Thursday, September 3, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Nobody is Safe!!!
Kaiser Permanente has admitted a breach of its employee records systems has resulted in incidents of identity theft.
The breach came to light after police arrested an unnamed suspect, found in possession of a computer file containing personal details of the US health care provider. The file contained information such as employee name, address, phone number, Social Security number, and date of birth. No Kaiser Permanente member data or health records were involved.
The suspect caught with the human resource information was not employed by Kaiser, the firm said. Indications therefore point to an attack by external hackers, although the involvement of a corrupt insider with external crooks remains a possibility.
In a statement, Kaiser Permanente said the breach affected workers in northern California, who are being notified of the breach. The firm has launched an internal investigation into the cause of the breach, which remains unclear.
Kaiser is offering a year's free credit monitoring to the 29,500 employees hit by the security lapse. The firm has pledged to improve its security systems to guard against further breaches.
The breach came to light after police arrested an unnamed suspect, found in possession of a computer file containing personal details of the US health care provider. The file contained information such as employee name, address, phone number, Social Security number, and date of birth. No Kaiser Permanente member data or health records were involved.
The suspect caught with the human resource information was not employed by Kaiser, the firm said. Indications therefore point to an attack by external hackers, although the involvement of a corrupt insider with external crooks remains a possibility.
In a statement, Kaiser Permanente said the breach affected workers in northern California, who are being notified of the breach. The firm has launched an internal investigation into the cause of the breach, which remains unclear.
Kaiser is offering a year's free credit monitoring to the 29,500 employees hit by the security lapse. The firm has pledged to improve its security systems to guard against further breaches.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Growing identity theft problem costing people more than money
Identity theft is a serious problem across the Lakelands and the nation.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, there were 685,000 reported fraud and identity theft complaints in 2005, totaling more than $680 million in losses.
Credit card fraud was the most common form of reported identity theft. The primary ages of identity theft victims were 18- to 29-year-olds (29 percent) followed by 30- to 39-year-olds (24 percent).
Identity theft is a serious crime and a growing problem that residents should be aware of. Victims typically spend many months and thousands of dollars cleaning up after identity thieves and restoring their good name.
Greenwood Police Department Capt. T.J. Chaudoin recently shared information with the city’s Business Watch group in an effort to help make local residents aware of the dangers of identity theft.
“We haven’t seen a rash of identity theft lately, but it’s one of those crimes that just never goes away,” Chaudoin said. “People need to keep a close eye on material that contains their personal information and check their credit report frequently.”
Chaudoin said it is also important for local residents who suspect they have been the victim of identity theft to contact the appropriate authorities as soon as possible.
“It can often be multi-jurisdictional in nature,” Chaudoin said. “You might live in Greenwood, but the person who has stolen your identity might be in California or Oregon or New York or Jamaica.
“If you think you’ve been a victim of identity theft, you should report it immediately.”
Victims might lose job opportunities, be turned down for important loans for homes, cars or education, and even be arrested for crimes they did not commit. There are some ways to help protect yourself.
Photocopy all of your charge cards, front and back. If you lose your wallet or purse, you will have quick access to the credit card and telephone numbers to notify the appropriate agencies.
Never give out personal information, including your date of birth, mother’s maiden name, credit card, Social Security and PINs (personal identification numbers) over the phone or Internet unless you are certain of whom you are dealing with.
Shred charge receipts, pre-approved credit card applications, bank statements and anything with your personal information on it.
Guard you mail from theft. This includes bank and credit card statements, credit card offers, checks, and tax information. Identity thieves might rummage through your trash or a dumpster in a practice called “dumpster diving.”
They might steal your wallet or purse during the course of a vehicle prowl or auto theft, or steal personal information they find in your home during a burglary.
Identity thieves steal personal information from you through e-mail or phone by posing as a legitimate company or claiming to have a problem with your account.
This practice is known as “phishing” online or “pre-texting” when it is done over the phone.
Depending on the circumstances of the theft, remember the following guidelines:
Immediately place a fraud alert on your credit. Call one of the three consumer credit reporting companies to place the alert. It is only necessary to call one of the companies to place an alert for all three: Equifax 1-800-525-6285 or http://www.equifax.com; Experian 1-888-397-3742 or http://www.experian.com; TransUnion 1-800-680-7289 or http://www.transunion.com.
An initial credit alert will stay on your report for 90 days. This is appropriate in most newly discovered situations of identity theft where you suspect your credit cards might have been stolen or taken by an online “phishing” or telephone “pre-texting” scam.
Next, close any bank accounts that you think might have been tampered with or opened without your permission.
Be sure to follow up in writing with each credit card company and bank. Send copies of all supporting documents (not originals) certified mail, returned receipt requested.
When you open new accounts, create new and unique PIN numbers and passwords.
Avoid using consecutive numbers or personal information like your date of birth or phone number.
The next step is to call the police and file a report. This should be done as soon as possible after you learning that you have been victimized.
Having a police case number can be helpful when dealing with creditors who need proof that a crime has been committed.
Typically you can file a report in any of the jurisdictions where your identity has been used for criminal purposes. Be sure to have all supportive documentation with you when you call.
At this point, it is a good idea to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Typically they can provide important resource information to help you minimize the damage and restore your name.
Accurate and complete records will help you resolve your identity theft case more quickly. It is wise to take the following steps in dealing with a company when you are trying to untangle your identity:
1. Have a plan when you contact a company. Don’t assume that the person you speak with will give you all the information or help you need. Prepare a list of questions to ask the representative. Don’t end the call until you are sure you understand everything.
2. Be sure the write down the names of everyone you talk to, what they say and the date of the conversation.
3. Follow up in writing with all contacts you’ve made on the phone or in person. Use certified mail, return receipt requested.
4. Keep copies of all letters or correspondence you send.
5. Keep all original forms.
6. Hang onto old files even after you believe your case is closed.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, there were 685,000 reported fraud and identity theft complaints in 2005, totaling more than $680 million in losses.
Credit card fraud was the most common form of reported identity theft. The primary ages of identity theft victims were 18- to 29-year-olds (29 percent) followed by 30- to 39-year-olds (24 percent).
Identity theft is a serious crime and a growing problem that residents should be aware of. Victims typically spend many months and thousands of dollars cleaning up after identity thieves and restoring their good name.
Greenwood Police Department Capt. T.J. Chaudoin recently shared information with the city’s Business Watch group in an effort to help make local residents aware of the dangers of identity theft.
“We haven’t seen a rash of identity theft lately, but it’s one of those crimes that just never goes away,” Chaudoin said. “People need to keep a close eye on material that contains their personal information and check their credit report frequently.”
Chaudoin said it is also important for local residents who suspect they have been the victim of identity theft to contact the appropriate authorities as soon as possible.
“It can often be multi-jurisdictional in nature,” Chaudoin said. “You might live in Greenwood, but the person who has stolen your identity might be in California or Oregon or New York or Jamaica.
“If you think you’ve been a victim of identity theft, you should report it immediately.”
Victims might lose job opportunities, be turned down for important loans for homes, cars or education, and even be arrested for crimes they did not commit. There are some ways to help protect yourself.
Photocopy all of your charge cards, front and back. If you lose your wallet or purse, you will have quick access to the credit card and telephone numbers to notify the appropriate agencies.
Never give out personal information, including your date of birth, mother’s maiden name, credit card, Social Security and PINs (personal identification numbers) over the phone or Internet unless you are certain of whom you are dealing with.
Shred charge receipts, pre-approved credit card applications, bank statements and anything with your personal information on it.
Guard you mail from theft. This includes bank and credit card statements, credit card offers, checks, and tax information. Identity thieves might rummage through your trash or a dumpster in a practice called “dumpster diving.”
They might steal your wallet or purse during the course of a vehicle prowl or auto theft, or steal personal information they find in your home during a burglary.
Identity thieves steal personal information from you through e-mail or phone by posing as a legitimate company or claiming to have a problem with your account.
This practice is known as “phishing” online or “pre-texting” when it is done over the phone.
Depending on the circumstances of the theft, remember the following guidelines:
Immediately place a fraud alert on your credit. Call one of the three consumer credit reporting companies to place the alert. It is only necessary to call one of the companies to place an alert for all three: Equifax 1-800-525-6285 or http://www.equifax.com; Experian 1-888-397-3742 or http://www.experian.com; TransUnion 1-800-680-7289 or http://www.transunion.com.
An initial credit alert will stay on your report for 90 days. This is appropriate in most newly discovered situations of identity theft where you suspect your credit cards might have been stolen or taken by an online “phishing” or telephone “pre-texting” scam.
Next, close any bank accounts that you think might have been tampered with or opened without your permission.
Be sure to follow up in writing with each credit card company and bank. Send copies of all supporting documents (not originals) certified mail, returned receipt requested.
When you open new accounts, create new and unique PIN numbers and passwords.
Avoid using consecutive numbers or personal information like your date of birth or phone number.
The next step is to call the police and file a report. This should be done as soon as possible after you learning that you have been victimized.
Having a police case number can be helpful when dealing with creditors who need proof that a crime has been committed.
Typically you can file a report in any of the jurisdictions where your identity has been used for criminal purposes. Be sure to have all supportive documentation with you when you call.
At this point, it is a good idea to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Typically they can provide important resource information to help you minimize the damage and restore your name.
Accurate and complete records will help you resolve your identity theft case more quickly. It is wise to take the following steps in dealing with a company when you are trying to untangle your identity:
1. Have a plan when you contact a company. Don’t assume that the person you speak with will give you all the information or help you need. Prepare a list of questions to ask the representative. Don’t end the call until you are sure you understand everything.
2. Be sure the write down the names of everyone you talk to, what they say and the date of the conversation.
3. Follow up in writing with all contacts you’ve made on the phone or in person. Use certified mail, return receipt requested.
4. Keep copies of all letters or correspondence you send.
5. Keep all original forms.
6. Hang onto old files even after you believe your case is closed.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Identity theft is a serious crime that is growing each year. If you're a victim of identity theft you may spend months, even years, trying to repair a ruined credit history. A seriously damaged credit report can compromise your chances of getting a new job, a bank loan, insurance or even rental housing. It's even possible to be arrested for a crime you didn't commit if someone else has used your identity to break the law.
Unfortunately, many of the methods that thieves use to steal identities are beyond your control to guard against. Although it's rare, even store clerks have been known to use their position to pass along information to identity thieves. There are some measures you can take, however, that will make it harder for a thief to steal your identity.
Protect Your Credit Card Number When Making Purchases
After you make a purchase and your credit or debit card has been swiped through a credit card terminal, check to make sure that the printed receipt hides all but the last 4 digits of your credit card account number (usually there will be Xs in place of the first 12 digits). Some terminals still print receipts that show all 16 digits of an account number, and may even include the expiration date as well. After your card is swiped, you're permitted by law to hide the first 12 digits of your account number on the copy of the receipt that the vendor keeps. Use any marking pen that will do the job.
When you go to a restaurant, it's especially important to make sure that the first 12 digits of your credit card number are hidden on your receipt. You might be in the habit of signing it and then leaving the restaurant's copy on the table after your meal. An identity thief can easily steal the signed receipt before the waitperson comes back around to pick it up from the table. Don't take any chances.
Another important way that you can guard against identity theft is to avoid giving out your social security number unless it's absolutely required. Although you need to share your social security number when you apply for credit or for a bank account, sometimes a store or an organization will want to use it as an ID number, simply to identify you within their system. This is a common practice even though the law says that social security numbers aren't to be used as ID numbers. In these situations, use your judgment. There's usually an alternative if you ask.
Destroy Documents That Contain Sensitive Personal Information
Buy a paper shredder and use it to destroy documents you're throwing away which contain personal information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, phone numbers and dates of birth. This is important to do both at home and at work. Identity thieves aren't above going through someone's trash to find valuable personal information that can help them obtain credit in your name.
IF The Worst Happens
If you do become a victim of identity theft, take the following steps immediately:
Contact your credit card companies, close your accounts and ask to have new cards issued to you.
Place a fraud alert on your file with any one of the three major credit bureaus. The other two will be notified automatically.
File a police report. You may need it to show to creditors as proof of the crime.
File a complaint with the FTC, which maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for their investigations.
Unfortunately, many of the methods that thieves use to steal identities are beyond your control to guard against. Although it's rare, even store clerks have been known to use their position to pass along information to identity thieves. There are some measures you can take, however, that will make it harder for a thief to steal your identity.
Protect Your Credit Card Number When Making Purchases
After you make a purchase and your credit or debit card has been swiped through a credit card terminal, check to make sure that the printed receipt hides all but the last 4 digits of your credit card account number (usually there will be Xs in place of the first 12 digits). Some terminals still print receipts that show all 16 digits of an account number, and may even include the expiration date as well. After your card is swiped, you're permitted by law to hide the first 12 digits of your account number on the copy of the receipt that the vendor keeps. Use any marking pen that will do the job.
When you go to a restaurant, it's especially important to make sure that the first 12 digits of your credit card number are hidden on your receipt. You might be in the habit of signing it and then leaving the restaurant's copy on the table after your meal. An identity thief can easily steal the signed receipt before the waitperson comes back around to pick it up from the table. Don't take any chances.
Another important way that you can guard against identity theft is to avoid giving out your social security number unless it's absolutely required. Although you need to share your social security number when you apply for credit or for a bank account, sometimes a store or an organization will want to use it as an ID number, simply to identify you within their system. This is a common practice even though the law says that social security numbers aren't to be used as ID numbers. In these situations, use your judgment. There's usually an alternative if you ask.
Destroy Documents That Contain Sensitive Personal Information
Buy a paper shredder and use it to destroy documents you're throwing away which contain personal information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, phone numbers and dates of birth. This is important to do both at home and at work. Identity thieves aren't above going through someone's trash to find valuable personal information that can help them obtain credit in your name.
IF The Worst Happens
If you do become a victim of identity theft, take the following steps immediately:
Contact your credit card companies, close your accounts and ask to have new cards issued to you.
Place a fraud alert on your file with any one of the three major credit bureaus. The other two will be notified automatically.
File a police report. You may need it to show to creditors as proof of the crime.
File a complaint with the FTC, which maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for their investigations.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Guarding against identity theft
By Elsie Hodnett
01-25-2009
Even though the holidays are over, area residents still need to take precautions to guard themselves against identity theft. “Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the nation,” according to Pell City Police Chief Greg Turley.
Turley said individuals may use more caution during the holidays to guard against identity theft, but caution is needed year-round. “There are several unsophisticated ways identity thieves can steal personal information,” he said. Turley said dumpster diving occurs when an identity thief goes through an individual’s trash looking for personal information.
“Shred anything that contains your personal information, instead of throwing it in the trash,” he said.
Turley said shoulder surfing is another common form of identity theft.
“The thief looks over the person’s shoulder for pin numbers or when they punch in a credit card number or calling card (phone) number,” he said.
Turley said there have been some cases of identity theft in the Pell City area, but the victims were unsure how the identity thieves obtained their personal information. “All of us can be a victim,” he said.
Turley said some other steps individuals can take to protect their identity is to check bank and credit card records often and set up flags so you will be alerted if there is any suspicious activity on your accounts.
“Another scam is people who call over the phone and offer a credit card and prize, but request personal information such as your Social Security number,” he said.
Turley said individuals should report such schemes to the police department.
“Let us know what is going on,” he said. “It may be the piece of the puzzle we need to solve the case.”
Lt. Mike Gorman, with the Sylacauga Police Department, said they have not had any reports of identity theft lately.
“I think people are being more watchful,” he said.
Gorman said he does presentations at various locations on how individuals can protect themselves and their identities.
“One thing we suggest, especially for seniors, is to have their checks direct-deposited,” he said. “That way they can’t be stolen from their mailbox, and they won’t accidentally throw away personal information.”
Gorman said using debit cards instead of checks is another good step to take.
Detective Doug Whaley, with the Talladega Police Department, said they have seen cases of individuals stealing purses from people coming home late at night.
“They can also steal mail or change-of-address forms from your mail,” he said.
Whaley said “phishing,” or fake emails thieves send in an attempt to get individuals to provide personal information, are also common both over the Internet and by phone.
“We also see fake international lottery winner emails,” he said. “If it sounds too good to be true, it is.”
Whaley said three things to remember when protecting your identity are deter, detect, and defend.
“Shred your financial documents,” he said. “Protect your Social Security number (by not carrying it with you in your wallet or purse) and don’t give out personal information unless you are sure who you are dealing with.”
Whaley said another tip is not to use obvious passwords such as birthdates, addresses, and names of friends and family members.
“Be alert,” he said. “Watch for mail or bills that don’t arrive. Also be aware of denials of credit for no reason,” as it may indicate that someone has used your identity.
Whaley said inspect financial statements and look for any charges you didn’t make, and also inspect your credit report.
“If you suspect your identity has been stolen, place a ‘fraud alert’ with the credit agencies,” he said.
Whaley said the “fraud alert” tells creditors to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts.
Three nationwide consumer-reporting companies have toll-free numbers for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert, and a call to one company is sufficient.
The number for Equifax is 1-800-525-6285.
The number for Experian is 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742.)
The number for TransUnion is 1-800-680-7289.
“It is also good to check the credit reports for minor children,” Whaley said.
Whaley said he knew of an individual whose child’s identity had been stolen, and was discovered when the child became old enough to apply for credit.
“It takes a lot of time to fix identity theft,” Turley said. “There is a lot of time spent with police departments, credit card companies, banking institutions and more. We recommend individuals stay vigilant and try to prevent theft before it happens.”
01-25-2009
Even though the holidays are over, area residents still need to take precautions to guard themselves against identity theft. “Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the nation,” according to Pell City Police Chief Greg Turley.
Turley said individuals may use more caution during the holidays to guard against identity theft, but caution is needed year-round. “There are several unsophisticated ways identity thieves can steal personal information,” he said. Turley said dumpster diving occurs when an identity thief goes through an individual’s trash looking for personal information.
“Shred anything that contains your personal information, instead of throwing it in the trash,” he said.
Turley said shoulder surfing is another common form of identity theft.
“The thief looks over the person’s shoulder for pin numbers or when they punch in a credit card number or calling card (phone) number,” he said.
Turley said there have been some cases of identity theft in the Pell City area, but the victims were unsure how the identity thieves obtained their personal information. “All of us can be a victim,” he said.
Turley said some other steps individuals can take to protect their identity is to check bank and credit card records often and set up flags so you will be alerted if there is any suspicious activity on your accounts.
“Another scam is people who call over the phone and offer a credit card and prize, but request personal information such as your Social Security number,” he said.
Turley said individuals should report such schemes to the police department.
“Let us know what is going on,” he said. “It may be the piece of the puzzle we need to solve the case.”
Lt. Mike Gorman, with the Sylacauga Police Department, said they have not had any reports of identity theft lately.
“I think people are being more watchful,” he said.
Gorman said he does presentations at various locations on how individuals can protect themselves and their identities.
“One thing we suggest, especially for seniors, is to have their checks direct-deposited,” he said. “That way they can’t be stolen from their mailbox, and they won’t accidentally throw away personal information.”
Gorman said using debit cards instead of checks is another good step to take.
Detective Doug Whaley, with the Talladega Police Department, said they have seen cases of individuals stealing purses from people coming home late at night.
“They can also steal mail or change-of-address forms from your mail,” he said.
Whaley said “phishing,” or fake emails thieves send in an attempt to get individuals to provide personal information, are also common both over the Internet and by phone.
“We also see fake international lottery winner emails,” he said. “If it sounds too good to be true, it is.”
Whaley said three things to remember when protecting your identity are deter, detect, and defend.
“Shred your financial documents,” he said. “Protect your Social Security number (by not carrying it with you in your wallet or purse) and don’t give out personal information unless you are sure who you are dealing with.”
Whaley said another tip is not to use obvious passwords such as birthdates, addresses, and names of friends and family members.
“Be alert,” he said. “Watch for mail or bills that don’t arrive. Also be aware of denials of credit for no reason,” as it may indicate that someone has used your identity.
Whaley said inspect financial statements and look for any charges you didn’t make, and also inspect your credit report.
“If you suspect your identity has been stolen, place a ‘fraud alert’ with the credit agencies,” he said.
Whaley said the “fraud alert” tells creditors to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts.
Three nationwide consumer-reporting companies have toll-free numbers for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert, and a call to one company is sufficient.
The number for Equifax is 1-800-525-6285.
The number for Experian is 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742.)
The number for TransUnion is 1-800-680-7289.
“It is also good to check the credit reports for minor children,” Whaley said.
Whaley said he knew of an individual whose child’s identity had been stolen, and was discovered when the child became old enough to apply for credit.
“It takes a lot of time to fix identity theft,” Turley said. “There is a lot of time spent with police departments, credit card companies, banking institutions and more. We recommend individuals stay vigilant and try to prevent theft before it happens.”
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Don't Respond to 'IRS' E-mail Scam; Protect Your Identity
Posted: Jan 22, 2009 11:26 AM
Updated: Jan 22, 2009 12:17 PM
BILOXI, MS (WLOX) - The Internal Revenue Service is warning taxpayers to beware of IRS impersonators sending e-mails that could result in identity theft. Official say the e-mail looks official but could be dangerous to you and your computer.
"We're getting reports of an e-mail that appears to come from the IRS and tells recipients to fill out an attached form and fax it in," said IRS spokesperson Dee Harris. "Other scam e-mails ask you to click on a link and provide personal information online."
No matter what approach the scammers use, there are two things the IRS needs people to remember:
The IRS never sends e-mails about your taxes.
If you get a scam e-mail, don't access any links or attachments.
"If you have accessed a link or attachment in a scam e-mail, you may have allowed the scammer to download malicious software to your computer," warns Harris. "You should immediately scan for viruses and spyware, plus be alert for suspicious activity on your financial accounts."
Individuals who have responded to a scam e-mail and provided their private information should immediately take steps to prevent identity theft. Steps include contacting the Federal Trade Commission and are outlined on the official IRS Web site .
Taxpayers can help the IRS stop scammers by sending the original scam e-mail to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov. The e-mail must be forwarded using special instructions at IRS.gov or it loses the encoding needed to track it to its source, Harris said.
For more information about tax scams, visit the IRS Web site and check out the Dirty Dozen, a list of tax scams updated each year by the IRS. The IRS also provides information on its Web site to help taxpayers protect their personal and financial information. Just type "Identity Theft" in the key word search feature for additional information.
Updated: Jan 22, 2009 12:17 PM
BILOXI, MS (WLOX) - The Internal Revenue Service is warning taxpayers to beware of IRS impersonators sending e-mails that could result in identity theft. Official say the e-mail looks official but could be dangerous to you and your computer.
"We're getting reports of an e-mail that appears to come from the IRS and tells recipients to fill out an attached form and fax it in," said IRS spokesperson Dee Harris. "Other scam e-mails ask you to click on a link and provide personal information online."
No matter what approach the scammers use, there are two things the IRS needs people to remember:
The IRS never sends e-mails about your taxes.
If you get a scam e-mail, don't access any links or attachments.
"If you have accessed a link or attachment in a scam e-mail, you may have allowed the scammer to download malicious software to your computer," warns Harris. "You should immediately scan for viruses and spyware, plus be alert for suspicious activity on your financial accounts."
Individuals who have responded to a scam e-mail and provided their private information should immediately take steps to prevent identity theft. Steps include contacting the Federal Trade Commission and are outlined on the official IRS Web site .
Taxpayers can help the IRS stop scammers by sending the original scam e-mail to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov. The e-mail must be forwarded using special instructions at IRS.gov or it loses the encoding needed to track it to its source, Harris said.
For more information about tax scams, visit the IRS Web site and check out the Dirty Dozen, a list of tax scams updated each year by the IRS. The IRS also provides information on its Web site to help taxpayers protect their personal and financial information. Just type "Identity Theft" in the key word search feature for additional information.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
New Trend in Cyber Crime: Unprecedented Rise in Identity Theft Related Searches
Jan 21, 2009, News Report
Found in: Security
Tiversa yesterday announced the findings of new research that reveals an unprecedented rise in identity theft-related searches in the fall of 2008, an overall increase of 32 percent. In the midst of the nation's largest economic downturn since the Great Depression, Tiversa is finding evidence that identity thieves are on the hunt once again, continuing to find new ways to extract sensitive information to commit fraud on unsuspecting victims.
The research is based on search data in an ongoing 18 month study by Tiversa, whose patent-pending technology monitors roughly 450 million users issuing more than 1.5 billion searches a day. Data shows that search intent for sensitive information is on the rise, citing keywords related to personal banking logins, passwords, tax returns, credit card, account numbers, credit reports, and medical information.
"As the leaders in this space, we've been seeing this trend continue on an upward path for the last few years," says Robert Boback, Tiversa's CEO. "At this time, more than ever before, consumers need to remain vigilant of their sensitive information."
According to the Federal Trade Commission, as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. Typical identity theft victims spend hundreds of hours trying to repair damage done to their credit record and can be denied loans for housing, education and cars. In the case of medical fraud, victims can be misdiagnosed, prescribed the wrong medicines, and even billed for procedures they never even had.
"The intent is clearly demonstrated in the data we see in our research and day-to-day operations. We've validated time and time again, that actual fraud is committed by malicious individuals when presented the opportunity," comments Boback.
A national survey, conducted by the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) and Fellowes, states that consumers remain aware that the threat of identity theft is real, with a vast majority (85 percent) of Americans agreeing that identity theft can happen anywhere and at any time.
Found in: Security
Tiversa yesterday announced the findings of new research that reveals an unprecedented rise in identity theft-related searches in the fall of 2008, an overall increase of 32 percent. In the midst of the nation's largest economic downturn since the Great Depression, Tiversa is finding evidence that identity thieves are on the hunt once again, continuing to find new ways to extract sensitive information to commit fraud on unsuspecting victims.
The research is based on search data in an ongoing 18 month study by Tiversa, whose patent-pending technology monitors roughly 450 million users issuing more than 1.5 billion searches a day. Data shows that search intent for sensitive information is on the rise, citing keywords related to personal banking logins, passwords, tax returns, credit card, account numbers, credit reports, and medical information.
"As the leaders in this space, we've been seeing this trend continue on an upward path for the last few years," says Robert Boback, Tiversa's CEO. "At this time, more than ever before, consumers need to remain vigilant of their sensitive information."
According to the Federal Trade Commission, as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. Typical identity theft victims spend hundreds of hours trying to repair damage done to their credit record and can be denied loans for housing, education and cars. In the case of medical fraud, victims can be misdiagnosed, prescribed the wrong medicines, and even billed for procedures they never even had.
"The intent is clearly demonstrated in the data we see in our research and day-to-day operations. We've validated time and time again, that actual fraud is committed by malicious individuals when presented the opportunity," comments Boback.
A national survey, conducted by the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) and Fellowes, states that consumers remain aware that the threat of identity theft is real, with a vast majority (85 percent) of Americans agreeing that identity theft can happen anywhere and at any time.
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