[EAS]Identity Theft (Huge)

pjk pjk at design.eng.yale.edu
Sun Jul 29 23:26:51 EDT 2001


Subject:   Identity Theft (Huge)

Dear Colleagues -

You've heard me mention this topic earlier this summer
<http://www.yale.edu/engineering/eng-info/msg00869.html>.

But this latest case <http://www.msnbc.com/news/604496.asp> is
especially concerning because personal information of much wider
scope was stolen this time (driver's license, date of birth, social
security numbers, not just credit card numbers). A common thread
among the victims was "the purchase of a cell phone online from
VerizonWireless.com or an AT&T Wireless reseller." The personal
profiles available for theft were so extensive because they were
the basis of credit checks. The AT&T reseller in question went
bankrupt, a frequent circumstance for personal information leaks.

Unlike credit card numbers, SS#s and date of birth can not be
reissued, so these victims may be subject to the consequences of
identity theft for years to come. It is unwise to ever transact
this data online.

   --PJK





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