| Identity theft common around Holidays
Identity theft crimes hit home for more than eight million adults in the US in 2005, according to a new report from the federal trade commission. In ten percent of cases, victims surveyed said they paid at least $1,200 to settle charges to stolen or fraudulent credit cards or bank accounts. Add to that the hours they spent repairing their credit reports. Nearly 40 percent of victims reported being harassed by debt collectors, denied credit or loans, having utilities cut off -- even getting sued. And more than half of victims said they still don't know how the thieves got a hold of their personal information. Experts at the non-profit identity theft resource center say the holidays are prime time for thieves. They recommend you leave your social security card at home -- don't carry it in your wallet.
Tories take aim at identity thieves
The Conservative government will introduce legislation this fall aimed at catching identity thieves before they attack the bank accounts of Canadians. Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said new amendments to the Criminal Code will punish identity theft, regardless of whether the stolen information is ever used for identity fraud. In an interview with The Globe and Mail, Mr. Nicholson said stolen identity crimes cost Canadian individuals and businesses $2-billion a year. "I think it's a growing problem and we've got to get on it now because the technology people use to obtain information will only get better," he said. "We've got to get something on the books." The minister said the bill will close a gap in the law. Current offences are focused solely on the misuse of stolen identities through fraud, impersonation or forgery.
'Tis the Season for Financial Crimes Against Seniors
Not everyone is full of goodwill during the holidays. Unfortunately, the holidays are a prime time for financial crimes like identity theft, robbery and fraud -- and seniors are often the target."Consumers are reminded to shred, sign up, suppress and be sensitive," says Steve J. Bernas, President/CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois. To safeguard against financial crimes this holiday season the Chicago Better Business Bureau offers these timely tips for seniors and those who care for them:-- Hang on to your personal information. Do not give any personal information over the phone or Internet to an unfamiliar company or caller. This includes your credit card numbers, but also the credit card expiration date, your Social Security number, driver's license number, bank account numbers, and personal information, such as your mother's maiden name.
CHEHALIS, LEWIS COUNTY: Arizona ‘Most Wanted’ suspect turns up on ...
A man on Arizona's "Most Wanted" list has been caught near Chehalis. State Trooper Michael Kesler says 39-year-old Larry A. Hayes gave a false Washington driver's license when he was stopped early Friday for speeding. He was clocked at 74 mph in a 50 mph zone in a Mercedes on southbound Interstate 5. Kesler says Hayes claimed to be David Wayne Matthews. Fingerprints revealed his true identity on Saturday. A passenger was arrested on a forgery warrant from Pierce County. Hayes had been sought in more than 900 cases of possession of stolen property, identity theft and fraud-related crimes – including 800 in Pierce County. Kesler says he also is under investigation in Idaho and Oregon. The Associated Press .
Man on Arizona's 'Most Wanted" list caught near Chehalis
Man on Arizona's 'Most Wanted" list caught near Chehalis THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CHEHALIS, Wash. -- A man on Arizonas "Most Wanted" list has been caught near Chehalis. State Trooper Michael D. Kesler says 39-year-old Larry A. Hayes gave a false Washington driver's license when he was stopped early Friday for speeding. He was clocked at 74 mph in a 50 mph zone in a Mercedes on southbound Interstate 5. Kesler says Hayes claimed to be David Wayne Matthews. He was jailed when that could not be confirmed, and fingerprints revealed his true identity on Saturday. A passenger, 24-year-old Kyndale Ogara of Tacoma, was arrested on a forgery warrant from Pierce County. Hayes had been sought in more than 900 cases of possession of stolen property, identity theft and fraud-related crimes - including 800 in Pierce County.
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.
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