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Bad Me: Don?t Believe the Hype?
2007-07-20 17:10:00
It?s not often that we reference an old Public Enemy song, but it seems appropriate today. You may recall that the song preaches about avoiding the media hype fueled by the government and large institutions. According to Roger Grimes of InfoWorld, the GAO?s report about identity theft not being a problem could be hype. In other news, here are some tips to protect your children from becoming identity theft victims. Finally, we have more commentary on the value of full disclosure when a data breach occurs.
More About: Daily News , Hype

Good Me: Massachusetts Poised to Approve Identity Theft Bill
2007-07-18 20:40:00
We try not to get too political at ME&ME, but we can?t help but share more good news about U.S. states enacting tough identity theft laws. The Massachusetts State Senate is poised to pass a bill that protects consumers. In technology news, Oracle is getting into the fraud protection game with the acquisition of Bharosa. Also, InfoUSA just announced the findings of a survey on identity theft ? its still a major consumer concern.
More About: Daily News , Identity Theft , Theft , Good

Good Me: The Government?s Move to Curb Identity Theft
2007-07-17 23:11:00
As we have always said, we applaud any national or state legislation that protects consumers from identity theft. The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to approve new rules with how the government and corporations use social security numbers. In other political news, Veterans Affairs chief Jim Nicholson resigned today. Remember the massive data breach that occurred last summer under his watch? Finally, the National Consumer Council in the U.K. is urging companies to tell customers when there?s a data breach.
More About: Government , Daily News , Identity Theft , Move , Theft

Good Me: Department of Justice Versus E-Gold
2007-07-13 17:11:00
We all know that e-commerce companies are on the front line of dealing with fraudulent customers. But did one particular company play a role in helping the Department of Justice nab an identity theft ring? Or did they facilitate criminal activity? Check out this illuminating blog post from Larry Greenemeier at InformationWeek. Here?s more information on that bust. Finally, another U.S. state is instituting a law to protect consumers from identity theft.
More About: Gold , Daily News , E-gold

Good Me: Identity Theft Raid at Car Dealership and More
2007-07-12 19:22:00
Our identity theft tip of the day is to watch out for shady car dealerships. Recently a car dealership in Orange County, Calif. was raided as part of an identity theft probe. More than 350 cardboard boxes packed with lease documents and loan applications were confiscated. In other news, a stolen lap top computer from the state of Ohio is causing quite a stir. When will we all move to a thin-client technology ? where all important data is stored in one secure (and remote) location? Any thoughts from ME&ME readers on this?
More About: Daily News , Identity Theft , Theft , Good , Identity

Bad Me: Illegal Immigration Leads to Identity Theft
2007-07-09 22:10:00
While the nation?s law makers duel over immigration reform, and more companies now check backgrounds of workers, illegal immigrants are forced to use false social security numbers to maintain their working status in the U.S. The Los Angeles Times just did an interesting story where an LA cop on the identity theft beat became a victim ? the culprit was an illegal immigrant working in a meat packing plant. In other news, the bad guys are targeting the families of soldiers. That?s pretty low.
More About: Illegal Immigration , Daily News , Immigration , Leads , Identity Theft

Decline in Identity Theft
2007-07-06 18:07:00
A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), said only four of the 24 largest data breaches between January 2000 and June 2005 appear to have resulted in identity fraud. And, the agency recommends that making companies report data breaches to consumers may result in increased cost without benefit. Thoughts, anyone? And, according to other sources, ID theft is on the decline. Well, except for the 20-somethings. They are at the highest risk level. So, for you youn?uns..stay alert. Tags: Data Breach, Identity Fraud, ID Theft
More About: Daily News , Identity Theft

Lessons from the CEO: Protecting Against the Hidden Costs of Identity Theft
2007-07-05 23:27:00
Guillaume Deybach is the President and CEO of Worldwide Assistance the US office of Europ Assistance. Worldwide Assistance?s Identity Theft Resolution Services help financial institutions retain customers and reduce the burden on call centers by allowing current and existing customers to gain added protection and assistance around identity theft. Ensuring that a person?s monetary losses in the event of identity theft are limited is a very good thing. According to a recent insurance industry study, typical identity theft losses can be in the thousands of dollars. Read More
More About: Interviews , Hidden

Bad Me: Credit Bureaus Undermine Credit Freezes
2007-07-05 22:51:00
Happy 5th of july, y'all. For those of you who are still tuned in this week, check out this piece from USA Today. The finger is squarely pointed at the credit bureaus for undermining credit freezes ? one of the most effective tools for fighting ID theft. The op-ed claims that those who stand to make oodles of money on the issue (credit bureaus) shouldn?t be trying to kill some of the best defenses out there. Did they get it right, or wrong? Speak up if you?ve got a feeling on this one... Tags: credit freezing, credit bureaus, identity theft
More About: Credit , Daily News , Under

Good Me: To Your Retailer, Please Comply with PCI Data Security Standard
2007-06-27 20:29:00
Now you don't have to just worry about getting gouged at the pump - you have to worry about losing your identity too. A report on Yahoo! News, as reported by PC World via IDG News Service, claims that paying at a gas station with a credit card is riskier than shopping online. And, we've all heard that horror story before. The issue was raised at Gartner's Identity and Access Management Summit. The personal story? Watch where you shop. The bigger picture? Credit card companies are pressuring retailers to comply with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard , a code of best practices created by the card industry. The standard forbids the storing of magnetic stripe data on POS terminals, and Visa plans to start fining retailers in the coming months if they don't comply, according to Gartner. The take-away? Life could get safer for all of us.
More About: Data Security , Daily News

Good Me: Best ME Ever
2007-06-26 21:16:00
Okay, maybe not the BEST ME, but it?s hard not to be a fan (a biased fan, but hey) of this article from Bank Technology News. Check it out ? a great summary of how First Citizens National Bank in Tennessee is working with Worldwide Assistance to provide customers with ID theft resolution services. It seems that seemingly-sleepy Dyersberg, Tennessee, FCNB?s home, has become a hotbed of ID theft in recent months, and FCNB saw Worldwide Assistance as a way to help customers while boosting sales and generating profit along the way. Real-world ID theft resolution, a plug for yours truly, and a shout-out to the late great Patsy Cline? That?s gonna be hard to top, people. But we?ll keep trying.
More About: Daily News , Good

Good Me: What Makes for Good TV?
2007-06-22 19:06:00
Have you seen So You Think You Can Dance? How about that singing one, ah, yes, American Idol (only the most popular program ever, right?) How about this for a reality contest: So You Think You?re ?Bob Jones.? This ID Theft reality contest could showcase the most wily tricks for stealing an identity. Hm. Any takers? On second thought, I don?t see a lot of thieves willing to sign up. Too bad. Now THAT would make for good TV.
More About: Daily News , Good

Good Me: USPS Offers Tips to Prevent Identity Theft
2007-06-20 23:46:00
We love the post office. No, seriously. Mail has become so ? well ? so ?old school.? Putting something in the post says, ?I care,? in a way an email totally doesn?t. And, with all the recent articles around email?s nefarious influence on everything from productivity to personal relationships ? old school seems more and more new school. Read the entire post here.
More About: Daily News , Tips , Identity Theft , Offers , Theft

Bad Me: Man Gets Arrested for Crime Someone Else Committed, Using His Name
2007-06-19 17:35:00
There are several ways to find out whether you?ve been the victim of identity theft ? careful monitoring of credit reports, review of all printed mail sent to your house, and in some unfortunate cases, hearing about it from creditors. We got word today on an entirely new ? and highly unpleasant ? way to find out: getting arrested for a crime your ID thief committed. Sadly that?s what happened to Ricky Smith of Petersberg, Virginia, who was arrested for failure to appear in court after someone using his identity was arrested on drug charges. Not only was Smith arrested at his workplace, but the charges weren?t actually dropped for almost two months.
More About: Arrested , Crime , Daily News , Comm , Else

Bad Me: ID Theft A Major Problem for the Elderly
2007-06-15 15:21:00
Let's talk elderly. Or older persons. Or people in the 65+ category. Call them what you like, but this group is repeatedly preyed upon by identity thieves. From older persons living in retirement communities?to those still in their homes?to those living in traditional nursing homes?the elderly are a significant target. Consider this ID theft ring, as reported by the AP. Stolen identities to help inmates make calls? The issue has been percolating for some time. Check out the UConn Law paper from 04. Or this hearing from 02. Or this site from Legal Counsel for the Elderly . Or this MSN article on the worst states for ID theft ? with AZ topping the list *because of it?s older population.? Convinced? What can you do? 1. Work as a family to secure valuable personal data. 2. Look for awareness programs in your area so that you might benefit from their guidance. 3. Review credit reports, bank accounts and so on ? on an ongoing basis. 4. Stay alert. 5. And, talk about the realitie...
More About: Daily News , Problem , Theft , Major

Good Me: Interview with FTC Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras
2007-06-14 22:13:00
Don't take it from us: identity theft is of common interest. Check out this interview with the FTC Chai r in US News & World Report. This is fresh off the presses, people. So, have at it. A post for another day: the FTC chair shops at DSW. Well, who doesn't? Gotta love those shoes...
More About: Daily News , Interview , Good , Chairman

Identity Theft: A Victim?s Perspective
2007-06-13 22:42:00
ME&ME recently talked with Jarrett Ferrier of Washington, D.C., about his experience as an ID theft victim. We appreciate Jarrett?s willingness to share his story with us, and hope that our readers may be able to learn from the lessons he learned the hard way. ME&ME: How did you first realize that you had become a victim of identity theft? Jerrett Ferrier: About a month after I had visited the Washington, D.C., Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to renew my driver?s license, I received a piece of junk mail that somehow seemed to warrant my opening. To read the entire interview use this link.
More About: Identity Theft , Theft , Identity , Perspective , Victim

Bad Me: Data Breach Occurs at UVA and Why Do Breaches Still Occur??
2007-06-12 16:21:00
This goes to show that any enterprise that warehouses personal data is at risk ? even colleges and universities. University of Virginia today announced that almost 6,000 current and former faculty members could be at risk due to hackers obtaining birth dates and social security numbers. Here?s a story about how to avoid these kinds of breaches. This brings up a good point?why do organizations continually have breaches? Of course, there is legislation in certain U.S. States that holds organizations accountable for breaches. By why do they still occur? ME&ME would love to hear your feedback on this topic.
More About: Daily News , Data , Breach , Brea

How Safe is Your Employee Information?
2007-06-08 23:50:00
For those of you who couldn?t stand the heat yesterday, you missed a great event at the Capital Hilton on Protecting Employee Privacy presented by James Hammerschmidt, Esq., hosted by Worldwide Assistance. Key takeaways from the event included tips and best practices for safeguarding employee personal data (social security numbers, health history information, bank account numbers, etc.) both physically and electronically in the workplace, as well as employer liability and proper steps to take in the event a data breach occurs. Click on the link below to read more.
More About: Information , Daily News , Form , Safe

Good Me: Miss New Mexico Chooses Identity Theft Initiative
2007-06-07 17:27:00
This one needs no editorializing. Run, don't walk, to the following link. Miss New Mexico picked identity theft as her ?cause.? No world peace. No saving the children. Identity theft. That says something, people. Check out the AARP initiative she partnered on ? letting the 50+ crowd freeze their credit reports without any record of id theft. Nice work, Miss New Mexico .
More About: Daily News , Identity Theft

Good Me: First Ever Identity Theft College Course
2007-06-05 20:18:00
This is truly a sign that identity theft prevention and protection has gone mainstream ? and we applaud this. Two colleges in Michigan are now offering identity theft protection courses for their students. In other legal news, Canada is considering passing a federal law making identity theft a crime. Finally, there was a massive data breach recently in Scotland.
More About: College , Daily News , Identity Theft , Theft , Good

Bad Me: Now THAT is low?
2007-06-01 14:22:00
This certainly falls on the BAD ME side of the house. The Red Cross uncovered a plot targeting military families. A person purporting to be from the Red Cross has been calling the spouses of soldiers trying to get personal information. So, the Red Cross is urging families not to disclose any personal information over the phone. And, affected families are encouraged to call their local Family Readiness Group or Military Personnel Flight. The punishment is no joke. It is a federal crime, punishable up to five years, for impersonating the Red Cross to defraud someone. The story ran on nearly 100 outlets -- print and broadcast -- over the last several hours. From NY -- to TN -- to SC -- and AK and beyond -- news reports are spreading the word. Now, THAT falls on the GOOD ME side of the house.
More About: Daily News , That

Good Me: A Little Kudos for ID Theft Monitoring
2007-05-31 16:38:00
We love this site. Love. So ME & ME wants to give a shout out to identity theft daily, which provides a never ending update on the arrests and convictions of ID theft perps. And, some good guidance on prevention too, so check it out. The Identity Theft Resource Center released survey results from a national poll, with 10% more people showing concern about ID theft. (Okay, it was co-sponsored by the leading shredder manufacturer. But, they have a point...) Because, to make you even more paranoid, there is a recent case where gas station attendees were prosecuted for ID theft. Can?t even fill up in peace anymore.
More About: Daily News , Kudos , Good , Tori

Good Me: The Credit Security Act of 2007 and The White House Crack Down
2007-05-29 22:37:00
The state of Tennessee is taking big steps to protect consumers from identity theft. Tomorrow, Gov. Phil Bredesen will be signing the ?Credit Security Act of 2007? into law. The new legislation ? hailed by the AARP ? will allow consumers to freeze their credit (to prevent criminals from buying stuff like cars under their names), as well as ensure that companies and government entities protect SS numbers. In other ?Good ME? news, the White House is giving government agencies 120 days to develop security breach policies.
More About: White House , Daily News

Bad Me: R&B Artist, Ashanti, Victim of Identity Theft
2007-05-23 22:55:00
Even celebrities can fall victim to identity theft. Just today, it was announced that R&B artist, Ashanti , has had her identity compromised by an identity theft ring. Xerox hosted an expert roundtable this week to discuss how companies can avoid data breaches. Finally, check out the mug shots of these identity theft criminals. This shady-looking group is responsible for compromising 52 victims? identities. If convicted, they could get a maximum term of 165 years.
More About: Daily News , Artist , Identity Theft , Theft

Bad Me: SS Numbers on a Direct Mail Piece
2007-05-22 18:51:00
We have a data breach story today that baffles the mind. The University of Pittsburg Medical Center sent out donor solicitation letters with actual patients? social security numbers on the envelopes. We often think of data breaches occurring only in cyberspace, but big time mistakes do happen in the non-cyberworld. In other healthcare data breach news, if you had a baby in Georgia, your personal data could be compromised.
More About: Mail , Daily News , Direct , Numbers , Piece

Bad Me: Straight Out of ?Catch Me If You Can?
2007-05-17 20:02:00
We lead today?s Bad Me posting with a story straight out of the popular movie ?Catch Me If You Can.? It seems that ?Check Washing? is back in vogue with the bad guys. This is the technique where criminals wash the ink off a check and re-use it. See this article from LA Times about how this old school technique is making a come back. In other news, TJX took a big hit this earnings season because of its massive data breach. Speaking of breaches, here?s a disturbing study on how corporations are not too worried about data breaches. Scary.
More About: Daily News , Stra , Straight , TRAI

Bad Me: Local News Stories of Identity Theft Criminals Abound
2007-05-16 21:48:00
There seems to be an endless news cycle of small-time identity thieves being busted in localized areas around the U.S. It?s even happening in Canada. At Me & Me, we believe that every localized identity theft criminal stopped is a step in the right direction. Finally, a number of local retailers in Idaho are forming a task force to stop identity theft. There?s definitely strength in numbers.
More About: News , Stories , Daily News , Identity Theft , Local

Identity Theft Survival: Expert Panel Discussion Webcast
2007-05-14 16:00:00
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the U.S. Together, consumers and businesses nationwide lose more than $50 billion to identity theft each year. And, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center, the average victim spends 600 hours and averages $1,000 to clear their credit records Worldwide Assistance held a panel of ID theft experts and a victim who discussed ID theft avoidance tips and ways to restore victims? financial standing and good names. Discussion also highlighted...
More About: Interviews , Panel , Sion

Good Me: Massachusetts Passes Identity Theft Law
2007-05-11 18:09:00
We can?t help but spread the word when states are being progressive with identity theft laws. Just yesterday, the Massachusetts Senate and House passed an identity theft protection bill that allows consumers to ?freeze? their credit reports. Also, businesses must alert consumers to breaches. We hope more states follow suit. We are also happy to report that the AARP is helping the elderly combat identity theft. Finally, we had to share this NY Post article ? just based on the article title.
More About: Daily News , Identity Theft , Theft , Good