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A portable media device holding the personal data on 3.3 million people was stolen from a Minnesota firm that guarantees federal student loans. The data included names, addresses, Social Security numbers and birthdates. — William Kresse, director of the Center for the Study of Fraud and Corruption at Saint Xavier University
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Online theft of $100K from N.J. town brings focus on rise of cyber scams during tough economy. Authorities say the schemes typically begin with an overseas computer hacker sending an e-mail to the address of, for example, the business administrator for a local school district in New Jersey. — Robert Siciliano, chief executive officer of IDTheftSecurity.com
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Fearful of identity theft, a Florida man subscribed to three credit monitoring services. But as reported in the Florida News Sun, George Gomez was arrested by local authorities for allegedly using a stolen debit card to purchase the identity theft protection. — William Kresse, director of the Center for the Study of Fraud and Corruption at Saint Xavier University
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ID theft hits 3.3 million college students. Thieves stole computer data from Oakdale-based ECMC getting sensitive information about federal student loans. It is believed to be one of the biggest U.S. cases of student identity theft. — Robert Siciliano, chief executive officer of IDTheftSecurity.com
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Social Media and Identity Theft, Part One. Whether or not you believe social media to be an asset or a liability to your organization, believe this: there are close to a half a billion people signed up to, and involved in, social media. Never before have the inner workings of a person’s personal and business life and data been so public. — Robert Siciliano, chief executive officer of IDTheftSecurity.com
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An after-hours janitor at a Northwestern University Memorial Hospital facility allegedly stole patient information and fed it to a Chicago-area identity theft ring. As reported in the Chicago Sun-Times, the group is charged with using the identities to ring up more than $300,000 in purchases of jewelry, furniture, household goods, appliances and electronics. — William Kresse, director of the Center for the Study of Fraud and Corruption at Saint Xavier University
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03
“Heartland Hacker” to be Sentenced. The double agent was undercover and helped FBI agents arrest more than 12 hackers in an investigation called “Operation Firewall.” Though he turned in some of his fellow hackers, he kept in contact with others and hacked into multiple companies. Expect a maximum of 25 years with a parole in 10, and a movie or book deal. — Robert Siciliano, chief executive officer of IDTheftSecurity.com
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03
States give inmates access to personal data of others. Prisons in eight states let convicts work in jobs that give them access to Social Security numbers and other personal information belonging to the public, despite years of warnings that the practice should end, a federal audit finds. Next act we’ll start making pedophiles swimming coaches. — Robert Siciliano, chief executive officer of IDTheftSecurity.com
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A traffic stop for suspected drunk driving has lead to the arrests of two women for a rash of identity theft and tax-refund fraud cases plaguing the Chicago area. The Times of Northwest Indiana reports that a police search of the car turned up H&R Block client papers, medical records, tax forms, new credit cards, and over 100 debit cards in third-party names. — William Kresse, director of the Center for the Study of Fraud and Corruption at Saint Xavier University
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iPhone, IE, Firefox, Safari get stomped at hacker contest. Yes, hacking is technology’s version of chess. The players are the software developers and those who enjoy exposing their vulnerabilities. In this contest, the clear winners are the hackers, which doesn’t bode well for us, the public. — Robert Siciliano, chief executive officer of IDTheftSecurity.com
