| Government Computer News
The Senate on Thursday passed a bill amending federal law to directly address online crimes, including identity theft.
The Identity Theft Enforcement and Restitution Act of 2007 was passed by unanimous consent. It is one of a host of bills before Congress that would deal with what many in the information technology industry and law enforcement say are holes in the current legal structure regarding cybercrime. A similar bill in the House has not moved out of subcommittee.
The Senate bill would amend Title 18 of the U.S. Code to specifically address conspiracy to commit cybercrime and close loopholes to prohibit online extortion and address botnets networks of compromised computers used by criminals to launch attacks and conduct fraudulent activity by making it a crime to damage 10 or more computers in a year.
GCSO warns residents of possible identity theft operation via phone
Gray County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about a possible identity theft operation in which the person is asked for information concerning their bank account.At least one local resident has reported receiving a call from someone claiming to be a representative of the Internal Revenue Service, said Sheriff Don Copeland. The caller claimed that the IRS had a refund to send to the person, and asked for the person's bank routing number and bank account number in order to deposit the refund in their account.This information may be used by the caller to remove money from the account and may also lead to identity theft, Copeland said.
The IRS warns all citizens not to give personal information over the phone, through the mail or on the Internet unless they have initialed the contact or they are sure they know who they are dealing with.
LifeLock signs pact with NRA
Identity theft prevention service company LifeLock added a big gun to its list of clients, signing the National Rifle Association in a pact that gives members of the firearms organization discounted rates. LifeLock, based in Tempe, communicates with the nation's largest credit reporting agencies to make stolen information unusable to thieves. Backed by a $1 million guarantee, the company essentially reports stolen data, including bank account, credit card and social security numbers, to the agencies to stop charges from being approved. The service also removes customers names from junk mail lists and pre-approved credit card offers. With the partnership, NRA members will receive 60 days of free service and a 10 percent discount. The monthly cost for LifeLock is $10.
Buyer, Beware - Especially Online
As you make a list and check it twice, check yourself for safety against identity theft. It's a big problem this time of year, with more people shopping with their credit cards, and shopping online. Stealing your ID is not that difficult anymore. Consumer advocates say you protect yourself by being aware of your surroundings while using your card. Also, keep an eye on the clerk while the transaction is being processed. "There are different devices called skimmers," said Chad Reiflin of the Credit Education Bureau. "Folks can use to skim our cards and steal and store information. So just as being street smart, you need to be credit smart - and smart about what's going with your information and what is happening with your card." While shopping online, make sure the site is secure.
Cyber-crime unit 'urgent'
A petition has been launched calling for the Prime Minister to set up a national e-crime reporting unit as soon as possible. There are proposals outlined in this year's Comprehensive Spending Review for a new National Fraud Reporting Centre to be set up in 2010-11. The aim of the centre will be to provide a link between local forces, the public and other law enforcement agencies. But following the case of lost data discs at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the petitioner, security analyst Neil Stinchcombe, said 2010 was too long to wait and is using the petition to highlight the need for the centre to be set up as soon as possible. Mr Stinchcombe told Computeractive: "The consequences of, and reactions to, the loss of records by HMRC, make the creation of a well-resourced operation to address computer-assisted crime, including information and identity theft from data and call centres… a matter of great urgency." The problems the public and regional police forces have with reporting and handling individual incidents of cyber-crime is well documented.
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