LONDON, May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Online companies are now on high alert after the recent identity theft case where Fouad Mourtada was sentenced to three years in jail by the Moroccan government for opening a false Facebook profile in the name of the Moroccan Prince, Moulay Rachid. Recently, BackgammonMasters Mexico found several users in their systems that opened accounts with names of famous persons such as Prince William, Madonna and Tom Cruise. After checking the activities and locations of these users they found them to be fake.
Spokesperson for http://www.backgammonmasters.com says, "We've seen a trend in the industry for people to register popular names, as we call them "Gold usernames" such as backgammonking, pokerking, blackjack-king and celebrity names which are just as popular. We see people in game forums even buying and selling these usernames. For these people its status, kind of like having a custom license plate. As long as the games are for fun, we are not concerned."
Although these players only played in fun money games such as Poker, Backgammon and 21 Blackjack, companies now are keeping an eye on these types of accounts after such an extreme case involving a major company like Facebook.
Some governments on the other hand seem to be concerned and do not take lightly insults to their leaders. Mourtada was released after serving 43 days of his term due to pressure from petition signers and Human Rights groups around the world. But this case has raised awareness that in some cases, a username is no longer just a username. Mourtada's lawyer, Ali Ammar said, "This is a cultural problem; this is the first time that a Moroccan poses as a very important personality on the internet. This is already a common practice in European countries."
source
Monday, June 30, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Ohio Mutual Insurance Group Policyholders Receive Identity Theft 911(R) ''Life Stages'' Enhancements
- Media: Padilla Speer Beardsley Tony Berlin, 212-752-8338 tberlin@psbpr.com Ohio Mutual Insurance Group has announced recently an enhancement to its identity management program, providing additional services to help protect its policyholders from the growing threat of identity theft. The extended offering represents a significant expansion of their relationship with Identity Theft 911, a leading provider of identity theft
management, education, and resolution services.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft victimizes nine million Americans each year. In the past 12 months, Ohio officials reported a data breach exposing more than one million taxpayers, workers, companies and government agencies. The compromise was caused by the theft of a computer back-up tape containing hundreds of thousands of Social Security numbers from the car of a state intern.
"Identity theft is a traumatic, personal event that brings fear and uncertainty to its victims," said Michael Brogan, Vice President of Claims at Ohio Mutual Insurance Group. "There are certain events in life that expose individuals to a greater risk of becoming victimized. Expanding our relationship with Identity Theft 911 to include its 'Life Stages' services in our existing program will help our policyholders during these vulnerable times."
Identity Management Service Enhancements
To better protect its homeowner and farmowner policyholders from identity theft, Ohio Mutual is now offering proactive identity management services at no additional cost:
-- Child Risk Identity Assistance -- Proactive credit file suppression to help prevent the misuse of a minor's personal information -- a growing crime that can go undetected for years.
-- Identity Relocation Assistance -- Safeguards financial, credit, and identity data during a move, ensuring uninterrupted access to financial institutions and accounts, and any needed documentation.
-- Military Identity Assistance -- A 12-month Active Duty Military Fraud Alert is placed on the service member's credit file, reducing the risk of identity theft.
-- Proactive Fraud Alerts -- Where risk of identity theft is detected, a fraud alert is placed on the files maintained by the three major credit bureaus. The alert notifies potential credit grantors to check with the at-risk policyholder before extending new credit. In addition, this service will assist the policyholder to opt out of most marketing lists.
Policyholders who become victims have unrestricted access to a fraud specialist who will work one-on-one to resolve the crisis and restore their identity. As a part of the "Life Stages" program, policyholders will now also receive the following resolution services:
-- Estate Identity Assistance -- Helps safeguard the identity of a deceased from potential misuse by identity thieves. This includes minimizing potential risks to the surviving spouse's own identity in the case of joint credit files and financial documents.
-- Disaster Recovery Assistance -- Helps ensure uninterrupted access to financial institutions and accounts in the midst of a disaster such as a home fire, flood, hurricane, or earthquake. Quickly recaptures destroyed documentation needed to rebuild the policyholders' lives.
-- Medical Identity Assistance -- A fraud specialist is assigned to help undo the damage from fraudulently filed insurance claims or unauthorized charges for medical services.
In addition to these services, all policyholders have access to Identity Theft 911's proactive educational material, including daily Threat Alerts, investigative articles, monthly newsletters, white papers and more, through a dedicated website: www.omig.com and click the Identity Theft 911 link on the home page.
About Ohio Mutual Insurance Group
Ohio Mutual Insurance Group provides insurance protection for farm, auto, home, family, and business policyholders. With over 105 years of insurance protection experience, Ohio Mutual Insurance Group is represented by over 300 of the finest Independent Insurance Agents in Ohio, Rhode Island, Kansas and Nebraska. For more information, please visit our website at www.omig.com.
About Identity Theft 911
Identity Theft 911 is an industry leader in Identity Management, providing innovative, enterprise-level fraud solutions and consumer education to Fortune 500 companies, many of America's largest insurance companies and corporate benefit providers, and a wide spectrum of financial institutions, colleges, and universities. More than 11 million households are enrolled in Identity Theft 911's comprehensive identity management programs. For more information, call 480-355-8500 or visit www.identitytheft911.com.
Proactive Identity Management Services for Homeowner and Farmowner
Policyholders and Immediate Family Members
source
management, education, and resolution services.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft victimizes nine million Americans each year. In the past 12 months, Ohio officials reported a data breach exposing more than one million taxpayers, workers, companies and government agencies. The compromise was caused by the theft of a computer back-up tape containing hundreds of thousands of Social Security numbers from the car of a state intern.
"Identity theft is a traumatic, personal event that brings fear and uncertainty to its victims," said Michael Brogan, Vice President of Claims at Ohio Mutual Insurance Group. "There are certain events in life that expose individuals to a greater risk of becoming victimized. Expanding our relationship with Identity Theft 911 to include its 'Life Stages' services in our existing program will help our policyholders during these vulnerable times."
Identity Management Service Enhancements
To better protect its homeowner and farmowner policyholders from identity theft, Ohio Mutual is now offering proactive identity management services at no additional cost:
-- Child Risk Identity Assistance -- Proactive credit file suppression to help prevent the misuse of a minor's personal information -- a growing crime that can go undetected for years.
-- Identity Relocation Assistance -- Safeguards financial, credit, and identity data during a move, ensuring uninterrupted access to financial institutions and accounts, and any needed documentation.
-- Military Identity Assistance -- A 12-month Active Duty Military Fraud Alert is placed on the service member's credit file, reducing the risk of identity theft.
-- Proactive Fraud Alerts -- Where risk of identity theft is detected, a fraud alert is placed on the files maintained by the three major credit bureaus. The alert notifies potential credit grantors to check with the at-risk policyholder before extending new credit. In addition, this service will assist the policyholder to opt out of most marketing lists.
Policyholders who become victims have unrestricted access to a fraud specialist who will work one-on-one to resolve the crisis and restore their identity. As a part of the "Life Stages" program, policyholders will now also receive the following resolution services:
-- Estate Identity Assistance -- Helps safeguard the identity of a deceased from potential misuse by identity thieves. This includes minimizing potential risks to the surviving spouse's own identity in the case of joint credit files and financial documents.
-- Disaster Recovery Assistance -- Helps ensure uninterrupted access to financial institutions and accounts in the midst of a disaster such as a home fire, flood, hurricane, or earthquake. Quickly recaptures destroyed documentation needed to rebuild the policyholders' lives.
-- Medical Identity Assistance -- A fraud specialist is assigned to help undo the damage from fraudulently filed insurance claims or unauthorized charges for medical services.
In addition to these services, all policyholders have access to Identity Theft 911's proactive educational material, including daily Threat Alerts, investigative articles, monthly newsletters, white papers and more, through a dedicated website: www.omig.com and click the Identity Theft 911 link on the home page.
About Ohio Mutual Insurance Group
Ohio Mutual Insurance Group provides insurance protection for farm, auto, home, family, and business policyholders. With over 105 years of insurance protection experience, Ohio Mutual Insurance Group is represented by over 300 of the finest Independent Insurance Agents in Ohio, Rhode Island, Kansas and Nebraska. For more information, please visit our website at www.omig.com.
About Identity Theft 911
Identity Theft 911 is an industry leader in Identity Management, providing innovative, enterprise-level fraud solutions and consumer education to Fortune 500 companies, many of America's largest insurance companies and corporate benefit providers, and a wide spectrum of financial institutions, colleges, and universities. More than 11 million households are enrolled in Identity Theft 911's comprehensive identity management programs. For more information, call 480-355-8500 or visit www.identitytheft911.com.
Proactive Identity Management Services for Homeowner and Farmowner
Policyholders and Immediate Family Members
source
Monday, June 23, 2008
Creative Consumer: Using New Tools to Combat Identity Theft
By ELISABETH LEAMY
ABC NEWS Consumer Correspondent
May 5, 2008
I've spent the past month infiltrating the Internet underworld to show viewers how identity thieves actually operate. Our investigation found that crooks buy and sell people's credit card information for a dollar or less in fast-paced chat rooms.
They then can take that data and clone your credit card with a machine that is readily available over the Internet.
After my special reports aired on World News, dozens of you wrote in and said you found the revelations frightening. I wrote two articles that explained how identity thieves most often get your information and how to protect yourself, but I found folks are hungry for yet more information. So here are some other do's and don'ts.
It's tempting to outsource the task of protecting your identity, and monitoring services can be helpful. But it has come to my attention that some of these services charge money for steps you can easily take yourself.
Consumers are allowed to place a 90-day fraud alert on their credit record with the three major credit bureaus. This alert warns banks and other credit companies that they should check and make sure it's really you requesting the credit before they grant it. They usually simply call you to verify. Most people use this tool after their identity has been breached, but you can also do it pre-emptively.
Some commercial services place and renew these fraud alerts for you for a fee. It's up to you whether you're willing to pay for somebody else to do this chore.
You should know that whether you place a fraud alert yourself or hire somebody else to do it you won't be able to get instant credit in stores and such. You'll still be able to get loans and credit cards, but it will take longer. (If you need help managing impulse spending, this could be a good thing.)
Oh, and rest assured, placing a fraud alert on your credit report does not harm your credit rating in any way.
Consider a Credit Freeze
Late last year, consumers gained a new tool under the Identity Theft Protection Law. You now can block access to your credit report entirely. It's called a Credit Freeze. This prevents thieves from opening accounts in your name because the companies they approach have no way to check your creditworthiness.
Once you freeze your credit, the only entities that can access it are companies you already do business with, such as your credit card and mortgage companies and law enforcement agencies. You choose a secret password at the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion), and that password is required to access your credit file.
The downside is that, like with a fraud alert, your ability to get new credit yourself is slowed. One benefit you may appreciate is that this will stop the flow of unsolicited credit card offers that you probably receive in the mail.
source
ABC NEWS Consumer Correspondent
May 5, 2008
I've spent the past month infiltrating the Internet underworld to show viewers how identity thieves actually operate. Our investigation found that crooks buy and sell people's credit card information for a dollar or less in fast-paced chat rooms.
They then can take that data and clone your credit card with a machine that is readily available over the Internet.
After my special reports aired on World News, dozens of you wrote in and said you found the revelations frightening. I wrote two articles that explained how identity thieves most often get your information and how to protect yourself, but I found folks are hungry for yet more information. So here are some other do's and don'ts.
It's tempting to outsource the task of protecting your identity, and monitoring services can be helpful. But it has come to my attention that some of these services charge money for steps you can easily take yourself.
Consumers are allowed to place a 90-day fraud alert on their credit record with the three major credit bureaus. This alert warns banks and other credit companies that they should check and make sure it's really you requesting the credit before they grant it. They usually simply call you to verify. Most people use this tool after their identity has been breached, but you can also do it pre-emptively.
Some commercial services place and renew these fraud alerts for you for a fee. It's up to you whether you're willing to pay for somebody else to do this chore.
You should know that whether you place a fraud alert yourself or hire somebody else to do it you won't be able to get instant credit in stores and such. You'll still be able to get loans and credit cards, but it will take longer. (If you need help managing impulse spending, this could be a good thing.)
Oh, and rest assured, placing a fraud alert on your credit report does not harm your credit rating in any way.
Consider a Credit Freeze
Late last year, consumers gained a new tool under the Identity Theft Protection Law. You now can block access to your credit report entirely. It's called a Credit Freeze. This prevents thieves from opening accounts in your name because the companies they approach have no way to check your creditworthiness.
Once you freeze your credit, the only entities that can access it are companies you already do business with, such as your credit card and mortgage companies and law enforcement agencies. You choose a secret password at the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion), and that password is required to access your credit file.
The downside is that, like with a fraud alert, your ability to get new credit yourself is slowed. One benefit you may appreciate is that this will stop the flow of unsolicited credit card offers that you probably receive in the mail.
source
Friday, June 20, 2008
ID thefts mirror U.S. stats
Newport-Mesa crime statistics reflect U.S. trend in which ‘information explosion’ has bolstered more identity thefts.
By Joseph Serna
Updated: Saturday, May 10, 2008 7:04 PM PDT
There are No comments posted. View Comments
On average, one person has his or her identity stolen every day in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, and this year seems to be on equal pace, police statistics show.
Through the first part of the year, both Costa Mesa and Newport Beach police were handling more than 150 identity theft cases, a total that has for the last few years been consistently on the rise.
“More than ever, the information explosion, aided by an era of easy credit, has led to the expansion of a crime that feeds on the inability of consumers to control who has access to sensitive information and how it is safeguarded,” said Newport Beach detective Dave White, an expert in identity theft.
Newport-Mesa statistics parallel a national trend of more and more people becoming victims of identity theft.
According to a 2006 study by Gartner Inc, an international technology research and advisory firm, nearly 29 people became victims of identity theft every minute in the country, or almost one every two seconds. The number was a substantial leap from a Federal Trade Commission study three years earlier.
The total number of identity theft victims in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach jumped more than 25% from 2005 to 2007. Each city had more than 400 victims last year.
Police say there are primarily three forms of identity theft: true name fraud, account takeover fraud and criminal identity theft. Criminal identity theft, in which a crook provides another individual’s personal information to police, is the least common, authorities said.
In the so-called “true name fraud,” the thief uses a consumer’s personal information to open up new accounts in their name, take over accounts, or gain access to someone’s account and make fraudulent charges.
These are the easiest and most common, detectives said.
“These forms of identity theft are easy to commit and often with complete anonymity,” White said.
Costa Mesa recorded 311 cases of identity theft in 2005, and 404 in 2007. Newport Beach police do not keep track of identity thefts individually, instead grouping them into a “fraud” category. Identity thefts make up about 85% of their cases, officials said.
In 2003, Newport Beach had 240 fraud cases. In 2007, it was nearly double that, up to 478.
For information on how to keep your identity from being stolen, visit either police department’s website at www.costamesapd.org and www.nbpd.org.
PROTECT YOURSELF
Never carry your Social Security card with you.
Never provide personal information unless you initiated the call or can confirm the identity of the person on the other end of the phone.
Be careful what you throw away. Shred personal documents containing sensitive information that others could use.
Check your credit card statements thoroughly for unusual charges.
If you’re listed in the phone book, consider leaving your address out. Leave off titles such as “doctor” or “attorney” or other signs announcing apparent affluence.
Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately. Call the company if your bill or new card has not arrived on time.
Never leave transaction receipts behind.
source
By Joseph Serna
Updated: Saturday, May 10, 2008 7:04 PM PDT
There are No comments posted. View Comments
On average, one person has his or her identity stolen every day in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, and this year seems to be on equal pace, police statistics show.
Through the first part of the year, both Costa Mesa and Newport Beach police were handling more than 150 identity theft cases, a total that has for the last few years been consistently on the rise.
“More than ever, the information explosion, aided by an era of easy credit, has led to the expansion of a crime that feeds on the inability of consumers to control who has access to sensitive information and how it is safeguarded,” said Newport Beach detective Dave White, an expert in identity theft.
Newport-Mesa statistics parallel a national trend of more and more people becoming victims of identity theft.
According to a 2006 study by Gartner Inc, an international technology research and advisory firm, nearly 29 people became victims of identity theft every minute in the country, or almost one every two seconds. The number was a substantial leap from a Federal Trade Commission study three years earlier.
The total number of identity theft victims in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach jumped more than 25% from 2005 to 2007. Each city had more than 400 victims last year.
Police say there are primarily three forms of identity theft: true name fraud, account takeover fraud and criminal identity theft. Criminal identity theft, in which a crook provides another individual’s personal information to police, is the least common, authorities said.
In the so-called “true name fraud,” the thief uses a consumer’s personal information to open up new accounts in their name, take over accounts, or gain access to someone’s account and make fraudulent charges.
These are the easiest and most common, detectives said.
“These forms of identity theft are easy to commit and often with complete anonymity,” White said.
Costa Mesa recorded 311 cases of identity theft in 2005, and 404 in 2007. Newport Beach police do not keep track of identity thefts individually, instead grouping them into a “fraud” category. Identity thefts make up about 85% of their cases, officials said.
In 2003, Newport Beach had 240 fraud cases. In 2007, it was nearly double that, up to 478.
For information on how to keep your identity from being stolen, visit either police department’s website at www.costamesapd.org and www.nbpd.org.
PROTECT YOURSELF
Never carry your Social Security card with you.
Never provide personal information unless you initiated the call or can confirm the identity of the person on the other end of the phone.
Be careful what you throw away. Shred personal documents containing sensitive information that others could use.
Check your credit card statements thoroughly for unusual charges.
If you’re listed in the phone book, consider leaving your address out. Leave off titles such as “doctor” or “attorney” or other signs announcing apparent affluence.
Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately. Call the company if your bill or new card has not arrived on time.
Never leave transaction receipts behind.
source
Monday, June 16, 2008
Identity theft: More than $3 million spent in 3 months
by Tracy Coenen May 9th 2008 @ 3:30PM
Filed under: Fraud
You have to give this guy credit for being very good at what he did. My mom always told me, "If you're going to bother to do something, make sure you do it well." I bet James Hartman's mom is super proud of him. He stole his brother's identity and spent over $3 million in 3 months with it. On his list of goodies purchased via his brother's identity: A $48,000 pickup truck, a $49,000 pickup truck, two Dodge Durangos for $77,000, a Dodge Viper for $94,000, two ATVs, two houses, and some land. The grand total: $3.2 million.
James Hartman stole Ed Hartman's identity with his social security number and a photocopy of his driver's license. James says his brother approved of all the purchases. Ed says he knew nothing of it until someone called him because they were suspicious of the copy of the driver's license, being used to purchase another toy.
What a wonderful way to honor and love one's family. I've often theorized that family members steal more from their kin than they would from complete strangers. I don't know why, but it's sick. (Yes, this post is dedicated to my "Uncle Louie".)
Tracy L. Coenen, CPA, MBA, CFE performs fraud examinations and financial investigations for her company Sequence Inc. Forensic Accounting, and is the author of Essentials of Corporate Fraud.
source
Filed under: Fraud
You have to give this guy credit for being very good at what he did. My mom always told me, "If you're going to bother to do something, make sure you do it well." I bet James Hartman's mom is super proud of him. He stole his brother's identity and spent over $3 million in 3 months with it. On his list of goodies purchased via his brother's identity: A $48,000 pickup truck, a $49,000 pickup truck, two Dodge Durangos for $77,000, a Dodge Viper for $94,000, two ATVs, two houses, and some land. The grand total: $3.2 million.
James Hartman stole Ed Hartman's identity with his social security number and a photocopy of his driver's license. James says his brother approved of all the purchases. Ed says he knew nothing of it until someone called him because they were suspicious of the copy of the driver's license, being used to purchase another toy.
What a wonderful way to honor and love one's family. I've often theorized that family members steal more from their kin than they would from complete strangers. I don't know why, but it's sick. (Yes, this post is dedicated to my "Uncle Louie".)
Tracy L. Coenen, CPA, MBA, CFE performs fraud examinations and financial investigations for her company Sequence Inc. Forensic Accounting, and is the author of Essentials of Corporate Fraud.
source
Friday, June 13, 2008
Take steps to guard against identity theft
Not too many years ago, Petaluma residents didn’t worry about their mail being stolen or their cars being rifled by thieves during the night.
But times have certainly changed, and a couple of recent incidents highlight the importance of taking precautions to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft.
Last month, residents of rural Oak Lane and Jessie Lane reported a series of in-cidents in which someone en-tered their parked, unlocked cars during the night. One of the victims reported his credit card was stolen from the glove box of his car. Others felt that the intruders were looking for financial information that they could use for fraudulent purposes.
“We didn’t have to lock our doors back in the ’80s,” said one of the victims, “but it’s different now.”
In another incident, two Vallejo residents were arrest-ed at a Petaluma motel on April 30 for allegedly stealing mail from up to 100 people in mailboxes in several Bay Area cities, and then committing forgery by altering checks.
The Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. Identity theft is serious and takes many forms. Some victims spend hundreds of dollars and many hours repairing damage to their good name and credit record.
According to the FTC, thieves use a variety of methods to get hold of your information, including:
Dumpster diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
Skimming. They steal credit and debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
Phishing. They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
Changing your address. They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a change-of-address form.
Old-fashioned stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records, or bribe employees who have access.
Pretexting. They use false pretenses to obtain your personal information from financial institutions, telephone companies, and other sources.
While there is no fool-proof way to avoid ID theft, there are steps you can take to minimize your chance of becoming a victim, and steps to take to minimize the damage should a theft occur. The FTC recommends following the “deter, detect, defend” strategy:
Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your private sensitive financial information.
Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements.
Defend against identity theft as soon as you suspect a problem.
source
But times have certainly changed, and a couple of recent incidents highlight the importance of taking precautions to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft.
Last month, residents of rural Oak Lane and Jessie Lane reported a series of in-cidents in which someone en-tered their parked, unlocked cars during the night. One of the victims reported his credit card was stolen from the glove box of his car. Others felt that the intruders were looking for financial information that they could use for fraudulent purposes.
“We didn’t have to lock our doors back in the ’80s,” said one of the victims, “but it’s different now.”
In another incident, two Vallejo residents were arrest-ed at a Petaluma motel on April 30 for allegedly stealing mail from up to 100 people in mailboxes in several Bay Area cities, and then committing forgery by altering checks.
The Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. Identity theft is serious and takes many forms. Some victims spend hundreds of dollars and many hours repairing damage to their good name and credit record.
According to the FTC, thieves use a variety of methods to get hold of your information, including:
Dumpster diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
Skimming. They steal credit and debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
Phishing. They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
Changing your address. They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a change-of-address form.
Old-fashioned stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records, or bribe employees who have access.
Pretexting. They use false pretenses to obtain your personal information from financial institutions, telephone companies, and other sources.
While there is no fool-proof way to avoid ID theft, there are steps you can take to minimize your chance of becoming a victim, and steps to take to minimize the damage should a theft occur. The FTC recommends following the “deter, detect, defend” strategy:
Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your private sensitive financial information.
Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements.
Defend against identity theft as soon as you suspect a problem.
source
Monday, June 9, 2008
Strickland signs identity theft, cancer coverage bills
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland on Tuesday signed two high-profile bills aimed at helping consumers, whether they are dealing with health coverage plans or identity theft.
The bills Strickland OK'd are:
House Bill 46 - The measure, sponsored by Reps. Tim DeGeeter, D-Parma, and Jimmy Stewart, R-Albany, sets a $5 limit to block access to a consumer's credit history from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus. Public agencies also are blocked from releasing documents containing an individual's Social Security number, while consumers have the option of having information such as credit card or bank account numbers removed from public electronic documents.
Senate Bill 186 - Sponsored by Sen. Steve Stivers, R-Columbus, the measure prohibits health coverage plans from excluding coverage for costs of a patient's routine care if the individual is participating in a clinical cancer trial. Typically, the medication or surgery is covered by the drug company or federal agency funding the research.
The bills Strickland OK'd are:
House Bill 46 - The measure, sponsored by Reps. Tim DeGeeter, D-Parma, and Jimmy Stewart, R-Albany, sets a $5 limit to block access to a consumer's credit history from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus. Public agencies also are blocked from releasing documents containing an individual's Social Security number, while consumers have the option of having information such as credit card or bank account numbers removed from public electronic documents.
Senate Bill 186 - Sponsored by Sen. Steve Stivers, R-Columbus, the measure prohibits health coverage plans from excluding coverage for costs of a patient's routine care if the individual is participating in a clinical cancer trial. Typically, the medication or surgery is covered by the drug company or federal agency funding the research.
Friday, June 6, 2008
SmartMetric Announces That Your Fingerprint Will Make Credit Card Signatures and ATM PIN Numbers a Thing of the Past
SURFSIDE, FL, May 09, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) ----SmartMetric, Inc. (OTCBB: SMME) said today that its new Biometric Card will make signing a credit card or inputting a PIN number for your ATM card a thing of the past. With Identity Theft becoming the largest crime in the United States, a new and safer way of using credit and debit cards has become a quest for Banks around the World. After more then 8 years of R&D, SmartMetric has announced today that it now can replace signatures and PIN numbers with a person's fingerprint thereby providing a 100% guarantee that the person making the transaction is who they say they are.
Inside your credit card is the smallest fingerprint scanner and reader in the world. Powered by an internal battery as thin as tissue paper the SmartMetric Biometric Fingerprint Card will only work when the card scans and reads the card owner's fingerprint. You become the key. Only the person authorized to use the card can turn it on. The company President, Mr. Colin Hendrick, said this represents a revolution in credit card security that has the potential to make his company, SmartMetric, Inc., a world leader in the credit card and banking card industry.
Not only will the Fingerprint Card potentially save Banks around the world hundreds of millions of dollars but consumers will be protected against Identity Theft from this advance in electronic miniaturization. Using nano technology SmartMetric has achieved what many had thought impossible: a self-contained fingerprint scanner that fits inside a credit card.
The card uses a standard SmartCard surface-mounted chip as its interface thereby making the SmartMetric Fingerprint Card useable by 90% of the world's ATM machines and credit card reading machines in retailers around the world.
source
Inside your credit card is the smallest fingerprint scanner and reader in the world. Powered by an internal battery as thin as tissue paper the SmartMetric Biometric Fingerprint Card will only work when the card scans and reads the card owner's fingerprint. You become the key. Only the person authorized to use the card can turn it on. The company President, Mr. Colin Hendrick, said this represents a revolution in credit card security that has the potential to make his company, SmartMetric, Inc., a world leader in the credit card and banking card industry.
Not only will the Fingerprint Card potentially save Banks around the world hundreds of millions of dollars but consumers will be protected against Identity Theft from this advance in electronic miniaturization. Using nano technology SmartMetric has achieved what many had thought impossible: a self-contained fingerprint scanner that fits inside a credit card.
The card uses a standard SmartCard surface-mounted chip as its interface thereby making the SmartMetric Fingerprint Card useable by 90% of the world's ATM machines and credit card reading machines in retailers around the world.
source
Monday, June 2, 2008
Couple learn how hard it is to clean up ID theft mess
(Bakersfield Californian, The (KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 9--Norma Armstrong usually keeps a close watch on family finances, but she's been distracted. In the middle of recovering from cancer surgery, her husband, Tom, also was diagnosed with cancer. It turned out to be wrong, but they dodged one bullet only to be pierced by another.
When Norma, 62, went to pay bills, she noticed her husband's checking and savings accounts were abnormally low.
"She kept asking me what I was spending all that money on," said Tom, 63. "I thought she had spent it."
Eventually the southwest Bakersfield couple learned an identity thief had stolen at least $21,500 between March and April, when they discovered and reported the fraud.
Then the Armstrongs made another startling discovery. There are myriad rules that govern a bank's duty to a consumer whose identity has been stolen, and the rules differ depending on a wide array of factors, including the type of fraud and when it is reported. All of that affects when -- or whether -- a victim of identity theft will be extended so-called "provisional credit," the banking industry's term for money to get by on during an investigation.
Last month, Washington Mutual Bank told the Armstrongs they would not get provisional credit.
"We asked them if they would at least give us half of the money, and then give us the rest after they finished looking into everything," Norma said. "They told us no, there was identity theft happening all the time and there wasn't enough money to help everybody, and we would just have to wait."
It can take weeks, or in extreme cases, years, to sort out identity theft. The rules for making theft victims whole are so confusing that even banks don't always understand their obligations.
It wasn't until this week, after a call from a reporter, that WaMu restored funds to Tom's accounts. The length of time it took to assist the Armstrongs isn't typical, said WaMu spokesman Gary Kishner.
"If the customer reports the crime within a reasonable amount of time, and by reasonable I mean 30 to 60 days, we usually extend provisional credit," he said.
WHO CAN HELP
Identity theft cleanup is so murky that some victims end up outsourcing it. You can subscribe to services that will alert you if anyone pulls your credit report, and even buy insurance to cover the work of sifting through fraud.
Candace Davenport, a certified identity theft risk management specialist in San Francisco, sells a so-called identity theft shield plan for $12.95 a month, more when bundled with prepaid legal services. It's a small price to pay, she insisted, when you consider the average victim spends $1,200 to clear his or her name.
"So much depends on what was charged on what card, and every bank has a different policy, so any solutions will be frustrating, time consuming and potentially expensive," Davenport said.
But Slade Dukes, an elder consumer protection fellow at the Center for Excellence in Elder Law at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla., said there's nothing the services will do for you that you can't do for yourself -- if you're willing to spend the time.
Her advice: keep detailed documentation on all your contacts with law enforcement and creditors.
THE CLOCK IS TICKING
Under Federal Reserve System regulations, when an ATM or debit card is lost or stolen, consumers who report the card missing within two business days are liable for no more than $50. Reporting after that leaves you on the hook for up to $500.
--If a thief uses your account number to shop: You must report the fraud to both law enforcement and the bank within 60 days of the issuing of a statement on which the disputed transactions appear. The same rule applies to other electronic fund transfers such as direct deposit or transactions initiated by phone or online.
--The bank has 10 days to investigate an allegation of fraud without restoring missing funds. If the investigation takes longer, banks are supposed to extend provisional credit.
It's provisional because the consumer could be liable if the investigation concludes the account holder actually was in cahoots with the thief, or voluntarily gave a card to someone who used it inappropriately. These provisional credit rules don't apply to wire transfers or electronic trading of stocks and commodities. They also don't cover paper checks, or an identity thief posing as someone else and withdrawing funds in person.
--If you shop online: It's better to use a credit card than a debit card. Under Fed rules, consumers are liable for the first $50 of unauthorized credit card charges if the fraud is reported fast, but most banks have opted to eat that.
NOTIFY CREDITORS, GOVERNMENT
The Federal Trade Commission can walk you through the steps to clean up the mess.
As you close accounts, be sure to also call at least one of the nation's three major credit bureaus, which distribute consumer credit ratings. Most issuers of credit subscribe to either Experian in Costa Mesa, Calif.; Equifax in Atlanta; or TransUnion in Chicago. A fraud alert filed with one goes to the others.
If your identity has been usurped beyond one card or transaction, tell government agencies, such as the Social Security Administration and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The Armstrongs have done all that. They estimate they've spent at least 40 hours talking to various officials since discovering Tom's bank accounts were drained to $2.64 in checking and 64 cents in savings.
The bank statements don't give vendor names, for the most part. They're just pages of addresses the Armstrongs don't recognize. One of the few they could identify was a Chevron, where someone spent $2,517 on a single day.
"It's just been a nightmare," Norma said. "It's overwhelming."
When Norma, 62, went to pay bills, she noticed her husband's checking and savings accounts were abnormally low.
"She kept asking me what I was spending all that money on," said Tom, 63. "I thought she had spent it."
Eventually the southwest Bakersfield couple learned an identity thief had stolen at least $21,500 between March and April, when they discovered and reported the fraud.
Then the Armstrongs made another startling discovery. There are myriad rules that govern a bank's duty to a consumer whose identity has been stolen, and the rules differ depending on a wide array of factors, including the type of fraud and when it is reported. All of that affects when -- or whether -- a victim of identity theft will be extended so-called "provisional credit," the banking industry's term for money to get by on during an investigation.
Last month, Washington Mutual Bank told the Armstrongs they would not get provisional credit.
"We asked them if they would at least give us half of the money, and then give us the rest after they finished looking into everything," Norma said. "They told us no, there was identity theft happening all the time and there wasn't enough money to help everybody, and we would just have to wait."
It can take weeks, or in extreme cases, years, to sort out identity theft. The rules for making theft victims whole are so confusing that even banks don't always understand their obligations.
It wasn't until this week, after a call from a reporter, that WaMu restored funds to Tom's accounts. The length of time it took to assist the Armstrongs isn't typical, said WaMu spokesman Gary Kishner.
"If the customer reports the crime within a reasonable amount of time, and by reasonable I mean 30 to 60 days, we usually extend provisional credit," he said.
WHO CAN HELP
Identity theft cleanup is so murky that some victims end up outsourcing it. You can subscribe to services that will alert you if anyone pulls your credit report, and even buy insurance to cover the work of sifting through fraud.
Candace Davenport, a certified identity theft risk management specialist in San Francisco, sells a so-called identity theft shield plan for $12.95 a month, more when bundled with prepaid legal services. It's a small price to pay, she insisted, when you consider the average victim spends $1,200 to clear his or her name.
"So much depends on what was charged on what card, and every bank has a different policy, so any solutions will be frustrating, time consuming and potentially expensive," Davenport said.
But Slade Dukes, an elder consumer protection fellow at the Center for Excellence in Elder Law at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla., said there's nothing the services will do for you that you can't do for yourself -- if you're willing to spend the time.
Her advice: keep detailed documentation on all your contacts with law enforcement and creditors.
THE CLOCK IS TICKING
Under Federal Reserve System regulations, when an ATM or debit card is lost or stolen, consumers who report the card missing within two business days are liable for no more than $50. Reporting after that leaves you on the hook for up to $500.
--If a thief uses your account number to shop: You must report the fraud to both law enforcement and the bank within 60 days of the issuing of a statement on which the disputed transactions appear. The same rule applies to other electronic fund transfers such as direct deposit or transactions initiated by phone or online.
--The bank has 10 days to investigate an allegation of fraud without restoring missing funds. If the investigation takes longer, banks are supposed to extend provisional credit.
It's provisional because the consumer could be liable if the investigation concludes the account holder actually was in cahoots with the thief, or voluntarily gave a card to someone who used it inappropriately. These provisional credit rules don't apply to wire transfers or electronic trading of stocks and commodities. They also don't cover paper checks, or an identity thief posing as someone else and withdrawing funds in person.
--If you shop online: It's better to use a credit card than a debit card. Under Fed rules, consumers are liable for the first $50 of unauthorized credit card charges if the fraud is reported fast, but most banks have opted to eat that.
NOTIFY CREDITORS, GOVERNMENT
The Federal Trade Commission can walk you through the steps to clean up the mess.
As you close accounts, be sure to also call at least one of the nation's three major credit bureaus, which distribute consumer credit ratings. Most issuers of credit subscribe to either Experian in Costa Mesa, Calif.; Equifax in Atlanta; or TransUnion in Chicago. A fraud alert filed with one goes to the others.
If your identity has been usurped beyond one card or transaction, tell government agencies, such as the Social Security Administration and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The Armstrongs have done all that. They estimate they've spent at least 40 hours talking to various officials since discovering Tom's bank accounts were drained to $2.64 in checking and 64 cents in savings.
The bank statements don't give vendor names, for the most part. They're just pages of addresses the Armstrongs don't recognize. One of the few they could identify was a Chevron, where someone spent $2,517 on a single day.
"It's just been a nightmare," Norma said. "It's overwhelming."
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