| Officials: Take action to prevent identity theft
Anyone can become a victim of identity theft.Each year, identity theft affects about 9 million Americans, according to information released by the Federal Trade Commission. In fact, the problem is so widespread that President George W. Bush recently commissioned a task force to identify solutions to the issue.The April 2007 report, titled "Combating Identity Theft: A Strategic Plan," concluded that reducing opportunities for identity theft and increasing public awareness were two of the most vital steps in reducing the number of victims."Only a comprehensive and fully coordinated strategy to combat identity theft — one that encompasses effective prevention, public awareness and education, victim assistance, and law enforcement measures, and that fully engages federal, state, and local authorities and the private sector — will have any chance of solving the problem," the report said.Last year, more than 17,700 fraud and identity theft cases were reported in Florida, according to a recent press release from the Florida Attorney General's Office.
Four million Britons have fallen victim to identity fraud. Are you next?
For one so young, he seemed a peculiarly precocious convert to retail therapy. Mobile phones, iPods, swish suits and fancy holidays. You name it, he bought it. The detectives asked to investigate his strangely spendthrift ways would, though, soon find themselves facing a conundrum. Their big spender was dead. In fact, he had succumbed to a childhood brain disease when seven months old. In total, the identities of hundreds of dead babies would be plundered by businessman Anton Gelonkin in one of the largest identity theft networks uncovered in the UK. Hiding behind the stolen identities of deceased infants, Gelonkin's gang would, in the space of a decade, amass a fortune worth millions. The ease and rapidity with which his team stole so many identities perturbed officers investigating a case which provides a rare insight into the modus operandi of those perpetrating Britain's fastest-growing crime: identity theft.
News 25 Investigation Finds Identity Theft Risk in Peoria County Clerk ...
Government officials are often the first to warn people about the dangers of identity theft.But there's a government office in Peoria County that's exposing people to the risk. Since learning from News 25 of that exposure, local legislative leaders are promising they'll take new legislation to Springfield next year. If you have ever had a court proceeding or violated the law in Peoria County...even something as small as a curfew violation when you were a teen...you could become susceptible to identity theft. Information regarding traffic and criminal offenses is public record...accessible on these computers in the courthouse. But those records not only include information on your case—for countless people there's your name, address, date of birth...and your social security number...personal information available for the public eye, and anyone can walk into the courthouse to access it.
Credit Card Dangers
In consumer news today, tis the season, as the saying goes, to hit the mall or the online shopping outlets, now that the Christmas shopping season is underway. If you're planning to pull out that trusty credit card to pay for your purchases, beware. These days, thieves are more willing, and more able, than ever to separate you from your hard earned money, and in many cases, your identity. It can happen to anyone. It's the Christmas season, but Christmas is also the season for thieves, who will use any means possible, either in person, or online, to steal your money, and when it comes to identity theft, your good name, as well. Credit card thieves target busy shoppers is by taking advantage of the holiday crowds, and engaging in what's called shoulder surfing, to size up your credit card info while you're distracted by your transaction.
Four million Britons have fallen victim to identity fraud. Are you ...
For one so young, he seemed a peculiarly precocious convert to retail therapy. Mobile phones, iPods, swish suits and fancy holidays. You name it, he bought it. The detectives asked to investigate his strangely spendthrift ways would, though, soon find themselves facing a conundrum. Their big spender was dead. In fact, he had succumbed to a childhood brain disease when seven months old. In total, the identities of hundreds of dead babies would be plundered by businessman Anton Gelonkin in one of the largest identity theft networks uncovered in the UK. Hiding behind the stolen identities of deceased infants, Gelonkin's gang would, in the space of a decade, amass a fortune worth millions. The ease and rapidity with which his team stole so many identities perturbed officers investigating a case which provides a rare insight into the modus operandi of those perpetrating Britain's fastest-growing crime: identity theft.
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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