New, Frightening Form of ID Theft
Posted By: John Matarese
There's a rapidly growing form of identity theft that's being touted as the most sinister yet.
You may be a victim right now and not even know it for years. What's worse? It's almost impossible to prevent.
Thieves are taking identity theft to a whole new level. Just ask attorney Mari Frank who represents plenty of victims too devastated to talk.
Mari Frank, Attorney, says"I had a woman who called me who had found out that someone used her Social security number with a different name to work."
Seven years later, the IRS tracked down frank's client, and had charged her with thousands of penalties and fees.
Why it's Called "Synthetic" Theft
She was a victim of synthetic identity theft. Unlike traditional ID theft, crooks steal your social security number...But tie it to a different name...Creating a new, fictional person.
Frank says "It is actually more insidious and more frightening for a victim."
The thieves open bank accounts and credit cards...Even get jobs ...Yet it can take years to uncover. Why? It's difficult for the authorities and creditors to unravel all the mismatched information. Five years ago, this crime was hardly seen.
Stephen Coggeshell of ID Analytics says "Eighty-five to ninety percent of identity fraud is really this synthetic ID fraud, as opposed to the true name identity theft."
For the rest of the story Click Here
Click Here and learn about the 5 main areas of identity theft.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Court alters its Web site after online identity theft
Wednesday, July 25, 2007 3:37 AM
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Police are accusing at least two people of stealing a woman's identity by getting public information from the Franklin County Municipal Court Web site.
Court Clerk Lori Tyack immediately limited access to the site yesterday, after the situation came to light during the Worthington police investigation.
The scam was uncovered after Meghan L. Hadden's bank reported possible fraudulent activity on her credit card.
Hadden's name, address, date of birth and Social Security number were used after the two people, a man and a woman, randomly plugged Social Security numbers into the Courtview2000 search page on the Municipal Court Web site and hit on Hadden's Social Security number, said Worthington Police Lt. Doug Francis. He said the female suspect in the case detailed for police how they did it.
The Municipal Court site, which has permitted public searches of court records since 2001, has now been changed to allow searches only by name, Tyack said.
Tyack decided yesterday to discontinue a feature that allowed the Social Security number search, often used by corporate human-resource departments, and searches by driver's license numbers, used by law enforcement.
For the rest of the story Click Here
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Police are accusing at least two people of stealing a woman's identity by getting public information from the Franklin County Municipal Court Web site.
Court Clerk Lori Tyack immediately limited access to the site yesterday, after the situation came to light during the Worthington police investigation.
The scam was uncovered after Meghan L. Hadden's bank reported possible fraudulent activity on her credit card.
Hadden's name, address, date of birth and Social Security number were used after the two people, a man and a woman, randomly plugged Social Security numbers into the Courtview2000 search page on the Municipal Court Web site and hit on Hadden's Social Security number, said Worthington Police Lt. Doug Francis. He said the female suspect in the case detailed for police how they did it.
The Municipal Court site, which has permitted public searches of court records since 2001, has now been changed to allow searches only by name, Tyack said.
Tyack decided yesterday to discontinue a feature that allowed the Social Security number search, often used by corporate human-resource departments, and searches by driver's license numbers, used by law enforcement.
For the rest of the story Click Here
Monday, July 23, 2007
Networkers Warned Over ID Theft
Updated: 15:57, Sunday July 22, 2007
People who use internet networking sites could be putting themselves at risk of becoming victims of identity theft, a credit information group is warning.
Click Here for the rest of the story!
People who use internet networking sites could be putting themselves at risk of becoming victims of identity theft, a credit information group is warning.
Click Here for the rest of the story!
How safe do you think your identity is?
Below is ony part of the identity theft problem!
What about the other four areas of identity theft and what they aren't telling you?
• Contractor Mishandles Private Data on 580,000 Military Personnel
• Pfizer Keeps Data Breach Quiet
• GAO: Data Breaches Frequent, Effects Unknown
• Data Theft Leads To Breach of 2.3 Million Records
• 64,000 Ohio Workers Caught In Data Breach
• IBM Loses Employee Data
• 22,000 Hit In University Of Missouri Data Breach
• TSA Loses Hard Drive With 100,000 Employee Names, Data
• Do Shoppers Shun Stores Hit With Data Breaches?
• Georgia Agency Loses Data on 2.9 Million Residents
• Data Thieves Hit University of California-San Francisco
• Former Morgan Stanley Employee Arrested On Data Theft Charges
• Census Bureau Admits To Data Breach As ID Theft Levels Climb
• Arrests Made In Stop & Shop Data Breach
• Mysterious Computer Theft Hits Mystery Shopping Company
• Data Thieves Hit Stop & Shop
• Veterans Administration Loses Data on 1.8 Million
• Johns Hopkins Loses Data; Congress Aflutter
• Wisconsin Agency, Printer Tried To Cover Up Data Breach
• Data Breach Hits Canada's Club Monaco
• Nationwide, Aetna Customer Data Stolen
• Consumers Must Act Fast in Data Theft Cases
• Hackers Hit T.J.Maxx, Marshalls
• Congress Takes On Data Security
• Emory Healthcare Laptop Stolen
• Wisconsin Mails Tax Forms With Exposed Social Security Numbers
• Persecution of Immigrant Workers Won't Stop Identity Theft
• Locking Down Your Laptop
• Boeing Loses Laptop with 328,000 Workers' Information
• Massive Data Breach At UCLA Endangers 800,000
• Ameriprise Settles With Regulators Over Laptop Theft
• Laptop Theft Puts Pennsylvania Drivers' Data at Risk
• Kaiser Permanente Laptop Stolen
• GPS Tracking Adds Layer of Security to Laptops
• Michigan Credit Card Mystery Deepens
• ATM, Bank Card Security Getting Worse
• Guidance Software Settles Federal Charges
• Starbucks Data Loss No Laughing Matter
• Perot Systems Walks Off With Indiana Hospital's Patient Data
• Study: Data Breaches Getting More Expensive
• Government Data Losses Widespread, Report Finds
• GE Loses Laptop Left in Hotel Room
• Data Breach Bill Does Little
• Studies Offer Conflicting Views About Data Breaches
• Hackers Make Off With "Second Life" Data
• Facebook Does an About Face
• Chase Trashes Tapes Containing Circuit City Customers' Data
• MySpace Glitch Gives Hackers Teen Data
• AT&T Web Site Hacked; Customer Data Exposed
• Department of Education Site Exposes Data on 21,000 Users
• Stolen Chevron Laptop Contains Data On Thousands Of Workers
• Government Scrambles To Secure Data After Breaches
• Special Agent's Laptop Stolen, Data on Pilots Missing
• HSBC Security Flaw Exposes Millions Of Customers' Data
• VA Loses Data on 26 Million Veterans
• FBI Deal Raises New Questions about ChoicePoint
• Ohio University: Data Breach Central?
• Small Businesses Urged to Lock Down Vital Data
• New York Accuses Gratis Internet of Largest Deliberate Privacy Breach Ever
• TrustedID: New Data Protection Or Just More of the Same?
• Congress Considers "Worst Data Bill Ever"
• New York Plugs Largest Known Internet Privacy Leak
• The "Worst Hack Ever:" Debit Card Security Crisis Continues
• Laptops Containing Verizon Employee Data Are Stolen
• Citibank's Cards Mysteriously Shut Down
• Security Company McAfee Loses Employee Data
• Spam Artist Gets 8 Years for Data Theft
• CardSystems Solutions Settles Federal Charges
• Debit Cards Canceled After Security Breach
• Ameriprise Loses Customer Data
• Data Blunders Cost ChoicePoint $15 Million
• Marriott Loses Data on 206,000 Customers
• Ford Loses Data on 70,000 Workers
• DHL Loses ABN AMRO Customer Data
• DSW Settles FTC Charges
• Consumer Data Stolen from Trans Union
• States Want Congress to Act on Identity Theft, Data Security
• Stopping Identity Theft and Spyware
• Consumers Concerned About Security of Health Records
• Bank of America Loses Customer Data Again
• Blockbuster Abandons Customer Data on NYC Street
• Credit Bureaus Adopt Unified "Data Protection" Standard
• Data Breaches Bad for Business, Study Finds
• Senate Vote on Data Broker Bill Expected This Week
• Airline Passenger Screening Plan Grounded
• REAL ID A Gold Mine for Identity Thieves, Critics Charge
• Data Firms Use Identity Theft Losses To Sell New Products
• Senate Explores Identity Theft Protection
• Data Brokers Not Without Risk, FTC Testifies
• Illinois Passes Privacy Act
• PATRIOT Act Further Empowers ChoicePoint
• NY Considers Tougher Laws
• FTC Partly to Blame For Growing Identity Theft Problem, Groups Charge
• ChoicePoint Not the Only Weak Link in the Data Chain
• Consumer Groups Argue for Stronger ID Theft Protection
Click Here and learn about the Identity Theft Shield
What about the other four areas of identity theft and what they aren't telling you?
• Contractor Mishandles Private Data on 580,000 Military Personnel
• Pfizer Keeps Data Breach Quiet
• GAO: Data Breaches Frequent, Effects Unknown
• Data Theft Leads To Breach of 2.3 Million Records
• 64,000 Ohio Workers Caught In Data Breach
• IBM Loses Employee Data
• 22,000 Hit In University Of Missouri Data Breach
• TSA Loses Hard Drive With 100,000 Employee Names, Data
• Do Shoppers Shun Stores Hit With Data Breaches?
• Georgia Agency Loses Data on 2.9 Million Residents
• Data Thieves Hit University of California-San Francisco
• Former Morgan Stanley Employee Arrested On Data Theft Charges
• Census Bureau Admits To Data Breach As ID Theft Levels Climb
• Arrests Made In Stop & Shop Data Breach
• Mysterious Computer Theft Hits Mystery Shopping Company
• Data Thieves Hit Stop & Shop
• Veterans Administration Loses Data on 1.8 Million
• Johns Hopkins Loses Data; Congress Aflutter
• Wisconsin Agency, Printer Tried To Cover Up Data Breach
• Data Breach Hits Canada's Club Monaco
• Nationwide, Aetna Customer Data Stolen
• Consumers Must Act Fast in Data Theft Cases
• Hackers Hit T.J.Maxx, Marshalls
• Congress Takes On Data Security
• Emory Healthcare Laptop Stolen
• Wisconsin Mails Tax Forms With Exposed Social Security Numbers
• Persecution of Immigrant Workers Won't Stop Identity Theft
• Locking Down Your Laptop
• Boeing Loses Laptop with 328,000 Workers' Information
• Massive Data Breach At UCLA Endangers 800,000
• Ameriprise Settles With Regulators Over Laptop Theft
• Laptop Theft Puts Pennsylvania Drivers' Data at Risk
• Kaiser Permanente Laptop Stolen
• GPS Tracking Adds Layer of Security to Laptops
• Michigan Credit Card Mystery Deepens
• ATM, Bank Card Security Getting Worse
• Guidance Software Settles Federal Charges
• Starbucks Data Loss No Laughing Matter
• Perot Systems Walks Off With Indiana Hospital's Patient Data
• Study: Data Breaches Getting More Expensive
• Government Data Losses Widespread, Report Finds
• GE Loses Laptop Left in Hotel Room
• Data Breach Bill Does Little
• Studies Offer Conflicting Views About Data Breaches
• Hackers Make Off With "Second Life" Data
• Facebook Does an About Face
• Chase Trashes Tapes Containing Circuit City Customers' Data
• MySpace Glitch Gives Hackers Teen Data
• AT&T Web Site Hacked; Customer Data Exposed
• Department of Education Site Exposes Data on 21,000 Users
• Stolen Chevron Laptop Contains Data On Thousands Of Workers
• Government Scrambles To Secure Data After Breaches
• Special Agent's Laptop Stolen, Data on Pilots Missing
• HSBC Security Flaw Exposes Millions Of Customers' Data
• VA Loses Data on 26 Million Veterans
• FBI Deal Raises New Questions about ChoicePoint
• Ohio University: Data Breach Central?
• Small Businesses Urged to Lock Down Vital Data
• New York Accuses Gratis Internet of Largest Deliberate Privacy Breach Ever
• TrustedID: New Data Protection Or Just More of the Same?
• Congress Considers "Worst Data Bill Ever"
• New York Plugs Largest Known Internet Privacy Leak
• The "Worst Hack Ever:" Debit Card Security Crisis Continues
• Laptops Containing Verizon Employee Data Are Stolen
• Citibank's Cards Mysteriously Shut Down
• Security Company McAfee Loses Employee Data
• Spam Artist Gets 8 Years for Data Theft
• CardSystems Solutions Settles Federal Charges
• Debit Cards Canceled After Security Breach
• Ameriprise Loses Customer Data
• Data Blunders Cost ChoicePoint $15 Million
• Marriott Loses Data on 206,000 Customers
• Ford Loses Data on 70,000 Workers
• DHL Loses ABN AMRO Customer Data
• DSW Settles FTC Charges
• Consumer Data Stolen from Trans Union
• States Want Congress to Act on Identity Theft, Data Security
• Stopping Identity Theft and Spyware
• Consumers Concerned About Security of Health Records
• Bank of America Loses Customer Data Again
• Blockbuster Abandons Customer Data on NYC Street
• Credit Bureaus Adopt Unified "Data Protection" Standard
• Data Breaches Bad for Business, Study Finds
• Senate Vote on Data Broker Bill Expected This Week
• Airline Passenger Screening Plan Grounded
• REAL ID A Gold Mine for Identity Thieves, Critics Charge
• Data Firms Use Identity Theft Losses To Sell New Products
• Senate Explores Identity Theft Protection
• Data Brokers Not Without Risk, FTC Testifies
• Illinois Passes Privacy Act
• PATRIOT Act Further Empowers ChoicePoint
• NY Considers Tougher Laws
• FTC Partly to Blame For Growing Identity Theft Problem, Groups Charge
• ChoicePoint Not the Only Weak Link in the Data Chain
• Consumer Groups Argue for Stronger ID Theft Protection
Click Here and learn about the Identity Theft Shield
Contractor Mishandles Private Data on 580,000 Military Personnel
Government contractor SAIC disclosed late Friday 20 that it had transmitted personal data on 580,000 military personnel and their families over the Internet without encrypting the information, and that the data had been stored on an unsecured server, putting the individuals at potential risk of identity theft and fraud.
For the rest of the story Click Here
For the rest of the story Click Here
Identity theft the topic of tv show through Thursday
• What's a 50 billion-dollar-a-year epidemic? Identity theft.
How does it happen? And what should you do when it happens to you?
You'll learn the answers on Consumer Sense Cable TAP, Miami-Dade County's community access television channel, at 5 a.m. daily and 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Thursday.
If you don't have cable TV, the show is also broadcast at the same times on the Internet at www.cabletaptv.com.
The show is hosted by Miami-Dade County's Consumer Advocate, Leonard Elias, who will have as guests, Frank Ledee, an assistant state attorney, and Barbara Babcock, an educator in the credit field.
The Cable TAP channel is telecast on all cable television systems in Miami-Dade County. Details: 305-375-3677 and www.miamidade.gov/csd.
How does it happen? And what should you do when it happens to you?
You'll learn the answers on Consumer Sense Cable TAP, Miami-Dade County's community access television channel, at 5 a.m. daily and 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Thursday.
If you don't have cable TV, the show is also broadcast at the same times on the Internet at www.cabletaptv.com.
The show is hosted by Miami-Dade County's Consumer Advocate, Leonard Elias, who will have as guests, Frank Ledee, an assistant state attorney, and Barbara Babcock, an educator in the credit field.
The Cable TAP channel is telecast on all cable television systems in Miami-Dade County. Details: 305-375-3677 and www.miamidade.gov/csd.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Online Identity Theft Seminar for Business Owners
R & J Associates of Oxford, Ohio is presenting an Identify Theft seminar for business owners on Tuesday, July 24 from 12:00-12:45 p.m.
As a business owner there are laws every business must follow. Non-compliance with federal laws pertaining to identity theft could mean both personal and business losses - up to $1,000,000 in fines and up to 10 years in prison.
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), which applies to all businesses of every size, went into effect in June 2005 to help consumers fight the growing epidemic of identity theft.
Violations can shut businesses down, result in major fines by the FTC, and can provide another avenue for lawsuits against any business on behalf of customers or employees. Most business owners want to comply but many don’t know where to start.
Plan to attend this complimentary seminar, learn the five most common forms of identity theft, the long-term effects on a business, and how to protect yourself, your business and your employees.
For more information call (513) 524-5099
As a business owner there are laws every business must follow. Non-compliance with federal laws pertaining to identity theft could mean both personal and business losses - up to $1,000,000 in fines and up to 10 years in prison.
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), which applies to all businesses of every size, went into effect in June 2005 to help consumers fight the growing epidemic of identity theft.
Violations can shut businesses down, result in major fines by the FTC, and can provide another avenue for lawsuits against any business on behalf of customers or employees. Most business owners want to comply but many don’t know where to start.
Plan to attend this complimentary seminar, learn the five most common forms of identity theft, the long-term effects on a business, and how to protect yourself, your business and your employees.
For more information call (513) 524-5099
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Data Theft Victim Speaks Out
Letters To Victims Arriving At Miami Valley Homes
CENTERVILLE, Ohio -- Diane Davis never imagined that her personal information would be stolen.
She was shocked to find that her name and Social Security number were listed among the thousands of computer files on a data device stolen from a state agency intern’s car June 10 and told WHIO TV "I should have never been on that list. I was shocked that I was on the list.”
She first learned of the problem when she entered her name in a search engine on the state Web site www.ohio.gov/idprotect.
Davis said she called the state call center and was told that her information was on the data device because she used direct deposit for her income tax refund.
The Ohio state authorities are sending hundreds of thousands of letters to taxpayers who had their information on the data device and that other taxpayers who are effected by the data theft scandal should receive a letter within the next week or two.
Shari Sword of the Dayton Better Business Bureau encouraged people to take advantage of the free identity theft protection offered by the state and that the identity theft protection for hundreds of thousands of people and the mass mailings will cost an estimated $2.2 million.
Click Here for the story
CENTERVILLE, Ohio -- Diane Davis never imagined that her personal information would be stolen.
She was shocked to find that her name and Social Security number were listed among the thousands of computer files on a data device stolen from a state agency intern’s car June 10 and told WHIO TV "I should have never been on that list. I was shocked that I was on the list.”
She first learned of the problem when she entered her name in a search engine on the state Web site www.ohio.gov/idprotect.
Davis said she called the state call center and was told that her information was on the data device because she used direct deposit for her income tax refund.
The Ohio state authorities are sending hundreds of thousands of letters to taxpayers who had their information on the data device and that other taxpayers who are effected by the data theft scandal should receive a letter within the next week or two.
Shari Sword of the Dayton Better Business Bureau encouraged people to take advantage of the free identity theft protection offered by the state and that the identity theft protection for hundreds of thousands of people and the mass mailings will cost an estimated $2.2 million.
Click Here for the story
In-Home Caregiver Commits Identity Theft
An in-home caregiver has admitted to stealing more than 77-thousand dollars from her elderly employer.
Forty-three-year-old Kimberly Mullins pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston yesterday to one count of aggravated identity theft.
Click Here for the rest of the story
Forty-three-year-old Kimberly Mullins pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston yesterday to one count of aggravated identity theft.
Click Here for the rest of the story
Identity Theft and Employer Liability
The Federal Bureau of Investigation calls identity theft an "increasingly insidious and pervasive problem" that can threaten virtually anyone. More ominously, identity theft "costs American businesses and consumers a reported $50 billion a year, causes untold headaches for an estimated 10 million U.S. victims annually, and even makes it easier for terrorists and spies to launch attacks against our nation.
"As identity theft continues to grow as a crime and a social, financial and security concern, questions of liability become more crucial. In light of the criminal and social considerations, the litigious environment of the United States, and existing and emerging laws concerning corporate responsibility for the protection of personal data, commercial entities have begun to take actions of their own to protect the data of their customers and, increasingly, their employees.
A closer examination of the personal impact of identity theft reveals why it is a growing concern among corporate risk managers.
Consider this scenario: An employee of an American company is sent to Monterrey, Mexico, by her company to study the capabilities of an IT service provider. While in Monterrey, she uses her company credit card to pay for her hotel, food and local transportation expenses. She also uses a personal credit card to purchase some gifts for her family back home. Her business in Mexico completed, she returns to the United States.
One month later, her credit card bills arrive and sit on her home desk for two weeks until she makes the time to address them. As she scans the charges from her trip-now six weeks in the past-she notes a $50 charge from a Monterrey financial institution with a name that she does not recognize. Her personal credit card company advises her it is probably just a processing transaction related to a purchase from her recent trip and agrees to reverse the charge. She then pays the bill and gets on with her busy life. On her next personal credit card statement, four mysterious charges from various Caribbean islands appear totaling $800 dollars. Ten weeks after her trip to Mexico, she comes to terms with the fact that her identity has been stolen.
For the rest of the story Click Here
"As identity theft continues to grow as a crime and a social, financial and security concern, questions of liability become more crucial. In light of the criminal and social considerations, the litigious environment of the United States, and existing and emerging laws concerning corporate responsibility for the protection of personal data, commercial entities have begun to take actions of their own to protect the data of their customers and, increasingly, their employees.
A closer examination of the personal impact of identity theft reveals why it is a growing concern among corporate risk managers.
Consider this scenario: An employee of an American company is sent to Monterrey, Mexico, by her company to study the capabilities of an IT service provider. While in Monterrey, she uses her company credit card to pay for her hotel, food and local transportation expenses. She also uses a personal credit card to purchase some gifts for her family back home. Her business in Mexico completed, she returns to the United States.
One month later, her credit card bills arrive and sit on her home desk for two weeks until she makes the time to address them. As she scans the charges from her trip-now six weeks in the past-she notes a $50 charge from a Monterrey financial institution with a name that she does not recognize. Her personal credit card company advises her it is probably just a processing transaction related to a purchase from her recent trip and agrees to reverse the charge. She then pays the bill and gets on with her busy life. On her next personal credit card statement, four mysterious charges from various Caribbean islands appear totaling $800 dollars. Ten weeks after her trip to Mexico, she comes to terms with the fact that her identity has been stolen.
For the rest of the story Click Here
Thursday, July 12, 2007
CNBC’s “American Greed” Uncovers a New Enemy in the War on Identity Theft -- Meth Addicts --this Thursday, July 12th at 9 PM ET
CNBC’s “American Greed” Uncovers a New Enemy in the War on Identity Theft -- Meth Addicts --this Thursday, July 12th at 9 PM ET
Identity theft-the fastest growing crime in the U.S.-- fueled by methamphetamines is running rampant across America's west. In this episode of "American Greed," CNBC investigates a ring of Colorado ID thieves known as the Harley Group, who figure out a scheme to steal victim's names, Social Security numbers and bank account numbers. The crooks then use a widely available check writing computer program to issue fraudulent checks. By the time they were caught, they had written hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of checks using dozens of stolen identities. The scheme begins to unfold when Virginia Dissette, a wife and mother from Denver, is pulled over for speeding and then arrested and booked for a crime she didn't commit after police discover a warrant for her arrest. A Denver Detective unravels a tangled web of identity thieves and forgers bound by one thing - meth addiction.
For th erest of the story go to: http://www.cnbc.com/id/19680672
Identity theft-the fastest growing crime in the U.S.-- fueled by methamphetamines is running rampant across America's west. In this episode of "American Greed," CNBC investigates a ring of Colorado ID thieves known as the Harley Group, who figure out a scheme to steal victim's names, Social Security numbers and bank account numbers. The crooks then use a widely available check writing computer program to issue fraudulent checks. By the time they were caught, they had written hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of checks using dozens of stolen identities. The scheme begins to unfold when Virginia Dissette, a wife and mother from Denver, is pulled over for speeding and then arrested and booked for a crime she didn't commit after police discover a warrant for her arrest. A Denver Detective unravels a tangled web of identity thieves and forgers bound by one thing - meth addiction.
For th erest of the story go to: http://www.cnbc.com/id/19680672
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Buckeye Corner Web site
Ohio State shoppers' credit-card data stolen
Ohio State shoppers' credit-card data stolen
Saturday, July 7, 2007 3:29 AM
COLUMBUS, OHIO
Dozens of Ohio State University fans have had their credit-card numbers stolen after ordering merchandise from the Buckeye Corner online between June 19 and June 26, 2007 have called to report fraudulent charges on their credit cards.
So far, about 20 customers have contacted the company with complaints of fraud, although the company has yet to post information about the security breach on its Web site.
A Newark native who lives in Michigan, purchased a jersey from the Buckeye Corner last week and the next day, he noticed a hold had been placed on his credit card. It had been used to purchase more than $3,000 worth of electronics from Sweden and a New York florist ended up tipping off another victim, when FTD called to confirm a delivery address for flowers he hadn't ordered.
Customers concerned about identity theft are encouraged to contact their issuing banks and local police. The Buckeye Corner can be reached at 1-800-525-5630 or by e-mail at customerservice@buckeyecorner.com.
State asks for help to find stolen data
Authorities seeking tips from 1,000 people living near intern's Hilliard home
Saturday, July 7, 2007 3:30 AM
COLUMBUS, OHIO
Authorities are turning to the neighbors of a state intern for help in finding a backup computer data tape containing sensitive, personal information.
Hilliard police and the State Highway Patrol have handed out or mailed a postcard to nearly 1,000 residents within a four-block radius of where the tape was stolen early June 11 from the intern's car.
State officials continue to say "they have no evidence that the tape has been used."
Even so, affected people continue to enroll in the identity-theft prevention and protection service that the state is offering.
As of yesterday morning, nearly 59,000 people had started the enrollment process, but the cost to the state has been reduced from $9.75 per person to $9.25.
1. They have no evidence that the tape has been used because they have NO WAY to find out if it has been used in the other 4 areas of identity theft!"
2. The affected people continue to enroll in the identity-theft prevention and protection service that the state is offering and don't know that it will ONLY alert them if the theif uses their identity for financial reasons.
3. As of yesterday morning, nearly 59,000 people had started the enrollment process, but the cost to the state has been reduced from $9.75 per person to $9.25 and will NOT alert them if the theif uses their identity in the other 4 areas of identity theft.
4. What will they do when things start showing up months or even years from now because of this?
Authorities seeking tips from 1,000 people living near intern's Hilliard home
Saturday, July 7, 2007 3:30 AM
COLUMBUS, OHIO
Authorities are turning to the neighbors of a state intern for help in finding a backup computer data tape containing sensitive, personal information.
Hilliard police and the State Highway Patrol have handed out or mailed a postcard to nearly 1,000 residents within a four-block radius of where the tape was stolen early June 11 from the intern's car.
State officials continue to say "they have no evidence that the tape has been used."
Even so, affected people continue to enroll in the identity-theft prevention and protection service that the state is offering.
As of yesterday morning, nearly 59,000 people had started the enrollment process, but the cost to the state has been reduced from $9.75 per person to $9.25.
For the rest of the story Click Here
**NOTE** Something To Think About...
1. They have no evidence that the tape has been used because they have NO WAY to find out if it has been used in the other 4 areas of identity theft!"
2. The affected people continue to enroll in the identity-theft prevention and protection service that the state is offering and don't know that it will ONLY alert them if the theif uses their identity for financial reasons.
3. As of yesterday morning, nearly 59,000 people had started the enrollment process, but the cost to the state has been reduced from $9.75 per person to $9.25 and will NOT alert them if the theif uses their identity in the other 4 areas of identity theft.
4. What will they do when things start showing up months or even years from now because of this?
Orange, California car dealership raided in identity theft probe
July 10, 2007 3:04 PM ET
Dozens of police and district attorney's office investigators raided an Orange County car dealership yesterday as part of an identity theft probe with more than 350 cardboard boxes packed with lease documents and loan applications.
Thousands of people may have been victimized and prosecutors say that fraudulent car loans were processed with stolen identities.
For More Information CLICK HERE
July 10, 2007 3:04 PM ET
Dozens of police and district attorney's office investigators raided an Orange County car dealership yesterday as part of an identity theft probe with more than 350 cardboard boxes packed with lease documents and loan applications.
Thousands of people may have been victimized and prosecutors say that fraudulent car loans were processed with stolen identities.
For More Information CLICK HERE
Friday, July 6, 2007
Things You Need To Know
A lot of identity theft is done by computers and things like that but a lot of identity theft just comes from people. As a matter of fact the FTC said that 51% of identity theft comes from the work force. From your employer and other businesses that lose your information.
And then quite frankly people are not concerned. There not careful about where they show there information and how easy they give people access to their credit files and things like that.
I’m not sure if you had watched the dateline show that was on talking about catching an identity thief. They took a credit card and put it out over the internet and in a minute and 13 seconds later that credit card had been maxed out in 16 different countries.
Businesses farm out your information to other businesses and a lot of the medical information is sent out to people in their homes.
There are several laws that are in effect right now, that businesses should be aware of. One of the laws deals with HIPPA. That deals with a lot of the medical information and things like that. Most businesses are familiar with HIPPA.
What would happen if they would lose a customer or clients information, they could face fines of up to $250,000 and jail time.
But there is also the FACTA law. That law took effect in March of 2005. the problem is that most businesses that I work with only 3% of all businesses are even aware of that legislation.
From a consumer standpoint, FACTA is the law that gives us as the consumer the ability to get 3 FREE credit reports per year. You should get one from Equifax, one from Experian and one from TransUnion. I highly recommend that people do that. But it also holds businesses responsible for safeguarding customer’s information and if they lose NPI then they face very stiff fines.
TJ Max faced some stiff fines when they lost over 45 million identities. Choice Point just settled a lawsuit with the federal government and the FTC where they paid $15 million in fines.
But the big one is what we call the GLBSR that deals with businesses. That also took effect in 2005 if a customer applies to any business or organization that maintains personal information on its clients or employees, they lose that information, they can now face a $1 million fine per violation and up to 10 years in jail for the executive.
So the government is taking some steps to help us slow down identity theft. But, there are a lot more things they can be doing to help the individual consumer out there.
Q. How much of people’s lives, not only financially does identity risk or theft effect?
A. According to the FTC in 2005 23% of all reported identity theft was financial. So, the problem is, what about the other 77% of identity theft? In that same report that they send out talked about the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) was 45% of all reported identity theft. As a matter of fact on April 22nd in the Wall Street Journal, Mr. Thomas Chapmen, who is chairmen and CEO of Equifax made this statement, “Checking ones credit report even several times a year is a kin to using a smoke detector, but only on weekends.” It is simply not enough!
Here’s the problem. If you pull out the October issue of Kiplinger's Magazine you’ll find the vice president of PC magazine saying, “It’s not me! I didn’t do it.” He was pulled over for going through a red light and when the police officer pull this gentlemen over he went back to the cruiser after getting his information, came back to the car and said, “Sir, you’re under arrest for failure to appear in court in a DWI” and he said that’s not me!
From 2003 to 2006 there was a decrease in a total number of victims but an increase in total volume of identity fraud of 56.6 Billion (That’s with a B last year) and the average fraud per person went from $5,249 to in 2003 to $6,383 in 2006.
The decrease only shows 23% of the problem! Medical identity theft which is the fastest form of identity theft increased in the same period of time 3 fold. So you see companies like City Bank and others saying were stopping identity theft, were slowing it down, well in truth all that there doing is the thief is getting a little more educated in other areas like your social security number to get jobs. So, yes financial may be decreasing, but what about the other areas like drivers license
Q. By the way, how do they get that medical information? Where are people getting medical information on me?
A. Here’s the thing. How many people right now have car insurance, life insurance, health insurance and other things like that? Remember, I don’t have to hack your computer system to get your information. I only have to talk with an employee at Blue Cross Blue Shield or whoever is covering your medical and how many employees work for that company? If I can get one of those employees to sell me that information for an average of $10 per account, how many times could I use that? As a matter of fact, the November, 2006 issue of Readers Digest, of the front cover, talked about medical identity theft and it said on page 88 that your insurance card is like a Visa card with a $1 Million spending limit.
I’ll give your readers here a tip! How many people are getting medical prescriptions on a daily basis? On your medical bottle in the upper left hand corner is a RX number. And on the medical bottle is your entire legal name, and your entire address with zip code. Most people throw them in the trash can when they get done. What they should be doing is sticking them in warm water and remove the sticker before you throw it away. That is just one simple step you can take to help prevent medical identity theft.
We have a client right now who owes $54,000 in back taxes because 30 people were using her social security number.
Q. Can she get rid of that debt or is she stuck with it?
A. This lady will now have to hire an attorney and pay huge attorney fees even though she was not doing anything wrong. She is a victim!
According to the FTC the average victim will spend 600 hours and to try to restore their good name. The problem is that most of that will have to be done during normal work time. That would be a customer leaving work Monday morning at 8:00 A.M. and gone till 5:00 P.M. 5 days a week, ir would take them 15 straight weeks.
Q. How do we give the government our information and still protect ourselves?
A. I don’t know a solution for that one yet because you don’t have a choice! You must give out that information! I believe that you need to have something monitoring your life! You can’t do it yourself. If you want to check with your MIB, SSI and your DMV and your credit reports on a regular basis you could probably do it yourself, or find a creditable company to do it for you.
Q. What other ways can a person protect themselves?
A. We know in the past there’s been Farming and Phishing over the Internet. Well, there is a bran new attack going on and it is catching hundreds of thousands of people. It’s called Vishing. And you need to alert the senior citizens because this came out in the AARP. The will receive a phone call weather there home or not, someone will leave a message on their answering system that says, NAME, this is ___ with your credit card and give the last 4 digits on the card. They then go on to say that there has been fraudulent activity on that card and they need you to call them right away at this tool free number otherwise we will shut your credit card down. 1. The problem is that we know that the last 4 digits of your credit card are listed everywhere. 2. When you call that toll free number the person on the other end will ask you to verify the first 12 digits on that credit card.
This is where people need to ask no matter if it’s the government or a hotel or whoever, why do you need that information, who else will see it and what is the purpose of it? Who are you working with? What other venders may see my information? Because if you give them the first 12 digits they will then as you to turn the card over and give them the 3 digit number, and that line will then go dead. You just became a victim of identity theft. That’s called Vishing.
People also need to shut off credit cards there not using. According to Kroll Background America, the number 1 risk consulting company in the world, the average individual has 8.6 credit cards on file that they have not used in years.
There’s a website online that I can go to and for $45 get your credit report, and if I see open credit cards in your name what do you think I could do?
Another thing to remember is that according to the FTC, 97% of identity theft starts with a change of address! So if I change your address to Portland, OR, how long will it take you to know what is going on? The FTC says it will take the average person finds out 14 months AFTER the theft. Then you’ll want to get the police involved then the problem is, 1. Let’s say you live in Detroit, MI, the thief lives in Beaver, PA and they changed your address to Portland, OR. Who’d going to prosecute that for you 14 months later? Who has that budget and how aggressive will they get?
There are some things people can do and that is shredding anything that has information on it that we call non-public information. And remember a thief needs 3 forms of information. They need your name, social security number and date of birth. Anytime someone asks you for that information ask them why! If you throw away a piece of paper with it on it shred it.
Many people aren’t aware that you can get rid of pre-approved credit cards for the next 5 years. You can opt out by calling 1-88-567-8688. consumers can also get off of junk mail list by going to http://www.dmaconsumers.org/consumerassistance.html you can remove yourself from getting junk mail. You should also do this for yourself and any child living in the home that is over the age of 18 so they aren’t getting all of this junk mail.
**NOTE** For more information click here
Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist
Robert Wiesman Earns Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist (CITRMS) Designation
R & J Associates
12/23/2006 6:10:41 PM
October 20, 2006, Oxford, Ohio. Robert Wiesman has successfully completed the Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist curriculum and now joins the ranks of select professionals nationwide who have earned the CITRMS certification.
The CITRMS certification program is the nation’s only training program specifically developed for professionals who are dedicated to educating and assisting clients, customers, businesses and the general public in combating the epidemic of Identity Theft and related fraud. CITRMS-qualified professionals are employed by financial institutions, financial services firms, law enforcement and other government agencies. Many others are private practitioners including attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, counselors and consultants.
The CITRMS course curriculum addresses such key areas as: the nature and forms of Identity Theft and related fraud; consumer protection laws and related requirements; the public dossier and sources of information; Identity Theft risks and issues for businesses (including information security laws, related requirements, liabilities and risk management); Identity Theft risk management services and anti-fraud resources; and more. To attain the certification, CITRMS candidates must successfully complete a rigorous final exam designed to thoroughly assess their comprehension of the course materials.
The Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist program is provided through a cooperative effort between the award-winning Institute of Consumer Financial Education (www.ICFE.info), and The Institute of Fraud Risk Management (www.TIFRM.com). Indicative of the ever-increasing threat of this emerging crime and the critical nature of providing business owners and the public with the knowledge and tools to address and manage their risks, the CITRMS certification course is accepted for professional continuing education credit by such organizations as: the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards for Certified Financial Planners (CFP®); PACE and The American College for Chartered Life Underwriters (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultants (ChFC); the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants for Registered Financial Consultants (RFC); and The Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education for Accredited Financial Consultants (AFC).
Related Links
Life Event Family Legal Service Plan
Identity Theft Shield
Identity Theft Info For Attorneys
Identity Theft Info For Brokers
Identity Theft Info For Small Business Owners
Identity Theft Info For HR Directors
Identity Theft Infor For Insurance Agents
Contact Information
Robert Wiesman CITRMS
Owner
R & J Associates
513-524-5099
ohkyin@woh.rr.com
R & J Associates
12/23/2006 6:10:41 PM
October 20, 2006, Oxford, Ohio. Robert Wiesman has successfully completed the Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist curriculum and now joins the ranks of select professionals nationwide who have earned the CITRMS certification.
The CITRMS certification program is the nation’s only training program specifically developed for professionals who are dedicated to educating and assisting clients, customers, businesses and the general public in combating the epidemic of Identity Theft and related fraud. CITRMS-qualified professionals are employed by financial institutions, financial services firms, law enforcement and other government agencies. Many others are private practitioners including attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, counselors and consultants.
The CITRMS course curriculum addresses such key areas as: the nature and forms of Identity Theft and related fraud; consumer protection laws and related requirements; the public dossier and sources of information; Identity Theft risks and issues for businesses (including information security laws, related requirements, liabilities and risk management); Identity Theft risk management services and anti-fraud resources; and more. To attain the certification, CITRMS candidates must successfully complete a rigorous final exam designed to thoroughly assess their comprehension of the course materials.
The Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist program is provided through a cooperative effort between the award-winning Institute of Consumer Financial Education (www.ICFE.info), and The Institute of Fraud Risk Management (www.TIFRM.com). Indicative of the ever-increasing threat of this emerging crime and the critical nature of providing business owners and the public with the knowledge and tools to address and manage their risks, the CITRMS certification course is accepted for professional continuing education credit by such organizations as: the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards for Certified Financial Planners (CFP®); PACE and The American College for Chartered Life Underwriters (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultants (ChFC); the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants for Registered Financial Consultants (RFC); and The Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education for Accredited Financial Consultants (AFC).
Related Links
Life Event Family Legal Service Plan
Identity Theft Shield
Identity Theft Info For Attorneys
Identity Theft Info For Brokers
Identity Theft Info For Small Business Owners
Identity Theft Info For HR Directors
Identity Theft Infor For Insurance Agents
Contact Information
Robert Wiesman CITRMS
Owner
R & J Associates
513-524-5099
ohkyin@woh.rr.com
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