers free copies of their own credit reports. It was launched in December by Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, the three major credit reporting agencies in the United States, in

Secure Your Passwords

2005-07-19T22:01:00.000-04:00

Despite the current wave of identity theft and corporate security breaches it's amazing how very few people treat their passwords with any level of seriousness. Most computers users, both at home and in the office, see passwords as a nuisance and therefore make them as easy to remember as possible.Having secure passwords is important. Keep hackers out of your computer, and out of your life.

No Laughing Matter

2005-07-19T17:56:00.000-04:00

As Judge J. Richard Couzens read a list of evidence against four defendants in a prolific identity theft ring Monday in an Auburn Courtroom two of the defendants grinned as if failing to understand the gravity of the situation. Patty Klith, 22, and Jonathan Pendergrass, 25, both of Sacramento sat with their court appointed attorneys as suspect Tyler Robertson, 33, of Roseville stood nearby

Baby is Victum of Identity Theft

2005-07-18T23:05:00.000-04:00

An Indiana toddler became the victim the identity theft, twice. Twenty-two-month-old Jabriona Terry lives in Fort Wayne.She's too young to have her own phone. But her mother discovered her daughter's name listed in a phone book. She realized an acquaintance used Jabriona's Social Security number to set up the service.Someone else used her name and Social Security number and listed

ID Theft on the Rise

2005-07-18T22:56:00.000-04:00

Identity theft is a growing concern. More than 246,000 Americans reported the crime to the Federal Trade Commission in 2004.Wichitan Jerrie McAhren said she's old enough to know better than to let a stranger into her home. But the young man said he was diabetic and needed juice. When she turned her back for a second, he was gone -- with her purse.Later that day, she got a phone call from her

ID Theft is on the Rise

2005-07-18T22:55:00.000-04:00

More than 246,000 Americans reported the crime to the Federal Trade Commission in 2004. Wichitan Jerrie McAhren said she's old enough to know better than to let a stranger into her home. But the young man said he was diabetic and needed juice. When she turned her back for a second, he was gone -- with her purse. Later that day, she got a phone call from her credit card company. Suspicious

Destroy Identifying Information

2005-07-16T23:39:00.000-04:00

One of the keys to discouraging identity theft lies in the destruction of critical data. It is important for companies to eliminate all personal identifiers on consumer records such as credit reports and financial data. Otherwise, they may face civil penalties.This should be obvious to anyone doing business. They have an obligation to protect the records of their customers.

Security is Worse Than You Think

2005-07-16T23:35:00.000-04:00

As a security industry insider, I fully support the efforts of Senators Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Patrick Leahy (D- Vt.) who introduced the Personal Data and Security Act into the 109th Congress on June 29. Not to be an alarmist, but the state of information security is far WORSE than most people think. I am constantly speaking with major companies whose security infrastructure has more holes

Identity Theft Loophole

2005-07-16T23:20:00.000-04:00

It appears that Vermont's new law aimed at halting identity theft has a large loophole. One year ago Vermont lawmakers enacted the state's first identity theft law to address the skyrocketing increase in identity fraud. But it turns out that stealing the identity of the dead may be legal, at least that was a judge's ruling in the case involving Christine Lombardi. Lombardi was the center of

Bank of America Increases Online Security

2005-07-16T14:50:00.000-04:00

Bank of America Corp. is rolling out a new online banking security system aimed at making it harder for cyberthieves to crack customer accounts. They have expanded their SiteKey anti-fraud and identity system to a few southern states, and will soon be implementing this program in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Legislation Proposed to Curb ID Theft

2005-07-16T14:32:00.000-04:00

According to Identitiy Theft News, we can soon expect to see some activity in Congress to deal with the growing threat of identity theft.The Identity Theft Protection Act (S.B. 1408), co-sponsored by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Hawaiian Democrat Daniel Inouye, the ranking member of the Commerce Committee, requires companies, government agencies and educational