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Identity Theft NewsJanuary 26, 2015 Be on the Lookout for Identity Theft This Tax SeasonTax identity theft and refund fraud are a serious concern. Learn more about the problem, ways to avoid it, and what to do if you are victimized. ...read full article January 22, 2015 Former Owner of Multiple Tax Franchise Stores Jailed for ID TheftThe former owner of multiple tax franchise stores has been sentenced to two years in prison for identity theft. She was indicted in June on 10 counts of aggravated identity theft and 10 counts of using other people’s Social Security numbers, which she stole from clients. ...read full article January 11, 2015 Study Suggests New Yorkers Are in Denial of Identity Theft RiskThe failure to use complex passwords to protect electronic devices, or even omission of passwords altogether, has left New Yorkers at risk for identity theft victimization, according to a recent study. Donald Rebovich, executive director of the Center for Identity Management and Information Protection at Utica College, addressed this troubling finding in a recent article. ...read full article December 7, 2014 2 Rhode Island men sentenced for identity theftBy Associated PressTwo Rhode Island men have been sentenced to prison for fraudulently obtaining federal tax refunds using the stolen personal information of more than 1,200 people. ...read full article December 5, 2014 Identity theft scam targets Rankin sheriff's deputy among othersBy Kate RoyalsA scheme to use victims' personal information to file fraudulent unemployment benefit claims has affected almost 200 in the metro area, including a Rankin County sheriff's deputy. ...read full article December 5, 2014 Read fine print when buying ID-theft protection servicesBy Mark PribishDeception, exaggerated threats and flawed offers are some of the improper practices being used by some ID-theft protection companies, according to Consumer Reports. ...read full article December 3, 2014 Beware the ‘Letter from Santa’ Identity-Theft ScamBy Christine DiGangiIf you really want to convince your kids they’ve received a letter from Santa, practice your creative handwriting skills or ask a friend to write one — buying one off the Internet probably isn’t the way to go. While there appear to be some legitimate “Letters from Santa” businesses online and plenty of free downloadable templates, there are also people running similar operations who couldn’t care less about getting letters to children. The Better Business Bureau issued a warning to consumers Monday about Santa letter scams, which are designed to steal your money and personal information. ...read full article December 1, 2014 Simple tips can help protect holiday shoppers from ID theftBy Kathryn BrownWith the holiday shopping season officially underway, security experts say crooks are looking to cash in on unsuspecting consumers. Approximately 400,000 people in the Tar Heel state were victims of identity theft last year, according to the North Carolina Department of Justice. Nationally, that number is more than 13 million. Read more at http://www.wral.com/simple-tips-can-help-protect-holiday-shoppers-from-id-theft/14235753/#Xkp8ZkfyALMvZRuT.99 ...read full article November 30, 2014 TN Department of Safety and Homeland Security Tips for Preventing Identity Theft during the HolidaysBy Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Identity Crimes UnitThe Identity Crimes Unit offers these tips to help keep holiday shoppers safe from identity theft and fraud ...read full article November 27, 2014 I Ate Thanksgiving Dinner With My Identity Thief for 19 YearsBy Adam LevinNineteen a minute: That’s how quickly people become identity theft victims in the U.S. Estimates vary, but somewhere between 10 and 16 million Americans are defrauded each year in this way. Thanksgiving can be an awkward time of year for some victims, since family members account for more than 30 percent of the identity thieves. ...read full article November 24, 2014 8 convicted in phone customer ID theft scamBy Associated PressEight people have been convicted in South Florida identity theft scheme in which AT&T customer information was stolen by a former call center employee. ...read full article November 21, 2014 NYC Man Gets Prison for Role in Cybercrime RingBy Associated PressA New York City man was sentenced Friday to more than three years in prison for his role in an international cybercrime ring that prosecutors say hacked into the computers of more than a dozen financial institutions and the U.S. military's payroll service. ...read full article November 21, 2014 Who’s Watching You? How to Protect From Webcam Hackers (video)Cyber security experts in the UK have been warning the public of a Russian hosted website containing thousands of live webcam feeds. Bloomberg spoke to internet security expert, David Emm from Kaspersky Lab, and asked what people can do to protect themselves. ...read full article November 21, 2014 Man sentenced in $180,000 identity theft schemeTwenty-five-year-old Darrick Jerome Greer was also ordered to pay more than $180,000 in restitution at sentencing Friday in federal court in Baltimore. ...read full article November 20, 2014 ID theft can take heavy emotional toll on victimsBy Herb WeisbaumIdentity theft is in the news so often that it’s easy to lose sight of how devastating this crime can be. Dealing with a stolen debit or credit card number is generally quick and easy – you make a call, get a new account number and card, and have any fraudulent charges or withdrawals wiped away. When a crook steals your Social Security number or other personally identifiable information and pretends to be you, he can drain your bank accounts, get new credit cards in your name, steal your tax refund or use your insurance for medical procedures. ...read full article November 19, 2014 Hackers Can Steal Data Wirelessly From PCs That Aren't Even OnlineBy Gwen AckermanAir-gap networks were once considered the "magic bullet" for securing data, but researchers from Ben-Gurion University in Israel have found a way to compromise those machines. Once a computer is infected with a particular kind of virus, hackers can trick the PC into relaying information that can be wirelessly retrieved from a mobile phone located outside of the room. ...read full article November 18, 2014 What Class Taught This? Miami Dade College Students Charged With ID TheftBy John PacentiArrests for stolen identity tax refund fraud in South Florida have infiltrated colleges. The U.S. attorney's office in Miami on Tuesday announced it was charging 21 people, including 14 current or former students at Miami Dade College—for the crime. The fraud scheme compromised about 1,000 student financial services accounts, victimizing 644 people with an intended loss amount of $1.9 million, prosecutors said. ...read full article November 14, 2014 Protect Your Medical Data From Identity TheftIdentity Thieves Increasingly Target Medical Records, a Rich Trove of Personal InformationBy Constance GustkeHackers, notorious for stealing credit- and debit-card information from stores, and other thieves are increasingly targeting medical records, which can be more valuable because they include such coveted data as Social Security numbers, birth dates, driver’s license numbers and checking-account numbers, experts say. ...read full article November 10, 2014 Massive Postal Service breach hits employees and customersBy Evan PerezHackers recently broke into a U.S. Postal Service computer system and stole personal data, including Social Security numbers, for 750,000 employees and retirees, a U.S. official familiar with the breach told CNN on Monday. ...read full article November 8, 2014 Medical Identity Thefts Give Victims a Decade of HeadachesBy Jordan RobertsonMedical identity theft affected an estimated 1.49 million people in the U.S. at a cost of $41.3 billion last year, according to the Ponemon Institute. The crime has grown as health care costs have swelled and job cuts have left people without employer-subsidized insurance. Making matters worse: The complexity of the medical system has made it difficult for victims to clear their name. Salinas’s story illustrates how cases like these can take years to resolve, longer than other forms of identity theft. Salinas has been fighting his case since 2002. ...read full article November 5, 2014 Augmenting Your Password-Protected WorldBy Molly WoodA USERNAME and password combination has long been the standard security mechanism for online accounts. But that method just isn’t cutting it anymore. ...read full article November 4, 2014 IRS Claims Progress in Stopping Tax Refund Identity TheftBy Richard RubinThe crime of stealing tax refunds through identity theft is “no longer exploding,” U.S. Internal Revenue Service Commissioner John Koskinen said today. ...read full article November 2, 2014 How New, ‘Safer’ Credit Cards May Already Be VulnerableBy Adam LevinA recent Gallup survey found that 69 percent of Americans worry “frequently” or “occasionally” about having a credit card compromised by computer hackers. It’s not shocking. Consumers are becoming more educated on the topic, and financial institutions are beginning to do more to combat fraud, including introducing new types of credit cards. One example of the latter is chip-and-PIN technology, which everyone from consumers to the president has hailed for its ability to help prevent fraud. But is it the panacea that it’s been made out to be? ...read full article October 30, 2014 Police vs cartels in the high-tech battle to stop cybercrimeBy Maggie LakeCybercrime costs the global economy an estimated $400 billion a year, and as it grows in scale and sophistication, law enforcement is having to do the same. ...read full article October 20, 2014 Employee Pleads Guilty to Identity TheftA veterinary clinic employee has pleaded guilty to identity theft after it was discovered that she had embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from the clinic. ...read full article October 17, 2014 Executive Order Intended to Protect Consumers from ID TheftA newly signed executive order aimed at protecting consumers from identity theft seeks to strengthen security features in credit cards and the terminals in which they are processed. ...read full article October 15, 2014 Recent Poll Reveals Consumer Perspectives on Identity TheftA recent poll sponsored by an insurance company offers insight into American consumers views on identity theft. The article also offers some tips for safeguarding your identity. ...read full article October 6, 2014 Employees at Major Retailer Single out Customers in Identity Theft RingAuthorities have busted an identity theft ring made up of employees from a major retailer. The employees allegedly targeted some 50 individual customers from whom they stole credit card information and used it to make fraudulent expensive purchases from the store. The items purchased where then resold on the black market. ...read full article October 6, 2014 Three Plead Guilty to Tax Fraud, ID TheftThree women have pleaded guilty to wire fraud, identity theft and other various charges in connection with a scheme to defraud the federal government. ...read full article October 3, 2014 Q&A in the Wake of Recent Large Scale Data BreachesThis article addresses some questions concerning the safety of personal information and the risks related to data breaches. ...read full article October 3, 2014 Is a ‘Credit Freeze’ a Suitable ID Theft Prevention Measure for You?Some individuals may find that placing a freeze on his or her credit may be helpful in preventing potential identity theft. This article discusses the pros and cons, as well as how to go about instituting a credit freeze at three major credit bureaus. ...read full article October 1, 2014 Youth Putting Themselves at Risk for ID Theft When Buying Fake IDsThose under the age of 21 who attempt to purchase fake IDs using items of their personally identifying information may be putting themselves in jeopardy of the additional risk of identity theft. ...read full article September 30, 2014 Study Finds Many Do Not Take Proper Precautions to Prevent ID TheftA recent study conducted by the AARP Fraud Watch Network has reportedly identified areas of concern in identity theft prevention which may be leaving many Americans exposed to potential identity theft victimization. ...read full article September 29, 2014 5 Identity Theft Prevention TipsThis article discusses 5 simple tips to help prevent identity theft. ...read full article September 24, 2014 Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Costs IRS $5 Billion in 2013A report from the Government Accountability Office suggests that identity tax refund frauds cost the Internal Revenue Service more than $5 billion in tax year 2013. ...read full article September 24, 2014 19 Indicted in Connection with Identity Theft, Fraud RingA 16-month long, multi-agency investigation has yielded sufficient evidence for a federal grand jury to indict 19 people for their alleged participation in an Atlanta fraud ring. ...read full article September 23, 2014 Salon Owner Charged for Credit Card FraudThe Robertson County Grand Jury has indicted a 36 year-old salon owner on charges of identity theft and fraudulent use of a credit card. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation alleges that the woman fraudulently used the credit card information of a salon patron to make illegitimate purchases. ...read full article September 18, 2014 Former Mayor Convicted on 11 Counts in Fraud, ID Theft CaseA former mayor has been convicted after a 2 week trial for falsifying loan documents and lying to federal investigators about a farmland purchase. The 37 year-old was found guilty on various charges including aggravated identity theft and wire fraud. ...read full article September 17, 2014 Participants in International Car and Identity Theft Ring Plead GuiltyTwo men have pleaded guilty to taking part in a West-African based international car and identity theft ring. The defendants have admitted to purchasing stolen credit cards and corresponding counterfeit driver’s licenses from a Singapore-based “carder” website. The stolen identities were used to purchase vehicles from U.S.-based car dealerships and they were then exported to Africa. ...read full article September 16, 2014 Five Charged in Identity Theft Ring Involving Bank TellersFive individuals, three of which were employed as bank tellers, have been charged for participating in an identity theft ring. The bank tellers are accused of stealing personal and financial information from hundreds of victims. ...read full article September 16, 2014 Three Charged Following $30,000 Identity Theft SpreeThree California residents have been indicted on multiple charges after authorities allege they fraudulently obtained credit cards and used them to purchase merchandise and gift cards at various retail locations in Idaho. ...read full article September 16, 2014 Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Aggravated ID TheftA tax preparer in Virginia has admitted to misusing the personally identifying information of approximately 20 clients to fraudulently apply for credit, which she then used illegitimately for personal gain. ...read full article September 12, 2014 Massive Identity Theft Ring Leader Pleads GuiltyThe leader of a scheme that targeted many elderly victims has admitted to stealing the personally identifying information of hundreds to file false tax returns and receive illegitimate refunds. More than 58 people have been indicted in connection with the scheme, including multiple foreign students who were in the United States in visas. ...read full article September 11, 2014 Federal Jury Convicts Leader of Identity Theft RingA federal jury has convicted a 26 year-old man on nine counts for operating an identity theft ring out of a luxury Dallas hotel room. ...read full article August 26, 2014 Nurse Sentenced for Identity TheftA licensed practical nurse has been sentenced to serve time in state prison after she stole the personally identifying information of dozens of patients from the hospital where she was formerly employed. The identities of the mostly elderly patients were used by the woman and her boyfriend to fraudulently apply for credit cards. ...read full article August 25, 2014 Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Stolen Identity Refund Fraud SchemeA man has been sentenced to serve 20 years in federal prison after he was convicted upon multiple charges stemming from his operation of a scheme in which he filed more than 5,000 false tax returns using the names and Social Security numbers of victims. ...read full article August 23, 2014 New Identity Theft Unit Receives Influx of CallsAn identity theft unit formed for the South Carolina State Department of Consumer Affairs has received more than 3,000 calls from concerned residents since it began operating in October of 2013. ...read full article August 20, 2014 Medical ID Theft ConcernsThis article discusses the importance of safeguarding your medical insurance information from thieves who seek to use your medical ID to get free medical treatment and more. ...read full article August 18, 2014 Armenian Gang Member Sentenced for Identity TheftAn associate of the Armenian Power gang has been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison after being found guilty of participating in a racketeering conspiracy and several financial related offenses including identity theft. ...read full article August 15, 2014 Man Faces Charges in $100,000 Identity Theft CaseOne man has been captured and another is currently being sought by police in connection with an identity theft scheme that netted more than $100,000. ...read full article August 14, 2014 Protecting Your ID While You TravelThis article addresses identity theft protection issues that people should be aware of while traveling, including three specific concerns. ...read full article August 14, 2014 Medical Assistant Pleads Guilty to Identity TheftA Hollywood medical assistant has pleaded guilty to identity theft after she used her position to access personally identifying information belonging to patients, which she sold to another individual for personal financial gain. ...read full article August 11, 2014 Back to School Identity Theft ConcernsThis article addresses identity theft concerns as kids head back to school. What types of personally identifying information is your child carrying in his or her backpack which may be vulnerable to theft? ...read full article August 7, 2014 Nigerian Man Sentenced for Aggravated ID TheftA Nigerian man has been sentenced to serve time in federal prison, and he is expected to face deportation proceedings upon his release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges. ...read full article August 6, 2014 Four Convicted for Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud Ring SchemeA fourth defendant has pleaded guilty to involvement in an identity theft and credit card fraud scheme that victimized over 250 people and resulted in more than $200,000 in losses. ...read full article August 5, 2014 Illinois Survey Reveals Need for Education to Help Residents Avoid ID TheftA new statewide online survey indicates that Illinois residents fall victim to identity theft at a high rate and increased education may be necessary to help individuals avoid victimization. ...read full article August 4, 2014 USB Drives Leave Door Open for Identity TheftTechnology professionals warn that individuals need to be more careful about smartphones and USB Flash drives in order to protect themselves from potential ID theft threats. ...read full article August 3, 2014 New Jersey Man Charged with 18 Counts of Forgery and Identity TheftA New Jersey man was pulled over for a speeding violation and a subsequent search of the vehicle yielded evidence of identity theft, including 18 drivers’ licenses from 7 different states. ...read full article August 3, 2014 Test Your Identity Theft IQThis article discusses the importance of recognizing the threat that identity theft poses to everyone and provides a link to a quiz which may help you determine how informed you really are about identity theft. ...read full article August 1, 2014 Missouri Car Dealer Sentenced to 15 Years for Identity TheftA Missouri man has been sentenced to serve 15 years in prison for coordinating one of the largest identity thefts ever prosecuted in the state. ...read full article July 31, 2014 Man Sentenced to 6 Years for Identity TheftA Baltimore man has been sentenced to serve 6 years in prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. According to his plea agreement, he engaged in a scheme to use the personally identifying information of others to purchase luxury goods. ...read full article July 30, 2014 Fraudsters Target Children’s IDs for “Synthetic Identity Theft”The lack of credit history may entice identity thieves to use a child’s Social Security number in combination with pieces of information such as an address from other individuals to perpetrate “synthetic identity theft.” This article discusses the emerging alternative to hijacking an individual’s name or financial information. ...read full article July 28, 2014 Five Ways to Avoid Identity TheftThis article provides readers with helpful hints for avoiding identity theft. ...read full article July 23, 2014 Three Arrested on Suspicion of Identity TheftThree men have been arrested subsequent to an investigation that was launched when evidence of identity theft and credit-card fraud was found during the execution of a separate drug-related investigation. ...read full article July 21, 2014 Foster Youth Prime Targets for Identity TheftThe unstable nature of foster children’s living situation and the ever increasing number of adults with access to their private information as they move through the foster care system has left many exposed to identity theft before they reach adulthood. ...read full article July 21, 2014 Ways to Avoid Common Identity Theft SituationsThis article discusses three common ways that identity theft can occur and strategies that you can use to prevent it. ...read full article July 18, 2014 Woman Sentenced to Serve 7 Years for Massive Identity Theft SchemeA former payroll specialist at Wheaton Franciscan Services has been sentenced for embezzling more than $1 million dollars from her employer. The identities of 848 victims were used to perpetrate the scheme, which is the largest number of victims in a single defendant case in Milwaukee County history. ...read full article July 17, 2014 Summer Travel Identity Theft Prevention TipsThis article discusses some ways that you can protect yourself from identity theft this summer vacation. ...read full article July 16, 2014 Police Seek Identity Theft SuspectA man who has previously been convicted of identity theft is now on the run after police accuse him of being the ringleader in a massive identity theft ring. ...read full article July 15, 2014 Attorney General’s Report: Identity Theft a Growing Problem for New York StateA newly released report from New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman addresses data security breaches and deliberate hacking which has exposed the private data of millions of New Yorkers. ...read full article July 10, 2014 Mailboxes May be Lures for Identity ThievesPolice advise residents to consider their mailboxes when guarding themselves against identity theft. ...read full article July 10, 2014 Couple Charged with Identity TheftA Washington couple has been charged with identity theft after allegedly forging checks and using a victim’s stolen debit card. ...read full article July 10, 2014 Major Identity Theft Ring ExposedA major identity theft ring has been exposed after police received a tip about the possible theft of road signs that lead to further investigation. ...read full article July 10, 2014 Woman Sentenced for Identity TheftAn Ohio resident has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after being convicted on 23 counts including aggravated identity theft. ...read full article July 9, 2014 Multiple Arrests in Major Identity Theft Ring BustNine individuals have been indicted on a total of 165 charges including identity theft, forgery, and racketeering. ...read full article July 7, 2014 Two Charged with Identity TheftA man and a woman have been charged after allegedly using a victim’s stolen personal information to try and open a credit line at a furniture store and a credit card at a hardware store. ...read full article July 7, 2014 Protecting Yourself from Identity TheftThis article discusses various ways to safeguard yourself from identity theft, including newly offered “identity theft insurance” options. ...read full article July 7, 2014 Medical Identity Theft Increasingly CommonThis article discusses some tips from the AARP for protecting yourself from identity thieves. ...read full article July 3, 2014 Identity Theft Prevention TipsThis article discusses ways to minimize your exposure to identity theft, monitor for signs of fraud, and manage the damage that results when you do become a victim of identity theft. ...read full article July 3, 2014 Alabama Resident Pleads Guilty to Identity TheftAn Alabama man who is currently serving an 18-year sentence for aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud has pleaded guilty to new charges. ...read full article July 2, 2014 Woman Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft ChargeA Sacramento woman has pleaded guilty to two counts of mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft after she opened a Safe Credit Union account using the identity of a mail theft victim. ...read full article July 1, 2014 Woman Indicted for Identity Theft Scheme Netting over $70,000An Ohio resident has been charged with 33 counts of aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, and bank fraud after she allegedly stole the identities of 16 people and used the stolen information to file 18 fraudulent tax returns to illegitimately gain thousands in false refunds. ...read full article July 1, 2014 Tennessee House Candidate Charged with Identity TheftCandidate Kristopher Gore is facing charges after being accused of stealing the identity of Livingston Democratic Representative John Mark Windle. The indictment also charged Gore with theft, writing bad checks, and forgery. ...read full article June 30, 2014 Retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Charged with Identity TheftA retired Air Force officer is facing wire fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft charges after he allegedly stole Government Travel Charge Cards from fellow service members and used them to make unauthorized purchases. ...read full article June 30, 2014 Tips for Avoiding Identity Theft during Summer TravelThis article provides tips from the Connecticut Better Business Bureau which help consumers prevent identity theft during summer vacation. ...read full article April 24, 2014 Doctors Targeted by Identity Thieves This Tax SeasonMultiple members of a medical association in D.C. have reported being victimized by identity thieves filing fraudulent tax returns using stolen Social Security numbers and personal identifying information. ...read full article April 23, 2014 Proceeds of Identity Theft Scheme Allegedly Funneled to NigeriaFunds appear to have flowed from the U.S. Treasury into accounts at as many as 100 institutions and then eventually overseas to Nigeria as a result of a massive stolen identity tax refund scheme which took place for nearly a decade. ...read full article April 23, 2014 Indictment Announced Following the Dismantling of Massive Identity Theft SchemeA federal prosecutor in Pennsylvania has announced a 13-count indictment charging multiple individuals for alleged participation in a massive stolen identity ring. ...read full article April 18, 2014 Florida Legislature Considers Bill That Would Offer Children Identity ProtectionThere is a bill under consideration by the Florida Legislature which is modeled after the Maryland law that took effect in January of 2013 and would offer children identity protection. ...read full article April 15, 2014 Former Radio Host Charged With Identity TheftA former Indiana radio host has been charged with identity theft after she allegedly used credit cards in the names of multiple family members at various businesses. ...read full article April 9, 2014 Rochester Art Gallery Owner Charged With Identity TheftThe owner of a Rochester art gallery has been charged with multiple counts of first-degree identity theft, among other charges, after he was accused of stealing more than $91,000 dollars using another man’s credit card and depositing those funds into his own bank account. ...read full article April 9, 2014 Teen Felon arrested, Charged with Identity TheftCalifornia Highway Patrol officials have arrested and charged an 18 year-old after a vehicle search, subsequent to a traffic stop, yielded evidence of suspected identity theft along with a gun, methamphetamine and other allegedly stolen items. ...read full article April 7, 2014 Former IRS Employee Charged with Identity TheftA former IRS employee who had plead guilty after trying to steal $1.7 million in false tax returns has been charged with a new count of identity theft just one week before sentencing. ...read full article April 3, 2014 U.S. Charges 25 Identity Theft Suspects in South Florida SweepTwenty-five individuals in Florida have been arrested and accused of using thousands of stolen identities to file false tax returns and fraudulently collect $36 million in illegitimate refunds. ...read full article March 31, 2014 Three arrested, Two Sought for Identity Theft SchemeMultiple individuals have been arrested after it was alleged that they conspired to steal credit card information from small business owners and then used the numbers to purchase thousands of dollars in goods and services. ...read full article March 31, 2014 Victims Videotape Identity Theft SuspectsHome surveillance caught identity theft suspects in the act after victims decided to videotape their mailbox when they found evidence it had been tampered with. ...read full article March 28, 2014 Three Charged With Identity Theft, Credit Card TheftThree New Yorkers have been charged with identity theft, credit card theft, forgery and additional charges after consent was given to search a vehicle subsequent to a traffic stop. The search yielded fraudulent gift cards and other evidence. ...read full article March 25, 2014 Ring Leader Sentenced to 22 Years for Identity TheftThe alleged ring leader of an identity fraud ring has been sentenced to 22 years in prison. The man was previously convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft. ...read full article March 24, 2014 Identity Thief Steals Wallets from RestaurantA woman has been arrested pursuant to warrants for identity theft and two counts of theft after she allegedly stole victim’s wallets and identification from their purses in the restaurant Panera Bread. ...read full article March 23, 2014 Identity Thief Sentenced to Three YearsAn identity thief has been sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay restitution after she used her position as a house painter to run an EBay scam, victimizing a woman who had hired her to paint her house. The thief learned her victim’s work schedule and stole mail that allowed her to illegitimately order packages and have them delivered to the victim’s house, where they could be picked up before they were noticed by the victim. ...read full article March 19, 2014 Canadian Family Members Charged with Identity TheftFive members of a Canadian family are facing a total of 114 fraud charges after being accused of stealing the personal identification information of victims from parked cars and then using that information to apply online for Home Depot credit. The credit was allegedly used to purchase gift cards from Home Depot stores and the gift cards were then resold online at discounted prices. ...read full article March 18, 2014 Couple Arrested and Charged with Identity TheftA husband and wife have been arrested following an investigation which revealed that the two had allegedly been running an identity theft scheme. A search warrant was executed, resulting in the discovery of lists of credit card numbers and card-making equipment among other evidence. ...read full article March 13, 2014 Safeguarding Your Identity: Q&AThis article provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding monitoring your financial accounts and safeguarding your identity. ...read full article March 11, 2014 Woman Charged With Identity Theft Accused of Stealing $20K from BanksA woman has been charged with identity theft and scheme to defraud after allegedly using the names, dates of birth and social security numbers of victims to open bank accounts for depositing stolen checks. ...read full article March 11, 2014 Last of 13 Defendants Sentenced in Federal Identity Theft SchemeA total of thirteen defendants have been sentenced in a scheme to steal identities and file false tax returns and receive more than one million dollars in fraudulent tax refunds. ...read full article March 10, 2014 Texas Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Organizing Stolen Identity Refund Fraud SchemeA Texas man has been sentenced to five years in prison for organizing a scheme in which the identities of Puerto Ricans were stolen and used to file false tax returns to receive fraudulent tax refunds. ...read full article March 5, 2014 Health Department Workers Steal Patient Personal Identifying InformationThree individuals have been sentenced for participating in a scheme in which the identities of approximately 2,200 patients were stolen by insiders and then provided to others who used the information to file fraudulent tax returns. ...read full article March 4, 2014 Thieves Steal Identities to Order Expensive Verizon PhonesPolice are investigating a scheme in which thieves are stealing neighborhood resident’s identities and using them to order expensive Verizon phones which are typically intercepted during delivery to the victim’s home. ...read full article March 4, 2014 Los Angeles Woman Arrested for Identity TheftA Los Angeles woman has been arrested following a nine-month investigation, during which authorities recovered thousands of pieces of evidence that suggest there may be hundreds of possible victims of the identity theft spree. ...read full article March 1, 2014 Key Suspect in Identity Theft Ring ArrestedSpecial agents with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations have arrested an individual accused of playing a major role in a suspected identity theft ring. ...read full article February 28, 2014 Former Hospital Employee Indicted for Stolen Identity Refund Fraud SchemeA former employee of the hospital at Fort Benning, Georgia has been charged with multiple counts of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft after allegedly using her access to the personal information of military personnel, which she was afforded through her position of employment, to file false tax returns and receive fraudulent refunds. ...read full article February 27, 2014 Identity Theft Tops List of Consumer ComplaintsAccording to the Federal Trade Commission, the top complaint reported by U.S. consumers for 2013 was once again identity theft. ...read full article February 25, 2014 Colorado Springs Man Sentenced for Identity Theft, Tax FraudA Colorado Springs man has been sentenced to 84 months in federal prison, with 3 years post-release supervision, after he was found guilty of aggravated identity theft and filing a false claim with the IRS. ...read full article February 24, 2014 Attorney General Urges Congress to Set National Standard for Data Breach NotificationAttorney General Eric Holder is seeking the enactment of a national standard for data breach notification, which he believes would allow American citizens to better protect against identity theft when their personal information has been compromised in a data breach. ...read full article February 22, 2014 Woman May Serve Five Years for Identity TheftA nineteen-year-old woman was charged with identity theft after she provided police with the name of a friend when she was pulled over for a traffic violation, causing a ticket to be issued in that friend’s name. ...read full article February 21, 2014 Man Sentenced to Five Years for Identity TheftA Hampton resident has been sentenced to five years and one month in prison after pleading guilty to charges of theft of government money and aggravated identity theft in November. ...read full article February 21, 2014 Deceased Infant Found to Be Victim of Identity TheftParents of a deceased infant discovered that their son’s identity had been stolen and he had fraudulently been claimed as a dependent on a tax return filed by strangers just months after his passing. ...read full article February 18, 2014 Five Arrested in Kansas on Identity Theft Related ChargesFive individuals have been arrested in the Wichita area by the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Office of Special Investigation and charged for alleged crimes related to driver’s license fraud and identity card fraud. ...read full article February 18, 2014 Man Receives 15 Year Sentence for Identity TheftThe man responsible for an identity theft spree, in which he primarily obtained victim information by burglarizing cars and dumpster diving, has been sentenced to fifteen years in state prison after admitting he used the stolen information to open fraudulent lines of credit and create forged checks. ...read full article February 17, 2014 Identity Theft a Growing Problem for the IRSAn increasing number of identity theft related tax frauds are resulting in growing losses as many turn to filing false tax returns to obtain fraudulent returns. Thieves are increasing their efforts and some gangs and drugs dealers may even be transitioning their efforts from other criminal pursuits in the hopes of gaining perceived ‘easy access to money.’ ...read full article February 14, 2014 Baton Rouge Woman Sentenced for Identity TheftA Baton Rouge woman has been sentenced to more than 5 years in federal prison and ordered to repay $491,000 to the Internal Revenue Service after she was previously convicted for a stolen identity tax refund scheme. The defendant pleaded guilty last year to aggravated identity theft and wire fraud after admitting to filing nearly 500 false tax returns. ...read full article February 12, 2014 Gang Associate Convicted of Multiple Identity Theft ChargesAndranik Aloyan has been convicted on multiple charges including four counts of aggravated identity theft, attempted bank fraud, and access device fraud resulting from his role in a racketeering conspiracy. Aloyan is a member of the Armenian Power gang and was among 90 individuals charged in two indictments related to the gang’s activities. ...read full article February 10, 2014 Two Charged With Identity Theft after Mail Theft SpreeTwo St. Paul residents have been arrested and charged with identity theft. The pair stole mail from dozens of mailboxes around the metro and western Wisconsin area. Further investigation revealed that they had used some of the stolen credit cards and cashed some stolen checks that they obtained from the mailboxes. ...read full article February 10, 2014 More Identity Theft Warnings to Head This Tax SeasonPeople are once again reminded of the dangers of identity theft and particularly stolen identity tax refund fraud during this tax season. ...read full article February 8, 2014 Traffic Stop Leads to Discover of Identity Theft Related DocumentsHundreds of pages of personal information were recovered from a vehicle when the driver was pulled over for traveling 111mph in a 65mph zone in Wyoming. Three suspects will face federal indictments for felony charges in connection with the discovery. ...read full article February 6, 2014 13 Charged With Tax Fraud, Identity TheftThree recent indictments returned by federal grand juries in Los Angeles and Riverside counties have charged more than a dozen defendants for allegedly using stolen identities to file fraudulent tax returns falsely seeking millions of dollars in tax refunds. ...read full article February 3, 2014 Medical Identity Fraud Prevention TipsLearn more about medical identity fraud and the importance of safeguarding your healthcare information. ...read full article February 2, 2014 Patient Palm Scanner Helps Hospital Prevent Identity TheftThe Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital is using a palm scanner to map the veins in a patient’s hand, which creates a unique identifier that can be connected with medical records to help cut down on identity theft. ...read full article January 31, 2014 Teen Sentenced for Celebrity Identity TheftA Lake Mary teen has been sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison after pleading guilty to credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft in October. ...read full article January 28, 2014 Husband of Reality Television Star Charged With Identity TheftApollo Nida, husband of reality television star Phaedra Parks, has been arrested and charged with bank fraud and identity theft. ...read full article January 26, 2014 Massive Identity Theft Ring Discovered After Dispute over Cab FareA massive identity theft ring was found to be operating out of a Dallas hotel after one of the conspirators had a dispute with a cab driver. Authorities followed the man to his hotel room where they found piles of money and stolen Social Security numbers in plain view. ...read full article January 23, 2014 Florida Man to Serve Four Years for Identity TheftA Florida man has been ordered to pay more than $400,000 in restitution and will serve more than four years in prison after he pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to defraud the United States. ...read full article January 22, 2014 Restaurant Owner Arrested for Identity TheftA restaurant owner has been charged after the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office conducted a workplace identity theft operation. The investigation was launched when the office received a tip regarding the hiring of individuals using false identification documents to gain employment. ...read full article January 22, 2014 Former State Employee Convicted of Identity TheftA former state worker, previously employed by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, has been convicted after she accessed confidential information from her work computer. Authorities estimate the number of identities stolen could range from 350 to 500, with most of the identities being taken from the Public Employees Retirement Association of Minnesota (PERA). ...read full article January 20, 2014 Warning Signs that May Indicate Your Identity Has Been CompromisedPay close attention to these seven potential warning signs that your personal information has been stolen and is being used. ...read full article January 17, 2014 Identity Theft Tips for Tax SeasonFollow these tips to safeguard your identity from individuals looking to steal your information and use it to receive fraudulent tax refunds. ...read full article January 17, 2014 Three Indicted, One Sentenced for Identity Theft, Tax Fraud SchemeThree individuals have been indicted for the alleged theft of identities to be used to defraud the U.S. government. A fourth individual has been sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison for another stolen identity, tax-refund fraud scheme. ...read full article January 15, 2014 Florida Leads the Nation in Identity TheftAccording to the Federal Trade Commission, Florida has the highest identity theft rate in the nation. U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer commented on the issue in a recent interview. ...read full article January 13, 2014 Protecting Your Identity This Tax SeasonKeep these helpful tips in mind this tax season to ensure the safety of your identity. ...read full article January 13, 2014 Former Social Worker Pleads Guilty to Identity TheftA former social worker illegally obtained personal information belonging to clients from her place of employment and sold it to two tax return preparers. ...read full article January 7, 2014 IRS Sees Large Increase in Identity Theft ProsecutionsAccording to the IRS an increasing number of thieves are stealing Social Security numbers to file false claims and receive fraudulent tax refunds. This is reflected in the number of IRS criminal investigations, prosecutions, and indictments which have all increased substantially. ...read full article January 7, 2014 Man Receives 13 Year Sentence for Identity Theft SchemeThe ringleader of an identity theft, mail theft and bank fraud scheme has been sentenced to 13 years and 5 months in federal prison. He and his co-conspirators stole mail from homes and business of more than 800 southern Oregon victims as part of the scheme. ...read full article January 6, 2014 Former Retirement Fund Worker Sentenced for Identity TheftTobin Lamar Lyon II, also known as Tobe Kasa, 27, of Charlotte, N.C. has been sentenced to six years in federal prison and ordered to pay $118,602 in restitution to victims after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. ...read full article January 6, 2014 Two Californians Arrested for Identity TheftHeather Sage, 21 and James Abel, 31 were arrested by Nevada Highway Patrol and charged with multiple identity theft related crimes. Subsequent to a traffic stop and an indication by a K-9 unit that the vehicle contained drugs, a search of the vehicle was performed and a large number of credit cards, IDs and a credit card making machine and equipment were found. ...read full article January 4, 2014 Woman Charged With Identity Theft after Allegedly Using Stolen Credit CardAshley Moore, 26, has been charged with identity theft, among other charges, after she allegedly used a man’s stolen credit card and checks to make more than $15,000 worth of transactions. ...read full article January 3, 2014 Woman Charged for Participation in Identity Theft ScamA Gainesville woman has been charged after she gave her bank account information to a man she met online and proceeds from an alleged identity theft scheme were deposited in the account. ...read full article January 2, 2014 New Identity Theft Law Seeks to Protect Children in TexasTexas legislature has passed a new law which allows parents to place a ‘security freeze’ on the consumer and credit files of their children under the age of sixteen. ...read full article December 31, 2013 Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft in the New YearConsider adopting some of these practices to safeguard your identity in the coming year ...read full article December 31, 2013 Identity Theft Used to Pay Thousands in Parking TicketsA Department of Investigations inquiry has found that individuals have used stolen credit card information to pay parking tickets costing thousands of dollars. The tickets were paid using the City of New York’s website. ...read full article December 28, 2013 Father Allegedly Steals Son’s IdentityA Bronx man has been arrested after allegedly using his son’s personal identification information, including his Social Security number, to open multiple accounts. ...read full article December 26, 2013 'Skimmer’ Devices Illegal in MichiganLegislation signed by Governor Rick Snyder has banned the sale, purchase, or use of ‘skimmer’ devices in Michigan. ...read full article December 19, 2013 Target Data Breach: What You Need to KnowLearn more about the recent data breach experienced by retail giant Target. Also included are tips for detecting and preventing card fraud. ...read full article December 18, 2013 Former SDSU Employee Charged With Identity TheftA former South Dakota State University secretary has been charged with identity theft after she allegedly opened multiple credit cards in the name of a fellow employee. ...read full article December 18, 2013 Are You at Risk for ‘Porch Pirating’ This Holiday Season?Learn ways to avoid this trend in identity theft crimes which occurs when delivered packages are stolen from your doorstep when no one is home. ...read full article December 16, 2013 Police Arrest Identity Theft Ring LeadersA Washington couple, described as repeat identity theft offenders, has been arrested after police say they swindled Snohomish County residents out of more than $200,000. December 12, 2013 Report Finds Identity Theft Losses Total More Than All Other Property Crimes CombinedA new report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics has found that Americans suffered $10 billion more in identity theft costs last year than all other property crimes measured by the National Crime Victimization Survey. ...read full article December 11, 2013 Identity Theft Described as Maine’s Most Prevalent CrimeA recent victimization study conducted by the University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School of Public Service has indicated that identity theft is the most prevalent crime in Maine. ...read full article December 8, 2013 NY Man Receives Prison Sentence for Aggravated Identity Theft, Access Device FraudMaurice Pugh has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for his participation in a scheme to create fake credit cards using stolen IDs. The scheme affected 400 individuals and 59 financial institutions. ...read full article December 5, 2013 California Couple Commits Cross-County ID Theft SchemeA California couple has pleaded guilty subsequent to their arrest in February at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The couple was found to be in possession of approximately 100 fraudulent credit cards at the time of their arrest. ...read full article December 4, 2013 Holiday Season May Mean Increased Risk for Identity TheftUse caution when you are online this holiday season to avoid phishing attacks and spoofed websites that seek to gather information that will later be used to commit identity theft. ...read full article December 3, 2013 New Law to Combat Child Identity TheftUnder a new law, authored by Pennsylvania State Rep. Matt Baker, children under the age of 18 will be considered members of a protected class of identity theft victims. Under the new statute, when an offense is perpetrated against a member of a protected class, the grading of the offense is increased by one degree. ...read full article December 3, 2013 Oneonta Police Arrest Identity Theft, Forgery SuspectLafayette Alexander, 57, of Hollis, NY has been accused of fraudulently applying for a business loan. It is alleged that he presented a fake driver’s license and other false documents with the identity of another individual. ...read full article December 2, 2013 Cyber Monday Identity Theft PreventionWhen making holiday purchases online remember to take steps to safeguard your personal information. Follow these suggestions to ensure you are not at risk this holiday shopping season. ...read full article December 2, 2013 VA Cardholders May Be at Risk of Identity Theft SchemesThe Department of Veterans Affairs warns cardholders that identification cards issued since 2004 may be scanned using a smartphone or barcode app to reveal the cardholder’s Social Security number. ...read full article November 29, 2013 Two Arrested in Connection With Theft of Identities Belonging to Active-duty Army ReservistsThe Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has arrested two men in connection with the theft of identity information belonging to more than five U.S. Army Reserve Officers on active-duty in Afghanistan. The information was used to open lines of credit and purchase vehicle, resulting in a loss totaling more than $100,000. ...read full article November 27, 2013 Identity Theft Suspect Busted in Furniture Store StingAfter learning that a credit card used to place an order for a $4,500 bedroom set was fraudulent, a furniture store manager worked with police to set up a sting which led to the perpetrators arrest. ...read full article November 21, 2013 Senate Finance Chairman Baucus Releases Proposal to Aid in Reduction of Tax Fraud, Identity TheftA proposal newly released by U.S. Senator Max Baucus includes some suggested steps to fight tax-related identity theft and tax fraud. ...read full article November 19, 2013 Miami Man Pleads Guilty; Ties to Russian-based ID Theft SyndicateAlexander Kostyukov has pleases guilty to five federal charges including participation in a racketeering organization, conspiracy, and three charges of trafficking in and production of false identification documents. Fifty-five people have been indicted in the case. ...read full article November 18, 2013 Is Your Identity at Risk this Holiday Season?The holidays can be prime time for opportunistic identity thieves looking to steal your personal information. Be aware of some of the preferred online scams and learn how to avoid them this year. ...read full article November 18, 2013 New Enhancement to E-Verify Seeks to Deter ID TheftU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials are now authorized to “lock” a SSN that appears to have been misused in order to prevent further potential fraudulent use. The new enhancement applies to the E-Verify system, run by the Department of Homeland Security, which allows employers to verify the eligibility of new employees. ...read full article November 16, 2013 Victim Finds Relief from Erroneous Tax Debt Resulting from UK’s Worst Case of Identity TheftAdrian Richards has won a three-year battle with German tax authorities over an unpaid tax bill in his name. Mr. Richards was the victim of identity theft after his passport was stolen in 2003 and was used, with a different photograph, to setup a company in the Isle of Man. ...read full article November 14, 2013 Two Women Charged After Allegedly Stealing Personal Identification Information of Cancer PatientsSalina Soriano and Regina Kennedy have been charged with felony identity theft after they were found to be in possession of stolen mail and the personal information of patients of an East Bay breast cancer center. ...read full article November 13, 2013 Hackers Launch Cyber Attack on Irish Company; Data on 1.5 Million Europeans StolenPersonal data of Europeans who had enrolled in customer-loyalty programs has been compromised after hackers gained access to credit card numbers and security codes from Loyaltybuild, a firm that manages loyalty programs for merchants in five European countries. ...read full article November 8, 2013 Pair Allegedly Steal Identities of Multiple CelebritiesFederal authorities have arrested Jonathan Preston and Lumi Nunez for allegedly stealing the identities of high-profile celebrities and making purchases including Tiffany & Co. diamonds, Honda Vespa scooters, and three Cadillacs. ...read full article November 7, 2013 Tax Refund Fraud Recognized as a Growing ProblemAccording to a U.S. Internal Revenue Service watchdog, tax refund fraud is a problem that has been growing over recent years. There also appears to be an increasing number of thieves working from abroad to commit tax refund fraud. ...read full article November 6, 2013 Widespread Identity Theft Case; Ten IndictedMultiple suspects have been indicted by a Denver grand jury after allegedly victimizing more than 270 individuals and various businesses. Businesses allegedly victimized include Wal-Mart, Wells Fargo, and the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders, Inc. ...read full article November 5, 2013 Woman and Son-in-law Sentenced for Identity Theft ConspiracyQuentin Collick and Deatrice Williams have been sentenced to 85 months and 51 months, respectively after being found guilty of conspiracy to file false claims, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. ...read full article November 4, 2013 IRS Sees Two Convicted in Separate ID Theft CasesBerness Swan, 44, of Spring Hill has admitted to stealing personal identification information belonging to patients from the clinic where he was previously employed to file fraudulent tax returns. In a separate case, Kenyon Lamont Williams, 43, San Diego, was convicted of five counts including conspiracy to defraud the United States, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. ...read full article November 3, 2013 Tips for Avoiding Online Identity TheftThis article provides helpful suggestions for minimizing the risk of falling victim to online identity theft. ...read full article October 28, 2013 Alabama Man Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Identity Theft, Mail FraudHarvey James has pleaded guilty as a result of his involvement in a Stolen Identity Refund Fraud (SIRF) case. James, along with others, obtained stolen identities belonging to inmates and used the information to file fraudulent federal and state tax returns in order to falsely receive refunds. ...read full article October 24, 2013 Four Men Charged in Identity Theft Scheme that Defrauded Six StatesFour Cleveland men have been accused of running a multi-state scheme in which they allegedly obtained the personal identification information of individuals under false pretenses and then used the information to defraud six states of than $360,000 in unemployment benefits. ...read full article October 21, 2013 Medical Identity Theft Guidelines Released by Attorney General HarrisAs part of a report, Medical Identity Theft: Recommendations for the Age of Electronic Medical Records, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris has released guidelines which offer recommendations for preventing and remedying medical identity theft. ...read full article October 16, 2013 Three Charged With Identity Theft in Suffolk County Car Selling OperationMultiple counts of identity theft and possession of stolen property have been brought against three men who allegedly used stolen identities to rent expensive cars from rental companies and then sell them at prices well below market value in order to generate cash quickly. The men allegedly obtained the stolen identity information by skimming it from credit cards at retail stores and also purchasing stolen identity information from off-shore websites. The information was then used to create fake credit cards and fake identification cards. ...read full article October 15, 2013 Homeless Woman Stole $185,000 in ID Theft RingPamela Keane, 48, of Livermore, California, was sentenced to nine years in prison for her participation in an identity theft ring that netted more than $185,000. Keane would present fake identification at various banks and withdraw money from the accounts of others. She and four others were arrested in connection with the scheme. ...read full article October 15, 2013 Three Charged With Identity Theft in Connection With Verizon Wireless ScamThree Chicago men have been charged with identity theft after using the Verizon Wireless account information of others. Kyndall Barnes, 21, Tyrone Mixon, 22 and Robert Robinson, 22, participated in a scheme to illegitimately gain access to the accounts of others and then purchase Verizon cell phones and other products which were later resold at higher rates. ...read full article October 14, 2013 Corpus Christi Physician Charged for Scheme to Defraud Medicare and MedicaidAn indictment was returned against Dr. Roque Joel Ramirez, 48, including nine counts of healthcare fraud, three counts of mail fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft, for his alleged execution of a scheme to defraud Medicare and Medicaid through fraudulent billings for services not rendered. ...read full article October 14, 2013 Las Vegas Woman Accused of Stealing Personal Identification Information of More Than 1,000 IndividualsBridgette Chaplin, 32, is charged with 62 felony counts for allegedly obtaining personal identification information and using it in a check forgery scheme. ...read full article October 9, 2013 Florida Agriculture Commissioner Proposes Legislation to Protect IDs of ChildrenProposed legislation in Florida, the KIDS (Keeping IDs Safe) Act, would allow parents to freeze their children’s credit records until they are ready to use them. ...read full article October 8, 2013 Queens Man Indicted in Massive Identity Theft and Money Laundering ScamOlawale Akinnawonu, 45, of LeFrak City, has been named in a 134 count indictment for allegedly breaking into mailboxes and stealing the identities of dozens of his neighbors. ...read full article October 1, 2013 South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs Launches New Identity Theft UnitA four-person unit has been formed within the South Carolina state Department of Consumer Affairs to help prevent identity theft through education and victim outreach. ...read full article September 30, 2013 24 Suspects Arrested in Phoenix Identity Theft CaseThe Maricopa County Sherriff’s Department has executed a search warrant at the headquarters of a Phoenix based janitorial business and made a number of arrests for alleged identity theft. The suspects are thought to have used false identification to open lines of credit, make large purchases and illegally gain employment. ...read full article September 26, 2013 Federal Authorities Indict 55 People in Massive Identity Theft BustFifty-five individuals have been indicted for their alleged participation in a fraudulent tax-return scheme operating out of San Diego. Authorities claim the scheme generated $7 million and victimized more than 2,000 individuals. ...read full article September 25, 2013 Seven Identity Theft Prevention Tips for Senior CitizensLearn 7 tips to help safe-guard you identity and reduce your likelihood of falling victim to what Experian credit bureau experts refer to as the fastest rising types of identity theft: fraudulent tax returns and medical care fraud. ...read full article September 24, 2013 Identity Theft Ring Swindles Major Phone Companies Out of Thousands of Cell PhonesA Michigan identity theft ring has allegedly used “credit mules” to illegitimately obtain thousands of new, subsidized cell phones from major phone companies by using stolen identities to sign new service contracts or to execute “account takeovers.” ...read full article September 19, 2013 Ohio Identity Theft Unit Helps Victims Recover LosesOhio’s Identity Theft Unit works in two ways to assist victims of identity theft. In the first year of existence, the unit has helped to recover a total of $250,000 through its Traditional Assistance Program and Self Help Program. ...read full article September 19, 2013 Suffolk Police Seek Help in Identifying Identity Theft SuspectA man seen in surveillance photos is wanted in connection with unauthorized use of a woman’s credit card account to purchase gift cards from the Home Depot. ...read full article September 18, 2013 New Jersey Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Participation in Complex Identity Theft SchemeSang-Kyu Seo, 63, conspired with others to buy and sell identity documents to be used by others to commit fraud. More specifically, the conspirators of the scheme worked to obtain Social Security Cards with the prefix “586.” ...read full article September 16, 2013 USAO Addresses Montgomery Identity Theft ProblemThe Attorney General’s Award for Fraud Prevention has been given to Assistant United States Attorney Todd Brown in Montgomery, Alabama. Brown serves as the coordinator for the identity theft and tax fraud cases for the Middle District of Alabama. Read more to learn about the efforts to combat Montgomery’s identity theft epidemic. ...read full article September 11, 2013 LA Identity Theft Scheme, 8 Members of Street Gang Plead GuiltyEight members of the Armenian Power street gang are guilty of federal charges including aggravated identity theft, bank fraud and racketeering. They are among 70 members of the Hollywood gang formed in the 1980s who were charged two years ago for using skimming devices to steal strangers debit card information. ...read full article September 10, 2013 Deceased Persons May Be Targeted By Identity ThievesThis article discusses a family’s encounter with identity theft perpetrated against their deceased son. It also includes tips for preventing similar occurrences from happening. ...read full article September 4, 2013 Woman Receives Two Year Sentence for ID Theft, Tax FraudA Montgomery, Alabama woman has pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme to file more than 1,000 false tax returns which fraudulently claimed over $1.7 million in returns. ...read full article September 4, 2013 Helpful Tips for Avoiding Identity TheftLearn ten things you can do to reduce your exposure to identity theft. ...read full article September 3, 2013 Statewide Project in Florida Provides Tips to Help Seniors Avoid Identity TheftSeniors vs. Crime is a special project supported by the Florida Attorney General’s Office which helps to educate and protect senior citizens from harmful activities. This article discusses tips for avoiding identity theft. ...read full article August 29, 2013 South Florida Police Detective Charged for Aggravated Identity TheftA Sweetwater detective has been arrested for his alleged participation in a counterfeit credit card scheme. He has been charged for using a counterfeit access device and aggravated identity theft. ...read full article August 27, 2013 New Charges Brought Against Repeat Identity Theft OffenderAmanda Rose Wise, 25, of Corvallis, has pleaded not guilty to 10 new charges of identity theft after being convicted of identity theft earlier this year. ...read full article August 27, 2013 Three More Convicted in Statesboro Identity Theft and Tax Fraud SchemeA total of 13 defendants have been convicted for participating in a scheme to use personally identifiable information of others to fraudulently file tax returns and obtain refunds that they were not entitled to. ...read full article August 26, 2013 Suspects Sought in Connection With a $20,000 Identity Theft CasePolice in Montgomery County are asking for the public’s help in identifying two suspects who are wanted in connection with a $20,000 identity theft case involving a fraudulently obtained credit card. ...read full article August 21, 2013 Two Men Indicted in Federal Court for Identity theft, Bank FraudKarapet Damaryan, 63, of Glendale, and Garik Voskanyan, 30, of Rancho Cordova have been charged in connection with a scheme to take control of a stranger’s bank account and transfer funds in order to purchase gold coins worth an estimated $141,000. ...read full article August 21, 2013 Richland Man Indicted for Allegedly Stealing His Girlfriend’s IdentityPhillip John Mitchell, 24, has been charged with identity theft after allegedly opening credit card accounts in his live-in girlfriend’s name and charging more than $3,600. ...read full article August 20, 2013 Heading to College? Make Protecting Your Identity a PriorityAs students make their way back to campus they need to be sure that protecting their identity remains high on their checklist. Keep these 10 tips in mind to ensure the safety of your identity this school year. ...read full article August 16, 2013 Woman Pleads Guilty After Using Stolen Identities to File False Claims with the IRSJoann C. Rittall, 43, admitted that she had used stolen identities to file false tax returns from 2009 through 2012. She has been ordered to repay almost $220,000 to the U.S. Treasury. ...read full article August 15, 2013 Identity Theft Suspect Sought by PoliceSUNRISE, FL. – Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a women seen on surveillance video using stolen identities to open fraudulent credit accounts at various retail stores. ...read full article August 15, 2013 Five Indicted in Connection With Navy Federal FraudFederal prosecutors have charged five individuals with multiple counts of bank fraud, identity theft and conspiracy for their participation in an identity theft ring. Personally identifiable information was fraudulently obtained from lease applications and used to steal funds from Navy Federal accounts. ...read full article August 15, 2013 Restaurant Employees Skim Customer Credit Card InformationTwo former Pret A Manger employees have been charged with identity theft and other offenses after allegedly skimming credit card information from more than 100 customers at the 23rd Street restaurant in Chelsea. ...read full article August 14, 2013 Federal Jury Convicts Home Builder of Bank Fraud, Identity TheftLee C. Tevis, 49, has been convicted on charges of bank fraud, filing a false loan application, aggravated identity theft, and aiding and abetting bank embezzlement. Tevis set up phony corporations in the names of others to fraudulently obtain bank loans in excess of one million dollars. ...read full article August 13, 2013 Suspect Sought by Police: Do You Know This Woman?STERLING HEIGHTS, MI -- Police are seeking to identify a woman suspected of attempting to cash stolen checks in the Sterling Heights area. The suspect is driving a Lincoln MKZ and her image was captured at a drive-through window. ...read full article August 13, 2013 Woman Faces 79 Charges Related to Identity Theft CaseCheryl Ann Fucci, 48, of Nazareth is facing charges stemming from her use of stolen credit card numbers to make luxury purchases. Charges include identity theft, forgery, and receiving stolen property. ...read full article August 13, 2013 Three Indicted on Wire Fraud, Identity Theft ChargesOAKLAND -- Suspects convinced strangers to provide personally identifiable information including name, income, and date of birth, Social Security number, and type of work in order to file false tax returns. Individuals were told they would be eligible for a federal stimulus program if they filled out the form; however, the information was actually used to obtain fraudulent tax refunds. ...read full article August 13, 2013 Glendale Identity Theft Ring Busted: Seven Individuals in CustodyLOS ANGELES -- Seven arrests have been made in connection with an identity theft ring operating out of Glendale and Los Angeles. Warrants were served at nine locations and evidence collected includes skimming devices, access-device making equipment, and blank plastic cards. Two suspects in the case are still at large and may have fled the country. ...read full article August 12, 2013 Back-To-School Season Is Approaching, Is Your Child At Risk For Identity Theft?As you prepare to send your child back to school, make sure protecting his or her identity is a priority on your to-do list. Remember these important tips to ensure you child is safe from the long-term consequences of identity theft. ...read full article August 8, 2013 Former Nurse’s Aides Charged With Identity TheftTwo former nurse’s aides have been indicted for identity theft related charges stemming from their participation in a stolen identity refund fraud scheme. Personally identifying information, including names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers, of more than a dozen patients were used by accomplices to file false income tax returns with the IRS and fraudulently collect in excess of $116,000. ...read full article August 8, 2013 NYPD Cop Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud and Identity TheftA NYPD cop has pleaded guilty to tax fraud and identity theft. The 10-year NYPD veteran, who worked part-time as a tax preparer, now faces a two to two and a half year prison sentence for filing false claims with the IRS from 2009 through early 2013. ...read full article June 17, 2013 7-Eleven Stores Operated 'Modern Day Plantation System,' Feds ClaimThe owners of 7-Eleven franchises in New York and Virginia created a "modern day plantation system" in which undocumented workers were furnished with stolen identities and forced to work 100 hours a week for a fraction of their wages, according to a federal authorities. ...read full article June 17, 2013 Pair jailed in multiple identity-theft casesTwo people were booked into the Tulsa Jail on Thursday on multiple complaints of identity theft. Tulsa County Sheriff's deputies had received information alleging that they were stealing information in order to create false driver's licenses and obtain credit cards. ...read full article June 17, 2013 Real owner in fake landlord scam afraid of identity theftWINDERMERE, Fla. — A mother called Eyewitness News after she was given just three hours to get out of a home she thought she rented legally. ...read full article June 17, 2013 Woman on supervised release for identity theft sentenced again for same crimeBALTIMORE — A woman who pleaded guilty to committing bank fraud and identity theft while she was on supervised release for the same crimes has been sentenced to three years in prison. ...read full article June 17, 2013 Cambridge woman charged with forgery, identity theftCAMBRIDGE - A Cambridge woman is facing forgery charges in connection with incidents which occurred in Hurlock May 13. ...read full article June 17, 2013 Store busts woman for identity theftTulsa, Okla. — A woman writes down a debit card number and uses the digits to create fake cards of her own. ...read full article June 14, 2013 National Guard soldier victim of ID theftFOX23 also identified an identify theft ring that targets members of the military. Staff Sgt. Erik Wolf is a member of the Army National Guard. After spending his life fighting for freedom, he now uses much of his time dealing with scam artists using his identity to dupe people out of thousands of dollars. ...read full article June 13, 2013 Ceres police look to ID woman in ID theft caseCERES, CA - The Ceres Police Department is looking for help to identify a woman wanted for questioning in a case involving identity theft and fraudulent prescriptions. ...read full article June 13, 2013 Medicare impostors target seniors for identity theftBetty Jane of Olympia has a knack for knowing when something's not right. But a scammer caught her off guard when the phone jolted her out of a nap. ...read full article June 13, 2013 Alabama Man Indicted for Multi-state Stolen Identity Refund Fraud SchemeChristopher Cordelle Davis, of Montgomery County, Ala., was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Alabama for his role in a scheme to file fraudulent tax returns using stolen identities, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today following Davis’s arrest. He was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, five counts of wire fraud, and five counts of aggravated identity theft. ...read full article June 12, 2013 Missing Pa. Mom Who Was Found in Fla. Gets JailA mother who disappeared from her central Pennsylvania home in 2002 and was later declared legally dead before resurfacing in Florida has been sent to jail on a probation violation. ...read full article June 11, 2013 Suffolk police arrest women wanted for identity theft, credit card fraudSuffolk, Va. – Suffolk police have arrested two women who used stolen credit cards while shopping at several locations in the city. ...read full article June 11, 2013 Northampton couple learns the hard way the anguish of identity theftNORTHAMPTON — David Lalima always thought identity theft happened to other people. But after a month of tracking down and refuting tens of thousands of dollars of fraudulent charges, as well as unauthorized access to a line of credit, he knows he’s as vulnerable as anyone. ...read full article June 11, 2013 Tech experts tie WikiLeaks soldier to data breachComputer forensic experts have testified that they traced break-ins to a secret US government website to Bradley Manning, the American soldier charged with the biggest leak of classified files in US history. ...read full article June 11, 2013 Tampa man sentenced for mail fraud, identity theftTAMPA - A Tampa man was sentenced to four years, three months in federal prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. ...read full article June 11, 2013 CareFirst reports three separate data breaches to OAGPHIPrivacy.net reminded us that many of the mistakes made in data breaches involve human error, as there have been three separate instances of CareFirst, a healthcare insurer, making patient mailing mistakes. In all three cases, CareFirst reported the incident to the Office for the Attorney General (OAG). ...read full article June 11, 2013 Anchorage Man Sentenced in ID Theft CaseA 43-year-old Anchorage man has been ordered to pay more than $142,000 restitution and will serve 54 months in a federal prison after being convicted of identity fraud charges. ...read full article June 11, 2013 What to Do About High Data Breach CostsIt's not always good to be Number One. According to a newly released report from the Ponemon Institute, the U.S. is the most costly country in the world in which to have a data breach. In its "2013 Cost of Data Breach: Global Analysis" study, Ponemon reported the total cost of a breach incident in the U.S. to be $5.4 million, or approximately $188 for every exposed record. ...read full article June 11, 2013 Breaches expose state info vulnerabilityGovernment has named and shamed a score of individuals who used technology to steal R160 million from the state’s coffers. ...read full article June 10, 2013 Strong Security Management Helps Control Data Breach Costs: StudyCompanies that take a strong security posture, create an effective incident response team and hire a chief information security officer will likely reduce the costs of network breaches by as much as 25 percent, according to a study by the Ponemon Institute that was sponsored by Symantec. ...read full article June 10, 2013 Human Error, System Glitches Responsible For More Data Breaches Than HackersMistakes, negligence and glitches are more likely to be responsible for computer-related security breaches than cyber attacks, according to a report released last week by Symantec and the Ponemon Institute. ...read full article June 10, 2013 Ponemon data breach study finds costs up, notification major driverThe 2013 Cost of Data Breach Study, issued today by the Ponemon Institute, shows perhaps most clearly that one way to keep data breach losses low is to tell as few people as possible about your organization's mishaps. ...read full article June 10, 2013 Federal Reserve Investigating Bitcoin, PayPal And Other Online Payment Services For Security BreachesThe U.S. Federal Reserve is investigating the possible risks in online payment systems like PayPal Inc. and the virtual currency bitcoin, as bankers worry that new online players could disrupt the financial system, officials said at a conference on Monday. ...read full article June 7, 2013 Is mandatory reporting of security breaches on its way?Last week Bill C-475 (a private member’s bill that proposes to amend the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)) was up for debate at second reading in Parliament. Bill C-475 would impose an obligation on businesses to report security breaches. ...read full article June 7, 2013 2 arrested in identity theft, extortion schemePHOENIX - Police have arrested two women who they say stole a woman's purse, then proceeded to assume her identity and send her family death threats. ...read full article June 7, 2013 One-time Vernon resident pleads guilty to wire fraud, identity theftBRATTLEBORO -- A man who was living in Vernon at the time of his arrest has agreed to plead guilty to stealing the identities of nearly two dozen people to illegally collect unemployment insurance. ...read full article June 7, 2013 Kevin Collins ID thief guilty — again — of missing child identify theftA man convicted of stealing the identity of missing San Francisco child Kevin Collins pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to using another missing child’s name fraudulently, according to the U.S. attorney’s office in Northern California. ...read full article June 7, 2013 Florida Man Gets 58 Months in Prison for Identity Theft Fraud SchemeJesus Calvo, 30, of Cutler Bay, Fla., was recently sentenced to 58 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in an identity theft tax refund fraud scheme. Calvo has also been ordered to pay $9.2 million in restitution to the IRS. ...read full article June 7, 2013 Dothan police make identity theft arrestDothan police recently arrested a 23-year-old man on fraud charges involving an effort in the unlawful purchase of $2,000 worth merchandise from a store. ...read full article June 7, 2013 Woman brought in for questioning on ID theft arrested on drug chargesELKO — Detectives who were questioning a woman Wednesday about an identity theft case said they spotted syringes sticking out of her purse and they arrested her on drug charges, said Elko Police Capt. Will Lehmann. ...read full article June 7, 2013 2 Identity Theft, Car Theft Suspects Arrested by Napa County Sheriff's DeputyA Napa County Sheriff's Deputy arrested two suspects in numerous area mail and Yountville-area car thefts Wednesday evening after a traffic stop. ...read full article June 7, 2013 Nicked unencrypted PC with 6,000 bank details lands council fat fineThe Information Commissioner’s Office has fined Glasgow City Council £150,000 for losing two unencrypted laptops, one with the personal details of more than 20,000 people - just two years after a similar blunder. ...read full article June 6, 2013 Data breaches cost consumers billions of dollarsData breaches are bad for business, but the resulting fraud can be devastating to the people who’ve had their personal information compromised. ...read full article June 6, 2013 Ewa woman becomes victim of Facebook identity theftFacebook identity theft can affect more than just the individual. An Ewa woman’s friends and family were also put at risk. ...read full article June 6, 2013 UMass warns of possible data breachAMHERST, Mass. (AP) -- The University of Massachusetts is informing nearly 1,700 clients of its Center for Language, Speech and Hearing that private data, including Social Security numbers, may have been compromised when a computer workstation was infected by a malicious software program. ...read full article June 6, 2013 Oklahoma man gets 6.5 year sentence for ID theft and tax fraudOklahoma City resident Daniel Wayne Ausmus, 44, was sentenced to serve 78 months in prison for aggravated identity theft, mail fraud and submitting false claims to the United States. ...read full article June 6, 2013 Javelin Study: Data Breaches Spawn Fraud BoomFirst comes the notification that your personal data have been compromised in a data breach. And as sunset follows sunrise, increasingly that notification is followed by actual dollar losses in fraud on personal accounts, said Javelin Strategy and Research in its recently released 2013 DATA BREACH FRAUD IMPACT REPORT: Mitigating a Rapidly Emerging Driver of Fraud. ...read full article June 6, 2013 Rockford man sentenced for wire fraud, identity theftROCKFORD (WREX) - A Rockford man is sentenced to more than five years in federal prison for wire fraud and identity theft. ...read full article June 6, 2013 Elroy man charged with fraud and identity theftA federal grand jury sitting in Madison has indicted an Elroy many on charges of fraud and identity theft. Timothy D. Mueller, 45, Elroy, is charged with eight counts of wire fraud and two counts of identity theft. According to the indictment, he was the owner of businesses involved in sales of residential windows and doors, known as Advance Home Tech/Custom Creations and later, as Windesign. ...read full article June 6, 2013 Annapolis woman a victim of identity theftA 49-year-old Annapolis woman reported to city police that she had been a victim of identity theft after someone made more than $1,000 in online purchases in her name. ...read full article June 6, 2013 Man agrees to identity theft plea in Vt.BRATTLEBORO, Vt. (AP) — A man in Vermont has agreed to plead guilty to stealing the identities of about two dozen people to collect unemployment insurance. ...read full article June 6, 2013 McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Hacked & Accounts LeakedA hacker group using the handle Group Hp-Hack has announced another leak of data today, this time from McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine ...read full article June 6, 2013 Linh Crystal Breached, 7,000+ Account Credentials Leaked by @JM511A hacker using the handle @JM511 who is well known for their data leaks has leaked a dump of data from the Linh Crystal website ...read full article June 4, 2013 Arlington school employees notified about possible data breachARLINGTON — Arlington school district employees and some former employees were notified this week that two laptops possibly containing their personal information were stolen overnight May 27 from the administration building. ...read full article June 4, 2013 Phishers Use Name of Turkish Police Force in Facebook SchemeCybercriminals have come up with a clever way to get Turkish users to hand over their Facebook account credentials. They’re abusing the name of the Turkish Police Force to make their scam more genuine-looking. ...read full article June 4, 2013 Police Release Photo in Theft from Vehicle, Identity Theft CaseA case of theft of a purse, credit cards and personal checks from a vehicle parked in Carderock Park in Bethesda in January may be one step closer to being solved. ...read full article June 4, 2013 Waterloo Woman Gets Probation for Forgery, Identity TheftWATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A 48-year-old Waterloo woman accused of using her mother's identity to open a credit card account has been given probation and ordered to make restitution. ...read full article June 4, 2013 ID theft lands man in prisonNORMAN — Daniel Wayne Ausmus, 44, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced to serve 78 months in prison for aggravated identity theft, mail fraud and submitting false claims to the United States. ...read full article June 3, 2013 ‘Smishing’ suspects to appear in courtCape Town - Police say they have bust a gang in Maitland suspected of the little-known smishing, a form of fraud using SMSes and e-mails in identity and card theft. ...read full article June 3, 2013 SEC and CFTC adopt identity theft red flags rulesThe SEC and the CFTC jointly issued final Red Flags Rules on April 10, 2013. While the Red Flags Rules issued by the SEC and the CFTC are largely similar to the Red Flags Rules adopted by the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) in 2007, the Commissions acknowledged that the adopting release and the final Red Flags Rules contain certain guidance, examples, and minor language changes which may lead some SEC- and CFTC-regulated entities that previously had concluded that the FTC Red Flags Rules were not applicable to them to now determine that the SEC and CFTC Red Flags Rules are, in fact, applicable to them. All SEC- and CFTC-regulated entities that determine they fall within the rules’ scope must adopt and implement a red flags rules program intended to help detect identity fraud by November 20, 2013. ...read full article June 3, 2013 Florida men indicted on charges related to Colorado business ID theftA Florida man accused of unlawfully acquiring businesses by looking up delinquent firms on the Colorado secretary of state's website and submitting false documents to buy them has been indicted. ...read full article June 3, 2013 Sacramento man indicted for fraud, identity theftA Sacramento man is accused of applying for a passport and Social Security benefits under an assumed identity and wrongfully collecting those benefits. ...read full article June 3, 2013 Couple Accused Of Identity TheftWILKES-BARRE — A couple from Luzerne County is accused of stealing credit card information from Lord & Taylor customers. ...read full article June 3, 2013 Company warns of business identity theftOperators working in the fruit and vegetable sector are warned that unidentified people are contacting producers to buy and sell supplies of products identifying themselves as representatives from the "ORTOFRUTTICOLA PARMA" company located in San Lazzaro di Savena (Emilia Romagna). ...read full article May 30, 2013 Two arrested in Covina for identity theft shopping spreeA Long Beach man and woman were arrested on Tuesday for stealing the identity of a Los Angeles woman and racking up credit card charges under her name. Judith Guzman, 34, and George Wusstig, 42, are accused of opening various credit cards under the unidentified woman's name. They were arrested on Tuesday while shopping at Bert's Mega Mall, said Covina police Lt. Tim Doonan. Besides the account at Bert's, Guzman and Wusstig also opened accounts at Best Buy and Home Depot, Doonan said. ...read full article May 30, 2013 Oakland woman was arrested in major identity theft case in BeniciaBENICIA -- Police say they've arrested a career criminal from Oakland who appeared to be churning out fraudulent documents in a local hotel room. ...read full article May 30, 2013 Leader of Hospital Identity Theft Ring SentencedThe ringleader of an identity theft/tax fraud ring that involved Troy Regional Medical Center in Alabama has received a 10-year prison sentence, the Troy Messenger newspaper reports. ...read full article May 30, 2013 Taylorsville woman indicted for bank fraud, identity theftTAYLORSVILLE — A Taylorsville woman faces a 16-count indictment for alleged fraud and identity theft. A federal warrant was issued for Alisha Turnbow, 32, who was taken into state custody. She is accused of attempting to cash fraudulently signed checks or make withdrawals from accounts belonging to other people. ...read full article May 30, 2013 Montgomerian pleads guilty in identity theft caseMontgomery resident Bridgette Rivers pleaded guilty Wednesday to her involvement in a conspiracy to use stolen identities to file fraudulent tax returns, according to the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service. ...read full article May 29, 2013 Parents, patients notified of potential identity theft incidentGAINESVILLE, Fla. ? An employee working at a University of Florida medical practice who had ties to an identity theft ring may have compromised patient personal and health information. ...read full article May 29, 2013 Shopper's tip leads police to bust suspected out-of-state ID theft ringAn alert shopper’s tip that she had just seen what she suspected was identity fraud at a Bensalem store led police to arrest four out-of-state residents on a variety of charges. ...read full article May 29, 2013 Kyle Zimmerman Accused of Identity Theft in Thousand Oaks and Possibly ElsewhereA 27-year-old Costa Mesa man is fighting identity theft charges in Thousand Oaks. Kyle Zimmerman was arrested at Ana Mesa Hotel on Harbor Boulevard in Santa Ana Friday following a Ventura County investigation into someone who tried to open several credit card accounts using a Thousand Oaks' resident's personal information. Money had also been taken out of the victim's checking account, according to police, who claim evidence related to the theft in Thousand Oaks as well as possibly other identity theft crimes was found in Zimmerman's home. ...read full article May 29, 2013 Silent Witness: Woman sought for identity theft, stealings $12,100 from bank accountPHOENIX - Authorities are working to locate a woman in her mid-to-late 30s who is suspected of stealing thousands of dollars from a bank account at two Arizona banks. ...read full article May 29, 2013 Security lapse exposes some Lifeline phone customers to ID theft riskLast fall, when Linda Mendez was offered discount phone service through a federal program for the poor, the San Antonio mom thought it was too good to be true. She signed up anyway. ...read full article May 29, 2013 Arrests made in $6 billion cyber money-laundering caseNEW YORK (CNNMoney) —Liberty Reserve, a major global online cash transfer business run out of Costa Rica, has been shut down and its executives arrested to face U.S. charges of laundering $6 billion. ...read full article May 29, 2013 Preventing identity theft after a person diesIt’s sad and devastating to a family when someone passes away. It’s beyond frustrating when family members and friends have to deal with repairing damage done by an identity thief who has stolen their loved one’s financial information to drain assets from the deceased’s estate. ...read full article May 28, 2013 Data breach puts DHS employees at risk of identity theftTens of thousands of current and former Homeland Security Department employees are at risk of identity theft after officials discovered a vulnerability in a vendor's system used for processing background investigations. ...read full article May 28, 2013 Jury duty identity theft phone scam targets ColoradoDue to the extreme penalties behind missing jury duty, scammers are preying on victims’ fear of legal action by pretending to be “jury duty coordinators” questioning consumers about recent jury duty summons. This scam, which dates back to 2005, is circulating again with multiple states being hit, including Oklahoma, Illinois, Colorado, Arizona and Oregon. ...read full article May 28, 2013 BBB warns of medical identity theftImagine going in for medical treatment and finding out that your medical records, including your blood type, have been altered. That was the experience of a Florida woman who became the victim of medical identity theft. ...read full article May 28, 2013 Harrington woman charged with ID theftA 38-year-old Harrington woman was arrested today and charged with identity theft, town police said. Tammy Lasher opened one bank account on the internet in the name of a relative and attempted to open a second account in the victim’s name, Lt. Earl K. Brode said. ...read full article May 28, 2013 Pair facing identity theft, conspiracy chargesThe story that John Ryall offered about the $14,000 cash and eight credit cards in his hotel room, and the plastic bags filled with chemicals in his sports utility vehicle sounded hard to believe to police. ...read full article May 28, 2013 White Bear Lake man accused of identity theft, falsely claiming citizenshipA man living in White Bear Lake was indicted Wednesday in federal court on one count of falsely claiming citizenship and another count of identity theft. ...read full article May 28, 2013 Identity-theft scams involve more than credit cardsNot all that long ago, many of us thought we only had to watch our credit cards to avoid ID theft. If the crooks didn't get the numbers on our plastic, we thought, they couldn't live it up and go on a wild shopping spree like the one in the movie "Identity Thief." ...read full article May 28, 2013 Woman involved in hospital identity theft sentenced to 10 yearsA woman who pled guilty in an identity theft/tax refund scam involving Troy Regional Medical Center records has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. ...read full article January 18, 2013 Alabama Residents Indicted Stolen Identity Refund Fraud ConspiracyMary and Christian Young and Octavious Reeves were indicted by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Alabama on a variety of charges stemming from an identity theft and tax fraud conspiracy, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. The alleged conspirators were charged in a 31-count indictment that was returned on Dec. 18, 2012, and unsealed today. ...read full article January 18, 2013 Female suspect seeking identity theft victims in Santa ClaritaSANTA CLARITA, Calif. (KABC) -- A woman is looking for potential victims who closely resemble her, so she can steal their driver's licenses and much more. ...read full article January 18, 2013 DJJ breach could lead to ID theftThe Florida Department of Juvenile Justice announced a security breach following the theft of a mobile device that was stolen from a secure DJJ office on Jan. 2. ...read full article January 18, 2013 Former Fugitive CPA Pleads Guilty in Identity Theft Tax CaseA former CPA and tax preparer who spent three years on the run as a fugitive in Pakistan has pleaded guilty to charges of engaging in a tax refund conspiracy after he was accused of using the names and Social Security numbers of dead people to submit false claims for income tax refunds. ...read full article January 18, 2013 US authorities jail illegal Jamaican immigrant for identity theftTAMPA, United States, Thursday January 17, 2013 – United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reported that an illegal Jamaican immigrant has been jailed for identity theft. ...read full article January 18, 2013 Dyersburg resident recounts ID theft ordealThe Federal Trade Commission reported in February 2012 that approximately 1.8 million Americans were victims of identity theft in 2011. Identity theft and similar scams cost Americans an estimated $1.5 billion in 2011. Figures for 2012 have not been released yet but are expected to be higher as they have been over the last five years. ...read full article January 17, 2013 Cordele, Georgia, Resident Indicted for Using Stolen Identities on False Tax ReturnsA federal grand jury in Macon, Ga., returned an indictment charging Kimberly Michelle Banks, a resident of Cordele, Ga., with crimes involving the use of stolen identities on false federal income tax returns in order to obtain refunds to which Banks was not entitled. ...read full article January 17, 2013 Man wanted for $30,000 ID theft in West GoshenWEST GOSHEN TWP., Pa. - January 17, 2013 (WPVI) -- West Goshen Township Police are looking for an identity theft suspect who they say bought $30,000 worth of merchandise by opening credit accounts under another man's name. ...read full article January 17, 2013 W.Va. woman sentenced for child’s identity theftMARTINSBURG, W.Va. (AP) — A former middle school teacher in Martinsburg has been sentenced to five years in prison for using one of her children’s Social Security numbers to obtain credit accounts that she couldn’t pay back. ...read full article January 17, 2013 ID theft ringleader sentenced to 20 years in prison"I am sorry for what I did,” said Pyong "Peter" Pak, 42, testifying at his sentencing hearing in Circuit Court. What Pak did according to prosecutors, was mastermind a widespread identity theft ring. ...read full article January 17, 2013 Camarillo man arrested on suspicion of operating identity theft ringA 45-year-old Camarillo man was arrested this week on suspicion of running an identity theft ring, Ventura County sheriff's officials said Wednesday. ...read full article January 17, 2013 ID theft webinar outlines red flags to watch for on accountsCHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) – South Carolina residents like Heather Popovich were notified by letter that their personal information was hacked. ...read full article January 16, 2013 California Tax Return Preparer Pleads Guilty to Tax Refund ConspiracyMasood Chotani, a CPA and tax return preparer from Los Angeles County, Calif., pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to defraud the United States, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. On June 23, 2010, Chotani was indicted by a federal grand jury in Riverside, Calif., on charges of engaging in a scheme to file false returns with the IRS using the names and Social Security numbers of deceased individuals. ...read full article January 16, 2013 Ex-teacher pleads guilty to identity theftMARTINSBURG - A former Spring Mills Middle School teacher was sentenced Monday to serve five years in prison after pleading guilty to stealing her daughter's identity. ...read full article January 16, 2013 APD to charge man for ID?theftAt least two area businesses have made claims against an Andalusia man who was arrested for allegedly using false identities to steal an estimated $100,000 in Birmingham, police said Tuesday. ...read full article January 16, 2013 Klemme woman charged with identity theftKLEMME — A co-owner of a Klemme business has been charged with identity theft. Tina Marie Badker, 41, one of the owners of the Shamrock Restaurant and Lounge, faces one count of identity theft, a Class D felony. ...read full article January 16, 2013 Suspects wanted for identity theft in Colorado SpringsColorado Springs police are investigating a case of identity theft. Police say it happened December 23. The victim noticed his car window had been broken into after service at the Beth El Mennonite Church on Ranch Drive. ...read full article January 16, 2013 Revenue Dept. to Hold Free Identity Theft WebinarsColumbia, SC (WLTX) - The South Carolina Department of Revenue is offering free identity theft webinars. ...read full article January 15, 2013 Former Texas Department of Health Employee Charged with Identity TheftOver the past few years, the image of the US Health Department has often been stained because of fraud-related crimes committed by the organization’s employees. Now, law enforcement authorities have identified another fraud case. ...read full article January 15, 2013 60% of UK Office Workers Receive Phishing Emails Every Day, Study FindsA study commissioned by PhishMe, an organization that specializes in offering anti-phishing training, shows that almost 60% of the office workers in the United Kingdom receive phishing emails every single day. ...read full article January 15, 2013 Sex Offenders Can Keep Screen Names SecretSAN FRANCISCO (CN) - California's human-trafficking law imposes unconstitutional penalties on convicted sex offenders, a federal judge ruled, entering a preliminary injunction. "Plaintiffs enjoy no lesser right to anonymous speech simply because they are unpopular, U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson wrote. ...read full article January 15, 2013 ADP-Themed Phishing Emails Lead to Blackhole SitesScammers are spamming out malicious emails purporting to come from payroll processing company ADP, according Dancho Danchev of Webroot. ...read full article January 15, 2013 Mount Vernon And Bronx Residents Charged With Identity TheftBronx and Westchester residents charged by Clarkstown Police with identity theft, possession of stolen property, fraudulent credit cards and grand larcenyClarkstown Police arrested Komi Kalefe, 22, of the Bronx and Gary Taylor, 26, of Mount Vernon on Monday night on a variety of felony charges including identity theft. ...read full article January 14, 2013 Sheriffs: Westmoreland woman is victim of identity theftWESTMORELAND, N.Y. (WKTV) - A Westmoreland woman was the victim of identity theft according to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office. ...read full article January 14, 2013 Suspects Sought in Identity Theft RingThe pair is suspected of victimizing dozens of people in Santa Cruz County, including an 82-year-old womanSanta Cruz County sheriff’s investigators are searching for two suspects in connection with an identity-theft ring. Hernan Coto, 33, and Jesse Jurado, 32, have been linked to an identity theft ring that has victimized dozens of people in Santa Cruz County, including an 82-year-old woman whose credit cards were stolen during a burglary, according to Deputy April Skalland. ...read full article January 14, 2013 Men plead guilty to identity theft crimes that included Ventura County victimsTwo members of a crime ring that used cameras in ATM locations to steal debit card PINs pleaded guilty Friday to identity theft-related crimes. ...read full article January 14, 2013 Officials Warn of Increasing Cases of Identity TheftJACKSON, Tenn. - Officials warn residents that identity theft cases have increased, impacting countless victims across Tennessee. ...read full article January 14, 2013 Grand Junction Police Investigating ID Theft CasesGRAND JUNCTION, Tenn. - Police are investigating several identity theft cases here in West Tennessee. ...read full article January 14, 2013 Montgomery man pleads guilty to identity theft, fraud chargesYet another Montgomery resident has pleaded guilty to identity theft and tax fraud charges, the Justice Department announced today. ...read full article January 14, 2013 Houston radio DJ arrested on charges of identity theftOfficials say he allegedly stole identity of dozens of KTSU donorsHOUSTON - A volunteer radio disc jockey was charged with identity theft after police said he stole the identity of dozens of donors. ...read full article January 14, 2013 Thieves steal thousands of South Floridians' IDs to file fake tax refundsThe couple arrived at Morton's Steakhouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale ready to do business. The product they were selling: a flash drive with 700,000 stolen identifications that could be used to file fraudulent tax returns and rake in millions of dollars, according to federal documents. ...read full article January 14, 2013 Albany woman testifies about identity theft crimesALBANY, GA (WALB) - An Albany woman, already convicted of embezzling government money, testified Thursday against two men on trial now for stealing hundreds of tax refund checks worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. ...read full article January 14, 2013 Officers from three agencies arrest four in Poulsbo for drugs, identity theftPOULSBO – Officers from three agencies, including the U.S. Treasury Department, arrested four people for narcotics sales, trafficking in stolen property and identity theft Jan. 7 at a home in the 25000 block of Pioneer Way NW, Poulsbo. ...read full article January 11, 2013 Utica College Prepares Students to Fight Cyber ThreatsA recent report released by McAfee Labs warns that hackers may attack dozens of banks in the United States early next year. This real and accelerating threat underscores the need for all types of organizations to be ready for such cybersecurity challenges. Utica College is preparing students for the front lines of the war against these kinds of attacks through its online undergraduate and graduate degree programs in cybersecurity. Utica faculty members say the time for organizations to act is now. The attack referenced by McAfee Labs has been in the works since 2008 and has already resulted in losses of $5 million and 300 to 500 victims in the U.S. “Many organizations don't have the right technology in place to realize they are fully penetrated and exfiltrating data,” says Jeff Bardin, a lecturer at Utica who teaches courses including Cyber Intelligence and Counter Intelligence and Cyber Terrorism and has over 25 years of experience in the field. “On the other hand, many organizations have been implementing new technologies, new procedures and sharing hacking and malware indicators that help identify and remediate malicious attacks." ...read full article January 10, 2013 Pair indicted for identity theft involving tax refundsIdentity theft – which costs the Internal Revenue Service an estimated $5 billion a year in illegal tax refunds – is at the heart of the first criminal case filed in U.S. District Court in Columbus this year. ...read full article January 10, 2013 Damaging Identity TheftJesse Sanchez of San Benito said he just wants his life back to normal. He said he lost his wallet when he was just 17-years-old, and it ended up in the wrong hands. ...read full article January 10, 2013 Man sentenced up to 7 years for identity theftNearly $12K illegally withdrawn in Carroll Valley man's name.A man arrested in Georgia, while carrying a driver's license and credit card bearing a Carroll Valley man's name, will spend at least three years in prison for stealing nearly $12,000 through identity theft. ...read full article January 10, 2013 Valley police search for identity theft suspectSPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. -- Spokane Valley detectives are asking for the public’s help to identify an identity theft suspect. ...read full article January 10, 2013 Identity Theft Victims Receive Gifts from Debit Card ThiefSusie and Chris Linford of Anchorage, Alaska, became the victims of identity theft when their debit card number was stolen a few weeks ago. They were contacted by their credit union, which informed them that their identity theft protection had kicked in and they would not be responsible for the fraudulent $5,000 online shopping spree the thief had gone on. In fact, their money was returned, and they were issued a new account number. Then they filed a police report and figured the nightmare was over. But while the Linford's story seemed to be a run-of-the-mill identity theft case, it does not end there. The next day, packages they had not ordered began arriving at their home. ...read full article January 10, 2013 Identify Theft Suspect Ordered to Jail, ProbationTyrone Todd, 54, will spend a year in the Oakland County Jail, records showA man arrested at a Bloomfield Township bank while attempting to cash a fraudulent check created with a stolen identity was recently sentenced to jail. ...read full article January 10, 2013 3 identity-theft suspects arrested in Phoenixhree people were arrested Monday on suspicion of identity theft after they were suspected of stealing from mailboxes, according to the Phoenix Police Department. ...read full article January 9, 2013 Feds step up HIPAA enforcement with hospice settlementA Hayden, Idaho-based hospice is the first health care organization to be fined for sustaining a breach that affected fewer than 500 individuals. ...read full article January 9, 2013 Tulsan Pleads Guilty in Mail-theft, ID-theft CaseA Tulsa woman pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to possessing stolen mail, admitting in a court document that she illegally opened mailboxes at several Tulsa apartment complexes in order to steal their contents. ...read full article January 9, 2013 2 Accused Of ID Theft To Obtain Tax RefundsCOLUMBUS, Ohio -- Two Central Ohioans are facing charges, accused of stealing identities to get tax refunds. A federal grand jury indicted Jose Luis Martinez, 46, of Columbus, and Mercedes Emelinda-Silie, 40, of Grove City, charging them both with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States government by obtaining and negotiating U.S. Treasury checks representing purported tax refunds; 39 counts of converting U.S. monies to their own use; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering offenses; one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business; and eight counts of identity theft. ...read full article January 9, 2013 Police: Woman used sister's identity in theftBEAVER — Charges against one woman were dropped and new charges filed against her sister after police said she gave authorities her sister’s name when she was arrested. ...read full article January 9, 2013 Jal Accountant Arraigned on Federal Fraud and Identity Theft ChargesALBUQUERQUE—This morning, Roger L Baeza, 31, of Jal, New Mexico, was arraigned on an 81-count indictment charging him with 78 counts of securities fraud, one count of access device fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. Baeza entered a not guilty plea to the indictment during his arraignment hearing. United States Attorney Kenneth J Gonzales said that Baeza is charged with defrauding two Jal-based businesses, Lea Energy Services LLC and Fulfer Oil & Cattle Company LCC, of approximately $572,000 between June 2010 and February 2012. During that period, Baeza was employed as the in-house accountant by the owners of the two businesses. ...read full article January 9, 2013 Facebook argues to protect user content in Portland murder caseFacebook attorneys appeared in a Portland courtroom this week to fight what is becoming an increasingly common demand across the country: Turn over user content that lawyers say they need to defend clients accused of murder, robbery and other crimes. ...read full article January 8, 2013 Georgia Woman Indicted for Stealing Identities to Obtain Tax RefundsA federal grand jury in Montgomery, Ala., returned a superseding indictment charging Deatrice Smith Williams and Quentin Collick for their roles in a stolen identity refund fraud conspiracy, Assistant Attorney General Kathryn Keneally of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama George L. Beck Jr. and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. The 13 count indictment charges Williams and Collick with conspiracy to file false claims, theft of public funds, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. ...read full article January 8, 2013 Former state HHS employee charged with identity theft; Hundreds may be impactedDuring the first week of the new year, the Titus County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) received multiple complaints from citizens regarding identity theft. ...read full article January 8, 2013 The IRS offers PINs for identity theft victimsST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Jessica Douglas, has been a tax preparer for Jackson Hewitt since 2006, according to her, Internal Revenue Service fraud is a crime she sees all too often. ...read full article January 8, 2013 Benita Cardona-Gonzalez, Undocumented Immigrant, Pleads Guilty To Stealing Candida Gutierrez's IdentityWICHITA, Kan. -- An undocumented immigrant accused of assuming the persona of a Texas teacher pleaded guilty Monday in a case that put a face on the growing crime of "total identity theft" in the United States. ...read full article January 8, 2013 Lower Paxton Police assisting police in Kentucky and Ohio for identity theft and access device fraudLower Paxton Township Police are working with authorities in Kentucky and Ohio attempting to identify a suspect in an identity theft and access device fraud. ...read full article January 8, 2013 Everett police bust massive ID theft ringEVERETT, Wash. -- Using hotels as hubs for a crime network has a big catch -- the paper trail. ...read full article January 8, 2013 Syracuse gym owner charged with identity theftSYRACUSE -- The owner of a Syracuse gym is accused of identity theft. 32-year-old Justin Edmond, the owner of "Just in Shape" gym, is charged with forgery and identity theft. ...read full article January 4, 2013 Colorado Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud the IRS out of $1.8 Million DollarsThomas William Quintin, 65, formerly of Denver, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States with respect to claims, and one count of misuse of a Social Security number (SSN), before U.S. District Court Judge R. Brooke Jackson, the U.S. Department of Justice and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Quintin is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Jackson on April 2, 2013. ...read full article January 4, 2013 Over 3,000 Confidential Documents Stolen by Hackers from Japan’s Agriculture MinistryForeign hackers might have stolen over 3,000 confidential documents – including ones on the Trans-Pacific Partnership multilateral trade pact – from Japan’s Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry after infecting the ministry’s systems with a piece of malware. ...read full article January 4, 2013 Sites of Capital One, HSBC, Fifth Third Bank, Ally Financial Disrupted by DDOS AttacksAnother series of bank websites have been disrupted by distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks launched by Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Cyber Fighters, as part of the fourth week of Operation Ababil 2. ...read full article January 4, 2013 Popular office phones vulnerable to eavesdropping hack, researchers sayHigh-tech telephones common on many workplace desks in the U.S. can be hacked and turned into eavesdropping devices, researchers at Columbia University have discovered. ...read full article January 3, 2013 Woodburn Bookkeeper Arrested For Identity TheftA 37-year old bookkeeper from Woodburn has been arrested and cited for multiple counts of identity theft and computer crimes after deputies completed a 3-month investigation into money missing from her employer. ...read full article January 3, 2013 Porn troll facing ID theft charges wants judge off casePrenda Law says the judge is biased against copyright trollsPrenda Law, a copyright litigation firm that has sued thousands of anonymous Internet users for sharing pornographic videos, has sought the dismissal of a California judge after the judge ordered the firm to answer charges that it engaged in identity theft. Prenda charges that the judge, Otis Wright, is biased against pornographic copyright holders seeking to enforce their rights. ...read full article January 3, 2013 Bans on Employer Demands for Personal Passwords Go Into EffectIn spring of last year, reports began surfacing that some employers were demanding that current and sometimes prospective employees hand over the log-in credentials or otherwise provide access to their various social media accounts. People were outraged. Such invasions of what many perceive as their personal, albeit, online privacy prompted much debating and the writing of a never-ending slew opinion pieces. ...read full article January 3, 2013 World Wildlife Foundation China Hacked, Details of 80,000 Users LeakedA hacker collective called DarkWeb Goons, recently founded by a former member of the Grey Security group, has breached the official website of World Wildlife Foundation China (wwfchina.org). ...read full article January 2, 2013 Man Accused of 16 Counts of ID TheftA 23-year-old Racine man is accused of stealing credit cards from his mother and another woman, then using them at area businesses. ...read full article January 2, 2013 Pair arrested and charged with identity theftTwo Salem residents were arrested for ID theft and other charges at a Howard Johnson motel, 2250 Mission St. SE, about 4 p.m. Friday, Salem police said. ...read full article January 2, 2013 Pueblo authorities look for identity theft suspectsPueblo Crime Stoppers is asking for the public's assistance identifying suspects of an identity theft. ...read full article January 2, 2013 Hollywood man convicted in identity theft schemeA Hollywood man was convicted in an identity theft scheme with fraud totaling $117,000 in victims' tax refunds, the U.S. State Attorney's Office announced Friday. ...read full article January 2, 2013 SSNs, Salary Information Exposed In Breach Of Army Servers'Unknown' attackers access databases of information on 36,000 peopleArmy officials have confirmed that cybercriminals obtained personal information of 36,000 people from multiple Army commands and visitors to the former Fort Monmouth base via a server hack. ...read full article January 2, 2013 Identity theft can happen where you're most vulnerable: In the hospitalIdentity thieves may be lurking in places you'd never expect to find them. ...read full article December 28, 2012 ID theft found at LSU hospitalsBATON ROUGE — The LSU hospital system has notified 416 patients — including some who received care at University Medical Center in Lafayette — that their checking account numbers and other personal information on checks paid to hospitals has been stolen. ...read full article December 28, 2012 Postal Worker Arrested For Identify TheftCounty prosecutors say law enforcement officials found thousands of pieces of stolen mail in his possessionA U.S. Postal Service mail carrier accused of stealing thousands of pieces of mail to provide credit cards to friends has pleaded not guilty to several charges and is expected to return to court on Thursday, San Mateo County prosecutors said. ...read full article December 28, 2012 S. Ozone man admits guilt in doctor ID theftA South Ozone Park man who was accused of stealing personal information from doctors who were applying to work at a medical facility he was planning to open pleaded guilty to charges of identity theft in court last week, according to the Queens district attorney. ...read full article December 28, 2012 New York woman accused in alleged Newtown charity scam(CNN) -- Federal authorities arrested a 37-year-old Bronx woman on Thursday after she allegedly concocted a ruse in the wake of the Connecticut mass shooting and posed as a relative of one of the slain children. ...read full article December 28, 2012 Christmas ruined for 2,100 sex offenders booted off online gamesThousands of online gaming accounts linked to convicted sex offenders were shut down in the US this month. Operation: Game Over resulted in the closure of 2,100 accounts registered through Gaia Online, NCSOFT, Funcom, THQ and other gaming platforms. Earlier this year 3,500 accounts were deleted from Microsoft, Apple, Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts, Disney Interactive Media Group, Warner Brothers and Sony as part of the same clampdown. ...read full article December 28, 2012 10,000 Indian government and military emails hackedState-sponsored snoopers suspected of large scale incursionIndia’s government and military have suffered one of the worst cyber attacks in the nation’s history, after over 10,000 email accounts belonging to top officials were compromised, despite a warning from the country’s cyber security agency. ...read full article December 26, 2012 Ex-Marine sentenced in ID theft, tax fraud schemeMIAMI -- An ex-Marine from South Florida has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for stealing the identities of more than 100 fellow Marines in a tax return fraud scheme. ...read full article December 26, 2012 Roscoe woman sentenced for federal mail fraud, identity theftROCKFORD (WREX) - A Roscoe woman will spend a total of 44 months in federal prison for mail fraud, theft of U.S. mail, and identity theft. ...read full article December 26, 2012 Quincy bank robbery suspect has history of fraud, ID theftQUINCY, Mass. —He has been convicted on federal charges of identity theft and bank fraud in Oregon and Minnesota. His rap sheet dates back more than two decades. In 2007, Bank of America said in a court filing he defrauded customers in eight states to the tune of $110,000. ...read full article December 26, 2012 Columbus police assist in federal identity theft investigationThe Columbus Police Department recently assisted the United States Department of State and numerous other agencies with an investigation of identity theft. ...read full article December 26, 2012 Police suspect identity theft in WeatherfordInvestigators are piecing together an identity theft case involving unauthorized use of a woman’s credit card in Weatherford, according to a news release from Sgt. Wendy Field, police spokeswoman. ...read full article December 26, 2012 Buford Man Discovers Identity Theft When Credit Card Statement ArrivesMan said fraudulent charges had been made on several of his accountsA Buford man discovered he was a victim of identity theft while reviewing the monthly charges for one of his credit cards. ...read full article December 26, 2012 Clearwater man sentenced for identity theftA Clearwater man has been sentenced to six and a half years in federal prison for aggravated identity theft and other crimes, according to a release from U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill. ...read full article December 26, 2012 Serviceman victim of identity theftA Burlington man is facing identity theft charges for allegedly using the name of another man who is stationed oversees in the military in an attempt to avoid traffic citations. ...read full article December 13, 2012 White Plains cops charge 2 women with ID theft at The WestchesterWHITE PLAINS — Two New York City women were arrested on identity theft and forgery charges after police said they used a Rhode Island woman’s driver’s license to open a credit account at a store in The Westchester mall and charged $989 worth of merchandise. ...read full article December 13, 2012 South Bay pair sentenced for major ID theft ringSAN DIEGO — Two people who stole more than 1,500 identities in a massive identity-theft ring based in the South Bay were each sentenced to prison Tuesday. ...read full article December 13, 2012 Check Scam Highlights 'Corporate Identity Theft'Most of us have heard of "identity theft." It usually involves personal information of a consumer being stolen and used to steal money from the unwitting victim. Now there's a new form of identity theft becoming much more common: Corporate identity theft. ...read full article December 13, 2012 14,000 Californians at Risk Following Medi-Cal, DHCS BreachMedi-Cal, California’s Medicaid welfare program, came clean to customers this week admitting it mistakenly posted almost 14,000 of its users’ Social Security numbers online last month. ...read full article December 12, 2012 Anchorage Man Charged in $150K Identity Theft SchemeANCHORAGE, Alaska— An Anchorage man is facing 36 federal charges, including aggravated identity theft, in a case involving more than $150,000 in losses to individuals and businesses he allegedly defrauded. ...read full article December 12, 2012 Identity Theft Investigation: Do You Know This Man?FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) - Clovis Police are asking for the public's help in identifying and locating a man wanted in connection with an identity theft case. ...read full article December 12, 2012 Porn trolling firm dogged by identity theft allegationsPrenda Law stonewalls on claim that it named man CEO without his permission.Prenda Law, the ethically challenged law firm that specializes in mass pornographic copyright lawsuits, is facing growing pressure to answer questions about allegations of identity theft. Last week, we reported on a Minnesota federal court filing by Alan Cooper, a former caretaker for Prenda's John Steele. Cooper has accused Prenda of naming him as the CEO, without his knowledge or consent, of two shell companies that have been filing mass copyright lawsuits around the country. ...read full article December 11, 2012 Identity Theft at the Pump Spikes From Credit Card Info-Stealing "Skimmers"Skimmers are "all over the place," according to a detective who said two suspects were arrested"Skimmers" that steal credit and debit card information have been discovered across San Bernardino County, and hundreds of people have been victims of identity theft, authorities said Friday. ...read full article December 11, 2012 Woman Facing 10 Felonies in Identity Theft CaseAuthorities allege Los Angeles woman erased and rewrote details on checks that didn't belong to herA woman who allegedly stole and forged checks belonging to a Santa Monica dentist is facing 10 felony charges including identity theft and second-degree commercial burglary. ...read full article December 11, 2012 Scotland Neck woman arrested in identity theft caseA Scotland Neck woman is facing charges after police say she used someone else’s bank account to pay close to $20,000 in bills. ...read full article December 11, 2012 Identity Theft, Tax Fraud Operation Probe Nets 11 ArrestsEleven people were arrested and eight children were taken into protective custody Thursday as Long Beach police and federal authorities served search warrants at 32 locations -- including Cerritos -- in connection with a three-year multi-agency probe into an identity theft and tax fraud ring. ...read full article December 11, 2012 Santa Paula woman arrested in connection with identify theft, fraudA Santa Paula woman was arrested Wednesday in connection with identity theft and fraud, Ventura County Sheriff's officials said. ...read full article December 11, 2012 Atlanta man pleads guilty to bank fraud, aggravated identity theftATLANTA -- Sidney L. Hall, of Atlanta, pleaded guilty to charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft on Monday in Albany, Ga ...read full article December 10, 2012 Man charged for stealing the identity of a missing childOn Friday, a man who had been previously charged for stealing the name of a missing child was charged again for the same crime. ...read full article December 10, 2012 Former Anon spokesperson indicted for allegedly linking to stolen informationBarrett Brown was charged for sharing Stratfor credit card details.On Friday, a federal grand jury in Dallas indicted Barrett Brown, a former self-proclaimed Anonymous spokesperson, for trafficking “stolen authentication features,” as well as "access device fraud" and “aggravated identity theft.” Brown has been detained since he was arrested in September for allegedly threatening a federal agent. ...read full article December 10, 2012 Medical Identity Theft a Growing TrendThieves are using stolen insurance cards to buy prescription drugs, have elective surgeries and submit false insurance claims.Residents are urged to be sure to guard their insurance or medical ID cards against theft. ...read full article December 10, 2012 Queens woman held on $25K bond for ID theft, forgeryA Queens woman faces numerous identity theft and forgery charges after Darien and Stamford police connected her to a string of fraudulent ATM withdrawals at area HSBC banks in early September. ...read full article December 7, 2012 PayPal phishing scams ramp up for holidaysInternet users should not assume that because they're somewhat savvy that they are invulnerable, warns one security expertCSO — 'Tis the season to be careful. That should be no surprise. Given that the online holiday shopping season is peaking, cybercriminals would be expected to ramp up their efforts as well. ...read full article December 7, 2012 Major £30m cyberheist pulled off using MOBILE malwareEurograbber did just what it says on the tinCybercrooks swiped £30 million (€36m) from the banks accounts of 30,000 customers in Italy, Germany, Spain and Holland over the summer using an elaborate mobile banking fraud scam. ...read full article December 7, 2012 UK Court Orders Bank Employee to Pay Fine for Illegally Accessing StatementsBarclays employee Lara Davies, of Barrowash, Derby, has been ordered by the Derby Crown Court to pay a total of £1925 ($3,087, 2,400 EUR) – representing a fine, victim surcharge and prosecution costs – after she illegally accessed the bank statements of her partner’s ex-wife. ...read full article December 7, 2012 Sophisticated botnet steals more than $47M by infecting PCs and phonesIntercepts SMS messages from bank, defeating two-factor authentication.A new version of the Zeus trojan—a longtime favorite of criminals conducting online financial fraud—has been used in attacks on over 30,000 electronic banking customers in Europe, infecting both their personal computers and smartphones. The sophisticated attack is designed to circumvent banks' use of two-factor authentication for transactions by intercepting messages sent by the bank to victims' mobile phones. ...read full article December 7, 2012 Major Police Gang Operation Centers On Identity Theft RingA continued gang enforcement effort netted 11 arrests today (Thursday), mostly associated with a large-scale identity theft fraud ring. ...read full article December 7, 2012 Del. Police Seek Suspects in Identity TheftGEORGETOWN, Del.- Delaware State Police say they are searching for two people wanted in connection with several incidents of identity theft and unlawful use of a credit card. ...read full article December 7, 2012 Authorities searching for more victims of multi-state identity theft ringWASHINGTON PARISH, La. -- The known victims of an identity theft ring, busted Tuesday, are spread across 12 states with 400 alone in Louisiana. ...read full article December 7, 2012 Speeding car leads to multiple ID theft, burglary, car theft arrestsIRVINE, Calif. (KABC) -- A speeding stolen vehicle observed by a police officer Wednesday led to the arrests of four suspects believed to be involved in auto thefts, burglary, credit fraud and drug activity, according to the Irvine Police Department. ...read full article December 7, 2012 Manager of Mill Valley Assisted Living Facility Accused of Fraud, ID TheftMill Valley police arrested a Novato man who manages an assisted living facility Wednesday on suspicion of fraud.Mill Valley police arrested the manager of an assisted living facility Wednesday on suspicion of fraud, identity theft and financial elder abuse of a resident. ...read full article December 7, 2012 New identity theft scam from South AfricaThe FBI estimates that 9 million people have their identities stolen each year. One way that those thefts occur is through email scams such as the one that began making the rounds on Dec. 5. The Dec. 5 email was sent to an unknown number of recipients in form of a solicitation from Ned Bank of South Africa for $66,700,000,000. This particular con does not appear to contain links that will lead to a phishing site, but relies, instead, on a more traditional approach. ...read full article December 7, 2012 Iranian man gets prison for Texas mail, ID theftHOUSTON (AP) — An Iranian man living in the Houston area has been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison for stealing mail, setting up fake identities and financial fraud. ...read full article December 6, 2012 Air Canada Scam Alert: Your Order ProcessedSpam campaigns that leverage the name of some popular airline have been around for quite some time now. In order to bring something new to these operations, cybercriminals don’t only change the pieces of malware they attach to the fake notifications, but also the name of the company. ...read full article December 6, 2012 Bellingham identity thief gets prison sentence; wife, friend also charged with theftBELLINGHAM - A Bellingham man convicted of stealing mail and identities was sentenced last week to two years behind bars and another two years on probation. ...read full article December 6, 2012 Seven arrested in identity theft scamvSheila Seal was checking on her bank account in Bogalusa in August when a bank employee told her about checks worth a combined $2,500 that Seal didn’t recall writing. ...read full article December 6, 2012 Police: Woman Arrested in Winnetka, Part of Florida Identity Theft RingWinnetka police say the Florida woman presented a forged check and stolen identification to a teller at Northern Trust Bank.A woman arrested in Winnetka is believed to be connected with a Florida-based identity theft ring, Winnetka police said. ...read full article December 6, 2012 Former Illinois hospital worker convicted of ID theftEAST ST. LOUIS • Susan L. Harris, a former medical assistant at a Southern Illinois hospital was found guilty by a federal jury Wednesday of aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit mail fraud, prosecutors said. ...read full article December 6, 2012 Bail cut for woman accused of identity theft in connection to killingBail was reduced Wednesday for a woman accused of using the public assistance card of a man whom she knew was dead, and whose son is charged with killing the man. ...read full article December 6, 2012 Sacramento man sentenced for ID theft, fraudA federal judge in Sacramento sentenced Michael Stephen Moynihan, 28, of Sacramento to three years and five months in prison for identity theft fraud. ...read full article December 6, 2012 Norwalk Man Charged with Health Care Fraud, ID TheftU.S. Attorney David Fein announced the indictment Wednesday.A certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor from Norwalk has been charged with health care fraud and identity theft offenses, United States Attorney David Fein announced Wednesday. ...read full article December 5, 2012 State Police bust identity theft, counterfeit check ringBATON ROUGE, La. – State Police announced the arrest of several people related to cases of identity theft, according to a release from State Police. ...read full article December 5, 2012 Legal secretary sentenced to federal prison for bank fraud, identity theftA legal secretary who stole $155,660 from her employer through bank fraud and identity theft received a federal prison sentence of nearly seven years Tuesday. ...read full article December 5, 2012 Indictment: Victims' medical records used for ID theft, tax fraudTwo Wichitans charged with committing the crimesWICHITA — Two Wichitans have been charged with using victims’ medical records to fraudulently apply for and receive federal income tax refunds, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom announced Tuesday. ...read full article December 5, 2012 Identity Theft Threatens Borger ResidentsBorger police have joined forces with the secret service to crack down on these criminals. ...read full article December 5, 2012 Police: Florida ID theft ring operating in north suburbsWINNETKA — The arrest of a Florida woman last month and a subsequent investigation by the Winnetka Police Department has linked the crime to a group that law enforcement calls the “Florida Felony Lane Gang.” ...read full article December 5, 2012 Spear-phishing scourge: It's up to you, the userWeb browsers are getting better at detecting and blocking URLs associated with phishing sites, according to a recent test of leading browsers by NSS Labs, but defending against social engineering will require educated users, not just better software, says one researcher. ...read full article December 5, 2012 Children Increasingly Targeted For Identity Fraud, Study SaysOne in 40 families experience theft of personal data from a minor; lower-income families disproportionately affectedCybercriminals are increasingly targeting children for identity theft, and lower-income families are the most frequent victims, according to a new study published today. ...read full article December 4, 2012 Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez Tape Lures Users to Shady Survey SitesCybercriminals have often attempted to trick users into visiting their malicious websites by promising them adult tapes featuring Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. While the two were separated, the scams appeared to have died out, but now that they’re back together, social media sites are once again flooded with such schemes. ...read full article December 4, 2012 Attackers can abuse Yahoo developer feature to steal user emails, other dataYahoo's YQL console is open to cross-site abuse, a security researcher saysIDG News Service - Attackers can read emails, contacts and other private data from the accounts of Yahoo users who visit a malicious page by abusing a feature present on Yahoo's Developer Network website, says an independent security researcher. ...read full article December 4, 2012 FTC Kills "Robocall" OperationIn its 100th case against violations to the national Do Not Call (DNC) Registry, the FTC has shut the doors on a robocall operation that was scamming people by using the FTC’s name. ...read full article December 3, 2012 Preying on the WeakEstate Planner Victimized Terminally IllIt was a despicable scheme—stealing identities of terminally ill individuals to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars from insurance companies and bond issuers. ...read full article December 3, 2012 Alarming Rise in IRS Refund ID Thefts, Few Prosecuted: GAO ReportA new government report charts an alarming rise in tax return refund identity thefts and that few of the thefts are even investigated by the IRS. ...read full article December 3, 2012 Whitesboro man charged regarding stolen credit cardsA Whitesboro man faces several charges regarding stolen credit cards, village police said. ...read full article December 3, 2012 Bay Area Ambulance Patients ID Theft VictimsBerkeley officials said Friday that more than 900 people who were taken to hospitals by Berkeley Fire Department crews may have had their personal information stolen by an identity theft ring. ...read full article December 3, 2012 FTC Issues Amended Rule on Identity Theft Red FlagsThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced publication of an Interim Final Rule on identity theft “red flags” that narrows the circumstances under which creditors are covered by the Rule. Congress directed the FTC, along with several banking agencies to develop regulations requiring “financial institutions” and “creditors” to develop and implement a written identity theft prevention program. By identifying “red flags” for identity theft in advance, businesses can be better equipped to spot suspicious patterns that may arise—and take steps to prevent potential problems from escalating into a costly episode of identity theft. ...read full article December 3, 2012 West Warwick, Coventry Men Indicted on Identity Theft and Perjury Charges, Among OthersThe two men have been indicted on 11 charges between them for the 2010 identity theft scheme.Randolph Hurst, 49, of West Warwick, a former Assistant District Manager for the Social Security Administration in Warwick, arrested and indicted on Friday for allegedly stealing the identity of a Coventry man and fraudulently sell more than $160,000 worth of stock certificates belonging to the victim. ...read full article December 3, 2012 ADP Discloses Ambulance Data Billing System BreachInvestigation revealed unauthorized access and, in certain instances, disclosure of personal informationFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Data Processing, Inc., (the "Company"), a provider of technology-based services to the emergency medical services industry, learned on October 1, 2012 that individual account information from the ambulance billing system was illegally accessed, some of which was disclosed to a theft ring suspected of filing fraudulent federal tax returns with the IRS. With the Company's help, the authorities identified the employee who admitted to the crime. The employee was immediately terminated. The theft included ambulance data from Frederick County and First Response Medical Transportation Corp. ...read full article November 29, 2012 Accused ID thief tries to score $40,000 bank loan in HollywoodPolice say Keith Gardner hoped to remain under the radar and silently walk away with nearly $40,000 of someone else's money from a Hollywood bank. ...read full article November 29, 2012 Woman accused in massive identity theft scamST. LOUIS (AP) — A Florida woman formerly from the St. Louis area is accused of being the ringleader in an identity theft ring that tried to cheat the government out of nearly $1.5 million. ...read full article November 29, 2012 Florida Woman Charged With Leading ID Theft Ring Tied To Creve Coeur CaseAuthorities say Tania Henderson is connected with larger scheme that included an attempt to deposit an IRS check at a Creve Coeur credit union in October. ...read full article November 29, 2012 Two wanted in Fergus Falls mail, identity theftsFERGUS FALLS, Minn. – Law enforcement here are looking for two people in connection to stealing mail and using it for identity theft, according to a WDAY news report. ...read full article November 29, 2012 Oakville Man Gets 94 Months in Jail for Fraud, Identity TheftAn Oakville man who confessed to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft in September was sentenced to 94 months in prison Tuesday in a case investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. ...read full article November 29, 2012 Romanian gang arrested in Australia's biggest-ever credit card ID theftHong Kong (CNN) -- Australian police say seven people have been arrested in Romania as part of a joint international criminal investigation into the largest credit card data theft in Australia's history. ...read full article November 29, 2012 6 arraigned in Ala. identity theft ringMONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Six people were arraigned Wednesday for their involvement in an identity theft ring. ...read full article November 29, 2012 Inmates who ran ID theft ring from prison get 25 yearsTwo men associated with the Armenian Power gang were each sentenced to 25 years in federal prison Wednesday on charges of perpetrating a sophisticated identity theft ring from lockup, according to the United States attorney’s office. ...read full article November 29, 2012 Elder abuse town hall meeting focuses on identity theft, fraud cases in the stateMOUNTAIN BROOK, Alabama -- State Representative Paul DeMarco and a panel of experts from the Alabama Department of Senior Services and the Alabama Securities Commission, sat down with a room full of senior citizens at an Elder Abuse & Fraud Prevention Town Hall meeting early this afternoon to discuss ongoing fraud trends and provide information on how to spot potential scams. In front of a standing-room only crowd at the Emmet O'Neal Library, Demarco stood firm in his belief that the statistics of elder abuse in the state are not acceptable. ...read full article November 29, 2012 Hoover man charged in identity theft schemeHOOVER, AL (WBRC) - A Hoover man suspected of stealing more than $100,000 from Wells Fargo in an identity theft scheme is now behind bars. ...read full article November 29, 2012 Police are searching for two people linked to a string of identity theft(WDAY TV) -- The search is on for two people linked to a string of identity thefts starting in Otter Tail County. The thefts and counter-fitting have now stretched from Otter Tail down I-94 to Wisconsin. ...read full article November 29, 2012 NBC Charlotte helps identity theft victim keep the power onFORT LAWN, S.C. -- Hugh and Clydeanne Mauldin run the Harmony Hills Nursery in Chester County. Both retired, it's the way they get money to pay the bills. ...read full article November 29, 2012 Broward man pleads guilty in massive identity theftA former employee of a North Miami law firm pleaded guilty on Tuesday to federal identity theft charges, U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer said. ...read full article November 29, 2012 St. Louis man sentenced for mail fraud and identity theftST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) -- William Lubker was sentenced to 94 months in prison on mail fraud and aggravated identity theft charges associated with a fraud scheme perpetrated on his former employer between 2009 and early this year. ...read full article November 29, 2012 Cops: Good Samaritan ripped off after helping Sandy victimA woman who helped a former classmate left homeless after superstorm Sandy got ripped off for her trouble, police said. ...read full article November 28, 2012 Where Identity Thieves are Now LivingWhile you are out shopping, dining, traveling and celebrating this holiday season, you should keep this not-so-jolly fact in mind: there are thousands of your fellow Americans working to steal your identity. And here's the really scary part: You might even know some of them. In fact, they could be the family next door. ...read full article November 28, 2012 Cyber Threat Not Number One Method of Identity TheftMuch attention is paid to the theft of personal information over the Internet, but the number-one cause for identity theft turns out to be old-fashioned loss of personal effects, according to Travelers. ...read full article November 28, 2012 REGIONAL: Woman pleads guilty to identity theft; faces 15 years in prisonNORTH COAST, Calif. – A woman with numerous identity theft cases around the North Coast and Bay Area has reached a plea agreement with Sonoma County prosecutors. ...read full article November 28, 2012 Police: Surprise packages indicate stolen identitySt. Charles police received two reports of identity theft in the past week after information was stolen to create a line of credit to order items online. ...read full article November 28, 2012 It's federal prison for ID thiefALBANY — A Hudson woman who belonged to a brazen identity-theft ring that stole personal information from medical facilities across the country was sentenced Monday to 2 years and four months in federal prison. ...read full article November 28, 2012 SC police warn of online ID theft scamST. CHARLES — Police are warning residents about identity theft scams after two recent reports of thieves obtaining the information and using it to order items online and having them sent to the victims’ homes. ...read full article November 28, 2012 Romanian authorities dismantle cybercrime ring responsible for $25M credit card fraudSixteen suspected members of a cybercrime gang that stole credit card data from foreign companies were arrestedIDG News Service - Romanian law enforcement authorities have dismantled a criminal group that stole credit card data from foreign companies as part of an operation that resulted in fraudulent transactions totaling $25 million. ...read full article November 28, 2012 IAEA Server Breached, Scientists' Email Addresses SpilledThe International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed to Reuters that one of its decommissioned servers had been accessed and had data stolen from it. ...read full article November 27, 2012 Shredded police documents used as parade confettiMINEOLA, N.Y. Some very private information was unknowingly cast to the winds during one of New York City's most public events: A ticker-tape parade. ...read full article November 27, 2012 Petaluma woman arrested for theft of inheritanceSANTA ROSA -- A Petaluma woman was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of stealing her stepdaughter's $30,000 inheritance check, a Sonoma County sheriff's sergeant said. ...read full article November 27, 2012 Rhode Island identity theft insurance schemers cop a pleaIn a trial closely watched by the insurance industry, Rhode Island attorney Joseph Caramadre and his former employee Raymour Radhakrishnan pleaded guilty today to charges that they conspired to steal the identities of the terminally ill. ...read full article November 27, 2012 Identity Thieves Prey on Gas Station Patrons, Police SayHigh-tech and highly illegal devices are able to gather credit card data entered into self-service pumps.Identity thieves have figured out how to turn aging gas pumps into cash without even "breaking and entering," according to law enforcement. ...read full article November 27, 2012 Unemployment inquiry masks identity theft scamAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Maine labor officials are warning employers about an identity theft scam that has spread to Maine. ...read full article November 27, 2012 Judge warns public about identity theft scam involving jury duty claimLOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- An age old scam has a new twist: thieves are tricking people into giving out sensitive information. ...read full article November 27, 2012 Clinton woman faces 150 years in prison for ID theftA Clinton resident faces several charges of identity theft and other crimes, according to state Attorney General Jim Hood. ...read full article November 27, 2012 Sacramento man sentenced in ID theft, bank fraud caseSACRAMENTO, CA - A man prosecutors say accessed more than $150,000 from victims by stealing their personal information and manipulating their financial accounts was sentenced to two years and 10 months in federal prison Tuesday. ...read full article November 27, 2012 Mexican National Sentenced to 54 Months in Prison for Trafficking the Identities of Puerto Rican U.S. CitizensWASHINGTON – A Mexican national was sentenced today to 54 months in prison for trafficking of identities of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens and corresponding identity documents, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Rosa E. Rodríguez-Vélez for the District of Puerto Rico; Director John Morton of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Chief Postal Inspector Guy J. Cottrell of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Scott P. Bultrowicz, Director of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS); and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Chief Richard Weber. ...read full article November 26, 2012 Man Convicted of Illegally Accessing AT&T Servers by 'Impersonating' an iPadA 27-year-old New York man known online as "Weev" was convicted Tuesday of "impersonating" an iPad in order to gain access to AT&T's servers and swiping 114,000 email addresses, including some belonging to celebrities. ...read full article November 26, 2012 Stolen Password Led to South Carolina Tax BreachTimeline Shows When and How Hacker Entered State Tax SystemA stolen state employee password allowed a hacker to breach the South Carolina tax system earlier this year, resulting in the exposure of records of more than 3.8 million individual and 700,000 business tax filers [see South Carolina Revenue Department Breached]. ...read full article November 26, 2012 Fake Apple invoices lead to Blackhole exploit kit that drains your bank accountOnline criminals targeting exploits is nothing new, but they are now taking a multi-pronged approach to compromising your security. ...read full article November 26, 2012 HR departments at risk of malware infection after unemployment benefits email spammed outComputer users, especially those working in the human resources departments of corporations, should be on their guard against a malware attack that is spammed out via email at the moment. ...read full article November 26, 2012 Businesses advised to prepare for Cyber MondayUpdating your browsers and clamp down on plug-ins, experts sayCSO — Many employees will spend a portion of their day hunting for bargains on the Monday following Thanksgiving weekend, and companies should prepare for the increased security risks, experts say. ...read full article November 26, 2012 UK student in dock over Anonymous £3.5m PayPal attackDenies charge relating to Operation Payback campaignThe trial of a British university student accused of participating in attacks by hacktivist collective Anonymous against the websites of PayPal and others has begun in London. ...read full article November 26, 2012 Nationwide Hacked, Customer Details CompromisedOn October 3, 2012, a malicious actor hacked into the systems of Nationwide – one of the largest insurance and financial services providers in the US. The full extent of the breach is not known yet, but it’s believed that the attackers gained access to the details of tens of thousands of customers. ...read full article November 20, 2012 New Mexico Man Sentenced to Prison for Stolen Identity Refund FraudDouglas Kuester, 43, a tax preparer from Silver City, N.M., was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for filing false claims and aggravated identity theft, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. Kuester was also ordered to pay $911,000 in restitution and will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence. ...read full article November 20, 2012 Man accused of stealing identities to get fraudulent tax refundsA 20-year-old North Miami man turned up in Miami federal court on Monday, to face accusations of identity theft and tax fraud, according to U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer. ...read full article November 20, 2012 Kuester sentenced in identity theft caseA Silver City tax preparer was sentenced to four years in federal prison Monday and ordered to pay $911,000 in restitution for using stolen identities to prepare fraudulent tax returns and pocketing the refunds, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. ...read full article November 20, 2012 Davidson woman faces charges of identify theft, unlicensed day careA Davidson County woman faces several charges after investigators accused her of identity theft and illegally operating a day-care center from her home, authorities said Monday. ...read full article November 20, 2012 Former football player Gachelin gets 2-plus years in ID theft caseFormer NFL free agent Louis Gachelin was sentenced to two years and four months in federal prison Monday for his role in an identity theft tax fraud. ...read full article November 20, 2012 Former CFO guilty of fraud & identity theft in stock schemeA federal jury on Monday convicted the former chief financial officer (CFO) of a North Shore information brokerage of conspiracy, money laundering, securities fraud, aggravated identity theft and other charges. ...read full article November 20, 2012 U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey decries identity theft, tax fraud schemeU.S. Sen. Pat Toomey used his stop Monday in the Lehigh Valley to bring attention to a form of identity theft and tax fraud he says is a major problem, both in the region and across the state. ...read full article November 20, 2012 R.I. Attorney Pleads Guilty in Identity-Theft ScamA Rhode Island estate-planning attorney and one of his employees pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiring to steal and use the identities of terminally ill people in a scheme to profit from insurers and bond issuers. ...read full article November 20, 2012 Study: 10,000 Identity Theft Rings in U.S.Identity theft is big business. Now, we’re finding out exactly how big. The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million of us have our identity stolen each year. It’s topped the list of consumer complaints filed with the agency for the past 12 years running, garnering about 15% of all complaints. And new research from ID Analytics shows that there are roughly 10,000 identity theft rings in the United States involved in this fast-growing illegal enterprise. ...read full article November 20, 2012 Neighbor charged with identity theft in SpotsylvaniaA 75-year-old Spotsylvania County woman was surprised when she received a bill for $830 from a women’s fashion catalog this weekend. ...read full article November 20, 2012 Dentist Hamada Markarita Of Oakton, Va. Convicted Of Illegally Distributing Narcotics, Identity Theft And Health Care FraudOAKTON, Va. (WUSA) -- A dentist from Oakton, Va. was convicted on Friday to illegally giving prescription pain pills to patients, workers, and a woman he dated. Fifty-one-year-old Hamada Markarita was also convicted of using another dentist's identity to fraudulently bill an insurance company for more than $160,000 in claims, saysNeil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. ...read full article November 19, 2012 Bank tellers among 17 arrests in ID theft ringInvestigators say ring stole at least 185 identities, filed false tax returnsJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Five tellers at VyStar Credit Union, a Citibank credit card employee and a hospital worker were among those involved in an ID theft ring that stole the identities of at least 185 people and used their information to file fraudulent tax returns and cash refund checks, according to State Attorney Angela Corey and others involved in the investigation. ...read full article November 19, 2012 Houston-area man pleads guilty to health care fraud, ID theft in forged physician signaturesHOUSTON — A Houston-area man has pleaded guilty in a nearly $1.2 million health case scam using forged signatures of doctors. ...read full article November 19, 2012 Phillip Smith, Ring Leader of a $1 Million Identity Theft Ring, Faces 22 Years in PrisonPhillip Smith, a 55-year-old Bronx native, pleaded guilty in Manhattan Federal Court today for his role as ring leader of a large-scale identity theft scam involving customers with credit accounts at big retail stores. ...read full article November 19, 2012 Navy veteran, VyStar customer falls victim to identity theftWoman says her identity was stolen while stationed overseasJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Holly Meadows said her identity theft nightmare started when she received a credit card by mistake while she was stationed overseas. ...read full article November 19, 2012 Woman Charged After ID Theft InvestigationA Vernon woman was taken into custody on Friday evening after an investigation into alleged identity theft activity, police said. ...read full article November 19, 2012 Suspects in ID theft case anticipate dealTwo accused of 'skimming' credit cardsST. GEORGE — Two men accused of “skimming” hundreds of credit card numbers will pursue a plea bargain with federal prosecutors, their attorneys said Friday in St. George’s federal court. ...read full article November 19, 2012 Sisters sentenced for identity theftBATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Two Baton Rouge women have been sentenced for an identity theft scheme that netted them nearly $150,000. ...read full article November 19, 2012 Man faces multiple felonies for identity theftBENNINGTON — A former resident of New Jersey is being held on $100,000 bail after he was charged with eight felonies based on an accusation that he had stolen the information of a South Carolina man and used it to obtain a driver’s license and register two vehicles in Vermont in 2010. ...read full article November 19, 2012 Woman charged with identity theft and forgeryFALLS — A Bristol Township woman is accused of stealing more than $3,600 from her employer by writing and cashing checks. ...read full article November 19, 2012 Three Seaford Bothers Plead Guilty To Identify Theft Ring InvolvementHussein brothers each face up to 15 years in prison after admitting to manufacturing fake driver’s licenses out of their storefront smoke shops in Greenwich Village.Three Seaford brothers have pleaded guilty to being part of an identify theft ring that “hijacked” store credit accounts and obtained more than $1 million. ...read full article November 16, 2012 IT needs ID-as-a-service for move to cloud, expert saysSummary: Existing IT identity management systems don't provide the fuel to run cloud's motor for privacy, securityBroomfield, Colo. - The cloud’s motor needs identity to run, but existing enterprise ID infrastructures are not fuel for that motor, according to identity expert Kim Cameron. ...read full article November 16, 2012 Police Advise Identity Theft PrecautionsEarly morning on Nov. 1, Manhattan Beach patrol officers kept their eyes on a particular car maneuvering slowly and suspiciously throughout neighborhoods around 8th Street and John Street near downtown Manhattan Beach. ...read full article November 16, 2012 "Operation Zig Zag" nabs 17 for identity theftBank tellers among those who helped steal over $500K of taxpayer moneyJACKSONVILLE, Fla. — State attorney Angela Corey along with members of the Secret Service and IRS announcing they’ve busted 17 people for stealing hundreds of identities in at least four different states. ...read full article November 16, 2012 17 arrested in Jacksonville ID theft, tax fraud at banksA seven-month joint investigation by the State Attorney’s Office, Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Secret Service has led to 17 people being arrested in an identity theft and bank fraud racket. ...read full article November 16, 2012 NJ Woman Admits to Identity Theft Scheme Using Deceased Aunt’s Credit Card Information(Source: FBI) – CAMDEN, NJ—A Jersey City, New Jersey woman today admitted using the identity of her deceased aunt to obtain access to credit card and deposit accounts, causing three banks to lose more than $30,000, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. ...read full article November 16, 2012 Tax fraud defendants include USD football playersSIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Nine people in South Dakota and Florida, including four former University of South Dakota football players and one current team member, have been indicted by a federal grand jury for tax fraud conspiracy and identity theft, prosecutors said Friday. ...read full article November 16, 2012 Eight People Plead Guilty in $1M Identity Theft Scheme That Preyed on Hundreds Of New York Consumers(Source: AG Eric T. Schneiderman) - NEW YORK – Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara and Special Agent-in-Charge James T. Hayes, Jr., New York Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), today announce the guilty plea of Phillip Smith, the leader of an identity theft ring who faces up to 22 years behind bars. This guilty plea is the result of a two-year investigation led by the New York State Attorney General’s Office. Smith’s plea was executed today before U.S. District Judge John F. Keenan in Manhattan Federal Court. ...read full article November 16, 2012 Freehold Resident Charged with Identity TheftMonmouth County Grand Jury hands down indictmentsBeatriz Vega, 27, of Freehold was indicted on one count of third degree impersonation, theft of identity. Between Sept. 1, 2009 and Aug. 1, 2012 is charged with "obtaining personal identifying information," of a person in Howell, Freehold Township and Freehold Borough. ...read full article November 15, 2012 Cuomo aide defends high bidder for DMV licensesALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A top Cuomo administration aide is weighing into a dispute over the awarding of a contract to produce new driver's licenses with black-and-white photos. He says the choice is the best safeguard against terrorists and identity thieves...read full article ...read full article November 15, 2012 Adobe confirms breach of Connectusers.com forum database, shuts down websiteAdobe is in the process of resetting the passwords of all Connectusers.com forum usersIDG News Service - Adobe has shut down Connectusers.com, a community forum site for users of its Adobe Connect Web conferencing platform, because the site's user database was compromised. ...read full article November 15, 2012 Spammers Trick Instagram Users into Signing Up for Premium Mobile ServicesExperts warn Instagram users that spammers are trying to trick them into signing up for premium mobile services by promising them all sorts of prizes. ...read full article November 15, 2012 Stolen code, 9-month hacking spree lead to criminal chargesGame operator: "Pay me $1500 and you will never hear from me again."Federal officials have accused a Dutch man of hacking into a New Hampshire-based game company, tampering with sensitive user data, and using the stolen source code to start a competing online game. ...read full article November 15, 2012 Grosse Pointe Shores Police Seeking Identity Theft SuspectsReward offered by crime stoppers for at least nine identity theft incidents in the Metro Detroit areaGROSSE POINTE SHORES - Grosse Pointe Shores Police are asking for help identifying the subjects shown in the attached photos. The persons shown are believed to be responsible for at least nine identity thefts in the Metro Detroit area. ...read full article November 15, 2012 York County man arrested on 29 counts of Identity TheftCONEWAGO TOWNSHIP, York County— A Conewago Township man has been arrested for Identity Theft after a six month investigation. The Northern York Regional Police arrested 33-year old Marshall Bradley on 29 counts of Identity Theft. ...read full article November 15, 2012 $287,000 stolen from Bainbridge man in identity theft caseBAINBRIDGE ISLAND — Nearly $300,000 was drained from the bank account of a Bainbridge Island man last week in an apparent case of identity theft, according to Bainbridge Police. ...read full article November 14, 2012 Adobe investigates alleged customer data breachThe information, published on Tuesday on Pastebin, includes hashed passwords, names and email addresssesIDG News Service - Adobe said Wednesday it is investigating the release of 230 names, email addresses and encrypted passwords claimed to have been stolen from a company database. ...read full article November 14, 2012 Yes, the FBI and CIA can read your email. Here's howSummary: "Petraeus-gate," some U.S. pundits are calling it. How significant is it that even the head of the CIA can have his emails read by an albeit friendly domestic intelligence agency, which can lead to his resignation and global, and very public humiliation? Here's how. ...read full article November 14, 2012 Adobe Allegedly Hacked, Attacker Claims He Gained Access to 150,000 RecordsAn Egyptian hacker called ViruS_HimA claims to have breached the systems of Adobe. To prove the fact that he has gained unauthorized access to the company’s systems, he has leaked a file containing the records of 230 customers. ...read full article November 14, 2012 Skype blocks password resets after account hijacking flaw made publicKnowing the email address associated with a Skype account was sufficient to hijack itIDG News Service - Skype has disabled the account password reset option on its website following reports that the feature can be abused to hijack Skype accounts if the attackers know the email addresses associated with them. ...read full article November 14, 2012 10,000 ID fraud gangs active in US, especially the Southeast, study findsThere are 10,000 active identity theft crime rings across the United States, with the greatest concentration in a "ring of fraud" that stretches across the Southeast from Virginia to Mississippi, according to a new report by fraud-fighting firm ID Analytics. ...read full article November 14, 2012 'Ringleader' In ID Theft Scheme Faces SentencingA Woodlawn couple have admitted stealing identities and money from hundreds of people including doctors at Johns Hopkins. ...read full article November 14, 2012 Child identity theft rising, according to FTCJONESBORO, AR (KAIT) - In a world where technology reigns supreme, lawmakers are looking to combat identity theft, a growing problem according to the Federal Trade Commission. ...read full article November 14, 2012 ID thefts of 49 cops lead to crime ring, feds sayThe investigation began in March with the discovery that 49 Aventura police officers and six other people connected to the city government were victims of identity theft and tax fraud in the 2011 income tax season, authorities said. ...read full article November 14, 2012 Dad fears school compromised daughter's identityGWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County family said their last name, Smith, has caused them repeated problems that could cause identity theft. ...read full article November 14, 2012 Justices spurn ID-theft suit against governmentThe Supreme Court on Tuesday issued its first opinion of the new term, saying a lawyer cannot combine two laws to sue the federal government for violating identity-theft protection laws banning the printing of credit card numbers and expiration dates on receipts. ...read full article November 13, 2012 2 RI men to go to trial in $25M investment fraudPROVIDENCE, R.I. — PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Two men accused of stealing the identities of terminally ill people and using them to reap $25 million from insurance companies and brokerage houses are scheduled to go to trial in federal court on Tuesday, facing dozens of counts of wire and mail fraud, identity theft, money laundering and conspiracy. ...read full article November 13, 2012 Darien woman charged with identity theftA Darien woman was arrested for using a relative's information to make purchases at a Walmart store in Batavia. ...read full article November 13, 2012 Genesee County woman charged with identity theftA Genesee County woman faces charges for allegedly stealing the identity of a relative to buy items from a store. ...read full article November 13, 2012 Mushrooming ransomware now extorts $5 million a yearMalware that disables PCs and demands hefty cash payments has come a long way.Malware that disables computers and demands that hefty cash payments be paid to purported law-enforcement agencies before the machines are restored is extorting as much as $5 million from end-user victims, researchers said. ...read full article November 13, 2012 European Commission Officials Say Their Computers Were Hacked in AzerbaijanNeelie Kroes, the vice-president of the European Commission, has revealed that the laptops of her advisers have been hacked into while attending the Internet Governance Forum (IDF) in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan. ...read full article November 13, 2012 Shareholders kept in dark on data breachesCSO - It happened more than three and a half years ago. So it presumably would be old news that Chinese hackers broke into soft-drink behemoth Coca-Cola's computer systems and stole confidential files relating to its effort to acquire the China Huiyuan Juice Group for $2.4 billion. ...read full article November 13, 2012 Mobile Security Revenue for Banks?Why Institutions Are Best Positioned to Protect Mobile PaymentsIncreased interest in mobile wallets and growing smart phone use are paving the way for more mobile payments, and now is the time for banking institutions to identify what role they'll play in this emerging space. ...read full article November 12, 2012 2 RI men to go to trial in $25M investment fraudPROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Two Rhode Island men are scheduled to go to trial for an alleged $25 million investment fraud in which they’re accused of stealing the identities of several terminally ill people. ...read full article November 12, 2012 The danger of identity theft after a car crashWhether you are in a major car accident or even a minor fender bender, identity theft is not likely to be one of your immediate concerns after a crash. But you can't let your guard down as you swap auto insurance and other information. ...read full article November 12, 2012 Man reports identity theft while stationed overseasIDENTITY THEFT: A 24-year-old man reported he recently received an electric bill for $1,085.29 for service from 2007 at an address in the 200 block of Gallaher Street. The man said he was stationed overseas in the military during the dates in question. Police have a suspect. ...read full article November 12, 2012 Identity theft conviction upheldASHEVILLE — The N.C. Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of man who gave police someone else’s name when he was arrested for shoplifting. ...read full article November 12, 2012 Man charged with identity theft in savings bonds caseAn 18-year-old North Side man accused of possessing dozens of savings bonds belonging to another man was ordered held on $20,000 bail Sunday. ...read full article November 12, 2012 Postal service cracks down on mailbox theftsToday we learn about a federal agency solving one of our problems. In 2009, The Watchdog kept hearing from readers that the blue mail collection boxes outside area post offices were an easy target for thieves. Mail bandits fished mail out of the boxes and used checks and money orders found inside for identity theft. ...read full article November 12, 2012 Philly man found guilty of identity theftA federal jury in Hartford recently found Anthony Johnson, 49, of Philadelphia guilty of credit card fraud and identity theft, nearly a year after he was first detained in November of 2011. ...read full article November 12, 2012 Identity Theft Victim Turns Amateur Sleuth And Gets Suspect ArrestedONTARIO (CBSLA.com) — A victim of identity theft turned amateur sleuth in Ontario and helped catch the suspect who was using her debit card information to pay for his gas, according to authorities ...read full article November 12, 2012 Texan admist identity theft to degraud Tulsa credit unionsA Texas man pleaded guilty in Tulsa federal court Friday to using another person's Social Security number to finance the purchase of a Winnebago motorhome. ...read full article November 12, 2012 Inland Empire: Investigators nab man in identity theft and credit card schemeA Corona man is behind bars for allegedly running a large identity theft and counterfeit credit card scheme taking place at gas stations in Jurupa Valley and Norco, officials confirmed today. ...read full article November 12, 2012 Woman charged with ID theft after multiple burglariesJUNEAU – A 23-year-old Marshall woman made her initial appearance in Dodge County court Thursday on charges of attempting to use a debit card that was taken during a burglary in the Town of Leroy. ...read full article November 9, 2012 Action 16 Investigation: Business Identity TheftDICKSON CITY — We protect ourselves from identity thieves: People trying to steal our social security or credit card numbers and get expensive items and money. ...read full article November 9, 2012 Woman Arrested For ID Theft, Stealing From Her GrandfatherLexington, NC -- Deputies have arrested a 34-year-old woman for identity theft and stealing from her grandfather. ...read full article November 9, 2012 How Medical Identity Theft Can Give You a Decade of HeadachesArnold Salinas knows a lot about the person who stole his identity. He’s 5-foot-9, 190 pounds. He pays for pizzas with forged checks, defaulted on a $17,000 car loan and has traveled the country, racking up speeding tickets and thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes, according to Salinas and a firm he’s hired to clean up the mess. ...read full article November 9, 2012 Md. man pleads guilty to identity theftBALTIMORE (AP) — A Salisbury man has pleaded guilty to using information stolen from clients of a residential mental health program to open bank accounts. ...read full article November 9, 2012 Identity theft charge traced to SalisburyWATERTOWN — A Salisbury woman was arrested Wednesday after police say she stole $150,000 from a 95-year-old woman as part of a two-year identity theft scheme. ...read full article November 8, 2012 Barbados National Sentenced to Prison for Using Stolen Identities to Obtain Tax RefundsDefendant Filed False Returns Seeking Over $120 Million in Fraudulent RefundsAndrew J. Watts, a Barbados national, was sentenced in Chicago by U.S. District Judge Joan Gottschall to 114 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution of just under $1.7 million for devising and executing a stolen identity federal income tax refund fraud scheme, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. ...read full article November 8, 2012 Gaping hole in Google service exposes thousands to ID theftVast number of car insurance hunters at risk by flawExclusive A security flaw accessible via Google's UK motor insurance aggregator Google Compare has potentially exposed vast numbers of drivers to identity theft. ...read full article November 8, 2012 La Cañada ID theft suspect nabbedCrescenta Valley sheriff's deputies on Tuesday arrested a man in Banning on suspicion of identity theft, the culmination of an investigation that began when he allegedly used a La Cañada Flintridge resident's personal information to open several credit accounts in June. ...read full article November 8, 2012 Two men accused of ID theft in Simi Valley Costco incidentSimi Valley police said they arrested two men Tuesday who tried to make purchases using false identification and gift cards at Costco. ...read full article November 8, 2012 Couple Sought in Identity TheftThe Bakersfield Police Department is asking for the community’s assistance in identifying two suspects wanted for business burglary, unauthorized use of access cards and identity theft. ...read full article November 8, 2012 PBSO seeking help to identity theft suspectPalm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputies are asking the public to help identify a woman suspected of using a stolen credit card. ...read full article November 8, 2012 N. Idaho man pleads guilty to bank fraud, aggravated identity theftCOEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — A northern Idaho man who stole two checks from a resident at a nursing home and then forged the resident's name and made the checks payable to his girlfriend for $500 has pleaded guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. ...read full article November 7, 2012 Suspect pleads guilty to federal charges in Tampa tax fraud caseTAMPA -- A tax-refund fraud suspect has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. ...read full article November 7, 2012 Image-Stealing Trojan Exposes Victims to ID Theft, BlackmailA new breed of malware designed to specifically target image files can expose victims to identity theft, fraud, and blackmail, researchers said. ...read full article November 7, 2012 Guilty plea for Md. man in identitity theft caseBALTIMORE — A Baltimore man has pleaded guilty to identity theft five years after being convicted of the same crime. ...read full article November 7, 2012 Minneapolis woman pleads guilty plea in $387K ID schemeA Minneapolis woman has admitted to an identity-theft scheme that bilked the IRS out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax refunds. ...read full article November 7, 2012 Pizza Hut Australia Hacked, Attackers Claim They Stole Credit Card DetailsHackers going by the name of 0day and Pyknic have breached and defaced the official website of Pizza Hut Australia. They claim that they have obtained the details of around 240,000 credit cards, but the company’s representatives claim that such information has not been compromised. ...read full article November 7, 2012 Twinings Tea Company hacked, 1,600+ consumer credentials LeakedA hacker using the handle @D0ct0r_Inj3ct0r has posted a leak of data to pastebin that comes from one of the worlds largest and well known Tea companies, Twinings. ...read full article November 6, 2012 Identity Theft Crew BustedA crew of suspected identity thieves has been busted in Omaha. After hitting several metro stores a few weeks ago they came back for more. But this time the Nebraska Furniture Mart security staff was ready. ...read full article November 6, 2012 Medical identity theft growing fast and endangering lives“Medical identity theft is the fastest growing type and it’s also the most dangerous,” explains Alex Gardner a certified Identity Theft/Risk Management Specialist. ...read full article November 6, 2012 BNSF employees getting scammed with identity theftPASCO, Wash. - A series of identity thefts have led Burlington Northern Santa Fe officials to believe their employee records have been compromised. ...read full article November 6, 2012 Somers identity theft: $50k shopping spree; 2 chargedSOMERS — A month-long investigation into identity theft from a Somers resident resulted in the arrest of two men when they arrived to pick up a package, state police said. ...read full article November 6, 2012 Man wanted for identity theft in Arizona arrested in SacoSACO, Maine — A man living in Saco who had an outstanding warrant out of Arizona was picked up by police on Thursday. ...read full article November 6, 2012 Baltimore man pleads guilty to identity theftBALTIMORE (AP) — A Baltimore man has pleaded guilty to identity theft five years after being convicted of the same crime. ...read full article November 6, 2012 1.7M mobile apps analyzed: Users tracked and put at risk, and it's unjustifiedSummary: Network security company Juniper Networks investigated 1.7 million mobile apps. It concluded that free apps cost us our privacy, expose us unnecessarily, and most app permissions are unjustified. ...read full article November 6, 2012 US Voters Targeted with Malware Hidden in Fake Election Documents, YouTube VideosAs US citizens prepare to elect their president, cybercriminals have intensified their malicious campaigns in an effort to take advantage of the buzz that surrounds the event. ...read full article November 6, 2012 Telecom Italia Hacked by Anonymous, 30,000 Credential Sets StolenAnonymous hacktivists claim to have breached the systems of Telecom Italia, Italy’s largest telecommunications company. ...read full article November 6, 2012 Smart meters not so clever about privacy, researchers findA University of South Carolina study found smart meters transmitting plain text information that could be used against home ownersIDG News Service - Researchers at the University of South Carolina have discovered that some types of electricity meter are broadcasting unencrypted information that, with the right software, would enable eavesdroppers to determine whether you're at home. ...read full article November 6, 2012 McDonald’s Gift Card Scam Advertises Rogue Facebook AppFacebook users should beware of posts that offer free $100 McDonald’s gift cards since they’re part of a scheme that’s designed to lure victims to a malicious application. ...read full article November 6, 2012 Woman Trafficked ID Theft Information, Police SayA North County woman was discovered concealing stolen information that would have been used to steal identities of seven people, St. Louis County Police said. ...read full article November 5, 2012 Haley describes identity theft ordealCOLUMBIA — Gov. Nikki Haley said Friday that she was a victim of identity theft about a decade ago, explaining her push to get people signed up for credit monitoring after the security breach at South Carolina’s revenue agency. ...read full article November 5, 2012 Hot Line: Shameless scammers stealing kids' IDsHow would you feel if you discovered that your child’s identity had been stolen and used to get a job, government benefits, medical care, utilities, a car loan and even a mortgage on a house? You probably wouldn’t believe it, right?! Admittedly, it doesn’t seem possible, but it’s sweeping the country. ...read full article November 5, 2012 Camille Dunn set for Franklin County hearing on identity theft chargesA Shippensburg area woman is facing identity theft charges after she allegedly opened multiple accounts and made purchases in the name of a woman she once cared for. ...read full article November 5, 2012 Two Charged in $50K Identity Theft ProbeSomers resident's credit card information stolen, fraudulent computer purchases made.A Bronx man and a Pennsylvania man have been charged in an identity theft probe that was launched after $50,000 in fraudulent purchases were made on the credit card account of a Westchester County resident, according to State Police. ...read full article November 5, 2012 Gilbert man, sons arrested on suspicion of bank fraud, money laundering, ID theft at Chandler storeA Gilbert father and his two sons are facing federal charges following their arrests involving a $10 million money order scheme authorities say stemmed from the Mama Mia Panaderia and Market in Chandler. ...read full article November 2, 2012 Identity theft scam diverts soldier's payFour days before payday, Army Capt. Stephen Redmon noticed online that his Sept. 14 check was going to be deposited in an unfamiliar bank account. ...read full article November 2, 2012 Tax preparer arrested for identity theftPANAMA CITY BEACH -- A Panama City Beach man was arrested Thursday on charges that he used copies of clients’ tax returns to steal their identities. ...read full article November 2, 2012 Chesterton man faces three count indictment on alleged ID theftSOUTH BEND | A Chesterton man faces a three-count federal indictment on allegations he used his brother’s identity to acquire approximately $10,000 in unemployment benefits. ...read full article November 2, 2012 Bay County Identity Theft ArrestThe Bay County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from an employee in reference to identity theft. The employee realized his identity had been compromised and filed the complaint on September 24, 2012. ...read full article November 1, 2012 Deputies: Woman wanted for identity theft in 3 statesHENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. — Henderson County authorities are looking for a woman they say is involved in identity thefts and forgeries in Northwest Georgia, Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. ...read full article November 1, 2012 Woman captured after 12 years on the lam following Santa Clara County convictionAn escaped convict with a history of stealing and identity theft in Santa Clara County was captured last week in Virginia, 12 years after she bolted from a Southern California corrections facility. ...read full article November 1, 2012 AL Woman Indicted in a Sophisticated Identity Theft Scheme Involving More Than 1,000 False Tax Returns(Source: Department of Justice) -Antoinette Djonret pleaded guilty today in two cases: one involving the filing of more than a million dollars worth of false tax returns using stolen identities and the other case involving the filing of false tax returns for clients, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. ...read full article November 1, 2012 Bank Fraud Suspects Net $1M in Citibank Casino SchemeFourteen individuals were charged late last week after the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the Los Angeles Police Department and the Glendale, Calif. Police Department found they were behind a scheme that extracted more than $1 million from Citibank cash-advance kiosks in Southern California and Nevada between 2009 and 2010. ...read full article November 1, 2012 Hackers crack Texan bank, Experian credit records come flooding outNames, numbers, finances, EVERYTHING... and they weren't even customersHackers managed to get login credentials for Experian's credit scoring reports after they broke into the systems of Abilene Telco Federal Credit Union last year, it has emerged. ...read full article November 1, 2012 Five Japanese detained for data theftSummary: The five arrested are allegedly responsible for distributing malware in video apps for Android smartphones which affected 90,000 people, in what is Japan's largest information theft case. ...read full article November 1, 2012 Woman pleads guilty in ID theft caseMONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Federal authorities say a woman has pleaded guilty in Alabama to what they describe as a sophisticated identity theft scheme to defraud the government. ...read full article October 31, 2012 Capo Beach Man Sentenced for Identity TheftA Capistrano Beach man was sentenced Friday to 25 years in jail after pleading guilty to 50 counts, including 33 counts of identity theft and 13 counts of grand theft. ...read full article October 31, 2012 “Horrible Rumor Spreading About You” Twitter DMs Lure Users to Malicious SitesIn the past period, many cybercriminals have turned to direct messages (DMs) on Twitter in order to spread their malicious links. If last time they were relying on outrageous pictures, this time they’re leveraging horrible rumors. ...read full article October 31, 2012 Local Woman Sues Barnes & Noble for Identify TheftOne of the customers of the Deerfield store says the bookseller did not properly secure her personal information before its PIN pads were hacked. The Evanston store was also hacked.A Deerfield woman sued Barnes & Noble for invasion of privacy claiming her credit card information was stolen when shopped at the booksellers’ Deerfield store in August and September, according to a complaint filed Monday in federal court in Chicago. ...read full article October 31, 2012 Trial starts for TN man accused of ID theft, health care fraudThe trial for a Cuban accused of setting up a false medical care online billing services company in Gainesboro, Tenn., began Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Nashville with charges that he had perpetrated health care fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering. ...read full article October 31, 2012 Here are the top 5 Best Ways to Avoid Post-Sandy ScamsIn the wake of any major and destructive weather event, there is always confusion, misinformation, and disarray. But if you’re lucky enough to live in a place like the U.S., there is also a massive outpouring of aid. ...read full article October 31, 2012 Latest target for identity thieves? Military payTAMPA — Much is demanded of soldiers. In exchange they get pride and pay. But identity theft claimed even the pay last month for four military personnel at Fort Bragg, N.C., one of America's biggest Army bases. ...read full article October 31, 2012 Identity theft spreading to social network sitesPeople are becoming wiser about how they share their credit-card information and not giving key information, such as Social Security numbers or mothers’ maiden names, out over the phone to protect their identities. However, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center, those wishing to steal personal information for their own selfish reasons are now using cellphones and social media to gain access to personal information they can use to access bank accounts, loans, etc. ...read full article October 30, 2012 Ore. man gets 4 years for role in ID theft ringPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge has sentenced a Portland man to more than four years in prison for using his graphic design skills to create high-quality fake identification documents for a team of identity thieves. ...read full article October 30, 2012 Fresno woman held on 224 counts of ID theftFRESNO, Calif.—A 45-year-old Fresno woman is facing identity theft and burglary charges involving 61 people who live between Visalia and Sacramento. ...read full article October 30, 2012 Ex-Portsmouth restaurateur seeks more time in theft caseA former Portsmouth restaurateur charged with tapping into his customers’ credit cards for extra cash is asking for more time to prepare for trial, claiming he needs to examine a slew of evidence. ...read full article October 30, 2012 Montreal man to remain in jail on bank-fraud chargesA Montreal man accused of using fake identification to open bank accounts in the Halifax area will spend at least three more weeks behind bars before he seeks bail. ...read full article October 30, 2012 Experts urge those affected by hacking to take precautions against identity theftState and federal law enforcement agencies on Monday were still investigating the cyber-attack that might have jeopardized the tax returns of millions of South Carolina residents. ...read full article October 30, 2012 ‘Democrat of the Year’ loses title after felony convictionJefferson County, Colo. Democrats have revoked 66-year-old Estelle Carson’s 2012 “Democrat of the Year” award, following her conviction on Thursday for stealing from a 71-year-old woman who suffers from both partial blindness and cerebral palsy. ...read full article October 30, 2012 Identity theft suspects steal CamaroRENO, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com) -- Reno Police are looking for two suspects who used a false identity and stole a high-priced Camaro. ...read full article October 29, 2012 Identity theft suspected in illegal acces of prescription drug tracking systemThis week Washington’s Prescription Monitoring Program sent letters to 34 people whose records were illegally accessed by someone who used a physician’s identity. ...read full article October 29, 2012 Identity theft: Woman's identity stolen by adoptive motherAt three months old, a woman was adopted into a new family. “My adopted mother changed my name to her name,” she says. ...read full article October 29, 2012 Scam artists get tax refunds through ID theftCreative crooks have found a new way of using stolen identity details to defraud people - illegally applying for tax refunds. ...read full article October 29, 2012 Cyber Attack on S.C. Department of Revenue Exposes 3.6 MillionCOLUMBIA -- The South Carolina Department of Revenue announced Friday that a cyber attack has exposed 3.6 million Social Security numbers and 387,000 credit and debit card numbers. ...read full article October 29, 2012 Two arrested for stealing from college districtTwo 42-year-old former employees of the San Mateo County Community College District are facing multiple felonies after working together to misuse the agency's credit cards resulting in about a $150,000 loss, according to District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. ...read full article October 29, 2012 Police: Duo Charges Over $1,500 in Identity TheftStolen credit card information at the Hilton Garden Inn in Oaks led to the arrest of a Norristown woman.On Oct. 19, Upper Providence police were called to the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 500 Cresson Blvd. in Oaks, for the report that guests were using stolen credit card information. ...read full article October 29, 2012 D.P. Crime Ring Leader Gets 25 Years for ID TheftChristopher John Aragon, 52, Capistrano Beach, pleaded guilty Friday to 50 felony counts including 33 counts of unauthorized use of personal identifying information, says district attorney.Christopher John Aragon, 52, of Capistrano Beach, regarded as the leader of a crime ring was sentenced Friday to 25 years in state prison for stealing thousands of personal identities and counterfeiting credit cards to buy high-end goods to be resold on eBay and Craigslist, according to the Orange County District Attorney's office. ...read full article October 29, 2012 Court exempts union bosses from laws against identity theftOne November day in 2007, 33 AT&T workers in central North Carolina found out that their Social Security numbers and other private information had been posted for the world to see -- exposing them to identity theft and credit fraud. ...read full article October 29, 2012 Ex-State Dept. worker admits identity theft; used passport information to get credit cardsWASHINGTON — A former State Department employee has pleaded guilty to an identity theft plot in which he and others used stolen credit cards to make more than $70,000 in purchases. ...read full article October 29, 2012 Woman charged in St. Charles with aggravated ID theft vs. 65-year-oldST. CHARLES — A 42-year-old West Chicago woman has been charged with using a Colorado resident’s identity, police said Friday. ...read full article October 29, 2012 Police investigate identity theft casesTwo Bloomfield Township residents reported attempted identity theft to police after they received suspicious letters from collection agencies. ...read full article October 29, 2012 New ID theft scam: Luring people to fake IRS websiteWatch out for a website that mimics part of the official Internal Revenue Service website. Identity theft scamsters are using the fake website to lure people into giving personal information that could be used to steal their money or identity, said Mike Dobzinski, the Plantation-based spokesman for the Internal Revenue Service. ...read full article October 29, 2012 Child actor is victim of sinister identity theft after fraudster sets up Twitter account in his name and impersonates him for seven monthsA promising child actor has spoken out after being subjected to a seven-month-long Twitter hoax which cruelly took advantage of his fans. ...read full article October 29, 2012 Briefs: Trio suspected of identity theftA female and two male residents of the Yuba-Sutter area are suspected of identity theft following their arrest Saturday in Butte County at a Walmart store. ...read full article October 29, 2012 IP Theft, Supply Chain Security Major Worries for Government, Former Cybersecurity Czar SaysANAHEIM, CALIF.--The theft of intellectual property through attacks on U.S. networks, both government-owned and private, has become one of the major concerns for officials at the top level of the federal government, not just among security staffs, but at the upper echelons of the White House and intelligence agencies, as well, the former top cybersecurity adviser to President Obama said. ...read full article October 25, 2012 Identity theft crushes Gladwin couple, $30,000 in debt racked upGLADWIN COUNTY, MI (WNEM) - Identity theft can happen to any of us, without even realizing it. One Mid-Michigan couple's story serves as a warning about a new wave of thieves. ...read full article October 25, 2012 Man Crawled on Theater Floors, Stealing Money From Female Movie WatchersA jury found a Philadelphia man guilty of credit card fraud and indentity theft using a unique method to prey on his victims: He crawled around movie theater floors in the dark, stealing from women's purses. Prosecutors said he preferred to attend chick flicks, where plenty of women would show up. ...read full article October 25, 2012 ID Theft Ring Hits Henderson CountyHENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn.- An outbreak of identity theft reports has residents in Henderson double checking their bank accounts, and investigators with few resources. ...read full article October 25, 2012 Attempted Gearys Beverly Hills? Purchases Tied to Identity Theft SchemeA Park La Brea man was sentenced to six years in federal prison for his role in stealing the identities of elderly credit card holders in an effort to buy expensive merchandise.A Park La Brea man was sentenced Monday to 76 months in federal prison for his role in an international identity theft and credit card fraud scheme targeting elderly cardholders. ...read full article October 25, 2012 Tuckahoe Resident Suffers $2,500 Identity TheftTUCKAHOE, N.Y. – A Tuckahoe resident reported to police that he was the victim of identity theft on Tuesday after unauthorized charges showed up on his account. ...read full article October 25, 2012 Man from Bulgaria and Florida woman get 10 years prison for identity theftA USAO press release of Oct. 22 , 2012, reports a Birmingham federal judge Monday, sentenced a Bulgarian man and a Florida woman for their part in a multi-state operation in which they secretly skimmed bank customers’ identification at ATMs and used the stolen information to create hundreds of counterfeit debit cards, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Roy Sexton. ...read full article October 25, 2012 Ex-banker pleads guilty to $121,000 identity theft scheme in DCWASHINGTON — A former personal banker has pleaded guilty to taking part in an identity theft scheme involving $121,400 in forged checks. ...read full article October 25, 2012 More felony counts added in summer ID theft schemeA man charged with several felonies in connection with a complex identity-theft scheme faces three more counts after he was linked to credit-card skimmers discovered at a Plymouth gas station. ...read full article October 25, 2012 Kansas case puts face on 'total identity theft'WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — When Candida L. Gutierrez's identity was stolen, the thief didn't limit herself to opening fraudulent credit and bank accounts. She assumed Gutierrez's persona completely, using it to get a job, a driver's license, a mortgage and even medical care for the birth of two children. ...read full article October 25, 2012 Woman facing identity theft chargeABERDEEN, Miss. (WTVA) -- Tawina Koshay Westbrook, 28, of Aberdeen was arrested by Monroe County Sheriff Department on October 22. ...read full article October 25, 2012 Attorney General Madigan: Chicago Man Sent to Prison in Identity Theft SchemeChicago--(ENEWSPF)--October 23, 2012. Attorney General Lisa Madigan today announced a Chicago man pled guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison for possessing hundreds of stolen gift and credit cards with access to thousands of dollars held by the victims of his identity theft scheme. ...read full article October 25, 2012 Woman wanted for identity theftBATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Detectives are looking for a woman that opened a charge account in someone else's name. ...read full article October 24, 2012 Credit Card Data Breach at Barnes & Noble StoresWASHINGTON — Hackers have stolen credit card information for customers who shopped as recently as last month at 63 Barnes & Noble stores across the country, including stores in New York City, San Diego, Miami and Chicago, according to people briefed on the investigation. ...read full article October 24, 2012 FTC: Companies should limit facial recognition in some casesThe agency releases a list of guidelines and best practices for the use of facial recognition technologyIDG News Service - Web companies using facial recognition technology should avoid identifying anonymous images of consumers to someone who could not otherwise identify them, unless the companies have the consumers' consent, a U.S. Federal Trade Commission report said. ...read full article October 24, 2012 The FBI Warns of Dating Extortion Scams and Payday Loan SchemesThe US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has issued an alert to warn Internet users about the new twists added by scammers to previously existing scams. The advisory comes after the agency received a large number of complaints from victims. ...read full article October 24, 2012 Sony PlayStation 3 firmware reportedly hackedSummary: Chinese hacker group, BlueDisk-CFW, releases leaked tool which circumvents the game console's latest 3.60 firmware that had plugged security holes from the unauthorized access by another hacker group last year. ...read full article October 24, 2012 Facebook donates cash seized from spammers to cyber CSI labIll-gotten $250k for Koobface, GhostClick takedown teamFacebook has donated $250k it seized from spammers to an academic centre of excellence in the fight against cybercrime. The University of Alabama at Birmingham's Center for Information Assurance and Joint Forensics Research will use the cash to build an expanded version of the faculty, due to open next year. The centre helped researchers at Facebook to track down the infamous Koobface gang and helped to unravel the even more notorious GhostClick (DNSChanger) scam, among other work. ...read full article October 23, 2012 Verizon DBIR Analysis: Insiders Often Complicit in Breaches of Intellectual PropertyVerizon has further dissected breach data from its annual Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) and built a profile of intellectual property theft that points to a disturbing combination of factors leading to successful infiltrations by cybercriminals, competitors, hacktivists and nation-state sponsored attackers. ...read full article October 23, 2012 Spammers abuse .gov URL shortener service in work-at-home scamspen redirect vulnerabilities on .gov websites allow spammers to abuse .gov URL shortener service, Symantec researchers sayIDG News Service - Spammers have found a way to abuse a URL shortener service destined for U.S. government social media activities in order to craft rogue .gov URLs for work-at-home scams. ...read full article October 23, 2012 7 Costly IAM MistakesBlunders that lead to costly identity and access management failuresWhile IAM project failures may not quite rank up there with the biggest ERP blunders on record, they still rank high among some of IT security's most embarrassing waste of investment. When organizations fail to properly align business processes with technology, don't account for the dynamic demands of users in accessing IT assets and don't confer with the right stakeholders prior to deployment, IAM initiatives are put at risk. ...read full article October 23, 2012 Fake PayPal Emails Distributing MalwareCybercriminals are mimicking the online payment processor PayPal in a malicious spam campaign that attempts to dupe customers into downloading malware from links in seemingly authentic emails, according to a Webroot report written by Dancho Danchev. ...read full article October 23, 2012 ISPs can slow or suspend web use under anti-piracy programWeb users accused of piracy can soon expect punishment from their internet service providers (ISPs), which may range from educational messages to slower surfing speeds and suspension. ...read full article October 23, 2012 Aus student data stored for Google adsEU reforms may keep students commercial freeAustralian students may be spared potentially invasive digital data access from Google following the Privacy Commission’s decision to back the EU’s reforms regarding Google's new privacy policy. ...read full article October 22, 2012 Woman Sentenced to 4 Years After Skimming 237 Bank AccountsA 43-year-old woman has been sentenced to four years in prison and five years of supervised release after being found guilty of skimming the bank accounts of 237 unsuspecting individuals. She will also have to pay $125,241 (97,000 EUR) in restitution. ...read full article October 22, 2012 Judge Dismisses Much of PlayStation Hacking Suit(CN) - A federal judge dealt a blow to PlayStation users who say that a Sony security breach exposed more than 69 million personal and credit card accounts to theft. ...read full article October 22, 2012 M Qube, Mobile Messenger fraudulent Unauthorized Instant Messaging Billing through Sprint Ripoff InternetI recently started receiving text messages on my phone, from SMS number 76284. Thinking them to be prank messages, I deleted them, and to my horror, the SMS's continued. So I called Sprint PCS and was informed that I had "signed-up" for premier SMS service. ...read full article October 22, 2012 Police investigating identity theft in LittlestownPennsylvania State Police are investigating an identity theft after a Littlestown resident's Discover Card account information was obtained and charged with several postage purchases to the account on Sept. 11 through Sept. 13. ...read full article October 22, 2012 Osawatomie Man Convicted of Medicaid Fraud, Identity TheftAn Osawatomie man was convicted Wednesday on multiple charges related to a Medicaid fraud scheme. ...read full article October 22, 2012 Group arrested in Naperville for identity theft, forgerySeven people have been arrested in Naperville and charged with being part on an international crime organization which has allegedly defrauded dozens of people in the Naperville area. ...read full article October 22, 2012 Tracey Nelson, member of identity theft ring, pulled unemployment while locked up for her crimesNelson was sentenced to 6 to 18 years for forwarding donor information from employer UJA-Federation to identity theft ringA key member in a wide-spread $2 million identity theft ring that targeted a Jewish charity, banks and a car dealership collected unemployment checks even after she was busted, her lawyer admitted at her sentencing Friday. ...read full article October 19, 2012 Ore. woman arrested, accused of theft, identity theft involving elderly womanSALEM, Ore. — Police in the small Willamette Valley town of Turner, Ore., have arrested a 33-year-old woman accused of opening credit card accounts in the name of an 81-year-old acquaintance and buying an estimated $15,000 worth of goods for herself. ...read full article October 19, 2012 Glendale Man Sentenced to 70 Months for Identity Theft Scheme(Source: FBI) - MEDFORD, OR—On October 15, 2012, U.S. District Judge Owen M. Panner sentenced Tigran Khachatrian, 46, of Glendale, California, to 70 months in federal prison for aggravated identity theft and possession of counterfeit access devices. ...read full article October 19, 2012 5 Crucial Steps To Protect Servicemembers From Identity Theft, FraudIn May 2012, 22-year-old Jobson Cenor, a U.S. Marine stationed in Afghanistan, was arrested for allegedly selling the names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers of fellow Marines serving in Afghanistan. Allegedly, Cenor’s co-conspirator used the identities to file phony tax returns and reap the refunds, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. And that wasn't an isolated case. ...read full article October 19, 2012 Requesting Sensitive Data Via Google Docs: Phishing Really is That EasyPlease leave your credit card number, its expiration date and security code, along with your full name and billing address in the comments section of this blog post. You’re obviously not going to do this. You know better, I know better, but there are those who don’t. So many, in fact, that scammers are not only comfortable with and willing to invest in scams no more or less complicated, but they are also confident that the scams will succeed. ...read full article October 19, 2012 Canada House of Commons Contractor Accused of Hacking Quebec Government SiteThe Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) claims that a 28-year-old man working on contract for the House of Commons and the RCMP is responsible for disrupting the official website of the Quebec government. ...read full article October 19, 2012 Man's identity theft attempt falls flat at Des Moines bankA man is in hot water for allegedly dressing up in a ridiculous costume in an attempt to impersonate another man and steal his debit card. ...read full article October 19, 2012 Police weigh extent of ID theft caseGRANDVIEW — Two identity theft suspects are in Yakima County jail while investigators wade through a mountain of paperwork to chronicle the extent of their alleged fraud. ...read full article October 19, 2012 french android malware writer arrested for stealing $653,700A French hacker has been arrested for spreading a virus through fake smartphone applications. Prosecutors say he stole tiny sums from 17,000 people, amassing about 500,000 euros (£405,000) since 2011. ...read full article October 18, 2012 'Habitual offender' to be arrested by Westport Police for ID?theftsWESTPORT?--?A?prolific identity thief, collared earlier this month by Stamford Police, will soon face charges in relation to a series of Westport thefts. ...read full article October 18, 2012 Renters beware: ID theft, financial scam in home adsPotential home renters need to be aware of a scam created to bilk you of money and / or to steal your identity. According to a local real estate agent, the scam has appeared on at least two websites, craigslist and hotpads.com. ...read full article October 18, 2012 New York man pleads not guilty to identity theft, attempted forgeryBENNINGTON -- A New York man was held without bail Monday after he pleaded not guilty to a string of identity theft and forgery related complaints. ...read full article October 18, 2012 New Verizon Marketing Initiative May Violate Users’ PrivacyVerizon has drawn the ire of its customers and privacy advocates this week because a new initiative launched by the telecom company may violate users’ privacy. ...read full article October 18, 2012 Who is tweeting from the NSA's parking lot?The open source intelligence platform Maltego shows the power of collating publicly available informationIDG News Service - From Google Maps, the U.S. National Security Agency's parking lot has a larger footprint than the building itself. And for the high secrecy surrounding what goes on inside, there is plenty of information flowing just outside. ...read full article October 18, 2012 Phishy Direct Messages Link to Fake Twitter Sign-in PageA wave of spammy direct messages on Twitter contain URLs leading to what appears to be a Twitter login page, but is actually a phishing site trying to pilfer user login credentials. ...read full article October 18, 2012 MasterCard Is Selling Your Data Just in Time for the HolidaysCredit card companies make money by taking a cut every time you swipe your plastic at the checkout counter. Now MasterCard has found a way to make those swipes pay over and over again. ...read full article October 17, 2012 Oxford arrests bring to light the scope of card theft now Read more: Anniston Star - Oxford arrests bring to light the scope of card theft nowPolice believe an arrest in Oxford last week probably prevented a long string of retail thefts using stolen credit card information, but it also highlighted a growing concern in the battle against identity theft. ...read full article October 17, 2012 Woman in 2001 flight flap faces ID theft chargeTRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — A northern Michigan woman who gained national attention for disrupting a flight to China in 2001 has been charged after authorities say she used the driver's license of one of her sisters to get prescription drugs. ...read full article October 17, 2012 Troup man receives 25 years for identity theftJACKSONVILLE — A Troup man described by authorities as a major identity thief was sentenced to to 25 years in prison Monday in connection with charges of tampering with a government document and fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, reports show. ...read full article October 17, 2012 North Salem Resident Victim Of Identity TheftNORTH SALEM, N.Y. - A Candlewood Park resident got a call from his credit protection service on Oct. 13, reporting some suspicious activity on his credit card. The victim then learned that an unknown person had opened a credit-card account in his name, as well as an account with a financial-services company. At this time there is no suspect. ...read full article October 17, 2012 Man charged with fraud, identity theftKISSIMMEE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) - A Kissimmee man has been federally indicted with three counts of mail fraud, five counts of wire fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft. ...read full article October 16, 2012 Cyberthieves loot $400,000 from city bank accountCybertheft comes just days after RSA issued a warning that criminal gang planned massive attacks against U.S. banking customersComputerworld - Burlington, Wash. officials have notified hundreds of employees and residents that their bank account information was compromised last week when hackers broke into city systems and stole more than $400,000 from a city account at Bank of America. ...read full article October 16, 2012 Researchers Identify Banks Targeted In Forthcoming AttackBank of America, Chase, Citibank said to be among institutions under the gun from planned Gozi-Prinimalka malware attackResearchers say they have some 26 banks that are being targeted in an evolving series of attacks on U.S. financial institutions. ...read full article October 16, 2012 Protecting Consumer Location PrivacyGAO: Consumer Can't Judge if Data Sharing Puts Privacy at RiskThe U.S. federal government could do more to protect consumers' privacy in dealing with mobile device location data, the Government Accountability Office says in a new report. ...read full article October 16, 2012 Chinese arrest 9,000 cyber-crimsHalts online PR racket flooding net with negative reviewsChinese police have smashed over 700 cyber crime gangs and arrested nearly 9,000 alleged criminals ...read full article October 16, 2012 Facebook removes two-factor authentication mobile numbers from searchMobile phone numbers used for Facebook's 'Login Approvals' account security feature are no longer searchable through the websiteIDG News Service - Facebook users who have associated a mobile phone number with their accounts in order to enable the "Login Approvals" security feature can no longer be found on the website based on those phone numbers, the company said Monday. ...read full article October 16, 2012 Garry McKinnon Will Not Be Extradited, UK Home Secretary SaysUK Home Secretary Theresa May told members of the Parliament that the extradition of Garry McKinnon to the US would be blocked for human rights reasons. This puts an end to a ten-year battle fought by McKinnon, his supporters and human rights advocates. ...read full article October 16, 2012 FBI Launches Safe Online Surfing Internet ChallengeWhat better way to learn about cyber safety than through games, videos and other interactive features? The US Federal Bureau of Investigation is counting on this in their latest cyber security program called Safe Online Surfing (FBI-SOS). ...read full article October 16, 2012 Identity theft not ruled out in fake student caseThe University of Auckland is set to tighten security measures at its medicine school after it discovered an imposter had attended classes for two years. ...read full article October 16, 2012 Crime Nearby: Identity Theft, Grand LarcenyA Rockville Centre woman pleaded guilty Wednesday after using fake Craigslist ads for nonexistent jobs and apartments to steal steal hundreds of identities nationwide and filing hundreds of fraudulent tax returns, according to the Nassau County District Attorney's Office. Susan Pemberton, 43, of Rockville Centre, pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the third degree, scheme to defraud in the first degree, offering a false instrument for filing, and identity theft in the second degree. She faces two to four years in prison at her Jan. 23 sentencing. ...read full article October 16, 2012 Woman suspected in identity theft actually a man, police sayWINTER PARK -- The search for an identity thief in Orange County has taken a strange turn. ...read full article October 16, 2012 Man Accused of Stealing Identity of Little Jimmy Dickens, Other Grand Ole Opry StarsPolice in Tennessee have arrested a man believed to have stolen the identity of some of the Grand Ole Opry’s biggest stars, including Little Jimmy Dickens. ...read full article October 15, 2012 Hackers Steal $400,000 from City of Burlington Accounts in Just One NightUnknown hackers have managed to steal a total of around $400,000 (312,000 EUR) from a Bank of America account owned by the City of Burlington, Washington. ...read full article October 15, 2012 Former LulzSec member guilty in Sony Pictures hackRaynaldo Rivera admitted his involvement in a cyberattack that resulted in the theft of user information from a Sony Pictures websiteIDG News Service - An Arizona man has admitted his involvement in a May 2011 computer attack against the website of Sony Pictures Entertainment that was carried out by the now-defunct LulzSec hacker group. ...read full article October 15, 2012 Presidential election spurs malware-laden CNN spamSpammers taking advantage of the presidential election buzz are delivering the banking trojan Zeus to users who fall for email ploys purporting to come from CNN. ...read full article October 15, 2012 Bank Attacks: What Have We Learned?In the wake of eight sophisticated distributed denial of service attacks aimed at leading U.S. banks in recent weeks, financial institutions are bracing for more. ...read full article October 15, 2012 NASA hacker McKinnon to hear extradition fate tomorrowSummary: After a 10-year legal battle, home secretary Theresa May will reveal whether the UK will send Gary McKinnon to the US to face court charges over hacking NASA and military computers. ...read full article October 15, 2012 NullCrew Claims to Have Hacked World Health Organization AgainHackers of the NullCrew collective claim to have breached another subdomain owned by the World Health Organization (apps.who.int). ...read full article October 15, 2012 NZ government network leaking data like a sieveUpdated: Ministry apologises, launches investigationA row has broken out in New Zealand after a blogger exposed serious security flaws in that country’s job-seeker network. ...read full article October 15, 2012 US Military Prepares New Rules for Cyber War: PanettaWASHINGTON - The United States faces a growing threat of a "cyber-Pearl Harbor" and has drafted new rules for the military that would enable it to move aggressively against digital attacks, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said late Thursday. ...read full article October 15, 2012 Stealing i-cards a new form of identity theftIdentity theft doesn’t always have to involve a stolen credit card or driver’s license. After a University student’s stolen i-card was used at the Undergraduate Library, two Urbana residents were arrested, one of whom was charged with identity theft. ...read full article October 15, 2012 TD Bank misplaces personal data tapes1,000 Canadians with U.S. accounts could be affectedTORONTO — A TD Bank spokeswoman says about 1,000 Canadians with U.S. accounts could be affected after some data tapes containing personal information were misplaced. ...read full article October 15, 2012 ID theft victim speaks out about costly crimeSPOKANE -- A Spokane woman whose identify was stolen by a serial thief wishes she could start all over with a new Social Security number. ...read full article October 15, 2012 Data Breach Leads to Identity Theft at North West Florida State CollegeAn attack on Northwest Florida State College computer systems resulted in a data breach that has affected nearly 300,000 people and led to reports of identity theft and fraud. ...read full article October 15, 2012 8 Indicted After Identity Theft, Unemployment Benefits Scam BustedDETROIT (WWJ) - Eight individuals were indicted by a federal grand jury in Detroit on charges relating to identity theft, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced Friday. ...read full article October 11, 2012 Hackers steal thousands of student records from computers at Florida collegeThe hack at the Northwest Florida State College is believed to be a job by professional outside hackersIDG News Service - An information breach at a Florida college has compromised information of about 279,000 students and employees, the Florida Department of Education said on Wednesday. ...read full article October 11, 2012 Businesses Remain Scared of Spear-Phishing as Attackers Study BehaviorScared is a strong word, but the reality, according to a Websense analysis by Patrik Runald, is that spear-phishers, like the ones that compromised a White House network last week, are implementing new evasion tactics, fundamentally changing their attack strategies, and revolutionizing the targeted threat model, giving business executives plenty of reason to worry. ...read full article October 11, 2012 Dodging 5 Dangerous Database Default SettingsOut-of-the-box settings and weak configuration of databases make it easier for thieves to break into data stores and harder for IT to quickly detect breachesEven as enterprises spend buckets of cash on data defenses at various layers of IT infrastructure, many of them sabotage their efforts by ultimately storing that information in poorly configured databases. Whether due to legacy application logistics, convenience to administrators, or lack of awareness by DBAs, databases set up with out-of-the-box settings are all-too-common within the enterprise. ...read full article October 11, 2012 “I Will Use a Bomb to Destroy an Airplane,” Computer Virus Says on Victim’s BehalfJapanese police have arrested three people, accusing them of making death threats via email and discussion forums. However, later, investigators have determined that a piece of malware may have actually posted the threats on their behalf. ...read full article October 11, 2012 Ransomware and phish cons target Skype usersFraudsters are targeting Skype users through two different ruses – one that spreads ransomware by way of instant messages, and another which uses spam to spread the banking trojan Zeus. ...read full article October 11, 2012 Cops Seek Couple In Identity Theft CaseWATSONTOWN — Police in Northumberland County are searching a for woman they believe stole her parents’ identity and charged thousands of dollars on credit cards in their name. ...read full article October 10, 2012 Medicare won't issue new IDs to identity-theft victims8:30AM EST October 10. 2012 - WASHINGTON -- More than a quarter-million Medicare beneficiaries are potential victims of identity theft and hampered in getting health care benefits because the government won't issue new IDs, according to an investigation report released today. ...read full article October 10, 2012 Man accused of identity theft diesA Grindstone man charged with identity theft for allegedly using the personal information of a deceased infant died on Tuesday. ...read full article October 10, 2012 ISPs to monitor peer-to-peer file-sharing in new anti-piracy planA long-delayed plan to curb piracy — a collaboration between ISPs, copyright holders and the White House — is set to go into effect by the end of the year. The "six strike" policy for handling those who seek and distribute copyrighted files is described as educational, but also calls for punitive measures. ...read full article October 10, 2012 CapOne Site Takes DDoS HitSunTrust, Regions Next Expected TargetsThe hacktivist group known as Izz ad-Din al-Qassam apparently made good on its threat to take down Capital One Financial Corp.'s online presence Oct. 9. Now industry observers say they're waiting to see if the group's threats against SunTrust Banks and Regions Financial Corp. will be fulfilled later this week as the group has indicated. ...read full article October 10, 2012 Flaws allow 3G devices to be trackedNew privacy threats have been uncovered by security researchers that could allow every device operating on 3G networks to be tracked. ...read full article October 10, 2012 State worker charged with identity theftA state tax department employee was arrested Thursday and charged with stealing a man’s identity off of his tax records, according to department police. ...read full article October 10, 2012 Controversy over Japanese app that published up to 760,000 personal addressesA security firm says the Android app put up to 760,000 address book entries from 3,400 users into a searchable public databaseOctober 10, 2012 — IDG News Service — An online debate has broken out over a Japanese mobile app that may have published as many as 760,000 address book records from its users in a publicly searchable database. ...read full article October 9, 2012 Identity theft leads to nine feloniesSaturday, October 6, 2012 — An Albemarle man faces nine felony counts involving the alleged illegal theft and use of a financial transaction card. ...read full article October 9, 2012 Baby Boomers Need to Become More Educated about Digital SecurityAVG Survey Shows Group at Risk for Identity Theft, Financial FraudAMSTERDAM & SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AVG Technologies (NYS: AVG) , the provider of Internet and mobile security to 128 million active users, today announced the findings of its recent 15-city North American digital security survey that show a pressing need for baby boomers to become more educated about digital security. While the original survey identified the top 10 savviest cities for digital protection, numbers also revealed that baby boomers still have a lot of work to do when it comes to safeguarding against identity theft, financial fraud and loss of personal data. ...read full article October 9, 2012 Pilfering sysadmin gets four years and $2.3m fine for kit theftFBI nails Verizon engineer over Cisco scamA former Verizon network engineer is beginning a four-year jail term after being sentenced for scamming Cisco and Verizon out of millions of dollars worth of kit and fencing it through the reseller community. ...read full article October 9, 2012 What An Executive Order On Cybersecurity May Mean For EnterprisesWhile officials say an executive order could set voluntary security standards, companies worry that it can result in a checklist approach to securityAn executive order aimed at bolstering cybersecurity is still in the development phase, but that does not mean enterprises shouldn't start thinking about what it could mean for them. ...read full article October 9, 2012 Dorkbot Now Worming Its Way through SkypeThe Dorkbot worm that fooled many a Facebook and Twitter user is now socially engineering Skype users into downloading the malware, whose payload now includes a mechanism to lock down machines. ...read full article October 9, 2012 Malware-infected computers rented as proxy servers on the black marketResearchers have identified a Trojan program that turns infected computers into SOCKS proxy servers to which access is then soldIDG News Service - Cybercriminals are using computers infected with a particular piece of malware to power a commercial proxy service that funnels potentially malicious traffic through them, according to security researchers from Symantec. ...read full article October 9, 2012 RSA Warning, DDoS Attacks Linked?Latest Threats Fuel Fears of More AttacksThe next-generation Gozi Trojan threat that security vendor RSA warned about last week is real and requires response, experts say. ...read full article October 9, 2012 Identity Theft Scam Targeting Local Bank Of America CustomersFALLS COUNTY - The Falls County Sheriff's Office is notifying the public that they have received reports regarding an identity theft scam recently. The latest target of these scams have been local Bank of America customers. ...read full article October 4, 2012 81-year-old Waitress Loses Life Savings in ScamGLENDALE, Calif. (KTLA) -- An 81-year-old Glendale woman was close to retiring after more than 40 years as a waitress, but then she fell victim to a lottery scam that wiped out her life savings. ...read full article October 4, 2012 FTC hits scary tech support scammers that make 'virtual mayhem'Telemarketers pose as tech reps from Microsoft or Symantec, bilk consumers in U.S., U.K., elsewhere for hundreds of dollars to make fake repairsComputerworld - U.S. officials today struck at six long-running scams, freezing assets of 14 companies charged with bilking consumers by posing as tech support from Microsoft, Symantec and others. ...read full article October 4, 2012 Swedish Sites Attacked in Retaliation for Police Raid on Web HostSeveral Web sites in Sweden, including the nation's central bank and two government affiliates, were hit with attacks this week, supposedly in retaliation for a police raid on an Internet company tied to The Pirate Bay, the world's largest file sharing site. ...read full article October 4, 2012 New data-theft attack technique can run across webResearchers have detected a "new man-in-the-browser" (MITB) attack method that uses malware capable of stealing users bank or other sensitive information entered on websites. ...read full article October 4, 2012 Google to Warn Users About Possible 'State-Sponsored' AttacksGoogle has been rather warning-happy lately; from alerts about malware to blocked websites in China. Today, however, the search giant expanded those efforts with security warnings about state-sponsored attacks. ...read full article October 4, 2012 AusPost Click and Send security glitch could affect consumer trust: IDCOctober 03, 2012 — IDG News Service — While Australia Post has moved to reassure customers that their financial details were not compromised due to a security glitch with its online service Click and Send, a security expert said the incident could affect consumer confidence in the merchant. ...read full article October 3, 2012 Scareware defendant fined $163M in FTC suitUkrainian operation told computer users their PCs were infected and sold them software to fix the bogus problemIDG News Service - A U.S. judge has imposed a judgment of $163.2 million against a defendant accused by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission of being part of an operation that sold software to people it tricked into thinking their computers were infected with malicious software. ...read full article October 3, 2012 Supreme Court Weighs Government Liability Under Credit Reporting LawThe U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday considered whether the federal government could be liable for money damages by printing confidential credit card information on a customer’s receipt, increasing the risk of identity theft. ...read full article October 3, 2012 Police investigating robbery arrest suspects in theft of checks, IDsAuthorities seized 17 stolen checkbooks, check-making software, stolen IDs and more than 300 fake and forged checks after tracking down a vehicle used in a robbery, court papers show. ...read full article October 3, 2012 Medical device hacking - FDA are told to start taking it seriouslyThe US Government Accountability Office (GAO), prodded by Congress, has put out a new report [PDF] recommending that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) start thinking about how to secure insulin pumps and implantable cardioverter defibrillators from being vulnerable from targeted attacks. ...read full article October 3, 2012 Identity theft ring leader pleads guilty to 80 felony countsPak faces 20-year prison terms on multiple felony charges of identity theftHONOLULU — Pyong "Peter" Pak pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to 80 felony theft counts filed against him in connection with an identity theft ring that victimized hundreds of Oahu residents, according to Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro. ...read full article October 2, 2012 Feds: Notorious Alleged Con Man 'Bobby Thompson' Was Military SpyAuthorities revealed today that they believe "Bobby Thompson," the man accused of using a fake veterans charity to swindle more than $100 million and to rub shoulders with top-level Republicans, is actually a former military intelligence officer named John Donald Cody. ...read full article October 2, 2012 Police allege 59-year-old stole identity of baby who died in 1953A Grindstone man was charged with using the personal information of a baby who died in 1953 to get a Pennsylvania identification card. ...read full article October 2, 2012 Bogus Apple Store discount card offer attempts to steal users' identitiesSpam messages have been sent out by cybercriminals claiming to reward loyal Apple customers with AU$100 (just over US $100) of credit to spend in-store if they just buy a AU$9 discount card. ...read full article October 2, 2012 Living a LieIdentity Theft that Lasted DecadesWhen Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Richard Blanco—a member of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) in Jacksonville—interviewed an individual suspected of driver’s license fraud in 2011, he wasn’t initially sure if the man was the victim or the perpetrator of identity theft. ...read full article October 2, 2012 Westport PD: Repeat Offender Arrested for Identity TheftThis was the second time the suspect was arrested for alleged identity theft in Westport.An identity theft suspect was arrested in Greenwich Wednesday night on a warrant from Westport Police Department that stems from an incident that occurred at First County Bank in April, police said. ...read full article October 2, 2012 Tucson woman sentenced in identity theft caseTUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - A Tucson woman who admitted stealing the identities of 15 patients while working at an oncology office has been sentenced to two years in prison. ...read full article October 2, 2012 How to Protect Against Identity Theft in CollegeDuring Cyber Security Awareness Month, experts offer identity-protection tips to students.In interviews ahead of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, which runs through the end of October, cyber security experts—both here and abroad—said identity theft is a serious problem, which may require extra vigilance on college campuses. Identity theft can mean anything from users' online bank accounts being compromised to their E-mail accounts being hacked and used to mass-distribute spam. ...read full article October 2, 2012 Twitter Authentication Flaw Allows Hackers to Hijack User AccountsIf we had known that Twitter would become so popular, we would all have rushed to register the coolest handles in its early days. Cybercriminals who didn’t do so, but want to have a fancy username anyway, can apparently steal one by leveraging a flaw in the social network’s authentication system. ...read full article October 2, 2012 Incident Response: Choose Right WordsA denial of service attack may pose less immediate risk than a data breach - but it's trickier to respond to, says attorney Ronald Raether. What tips does he offer to organizations targeted by DDoS attacks? ...read full article October 2, 2012 Former Pirate Bay hoster raided, and shut down by DDoS attackRaid and the outage are probably unrelated, says hosting service ownerIDG News Service - Former Pirate Bay host PRQ.se went down in the middle of a police raid on Monday, affecting hundreds of hosted sites and thousands of users of PRQ's other services. But the raid and the outage are unlikely to be related, according to PRQ's owner. ...read full article October 2, 2012 Hack Attack on City of Tulsa Website Turns Out to Be Part of Penetration TestingAt the end of September we learned that City of Tulsa representatives started sending out alerts, notifying citizens that their names, addresses, social security numbers and other details might have been stolen by cybercriminals. ...read full article October 2, 2012 One-fourth of Americans victims of data breachWASHINGTON (AFP) - Twenty-six percent of Americans have been told their personal information such as password or credit card number may have been exposed by a data breach, a survey showed Monday. ...read full article October 2, 2012 California settles with Anthem Blue Cross over data breachAttorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced a settlement with one of California’s largest health insurers over allegations the company failed to protect the personal information of its members. ...read full article October 1, 2012 Gauss: Cybersurveillance Aimed at BanksMalware Attacks Prove Profitable for HackersMalware and cyberespionage tools like Gauss are hitting U.S. banking institutions and businesses from all corners of the globe. But why are these sometimes not-so-sophisticated attacks causing so much damage? ...read full article October 1, 2012 Pirate Bay founder's detention extended amid tax hack probeSwedish court orders that Gottfrid Svartholm Warg be detained two more weeks while prosecutors decide whether to charge himIDG News Service - Pirate Bay founder Gottfrid Svartholm Warg will remain in detention for at least two more weeks while Swedish prosecutors investigate his alleged involvement in the hacking of IT company Logica, a Swedish court ruled Friday. ...read full article October 1, 2012 O2 Phishing Scam: Account Maintenance NotificationCustomers of UK’s mobile phone and broadband provider O2 should keep an eye out these days for a clever phishing scam that’s designed to steal their account login details. ...read full article October 1, 2012 Invited to change your Twitter profile's header image? Beware, it could be drug spamInventive spammers are up to their old tricks again, desperate to do whatever it takes to get you to click on a link to their websites. ...read full article October 1, 2012 ProjectWestWind: TeamGhostShell hacks and dumps 120,000 records from 100 U.S. and non-U.S. universitiesOver on Softpedia, Eduard Kovacs alerts us all to a paste from a group of hackers who call themselves TeamGhostShell. In a paste today on Pastebin, they introduce “ProjectWestWind,” exposing the hacks and vulnerabilities in universities around the world. ...read full article October 1, 2012 IEEE says proxy "anomaly" caused 100k password breachThe Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) said an issue that arose in conjunction with its proxy server provider is to blame for a breach in which the usernames and passwords of about 100,000 members were exposed to a researcher. ...read full article October 1, 2012 Man faces sentencing for ID theft schemeHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A Florida man faces sentencing for participating in what federal authorities say was an extensive identity theft scheme in which he and another man targeted purses in cars. ...read full article October 1, 2012 Judge ruled that North Carolina identity protections don’t apply when union bosses retaliate against nonmembers by publicly posting social security numbersWashington, DC (October 1, 2012) – Today, the U. S. Supreme Court denied a petition to hear a case brought by North Carolina-based AT&T (NYSE: T) employees asking the Court to review two state court decisions regarding a state identity theft law and federal preemption. ...read full article October 1, 2012 US Issues Directive to Fight Identity Tax Refund FraudAs part of an ongoing effort to combat tax refund identity theft, the Justice Department’s Tax Division has issued a new directive to further its efforts and those of the United States Attorneys’ Offices to respond quickly and effectively to such cases. ...read full article September 28, 2012 Cyber Attacks on U.S. Banks Expose Tech VulnerabilityCyber attacks on the biggest U.S. banks, including JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) and Wells Fargo (WFC) & Co., have breached some of the nation’s most advanced computer defenses and exposed the vulnerability of its infrastructure, said cybersecurity specialists tracking the assaults. ...read full article September 28, 2012 FTC Sues Hotel Operator Wyndham Worldwide Over Data BreachesThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is suing hotel company Wyndham Worldwide and three of its subsidiaries for security failures that resulted in three data breaches in less than two years. ...read full article September 28, 2012 Hackers Attack Philippine Central Bank Site to Protest Cyber LawHackers attacked websites of the Philippine central bank and at least two other government agencies last night to protest a law against cyber crime set to take effect next week. ...read full article September 28, 2012 Justice Department, IRS Seek to Avoid Tax Identity TheftThe U.S. Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service are working to head off identity theft aimed at stealing people’s tax refunds when the filing season begins in January, the government’s top tax prosecutor said. ...read full article September 27, 2012 FTC Refunds over 138,000 Victims of “Free” Goods Telemarketing ScamGood news for the victims of the Sure Touch telemarketing scheme. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has started sending out refund checks to 138,737 individuals who fell for the shady company’s “free” goods and services pitch. ...read full article September 27, 2012 California Joins Ban on Employers Demanding Social Media AccessCalifornia today joined two other states making it a crime for employers and colleges to ask applicants or workers for their social media login information in order to access their private Web sites. The new laws -- one for companies and one for colleges -- go into effect Jan. 1, 2013. ...read full article September 27, 2012 Halifax Bank Phishing Scam: Upward Review of Credit LimitEmails entitled “Urgent Notification (Protect Your online Banking),” apparently coming from Halifax Bank, urge recipients to click on a link and update their online accounts. ...read full article September 27, 2012 New FERC office to focus on cyber securityThe Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has created a new FERC office — Office of Energy Infrastructure Security (OEIS) — which will help the Commission focus on potential cyber and physical security risks to energy facilities under its jurisdiction ...read full article September 27, 2012 Authorities identify Hoover woman charged with identity theftFAIRFIELD, Alabama - Fairfield police today charged a Hoover woman after authorities say she stole a woman's identity and more than $21,000 over the past two years. ...read full article September 27, 2012 Drones Subject to GPS Spoofing, Privacy ‘Abuses,’ GAO Report WarnsThe Government Accountability Office is warning Congress that its push for drones to become commonplace in U.S. airspace fails to take into account concerns surrounding privacy, security and even GPS jamming and spoofing. ...read full article September 27, 2012 ACLU forces government to reveal skyrocketing surveillance statsFeds got more peoples' phone call records in last 2 years than previous 10.Statistics obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union provides additional evidence that government surveillance of Americans has skyrocketed in recent years. The government is legally obligated to release reports about its surveillance activities, but it refused to do so until the ACLU sued to compel the production of the documents. ...read full article September 27, 2012 Massive identity theft scheme bustedA Chilliwack woman is facing multiple charges after Mounties uncovered what they say was a complex identitytheft scheme operating out of a Yale Road house. ...read full article September 27, 2012 Couple Gets 13 Years for Defrauding BP Oil Spill Trust FundMIAMI, Florida, September 26, 2012 (ENS) – A south Florida couple were sentenced today in Miami federal court for perpetrating a series of disaster-related fraud schemes, including the largest case of financial loss arising from claims filed in connection with the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. ...read full article September 26, 2012 Why your next 'Passw0rd' might not be a passwordIt's been a rough year for passwords. First, 6.5 million LinkedIn passwords were leaked online. Soon after, millions of passwords from eHarmony and Yahoo users were published by hackers. These events exposed untold numbers of accounts to criminals, as many consumers use the same passwords across multiple accounts. ...read full article September 26, 2012 Energy Giant Telvent Claims Chinese Hackers Installed Malware on Its SystemsTelvent Canada Ltd, an organization that’s actively involved in providing software and services for the remote administration of energy industry systems, claims that a group of hackers breached its systems, planted malicious software, and stole trade secrets. ...read full article September 26, 2012 FTC: Software used by rent-to-own stores spied on customersThe stores used software to capture screenshots, log keystrokes and take webcam pictures, the FTC allegesIDG News Service - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has reached proposed settlements with a software vendor and seven rent-to-own stores after the agency accused them of installing spyware on rented computers that captured screenshots of personal information, logged keystrokes and, in some cases, took webcam pictures of people in their homes. ...read full article September 26, 2012 Tiny Evil Maid CHKDSK Utility Can Steal PasswordsStealthy malware that can sneak onto machines during the boot process and remain undetected indefinitely is one of the brass rings of security research. There have been a number of tools developed over the years that aimed to accomplish this goal, with Joanna Rutkowska's Evil Maid attack being perhaps the most famous. Now a developer in Canada has produced a similar tool that impersonates the CHKDSK utility and can grab a user's password and then exit without the user's knowledge. ...read full article September 26, 2012 Researcher Finds 100k IEEE.org Passwords Stored in Plain-Text on Public FTP ServerA Romanian computer scientist discovered that the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) was storing its members' usernames and passwords in plaint-text on a publically accessible file transfer protocol (FTP) server. ...read full article September 26, 2012 AvMed data breach case opens door for ID theft claimsA recent federal appeals court ruling may narrow the burden for plaintiffs to prove that they are victims of identity theft as result of a data breach. ...read full article September 26, 2012 Wells Fargo recovers after site outageThe banks appears to be the latest victim in a string of cyberattacks on U.S. financial instiutionsSeptember 26, 2012 — IDG News Service — Wells Fargo's website experience intermittent outages on Tuesday, while the hacker group claiming responsibility threatened to hit U.S. Bancorp and PNC Financial Services Group over the next two days. ...read full article September 26, 2012 Four Miami-area residents indicted by federal grand jury in Birmingham on bank fraud chargesBIRMINGHAM - Four Miami, Fla., area residents were indicted by a federal grand jury in Birmingham today for conspiracy, bank fraud, access-device fraud and aggravated identity theft, federal authorities announced. ...read full article September 25, 2012 Two men admit to $10 million hacking spree on Subway sandwich shopsThe Romanians admitted their role in ring that compromised some 146,000 cards.Two Romanian men have admitted to participating in an international conspiracy that hacked into credit-card payment terminals at more than 150 Subway restaurant franchises and stole data for more than 146,000 accounts. The heist, which spanned the years 2009 to 2011, racked up more than $10 million in losses, federal prosecutors said. ...read full article September 25, 2012 Police warn of ID theftMan had info on hundredsThe Wichita Falls Police Department has sent letters to potential identity theft victims, urging them to check their credit for any recent unknown activity, a department spokesperson said Monday. ...read full article September 25, 2012 Warrants served at local banks, house in identity theft probeSearch warrants were served Monday at two banks and a residence in Lafayette as part of an 18-month, statewide investigation into fraudulent and stolen Social Security numbers. ...read full article September 25, 2012 New NIST publication provides guidance for computer security risk assessmentsThe National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a final version of its risk assessment guidelines which can provide senior leaders and executives with the information they need to understand and make decisions about their organization’s current information security risks and information technology infrastructures ...read full article September 25, 2012 Cyber espionage campaign targets energy companiesSigns suggest remote access trojan by group that attacked RSAComputerworld - Hackers using a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) named Mirage have been engaged in a systematic cyber espionage campaign against a Canadian energy company, a large oil firm in the Philippines and several other entities since at least this April, Dell's SecureWorks Counter Threat Unit says. ...read full article September 25, 2012 Social Engineering Still a Major Factor in Corporate CompromiseBusinesses today cannot function at full capacity without Email. Criminals know this, and despite billions spent to protect corporate email, it’s the easiest way for an attacker to get inside a company. With that said, FireEye has published a report on the top Spear Phishing campaigns so far this year, which they say have shot up more than 50% compared to levels in 2011. ...read full article September 25, 2012 New Twitter-Based Malware Uses Direct Messaging to SpreadSophos is warning of a new trick to get Twitter users to open direct messages from trusted users that ultimately infect their machines with malware. ...read full article September 25, 2012 Fake Microsoft Emails Designed to Phish Out AOL, Yahoo!, Gmail CredentialsFake Microsoft emails inform recipients that their “installation records are out of date.” The messages attempt to trick users into handing over their Windows Live, Yahoo!, Gmail, AOL or other credentials. ...read full article September 25, 2012 Threat from hacking of city of Tulsa's website extends beyond city limitsTULSA - The city of Tulsa's website was hacked recently, but it's not just Tulsans whose personal information is at risk. ...read full article September 25, 2012 JPMorgan Chase Bank Servers Hacked, Tiffany Employee Details ExposedComputer servers owned by JPMorgan Chase Bank have been breached. The financial institution alerted high-end jewelry company Tiffany & Co because the affected machines contained the personal details of some employees. ...read full article September 24, 2012 Latricia Williams, Shelton Tanner sentenced in identity theft and tax credit fraud schemePHOENIX - Buckeye resident Latricia Williams was sentenced to three years in prison Friday after pleading guilty in March 2012 as one of three individuals involved in an identity theft and tax credit scam. ...read full article September 24, 2012 Discover will refund $200 million to settle charges it tricked customersDiscover Bank will refund $200 million to more than 3.5 million cardholders to settle charges that its telemarketers used deceptive tactics to sell credit card “add-on” products, such as credit score tracking and identity theft protection. ...read full article September 24, 2012 Massachusetts Hospital Agrees to Pay $1.5m After Stolen Laptop HIPAA ViolationMassachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, a Boston-based hospital, agreed to pay $1.5 million to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) earlier this week, settling a HIPAA violation stemming from a 2010 incident. ...read full article September 24, 2012 Co-operative Bank Scam: Checking for Inactive CustomersA new variant of an old scam is making the rounds, landing in the inboxes of unsuspecting Co-operative Bank customers. The phishing emails attempt to convince recipients that the financial institution is checking for inactive customers and incorrect email addresses. ...read full article September 24, 2012 Breach Exposes POS VulnerabilitiesHackers Sentenced; Court Docs Reveal Attack DetailsTwo Romanian hackers pleaded guilty to roles they played in the point-of-sale attacks that hit 100 Subway sandwich shops and other U.S. retailers. And details revealed in court expose common POS security vulnerabilities that remain a concern for smaller merchants and their banking institutions. ...read full article September 24, 2012 Chinese hacktivists launch cyber attack on JapanGovernment sites sink in dispute over islandsChinese hackers have taken up cyber arms and followed up widespread anti-Japan protests in the People’s Republic over a set of disputed islands by attacking at least 19 Japanese government and other web sites. ...read full article September 24, 2012 Cyber espionage campaign targets energy companiesSigns suggest remote access trojan by group that attacked RSAComputerworld - Hackers using a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) named Mirage have been engaged in a systematic cyber espionage campaign against a Canadian energy company, a large oil firm in the Philippines and several other entities since at least this April, Dell's SecureWorks Counter Threat Unit says. ...read full article Silicon Valley Mercury News , September 20, 2012 Three arrested at Fremont motel accused of running an identity theft ringThree people, two caught hiding in a motel bathroom, were arrested in Fremont, California Tuesday in connection with an identity theft ring after police say they found them with stolen personal checks and other personal information that did not belong to them. ...read full article Healthcare IT News , September 20, 2012 2,500 involved in Kentucky data breachThe Kentucky-based Cabinet for Health and Family Services notified approximately 2,500 clients Tuesday that a possible employee e-mail account breach may have resulted in the unintentional release of personally identifiable information. ...read full article Miami Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog , September 20, 2012 Former NFL and College Players Enter Pleas in Federal CourtSeveral former NFL and college football players have been charged in federal court with crimes such as tax fraud and aggravated identity theft. ...read full article September 19, 2012 Many steps recommended to stay safe from identity theftKim Dauplaise has never had her identity stolen, but the New Bedford woman nonetheless worries that she's not doing enough to prevent it from happening. ...read full article September 19, 2012 Fourteen arrested in U.S. tax fraud, identity theft ring(Reuters) - Fourteen people were arrested on Wednesday and charged with operating a long-running U.S. identity theft ring that filed thousands of fraudulent federal income tax returns to claim $65 million in illegal refunds, according to the U.S. Attorney's office in New Jersey. ...read full article September 19, 2012 U.S. Justice Department speeding arrests of tax refund thievesFederal prosecutors gain new authority for criminal tax cases(Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department launched a new effort on Tuesday to combat identity theft used to steal income tax refunds, granting federal prosecutors authority to quickly arrest suspects. ...read full article September 19, 2012 String of I.D. thefts strikes FL subdivisionToll from fraud case nears $100K for 14 victims in Summerfield developmentThe Forest Lake Police Department last week used its Code Red system to alert residents in a Forest Lake subdivision of a lengthy string of identity thefts. ...read full article September 19, 2012 Fake doctor with stolen ID saw 500 patients in South CarolinaAustell - A Ghanaian man living in Austell, Ga., stole the identity of his physician friend, opening credit cards in his name. He took the identity theft one step further by assuming the identity of the doctor and seeing hundreds of patients in South Carolina. ...read full article September 19, 2012 Eleventh Circuit Rules “Damages” Properly Alleged in Data Breach-Identity Theft LawsuitIn a case of first impression in the Eleventh Circuit, the Court ruled in a 2-1 opinion that the plaintiffs in a putative class action had sufficiently alleged liability against a health plan provider for a data breach involving actual identity theft. The Court’s opinion, decided under Florida law, gives crucial guidance to plaintiffs seeking damages for identity theft caused by a data breach and to defendants seeking to defend against such claims. See Curry v. AvMed, Inc., No. 11-13694, 2012 WL 2012 WL 3833035, — F.3d —- (11th Cir. Sep. 5, 2012). ...read full article September 19, 2012 Ex-Assemblyman Carl Washington arrested by FBICarl Edward Washington, who was a Democrat in the Assembly from the 52nd district, was arrested Monday on federal charges that he defrauded Farmers and Merchants Bank, First City Credit Union, and LA Financial Credit Union out of thousands of dollars by falsely claiming to be the victim of identity theft. Washington, 47, works for the Los Angeles County Probation Department. ...read full article September 14, 2012 BUCKS; ID Numbers And MedicareImages of a woman waving her Medicare card on television at the Democratic convention last week in Charlotte, N.C., prompted the folks at Credit.com and others to ask: Why do Medicare cards still have Social Security numbers on them anyway, when access to the numbers can post a risk of identity theft? ...read full article September 14, 2012 Old, Trusting and Tricked Out of Life SavingsGRACE, an 81-year-old widow in Colorado, lost her life savings recently to identity thieves who had stolen her personal and financial information. She has hard-earned advice for anyone who gets a call from a stranger. ...read full article September 14, 2012 College students need to study up on ID theft(Reuters) - Two months before Shundra Jackson was due to graduate from the University of Georgia in 2008, she received a letter at her campus job warning that her wages were about to be garnished if her credit card bills remained unpaid. The problem was: Jackson did not have any credit cards. ...read full article September 14, 2012 Local financial planner sentenced for identity theftA former financial planner at the Indianapolis offices of Northwestern Mutual and One America-American United Life was sentenced Tuesday to two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to identity theft. ...read full article September 14, 2012 McAfee identifies new malware threatsThe second quarter 2012 (Q2 2012) McAfee Threat Report was released on Sept. 4 and has brought attention to new malware threats. The report identified threats such as mobile "drive-by downloads," the use of Twitter for control of mobile botnets, and the appearance of mobile "ransomware." This report covered the largest number of malware samples ever collected. The malware sample discovery rate accelerated to nearly 100,000 per day during 2012. ...read full article September 14, 2012 Despite warnings, most states slow to confront corporate ID theftSeptember 12, 2012 — IDG News Service — How easy is it to steal the identity of a business? Just ask Roger Lee Shoss and Nicolette Loisel, two Houston-based attorneys who turned hijacking the identities of publicly traded companies into a cottage industry. ...read full article August 17, 2012 SE Queens ID theft ring stole from big stores: DAThirteen people have been charged in what authorities said was a Queens-based criminal enterprise that took in millions in a system that stole bank and personal identification data to finance a vast criminal shopping spree. ...read full article August 17, 2012 U.S. Marshals Task Force Captures Three Violent Fugitives in EscambiaPensacola, FL – The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force hit the streets of Pensacola early today and arrested three Pensacola men wanted on numerous charges that include aggravated assault with a weapon, armed robbery, using a firearm and including a non-registered sex offender. The Task Force began their day when they had to breach the door of the home of Rodney Deangelo Ries, aka “Tattoo” after knocking and observing someone inside the home and they would not come to the door. Ries, was arrested around 8:15 am after he surrendered after hiding in the home on the 8500 Block of Stockdale Avenue. The 23 year old Ries is wanted for Aggravated Assault with a Gun and Firing a Weapon in Public. ...read full article August 17, 2012 College Students Vulnerable to Identity TheftBetter Business Bureau warns that young adults are particularly vulnerable to identity theft and related crimes.College students have many responsibilities to manage when it comes to school, work and their social lives. Unfortunately, identity theft and credit ratings often take a back seat to those other priorities. Better Business Bureau warns that young adults are particularly vulnerable to identity theft and related crimes. ...read full article August 17, 2012 Upper Saucon Woman Charged with Identity TheftNichole Michelle Farley, 32, is charged with four counts of forgery, two counts of criminal use of a communication facility, two counts of theft by unlawful taking and four counts of identity theft ...read full article August 17, 2012 Alabama Man Indicted in a Stolen Identity Refund Fraud ConspiracyA federal grand jury in Montgomery, Ala., returned an indictment charging Quentin Collick for conspiring to file false tax returns using stolen identities, theft of public funds, and aggravated identity theft, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. ...read full article August 16, 2012 Former Limo Company Manager Charged in Identity TheftLAS VEGAS -- A former limousine transportation manager has been charged with identity theft after being accused of accessing his ex-employer's email accounts. ...read full article August 16, 2012 The Threat From WithinAs long as there have been trades, there have been trade secrets. From Coca-Cola's secret formula to Google's search algorithm, there are reasons why proprietary and highly confidential information has always been safeguarded. ...read full article August 16, 2012 Former Hostess Charged With Identity TheftFormer Charro employee from Waukesha took customer's credit card and used it to make big purchases with her boyfriend, charges allege.While working as a hostess for a now defunct Town of Brookfield restaurant, a woman stole a customer’s credit card and racked up purchases at stores in Brookfield and Waukesha, charges allege. ...read full article August 16, 2012 Man sentenced on identity theft chargesA 54-year old man was sentenced to one charge of identity theft in circuit court Monday. ...read full article August 16, 2012 MCSO investigates business, arrests 4 for ID theftPHOENIX -- Four people were arrested Wednesday after deputies with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office conducted a workplace criminal enforcement operation at a business in north Phoenix. ...read full article August 16, 2012 Purported ID-theft victim sues DPS, saying they wrongly arrested herAn Austin woman has sued the Texas Department of Public Safety and two officers in San Antonio, claiming they bungled an identity-theft investigation and it resulted in her wrongful arrest, loss of her job and forced her to spend months to try to clear her name. ...read full article August 16, 2012 WikiLeaks repels DDoS attacks, returns onlineWikiLeaks is back online after absorbing punishing distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks for nine straight days. ...read full article August 16, 2012 Evidence Suggests PlayStation Network Hack Is FakeAn Anonymous hacker claims to have hacked Sony’s PlayStation Network, stealing 50 gigabytes' worth of information. Sony representatives have denied the hacker’s claims and evidence suggests that they may be right. ...read full article August 16, 2012 Saudi Aramco says virus shuts down its computer networkRIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabian Oil Co (Saudi Aramco) said its computer systems had been shut down by a virus late on Wednesday, but it added that production had not been affected. ...read full article August 16, 2012 New NIST encryption guidelines may force agencies to replace old websitesNetwork World - Next month the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) plans to put out for public review its draft for a new government encryption standard that, when finalized, is going to compel federal agencies with older websites to replace them. ...read full article August 16, 2012 Evolution of ID, Access ManagementRSA CTO Offers Advice on Overcoming IAM ComplexityThe big change to ID and access management over the last few years has been its growing complexity, owing to the evolution of the cloud and mobility. RSA's Sam Curry offers advice on overcoming the challenges. ...read full article August 16, 2012 Anonymous Hacks Website of Uganda’s Prime Minister, Fake News PostedAnonymous is once again protesting against the Ugandan government's position on the rights of the LGBT community. The hackers have teamed up with a collective known as The Elite Society and breached the website of the Prime Minister (opm.go.ug) and the one of the country’s Justice Law and Order Society (jlos.go.ug). ...read full article August 16, 2012 Chandler police say bicycle thieves may be part of large-scale ID theft ringChandler police are looking for two suspects involved in a bicycle theft who detectives believe are part of a large-scale identity theft ring operating throughout central and northern Arizona. ...read full article August 15, 2012 Three Sentenced In Massive Identity Theft, Unemployment Insurance ScamAG: Unemployment Insurance Scams Will Not Be ToleratedLANSING, Mich. — Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette and Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency Director Steve Arwood today announced three individuals charged with scamming taxpayers out of Michigan Unemployment benefits have been sentenced and will be required to repay approximately $160,000 in restitution. Jamaal Cann, 29, of Shelby Township, Kellee Norfleet-Cann, 27, of Shelby Township, and Darnell Bailey, 28, of Dearborn, all pled guilty to felonies and have been sentenced by Judge Mary Chrzanowski in Macomb County’s 16th Circuit Court. ...read full article August 15, 2012 ID theft victims in line for hours to get IRS helpFrustrated identity theft victims are swamping the Plantation office of the Internal Revenue Service, forming long lines to wait hours to speak to a representative – with one woman complaining of being told to come back at 4:30 a.m. to begin a new wait. ...read full article August 15, 2012 Identity Theft Fraudster Jailed for 81 MonthsYumeitrius Manuel, a resident of Montgomery, Alabama, was sentenced August 8, 2012, in the Middle District of Alabama to eighty-one months in federal prison for filing false tax returns using stolen identities, the Justice Department and IRS announced. The court also ordered Manuel to pay $52,242 in restitution to the IRS. ...read full article August 15, 2012 Meridian woman sentenced for identity theftMERIDIAN, MS (WLBT) - A Meridian woman was sentenced to time in a federal prison for operating an identity theft fraud scheme Tuesday. ...read full article August 15, 2012 Manhattan Prosecutor to Centralize Efforts Against CybercrimeMany criminals in the city are becoming more sophisticated, like using high-tech tools for identity theft and other forms of computer crimes. The city’s response? ...read full article August 15, 2012 Study: Phishing Messages Elude Filters, Frequently Hit Untrained UsersMany users don't know how to respond to fraudulent email, according to survey of Black Hat attendeesMany users are faced with multiple phishing messages every day, but few are trained in how to recognize or respond to them, according to a study released today. ...read full article August 15, 2012 Young Cybercrime Expert Details Online War Between Pakistan and IndiaIn the past few years, not a week went by without a website being hacked as part of the ongoing online conflict between Indian and Pakistani hackers. Ashish Saini, a young researcher who has been actively involved in helping Indian police investigate cyber incidents, has provided Softpedia with some interesting insight. ...read full article August 15, 2012 Citadel Malware Used to Infiltrate Airport VPNThe Citadel Trojan is really starting to become kind of a pain in the neck. Not content to sit by and watch while its more well-known rivals Zeus and SpyEye get all the attention, the Citadel malware has begun showing up in some interesting places, with the latest example being the discovery of the Trojan being used to steal VPN credentials for internal users at a major airport. ...read full article August 15, 2012 Security vendor exposes vulnerabilities in DDoS rootkitInfo designed to help enterprises mitigate attacks, Prolexic saysComputerworld - In what it says is an attempt to turn the tables on malicious hackers, security vendor Prolexic on Tuesday released details of vulnerabilities it has discovered in a toolkit family used by hackers to launch distributed denial of service attacks against corporate networks. ...read full article August 14, 2012 Va. phlebotomist sentenced for patient ID theftsNORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A Norfolk phlebotomist will spend two years in prison for stealing the identities of more than a dozen patients. ...read full article August 14, 2012 Police, firefighters targeted in alleged ID theft schemeTwo women remained jailed Monday after being arrested last week in an alleged identity theft scheme that targeted police officers and firefighters. ...read full article August 14, 2012 AC man arrested for ID theftAn Arkansas City resident has been arrested for stealing the identity of a Tennessee man and using it to gain employment here, according to a press release from the Arkansas City Police Department. ...read full article August 14, 2012 Leader sentenced in $50 million identity theft ring that hit Wells Fargo, Bank of America, othersA federal judge in Minnesota sentenced the leader of an identity theft ring that victimized more than 500 people to almost three decades behind bars. ...read full article August 13, 2012 Suspect ID’d in theft of donation jar in PeoriaA man suspected of stealing a donation jar from a Peoria convenience store on Friday has been identified after police received a tip from the public about his identity, Peoria police officials said. ...read full article August 13, 2012 Cleveland woman charged with identity theftCLEVELAND — A Cleveland woman is accused of forgery and identify theft. The Rowan County Sheriff's Office charged Racheal L. Kramer, 46, of Rowan Road, with eight counts of forgery of an instrument and three counts of identify theft Sunday. ...read full article August 13, 2012 NSA chief seeks help from hackersComputerworld - Gen. Keith B. Alexander, the director of the National Security Agency, asked hackers for help securing cyberspace when he spoke at the Defcon conference late last month. ...read full article August 13, 2012 AC man arrested for ID theftAn Arkansas City resident has been arrested for stealing the identity of a Tennessee man and using it to gain employment here, according to a press release from the Arkansas City Police Department. ...read full article August 13, 2012 FinFisher spyware found running on computers all over the worldCorporate IT should monitor systems for signs of communication with command and control servers running FinFisherComputers that appear to be running the commercially available FinFisher spyware sold to law enforcement and governments have been found in almost a dozen countries on five continents, a security researcher said on Wednesday. ...read full article August 13, 2012 Former TeaMp0isoN Member: You Are Not Anonymous, Nothing Is Secure (Exclusive)We’ve had the opportunity to have a chat with a former member of the infamous TeaMp0ison collective who has been recently raided by authorities. Although he has asked us not to reveal his true identity because the case is sealed, he wants to get his message out to all the black hats who are still active on the hacking scene. ...read full article August 11, 2012 Indiana Online Identity Thief Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Counterfeit Credit Card Conspiracy Involving More Than $3 Million in LossesWASHINGTON – A Munster, Ind., man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., to serve 48 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy that involved operation of an online identity theft business that sold counterfeit credit cards encoded with stolen account information, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride for the Eastern District of Virginia. ...read full article August 11, 2012 Blizzard Entertainment warns of password breachThe World of Warcraft and Starcraft maker is prompting some users to change their passwords and security questionsIDG News Service - Blizzard Entertainment, maker of popular multiplayer online games such as World of Warcraft, Diablo and Starcraft, warned on Thursday that its internal network was breached, revealing scrambled passwords and email addresses. ...read full article August 11, 2012 Dorifel Malware Encrypts Files, Steals Financial Data, May Be Related to Zeus or CitadelWhile much of the world was focused yesterday on the Gauss malware saga, there was another interesting infection happening, mainly in the Netherlands, that researchers think may be related to the Zeus and Citadel attacks, though the motivation behind the attack is somewhat of a mystery. The new malware, called Dorifel, has infected thousands of businesses in the Netherlands and Europe and researchers say that it's stealing online banking data and the crew behind it may be working on some other attack campaigns, as well. ...read full article August 11, 2012 Parlin man among 3 arrested in identity-theft, tax schemeNEWARK — Federal agents have arrested three of four men, including one from Parlin, in conjunction with a scheme to steal identity information and use it in the preparation and filing of fraudulent income tax returns to generate illegal refunds, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said on Friday. ...read full article August 11, 2012 Google to Pay $22.5 Million FTC FinePenalty Resulted from Deceptive Cookie PracticesSearch engine giant Google Inc. will pay $22.5 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it misrepresented its privacy promises to users of the Apple Safari web browser. The fine is the largest civil penalty the FTC has ever obtained for violation of one of its orders. ...read full article August 11, 2012 Anonymous Celebrates As Australia Puts Internet Surveillance Law on StandbyIn the past couple of days, Anonymous hackers and the supporters of OpAustralia have launched distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks on the websites of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) and the one of the Defense Signals Directorate governed by the Department of Defence. ...read full article August 11, 2012 Interview: A "malicious hacker" making over $10K a weekSummary: An alleged Romanian scammer explains his simple techniques and stolen identity hustle that supposedly makes him over $10K a week via eBay. ...read full article August 11, 2012 Devon NHS trust left data of 1,373 staff online for MONTHSMust cough £175k for opening employees to ID fraud, ICO sniffsA painful £175,000 fine has been slapped on a health trust in Torquay, Devon, after it published sensitive details of nearly 1,400 employees on its website. ...read full article August 11, 2012 Tilon Trojan Relies on “Search and Replace” Mechanism to Alter Bank WebsitesTilon, a new version of the old Silon Trojan, is currently making the rounds, attempting to defraud online banking users.Initially, Trusteer experts believed that the cybercriminals behind Silon might have been apprehended by authorities, especially since its numbers had dropped considerably in the past period. However, as it turns out, they might have taken the time out to improve the malware. ...read full article August 11, 2012 Sun Prairie police investigate identity theft of residents on two adjoining streetsSUN PRAIRIE, WI (WTAQ) - Sun Prairie Police are trying to find out how identity thieves stole personal information from residents on two adjoining streets, and spent over $100,000 on those people’s credit cards. ...read full article August 11, 2012 Lawyer sentenced for wire fraud in Pinellas corporate ID theftHouston lawyer Roger Shoss was sentenced to 18 months in prison and 36 months of home confinement for conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a corporate identity theft scam. ...read full article August 10, 2012 Identity theft victim's name tied to attempted murderVancouver man was shocked to discover that the U.S. suspect charged for an attack with a hammer was a casual acquaintanceWhen Vancouver resident John Charles Yoos received a text from a friend Monday saying that a person with the same name as him had been charged with attempted murder in New York, it was meant as a joke. ...read full article August 10, 2012 Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced To LifeOklahoma Fugitive Captured By Task Force in 2011, Sentenced in 2012San Antonio, TX – Matthew Mallory, 36, convicted sex offender, entered a plea of guilty earlier this week to 4 counts of child abuse by intentional infliction of mental injury, before an Oklahoma District Court Judge in Kingfisher County. In April 2011, authorities in Oklahoma issued an arrest warrant for Mallory who was captured by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in San Antonio. ...read full article August 10, 2012 Ex-officer pleads no contest to child porn, ID theft but plans appealELYRIA — Former Avon police Officer Michael Kish pleaded no contest Wednesday to child pornography and identity theft charges, although defense attorney Dan Wightman said his client continues to maintain his innocence. ...read full article August 10, 2012 BNSF employees report identity theftBISMARCK (AP) — Bismarck and Mandan police say they have taken reports from BNSF Railway employees who say someone has used their personal identity information to open credit card and other accounts. ...read full article August 10, 2012 Woman arrested in ID theftHERNANDO COUNTY -- A woman has been arrested after trying to cash a check belonging to one person and using the stolen identification of another, say deputies. ...read full article August 10, 2012 North Island-Based Identity Theft Scheme Affects Over 100 VictimsTwo women are in custody awaiting trial after being arrested in an NAS North Island Moral, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) based identity theft scheme affecting more than 100 people in less than four month’s time. The story begins the night of June 6 into the morning of June 7 when local police responded to a vehicle burglary on the 300 block of Orange Avenue, said Coronado Police Department Detective Aaron Mansker. The victim’s credit card was later used at a McDonald’s restaurant in Clairemont Mesa. Inside, surveillance cameras captured the suspect’s image and vehicle license plate which police used to track down the San Diego woman. ...read full article August 10, 2012 Beaverton police ask for help in identifying three suspects in identity theftThe Beaverton Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying three people suspected of stealing a woman's wallet and charging $16,000 on her bank and credit cards. ...read full article August 10, 2012 Taxpayer Identity Theft is Growing Problem in MN, NationwideIf tax time weren't painful enough, some Minnesotans are now victims of tax identity fraud -- and the number of scams is exploding nationwide. ...read full article August 9, 2012 Florida Teen Allegedly Caught Impersonating Physician's Assistant Blames HospitalA Florida teenager who administered CPR to a patient while allegedly pretending to be a physician's assistant has blamed the hospital, telling police he was mistakenly given an incorrect ID badge. ...read full article August 9, 2012 13 more added to list of indicted in massive ID theft schemeThirteen more New Yorkers — including a school safety agent — were added today to the massive list of the indicted in what officials have called the biggest identity theft and credit card scheme in US history. ...read full article August 9, 2012 Back-to-School Is High Season for Child Identity TheftTips from Equifax on identity theft protection for kids and how to be smart when sharing their information.For parents, back-to-school season equals lots of paperwork — not only for school enrollment, but also for youth sports, clubs and even a teen’s first after-school job. Unfortunately, the piles of paper often leave a child vulnerable to identity theft, an increasingly serious problem in our country. ...read full article August 9, 2012 Hollister woman arrested, accused of identity theft in ArkansasA Hollister woman was arrested by Arkansas State Police Tuesday for felony computer fraud and was accused of stealing the identity of a child who was abducted 17 years ago, according to Arkansas State Police. ...read full article August 9, 2012 Carlstadt man sentenced for ID theft ringA Carlstadt man has been sentenced for his role in what federal officials called a "large-scale and sophisticated" identity theft operation. ...read full article August 9, 2012 ND police say BNSF employees report identity theftBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Bismarck and Mandan police say they have taken reports from BNSF Railway employees who say someone has used their personal identity information to open credit card and other accounts. ...read full article August 9, 2012 Serving Up Malicious PDFs Through SQL InjectionWebsites serving binary file content are exposed to malicious payloads and data extraction through SQL injection—even when the database is secure ...read full article August 9, 2012 Email Account Phishing Scam: Deactivation WarningA clever email account phishing scam has been making the rounds in the past few days. The recipients of phony messages entitled “Email Deactivation Warning” are notified that their address has been “queued for deactivation.” ...read full article August 9, 2012 Zeus botnet on Blackberries and AndroidThis will hit your phone billSecurity experts have found new Zeus malware which targets Android and BlackBerry mobile phones. Kaspersky Lab said it found four new Zeus-in-the-mobile (Zitmo) samples targeting BlackBerry users in Germany, Spain, and Italy, Denis Maslennikov, a researcher at Kaspersky Lab wrote on the company's Securelist blog that he variants were communicating with two command-and-control mobile phone numbers in Sweden. ...read full article August 9, 2012 White House exploring executive order to secure critical networksContinued bickering in Congress over cybersecurity legislation prompting move, report saysComputerworld - President Obama is exploring the option of using his executive authority to get government agencies and critical infrastructure owners to implement better controls for protecting their computer networks. ...read full article August 9, 2012 Detailed Parking Tickets Breach Personal Privacy, Appeals Court SaysA federal appeals court is reinstating a class-action privacy suit, ruling that police departments who put too much private data on parking citations are violating U.S. privacy law. ...read full article August 9, 2012 Alabama Return Preparer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Tax Conspiracy Involving Stolen Identity Refund FraudYumeitrius Manuel, a resident of Montgomery, Ala., was sentenced today in the Middle District of Alabama to 81 months in federal prison for filing false tax returns using stolen identities, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. ...read full article August 8, 2012 Tax refund identity theft a growing issueBELLE GLADE, Fla., Aug. 7 (UPI) -- A home in Belle Glade, Fla., has caught the eye of federal investigators, who say 741 tax returns were filed last year at the address. ...read full article August 8, 2012 Cancer Survivor Can Sue Over ID Theft Fiasco(CN) - A cancer survivor whose identity was stolen by a hospital worker can sue Chase Bank and a credit service company for reporting false information to credit-rating agencies, the 9th Circuit ruled Tuesday. ...read full article August 8, 2012 Medical ID theft wreaks havoc on providersWhen scammers steal insurance cards, Social Security numbers and provider IDs to gain illegal treatments, access drugs or sell information to black market, it can compromise patient safety and ruin providers' finances. ...read full article August 8, 2012 Citrus Heights residents plead guilty to mail theft, credit card fraudTwo Citrus Heights residents today pleaded guilty in federal court in Sacramento to identity theft, credit card fraud and possessing stolen U.S. mail. ...read full article August 8, 2012 Mark Kozlowski charged with attempted identity theft after sheriff receives citizen's tipGlen Ellyn, IL — Sheriff John Zaruba announced today the arrest of a Glen Ellyn man for attempted identity theft after receiving a tip from a citizen. ...read full article August 8, 2012 Court rules against Countrywide breach plaintiffsA U.S. district court in Kentucky has tossed a data breach lawsuit filed against Countrywide Financial by four plaintiffs who opted out of an earlier settlement. ...read full article August 8, 2012 Business lessons learned in iCloud hackExperience should reemphasize the need for businesses to educate employees on cloud security, says analystAugust 08, 2012 — CSO — The recent Apple iCloud hack that caused a veteran tech journalist a lot of misery has several lessons for businesses whose employees are also taking advantage of the convenience of cloud services. ...read full article August 8, 2012 Zombie debt collections: Hollywood Video is dead, but bills still haunt consumersTalk about Red Tape: Consumers across the country say they are being harassed into paying bills they don't owe to a company that no longer exists. And it's not the first time. Like a monster in a bad horror flick, every time this Hollywood Video debt collection controversy seems to be killed, it keeps coming back to life. ...read full article August 8, 2012 OpFake, FakeInst Android Malware Variants Continue to Resist DetectionAndroid devices have remained a constant target of attacks over the last quarter thanks in part to new variants from the FakeInst and OpFake families of malware. According to the latest version of the F-Secure Mobile Threat Report, the firm found 5033 malicious Android application packages (APKs), a 64 percent increase over the 3063 the firm identified in the first quarter of 2012. ...read full article August 8, 2012 Flaw in Australian Transportation Ticket Vending Machines Exposes Credit Card DetailsMost Australians from the state of Victoria who use public transportation acquire their tickets via the contactless smartcard ticketing system known as Myki. The problem is that an error present in the vending machines could expose the credit card details of customers. ...read full article August 8, 2012 Money Laundering Controls ScrutinizedBanks Review AML Practices in Wake of Action Against SCBNew York state officials are demanding answers from a New York branch of London-based Standard Chartered Bank that it accuses of handling more than $250 billion in illegal Iranian transactions. ...read full article August 8, 2012 Ill. bans firms from asking workers, job seekers for social media infoIt's the third state to outlaw the practice; others are considering similar billsComputerworld - Illinois has become the third state in the country to pass a law prohibiting companies from asking employees and job candidates for usernames and passwords to their social media accounts. ...read full article August 7, 2012 Queens couple pleads guilty to roles in largest ID theft scam in US historyA Queens couple were handed star-crossed sentences for their conniving role in one of the biggest identity theft and credit card scams in US history. ...read full article August 7, 2012 Former Sacramento sheriff's deputy will serve 120 days for identity theft chargeFormer Sacramento County sheriff's Deputy Kelly Smith will serve 120 days in jail and complete a drug diversion program as part of her sentence for drug possession and identity theft charges, according to authorities. ...read full article August 7, 2012 Local man charged with identity theft of former roommateBRATTLEBORO -- A local man is facing up to 13 years behind bars after he allegedly used a woman’s identity to open a credit account for an online retail store. ...read full article August 7, 2012 House Passes Bill to Curb Tax Return Identity TheftThe House has approved legislation to increase the criminal penalties against identity thieves who steal taxpayer information to file fraudulent returns. ...read full article August 7, 2012 Honduras: Identity theft concerns authoritiesTEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – The National Registry of Persons (RNP), which is in charge of providing identification cards, wants to make it more difficult for criminals to commit identity theft in this Central American nation of eight million. ...read full article August 7, 2012 Anonymous Launches Operation Demonoid After Raid in UkraineThe National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council of Ukraine (nrada.gov.ua) and the Ukrainian Agency for Copyright and Related Rights (uacrr.kiev.ua) are currently down as a result of a distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attack launched by Anonymous. ...read full article August 7, 2012 Malicious Olympic 2012 Android Apps and DomainsWhenever an important event takes place, new opportunities for cyber criminals, especially for those who develop attacks based on social engineering, arise. Currently, the whole world has its eyes glued to TV screens watching the London 2012 Olympic Games. ...read full article August 7, 2012 'Wall of Shame' exposes 21M medical record breachesNotification, reporting part of new rules under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health ActComputerworld - Over the past three years, about 21 million patients have had their medical records exposed in data security breaches that were big enough to require they be reported to the federal government. ...read full article August 7, 2012 Slovenian hacker accused of masterminding Mariposa botnet in courtThe hacker believed to have created the infamous Mariposa botnet has gone on trial in Slovenia, charged with having masterminded an international cybercrime gang. ...read full article August 7, 2012 Bredo Trojan Hides in Fake Groupon EmailsEmails entitled “Groupon dicount (sic) gifts” have been making the rounds for the past week or so. Users are advised to be on the lookout since they carry dangerous pieces of malware. ...read full article August 7, 2012 New Study Shows Surge in Fake Twitter UsersDealers--Twitter scammers who create fake profiles on the social media site and sell their sets of followers--are adapting their workflow just enough to stay under the social media site's radar, according to security firm Barracuda Labs, who recently wrapped up a 75 day study analyzing the buying and selling of Twitter followers. ...read full article August 7, 2012 Bigpond Phishing Scam: Reply to This Email with Your Username and PasswordThe latest types of phishing scams usually involve a sophisticated website that’s designed to mimic the legitimate one as accurately as possible. However, as this Bigpond phishing scheme demonstrates, low tech attempts could be just as effective. ...read full article August 7, 2012 Police try to unravel mystery of man with huge stash of fake IDs(CNN) -- Police in Florida are trying to solve a mystery surrounding a man arrested with an enormous stash of fake military, law enforcement and medical paraphernalia including federal badges, police radios and even a full NASA flight suit and helmet. ...read full article August 6, 2012 Medical ID theft: Double danger for doctorsThe sooner medical identity theft is discovered, the more likely damage can be minimized. Physicians, patients, insurers and the government all can help detect it. ...read full article August 6, 2012 Child pornography arrests may have revealed identity theft from 30 years agoWhen Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office investigators questioned Richard John Batt III last month about the dozens of sexual images of children allegedly stored on his computers, the Metairie man called the pictures a "dark secret" that he didn't want anyone to know. But his July 20 arrest on child pornography charges brought to light another long-kept secret. ...read full article August 6, 2012 Texas shows up in identity theft schemeThe Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration just completed an audit of IRS efforts to stop identity theft and fraudulent tax returns. The report estimates that the government may have given out over $5 billion (yes that is billion with a B) in fraudulent tax refunds. Houston made the top five list with almost 23,000 potentially fraudulent tax returns originating from there. However the big culprits are Tampa and Miami Florida which combined for almost 163,000 potentially fraudulent returns filed from addresses in those two cities. ...read full article August 6, 2012 Fake AT&T Emails Using Blackhole Exploit Kit to Install MalwareFor the last few weeks there have been a series of quite authentic-looking phishing emails making the rounds, purporting to come from AT&T and informing the recipient that their bill is ready to view. The emails look nearly identical to a real bill and researchers say that users who fall for the ruse are going to be rewarded with a redirection to a site hosting the Blackhole exploit kit. ...read full article August 6, 2012 Insider Financial Fraud Largely Unsophisticated, But CostlyAnalysis of dozens of insider breaches in the financial sector revealed frauds typically went on for more than two years before detectionDramatic bank heists may make for good movies, but a sneakier class of thieves are taking a "low and slow" approach to stealing financial data that allows them to go undetected for long periods of time. ...read full article August 6, 2012 Scam Alert: John Cena Dies of Head Injury, Video Link IncludedWorld renowned wrestler John Cena has died as a result of a head injury suffered while attempting a stunt with Dwayne Johnson, at least that’s what a message circulating on Facebook claims. Fortunately, it’s only a scam. ...read full article August 6, 2012 Senate delays, maybe kills, cybersecurity billSenators decline to vote to end debate on the controversial Cybersecurity ActIDG News Service - The U.S. Senate on Thursday failed to end debate on a comprehensive cybersecurity bill, pushing action on the bill into September and potentially killing it. ...read full article August 6, 2012 Dropbox Spam Attack Blamed on Employee Account BreachDropbox said Tuesday one of its employee's accounts was compromised, leading to a raft of spam last month that irritated users of the cloud-storage service. ...read full article August 6, 2012 Reuters suffers double hackCall it a “psy-ops” attack, if you like: Reuters has suffered the embarrassment of having two platforms infiltrated and used to spread propaganda messages supporting the Syrian regime. ...read full article August 6, 2012 Advance Fee Scam: International FIFA World Cup Online Lottery ProgramAn International FIFA World Cup Online Lottery Program that’s designed and promoted by the European lottery, Russian Football Union and Qatar Football Association sounds great, especially if you’re told that you won £800,000 ($1.2 million or €1 million). However, as always, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. ...read full article August 3, 2012 Student denied loan after ID theftST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - We've heard the reports about how Florida leads the nation in cases of identity theft. Police and federal agents are investigating everything from income tax fraud to stealing unemployment benefits. ...read full article August 3, 2012 What Identity Theft Really Costs the IRSIdentity theft is costing Uncle Sam far more than the Internal Revenue Service has reported, according to a new audit report released yesterday by the office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, or Tigta. ...read full article August 3, 2012 Wichita police say ID theft operation uncoveredWICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita police say they've found evidence of a significant identity theft operation. ...read full article August 3, 2012 GM warns 883 employees, retirees of possible identity theft riskGeneral Motors warned 883 active and retired employees that they should guard against possible identity theft after a worker downloaded some of their personal information before retiring in May. ...read full article August 3, 2012 Two Minneapolis men plead guilty in $2 million identity theft caseTwo Minneapolis men on Thursday became the latest to plead guilty in a large identity theft ring that caused a loss of $2 million to banks and retail stores in 14 states. ...read full article August 1, 2012 New Jersey men pretend to be Navy SEALs, run bogus 9/11 charityNew Jersey has sued two state residents, claiming they collected tens of thousands of dollars in donations for a bogus 9/11 charity. ...read full article July 31, 2012 Man Gets 30 Months In Identity Theft CaseMINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A 57-year-old Deer Creek man was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison last Thursday in Minneapolis Federal Court in connection with a case where he tried to use another man’s identity for a passport. ...read full article July 31, 2012 Osceola man sentenced for stealing mail, ID'sSPRINGFIELD, Mo. – David M. Ketchmark, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Osceola, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a bank fraud conspiracy, as well as wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. ...read full article July 31, 2012 Good Samaritan allegedly falls victim to identity theft(WMC-TV) - Police say a Good Samaritan's kindness gave an identity thief the chance to rack up nearly $850 of fraudulent charges on her credit cards last week. ...read full article July 31, 2012 Two Southern California Men Arrested for Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftDefendants Impersonated New Orleans City Officials to Defraud Bay Area and Chinese CompaniesSAN FRANCISCO—A federal grand jury in San Francisco indicted Ngoc Duong, a/k/a Danny Duong, of Fountain Valley, California, and Hong Lee Wong, a/k/a William Wong, of Torrance, California, on July 19, 2012, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced. ...read full article July 31, 2012 Identity theft: McGraw-Hill's security phone number stolenAn apparent identity thief is using the caller ID of a major company headquartered in New York City to target victims, including at least one Dutchess County resident. ...read full article July 31, 2012 Gerald Colon Arrested For Identity Theft In LockportLOCKPORT, NY (New York State Police Press Release) - On July 25, 2012 the New York State Police arrested Gerald Colon, 29, of Bronx, NY for Identity Theft in the third degree, a class "A" misdemeanor. ...read full article July 31, 2012 ID Thief Gets 5 Years for Stealing Identities of More Than 50 PeopleIn California, an identity thief was recently sentenced to five years in prison for committing what appears to be classic new account fraud. The thief reportedly used a victim’s identity to open a mailbox at a shipping store in Modesto, which he often used to have fraudulently issued credit cards and other financial and identity information mailed. ...read full article July 31, 2012 Sarasota Memorial Worker Charged With ID TheftPolice say a Sarasota Memorial Hospital employee admitted to using a patient's identity and credit cards to make purchases just hours after the patient died.A Sarasota Memorial Hospital emergency room employee is facing seven counts of credit card fraud after police say she stole a deceased patient's identity. ...read full article July 31, 2012 Why identity thieves love loyalty cardsLoyalty cards are 'puzzles' that hackers can solve to gain access to online content associated with the card that could lead to more serious identity theft. ...read full article July 31, 2012 Norwalk Man Charged With Identity Theft In DarienDARIEN, Conn. — A Norwalk man was arrested for allegedly posing as his brother while trying to open a bank account in Darien. Eric Christian, 28, was charged with identity theft and second-degree forgery, according to Darien police. ...read full article July 31, 2012 Ruskin man admits identity theft in fake pharmacist caseA 49-year-old man has pleaded guilty to fraudulently working as a pharmacist for several years, the Department of Justice said in a release. ...read full article July 31, 2012 Concord Woman Convicted of Identity TheftGenerose Yambao was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading no contest to 15 criminal counts ...read full article July 31, 2012 State mistake puts thousands at risk of identity theftMadison - The state Department of Revenue acknowledged Tuesday posting online by mistake the tax numbers of tens of thousands of businesses and consumers - at least the fourth time in six years the state has released confidential information and raised the fear of identity fraud. ...read full article July 31, 2012 More Victims Reported In Identity Theft ScamFormer Wave House Athletic Club Employee Christopher Polley Accused Of Stealing Clients' IdentitiesSAN DIEGO -- Police say at least four more victims have been identified in a large identity theft scam by a former Wave House Athletic Club employee, bringing the total number to at least 24. ...read full article July 31, 2012 Indictment Charges 11 People in Multi-Million Dollar Tax Fraud and Identity Theft Conspiracy(Source: FBI) - ANCHORAGE—U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler and Assistant Attorney General Kathryn Keneally of the Justice Department’s Tax Division announced that 11 defendants were charged in a 90-count superseding indictment returned today in connection with their alleged roles in a scheme to use stolen Puerto Rican identities to file tax returns and obtain fraudulent income tax refunds. This second superseding indictment adds tax fraud, identity theft, and other financial counts to previous charges, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine, cocaine distribution, and international money laundering. ...read full article July 31, 2012 Former Radio Shack employee gets 6.5 years for ID theftFORT WORTH -- A former Radio Shack customer service representative was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in federal prison Monday for stealing personal information from customers that she used to file fake income tax returns to claim refunds. ...read full article July 31, 2012 Ziegler sentenced to prison for latest identity theftsA serial identity thief has entered no-contest pleas to two charges of identity theft and one charge of second-degree theft and has been sentenced to more than three years in prison. ...read full article July 31, 2012 Deer Creek man sent to federal prison for identity theftA 57-year-old Deer Creek man has been sentenced for using the identity of another person when applying for a passport.A 57-year-old Deer Creek man has been sentenced for using the identity of another person when applying for a passport. ...read full article July 31, 2012 Identity theft warning after Hereford woman is left with debtA HEREFORD woman returned home from the other side of the world to find that her identity had been stolen. ...read full article July 31, 2012 Prison Inmate's Identity StolenCOLUMBUS -- Federal charges have been lodged against an east Columbus man, accused of stealing the identities of state prison inmates to pocket state unemployment benefits in their names. ...read full article July 30, 2012 Cybercriminals exploit Olympic Games to attack computer usersOn July 25 various cybercrime experts including the security firm ThreatMetrix are issuing warnings to the public in an effort to protect computer users from cybercriminals that are exploiting the Olympics. It is estimated that more than a billion people worldwide will be watching the games or searching for scores on PCs or mobile devices. ...read full article July 30, 2012 ID theft suspects busted in credit card-skimming caseSACRAMENTO, CA - It continues to happen. Three individuals were arrested Thursday on suspicion of identity theft and burglary after a month-long investigation in which detectives with the Sacramento County sheriff's hi tech crimes unit uncovered credit/debit card skimming devices, thousands of credit card numbers, hundreds of bogus California identification cards and numerous counterfeit credit cards. ...read full article July 30, 2012 Defendants in large-scale identity-theft ring plead guilty, are sentencedNEWARK — Two individuals — including a Linden resident — pleaded guilty and three others were sentenced this week in Newark federal court in connection with their roles in a large scale and sophisticated identity theft scheme, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. ...read full article July 30, 2012 Fort Lee Man Gets Five Years in Prison For Role in Identity Theft RingHyo-Il Song, who authorities say was part of a large-scale identity theft and bank fraud ring that netted millions, was sentenced to 65 months in jail and ordered to pay more than $1 million in restitution. ...read full article July 30, 2012 Oakdale Man Heads to Prison for Stealing Mail, Bank Fraud, Identity TheftRicky W. Mariano, 41, of Oakdale, was sentenced in federal court in St. Paul on July 25 for mail theft, bank fraud and identity theft.An Oakdale man was sentenced in federal court Wednesday (July 25) for stealing mail and using the victims' identities to create bank accounts and obtain cash. ...read full article July 30, 2012 Identity theft 'superstore' sentence for man Bergen authorities caught in triple murderUPDATE: A man whose arrest by local investigators in a triple homicide put federal authorities on the trail of a Bergen County-based "crime superstore" that stole identities from people in Asia to get credit cards and bank loans that were used to buy fancy cars, fine whiskey and designer shoes was given another prison term today, as the dominos in the massive identity fraud case continued falling in federal court. ...read full article July 30, 2012 Cell Phone Financial Identity TheftScienceDaily (July 26, 2012) — While the cell phone is an amazingly useful device, using it for banking -- and consumers are increasingly using mobile phones as banking tools -- can lead to identity theft and other financial crimes, if reasonable precautions aren't taken. ...read full article July 30, 2012 Derry woman avoids jail for identity theftBRENTWOOD — A Derry woman avoided possibly spending years in prison after pleading guilty to felony theft and identity fraud charges. ...read full article July 30, 2012 Sex Offenders Resort To ID Theft To Skirt Laws, Study SaysOKLAHOMA CITY - Across the country convicted sex offenders are going to extremes to stay under the radar and the founder of a metro sex offender compound says the laws are giving offenders no other choice. ...read full article July 30, 2012 Police Reports: A Case of Mistaken IdentitiesAmong the week's collection of criminal activity and intrigue, one man displays multiple personalities.At 5:11 p.m. Monday, a 21-year-old Milwaukee man was arrested for identity theft after a Wauwatosa police officer approached to help in what appeared to be a situation of a stranded motorist being helped already by others. ...read full article July 30, 2012 2 charged in fraud, identity theft schemeDOVER, Del. — A federal judge in Wilmington has issued arrest warrants for two people accused of running a fraud and identity theft scheme in Delaware and New York City. ...read full article July 30, 2012 Socal men sentenced for ID theft and bank card fraudOAKLAND — Two Southern California men have been sentenced in federal court in Oakland to five years in prison for conspiring to defraud banks by using nearly 1,000 phony bank cards created with stolen information. ...read full article July 30, 2012 Oakdale man sentenced to prison for role in 10-person ID theft ringA federal judge in St. Paul has sentenced an Oakdale man to more than five years in prison for stealing mail and identities to create bank accounts and get cash. ...read full article July 30, 2012 Man serving prison sentence for homicides in Tenafly pleads guilty to fraud chargesA confessed killer who is serving life in prison for a grisly triple homicide in Tenafly four years ago pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to charges relating to his use of stolen and fraudulently obtained credit cards. ...read full article July 30, 2012 Florida Hospital Employee Went on Spending Spree With Dead Patient's Credit Card, Police SayA Florida hospital employee used a dead patient's credit card information to purchase plane tickets, buy shoes and pay off her phone bill, police said. ...read full article July 30, 2012 Pr. George’s man sentenced in ID scamA Prince George’s County man was sentenced Thursday to six years in prison as part of an identity-theft scheme involving at least $200,000 and 50 victims. ...read full article July 25, 2012 16 percent of sex offenders nationally manipulate identities, study findsBy Joshua Rhett MillerRoughly 92,000 of the 569,325 registered sex offenders — approximately 16 percent — are digital absconders who use techniques developed by identity thieves to alter their names, birthdays, Social Security numbers and other personal information, according to the study conducted by Utica College’s Center for Identity Management and Information Protection. ...read full article July 24, 2012 Florida Tax Preparer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stolen Identity Refund FraudErnst Pierre, a Port St. Lucie, Fla., tax preparer, was sentenced today to 51 months in federal prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) announced. Pierre was charged with a scheme to file false federal income tax returns using stolen identity information. Pierre was also ordered to pay over $266,000 in restitution to the IRS. ...read full article July 24, 2012 Ex-RadioShack worker gets prison for ID theftFORT WORTH, Texas — A former RadioShack Corp. call center worker has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for identity theft. ...read full article July 24, 2012 2 accused in ID theft involving elderly patientsEAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) — A worker at a southern Illinois hospital and a second woman face federal charges that they plotted to steal identities of elderly patients. ...read full article July 24, 2012 ID theft getting ironed out for victim living in public housingCROSSVILLE (WATE) - A retired school teacher called 6 On Your Side after a former student ran into a road block trying to restore his identity. ...read full article July 24, 2012 UK: PM's Ex-Aide Charged in Hacking ScandalBritish authorities on Tuesday charged an ex-aide to the British prime minister, a former protege of media mogul Rupert Murdoch and six others in the ever-widening phone hacking scandal, accusing them of key roles in a lengthy campaign of illegal espionage that victimized hundreds including top celebrities Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. ...read full article July 24, 2012 Global to Provide New Breach DetailsProcessor to Offer Investigation Update July 26Global Payments Inc., the Atlanta-based payments processor that on April 2 revealed its systems had been breached, this week will provide an update about its investigation and the hack that exposed details about more than 1.5 million credit and debit cards. ...read full article July 24, 2012 McKinnon extradition decision date set for mid-OctoberSummary: Self-confessed NASA hacker Gary McKinnon will hear within three months whether he will be sent to the US to face charges, the high court in London has heard ...read full article July 24, 2012 Anonymous hits AustraliaState government web sites defaced and taken down over data retention policyPeople operating under the name “Anonymous” claim to have defaced several websites in the Australian state of Queensland, in protest against draft Australian policies on data retention. ...read full article July 23, 2012 Russian Hacker Arrested for DDoS Attacks on AmazonDmitry Olegovich Zubakha, a Russian man accused of launching distributed-denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks on Amazon.com, has been arrested this week by authorities in Cyprus based on an international warrant, the Department of Justice revealed. ...read full article July 23, 2012 Dropbox says no evidence of hack in investigation of spamThe investigation into potentially leaked email addresses is ongoingIDG News Service - Dropbox's ongoing investigation into a possible security breach has not produced any evidence that its systems have been infiltrated, according to an update Friday to the company's user forum. ...read full article July 23, 2012 Gift-card scammers rounded up by authorities face charges of ID theft, forgeryCOLUMBUS, Ohio — Five Columbus residents face criminal charges after a raid of a car, two homes and a business turned up piles of gift cards that law enforcement officers believe are encoded with stolen credit card numbers. ...read full article July 23, 2012 Thieves stealing Social Security numbers to file false tax returnsThe IRS rejected the federal return of Sue and Everett Lane, a retired Billings couple, when they tried to file electronically last April. ...read full article July 23, 2012 Montebello police jail man on suspicion of ID, auto theftMONTEBELLO - Police jailed a man on suspicion of identity theft, auto theft and possession of stolen property after responding to a report he was using a fraudulent credit card to stay at a hotel. ...read full article July 23, 2012 I-Team: Red tape restricts state's ability to chase suspected identity thievesLawmakers seek change to federal lawsLINCOLN, Neb. - At least two lawmakers wonder if federal laws governing the use of social security numbers should change. ...read full article July 23, 2012 Bogus AICPA “Income Tax Refund Infringement” Email Serves TrojanInternauts are advised to be on the lookout for a fake email that purports to come from the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). The phony notifications are part of a scheme designed to lure unsuspecting users to a hijacked website that serves a piece of malware. ...read full article July 23, 2012 Australians dial 000 over hitman scamSummary: Australians, scared that they may be an assassination target, have called police for help after receiving SMS death threats, but it is just an old hoax. ...read full article July 23, 2012 Norwalk man charged with identity theft, posts $50K bondEric Christian, 28, of 2 Amber Drive, Norwalk, was charged with identity theft and second-degree forgery after receiving a warrant for his arrest Saturday, July 21. ...read full article July 20, 2012 A Goldmine for Hackers: Your SmartphoneA piece of technology is truly innovative if you can’t imagine life without it, and the smartphone certainly fits that criterion. With hundreds of thousands of apps seconds away from download, you can entertain yourself for hours or take care of your day’s errands in minutes. It’s an indispensable tool for those who value efficiency and convenience. ...read full article July 20, 2012 11 face ID theft, other charges in tax fraud caseNCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Eleven people have been indicted in an identity theft conspiracy, accused of stealing more than 2,600 identifications of Puerto Rico residents and trying to obtain about $19 million in false U.S. tax return claims, federal officials said Thursday. ...read full article July 20, 2012 Identity theft and vital records: What to do about a lost or stolen social security cardHave you lost your wallet or purse, or worse, had it stolen? If so, read this article to learn how to protect yourself from identity theft immediately. ...read full article July 20, 2012 Local author wanted for fraud, ID theftNEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - Newport News Police say a local woman forged checks, obtained property by false pretenses and engaged in aggravated identity theft leaving behind scores of victims. ...read full article July 20, 2012 Buy a dead person's identity from Social Security for $10NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- For $10, identity thieves can access the full name, Social Security number and other personal information of a dead person through a list of millions of deceased Americans, known as the Death Master File. ...read full article July 20, 2012 $19 Million Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Conspiracy Charged in AlaskaA grand jury sitting in Anchorage, Ala., returned a 90-count superseding indictment yesterday against 11 defendants, the Justice Department announced. The superseding indictment included a conspiracy charge to defraud the United States involving a scheme to use stolen Puerto Rican identities to file tax returns and obtain fraudulent income tax refunds. A number of the defendants had previously been charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, cocaine distribution and international money laundering. ...read full article July 20, 2012 Two Foreign Nationals Plead Guilty to Trafficking the Identities of Puerto Rican U.S. CitizensThe guilty pleas were announced today by Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Rosa E. Rodríguez-Vélez for the District of Puerto Rico; Director John Morton of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Chief Postal Inspector Guy Cottrell of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Scott P. Bultrowicz, Director of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS); and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Chief Richard Weber. ...read full article July 20, 2012 3 Lessons from PATCO Fraud RulingAttorney Highlights Takeaways from Appellate Court's ReversalThe PATCO Construction Inc. case, recently reversed by a U.S. appeals court, is seen as a victory for fraud victims. But what are the key takeaways for banking institutions? Attorney Joe Burton offers insight. ...read full article July 20, 2012 Pinterest Starts Locking Accounts of Hacked UsersStarting with July 10, Pinterest representatives have been busy publishing Account Security notices. The decision comes after a number of accounts have been hacked and abused by cybercriminals. ...read full article July 20, 2012 Phishing websites reach all-time highNew detection technnology accounts in part for the rise, which shows how cybercriminals are still hard at workIDG News Service - The number of phishing websites detected reached an all-time high earlier this year, a sign that making fake websites spoofing real ones is still a lucrative trade for cybercriminals. ...read full article July 19, 2012 Online identity theft is up 300% on 2010, warns ExperianFraudsters exchanged 12 million pieces of personal information online in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 300% since 2010, according to credit-checking firm Experian. ...read full article July 19, 2012 1,200 Usernames, Passwords Leaked from Yale UniversityThe newly founded hacker collective NullCrew has been very busy in the past few days. After they hacked the systems of ASUS and the ones of a South African ISP directory, they turned their attention to Yale University. ...read full article July 19, 2012 Bulgaria Official: Blast Suspect Had Fake Michigan Driver's LicenseBulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov today said the explosion on a bus full of Israeli tourists was likely carried out by a suicide bomber who had a fake Michigan driver's license. ...read full article July 19, 2012 Hacker gets 7 years in thefts of more than 240,000 credit card numbersWashington (CNN) -- An Estonian man was sentenced to seven years in prison on Thursday for his role in stealing more than 240,000 credit card numbers. ...read full article July 19, 2012 $6 (€5): The Price of 500 Compromised Facebook AccountsHave you ever wondered how much your email or social media account is worth? If you ask cybercriminals, they would say that it’s not much, not much at all. ...read full article July 19, 2012 Nike hacker steals over $80,000Summary: Brad Stephenson went on a five-month shopping spree after he found a loophole in one of Nike's website. When the Secret Service caught up with him, he had stolen $81,419.58 in Nike merchandise. ...read full article July 19, 2012 Scams Surround London OlympicsIn 2009, I alerted our readers about malicious campaigns exploiting the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Important sport events continue to attract spammers and scammers, so you can guess which big event is now on their radar. The Olympic Games in London have inspired emails such as ...read full article July 19, 2012 Massive identity theft spree linked to single Salt Lake couple on the runSALT LAKE CITY — Hundreds of stolen ID's and stolen items have been found, all linked to a single couple who managed to escape custody. ...read full article July 19, 2012 Bankers in ID theft ring sentencedTwo former bankers who were part of a large identity theft ring that stole more than $50 million were sentenced Wednesday for their crimes. ...read full article July 19, 2012 2.4 million Ontario voter records missingTORONTO (AP) — A privacy breach involving as many as 2.4 million voters after memory sticks containing their personal information vanished from an elections warehouse is "deeply disturbing" and could lead to identity theft on a massive scale, Ontario's privacy commissioner said Wednesday. ...read full article July 19, 2012 POLICE: Identity theft suspect foiled by Papa John's pizza orderLOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Metro Police say a woman who trafficked in stolen identities made a big mistake when she tried to use one of her stolen credit cards at a Papa John's pizzeria. ...read full article July 18, 2012 ID Thief Faces up to 30 Years in the Big HouseHOUSTON (CN) - A Chinese national who pleaded guilty in an identify theft scam that stole $980,000 from a victim's accounts faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. ...read full article July 18, 2012 Ex-Syracuse star pleads guilty to ID theft, stealing government moneyTwo men – including former Syracuse star Louis Gachelin – have pleaded guilty to their roles in fraudulently cashing income tax refunds, federal court records show. ...read full article July 18, 2012 Police: Oregon identity-theft suspect runs into victim while trying to cash fraudulent checkMEDFORD, Ore. — Police say an Oregon man tried to cash a check from another man's account, only to run into his victim at the bank. ...read full article July 18, 2012 Manchester Resident Falls Victim to Identity Theft Bank Account ScamManchester detectives are investigating after a man received a letter from a bank telling him that his account was overdrawn.The following information was supplied by the Manchester Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction where an arrest was made. According to the Manchester Police Department, a resident from the 2800 block Carman Woods Drive reported the apparent scam on July 2. ...read full article July 18, 2012 No ground gained in data theft warThere have been more than 200 cases of lost or stolen personal data affecting 8.5 million Americans during the first half of this year, according to a San Diego research group, as a new wave of political and amateur hackers commit data breaches such as last week’s theft of 450,000 e-mail passwords from the Internet content company Yahoo Inc. ...read full article July 18, 2012 Identity theft hits prison serviceThe Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has tasked its accountants to dig deeper into its books after discovering that the identities of some employees had been stolen. ...read full article July 18, 2012 I.D. thief accused of stealing more than $100K from bank customersORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An identity thief is on the run and Wells Fargo customers are his target, WFTV learned on Friday. ...read full article July 18, 2012 Medical identity theft growingBrandon senior citizen Cullie Hanna avoided being a victim of medical identity theft, a growing trend across the country. ...read full article July 18, 2012 SF man held, accused of identity theftA man in Michigan has a "huge criminal record" in California - including years served in state prison - even though he's never set foot in the state, San Francisco police said. ...read full article July 18, 2012 Marion Man Sentenced on Charge of Aggravated Identity TheftKenneth Batton, 38, of Marion was sentenced to 46 months in prison, 3 years supervised release, and ordered to pay $11,959 in restitution after being convicted on wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges in federal court. ...read full article July 18, 2012 Clovis police seek ID theft suspectClovis police are looking for a 40-year-old transient who is a suspect in making counterfeit money, burglaries and identity theft that could involve as many as 100 victims. ...read full article July 18, 2012 Calif. lobbyist believes his attempt to buy sports team sparked identity theft schemeSACRAMENTO, Calif. — California power broker Darius Anderson made a splashy, public attempt to buy the Sacramento Kings last year — and wound up a victim of identity theft. ...read full article July 18, 2012 Authorities should help clear identity theft victim's nameDonae Antoinette Richmond is not Antoinette Yvonne Jackson, who authorities said has an extensive rap sheet of criminal history. ...read full article July 18, 2012 Wilton Police arrest third suspect in identity theft ringWILTON — Wilton Police have made a third arrest in connection with an October 2011 investigation, where more than $1,400 was stolen from a Wilton woman’s bank account. ...read full article July 18, 2012 IT Wall Street Hacked, 50,000 Accounts LeakedOne of the members of the Team GhostShell hacker collective claims to have breached the systems of IT Wall Street – a website dedicated for those in search of an IT job in the financial services industry – to show his support for Occupy Wall Street. ...read full article July 18, 2012 Malware Tied to Blackhole Exploit Kit Appears as Facebook Tag AlertIf you find some random person says they've tagged a Facebook photo with you, think twice before you investigate further. SophosLabs has discovered malware infecting machines by getting users to open a malicious link in a fake Facebook e-mail notification. ...read full article July 17, 2012 Online ID OD: Illegal Web Trade in Personal Information SoarsLONDON, July 17, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Experian CreditExpert's identity web monitoring service reveals more than 12 million pieces of personal information traded online globally between January and April 2012 ...read full article July 17, 2012 Skype glitch sends messages to the wrong contactsThe company says the problem will be fixed in an imminent updateIDG News Service - Skype, a division of Microsoft, confirmed on Monday that a glitch in its software has led to instant messages being shared with unintended parties. ...read full article July 17, 2012 Rapper Arrested for Card FraudAlleged Fraudster Linked to POS Hacking SchemeA California rap artist has been arrested for his alleged connection to an international carding fraud and point-of-sale hacking scheme that involved thousands of debit and credit accounts. ...read full article July 17, 2012 Flaw in Artema Hybrid Terminals Allows Hackers to Collect Payment Card DetailsVeriFone’s Artema Hybrid point of sale (POS) devices – which are highly popular in Germany – have been found to contain a buffer overflow vulnerability that allows an attacker to execute malicious code and steal payment card details, including their PINs. ...read full article July 17, 2012 Dutch Authorities Knock Out Grum Botnet C&C ServersDutch authorities have knocked out two of the command-and-control servers for one of the top spam-producing botnets, known as Grum. The action was not a complete knockout though, as there are still two other C&C servers at work, but researchers are optimistic that the volume of spam will drop as a result. ...read full article July 17, 2012 FACT: One in five Microsoft logins controlled by hackersAbout 20 percent of Microsoft Account logins are found on lists of compromised credentials in the wake of hack attacks on other service providers, Eric Doerr, Group Program Manager for Microsoft's Account system said. ...read full article July 17, 2012 Religious-themed Madi malware hitting select targets in Iran, IsraelSummary: The ongoing operation has a specific mission: monitor communications on infected machines, hijack documents and upload sensitive files to remote servers controlled by the attackers. ...read full article July 17, 2012 Data Breach Reports Remain Spotty, Study FindsIn a twist on Tolstoy's famous observation that "all happy families are alike," the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) is warning that the public is being told that 'all data breaches are alike,' as corporations paint a worryingly bland portrait of breaches and other data loss incidents affecting their customers. ...read full article July 17, 2012 Mitigating Online FraudFS-ISAC: New Tech Investments Cutting LossesFinancial losses linked to incidents of corporate account takeover are down. But Bill Nelson, president and CEO of the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center, says more work is needed. ...read full article July 17, 2012 “Security Update” Phishing Scam Targets O2 CustomersCustomers of British telecoms company O2 are advised to be on the lookout for poorly written emails that urge them to perform a security update. ...read full article July 17, 2012 Nvidia investigates claims that its online stores were hackedNvidia investigates whether a successful hacker attack against several of its websites also affected its online storesIDG News Service - Graphics chip manufacturer Nvidia is investigating claims that hackers have compromised its online stores as part of a larger attack that affected several of its websites. ...read full article July 17, 2012 HSBC allowed money laundering, Senate saysBut bank’s Hong Kong-listed shares rise anywaySAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — HSBC Holdings PLC allowed drug traffickers, terrorists and rogue states to launder several billions of dollars because of poor controls, the Senate Subcommittee on Investigations said in a statement late Monday. ...read full article July 13, 2012 NSTIC’s $2.5 million grant for oversight chief goes to SISummary: NIST names system integrator Trusted Federal Systems to oversee the Steering Group that will build policies and guidelines for the National Strategies for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace initiative ...read full article July 13, 2012 Thousands Fall Victim to Utility Payment ScamAs much as President Barack Obama wants your vote, he's not actually offering to pay your monthly bills. ...read full article July 13, 2012 Yahoo breach: Swiped passwords by the numbersCNET breaks down the most commonly used passwords, from 123456 to startrek, exposed in the recent Yahoo hacking.If there's one thing to learn from the recent security breach at Yahoo, it's that we need to be more creative with our passwords. ...read full article July 13, 2012 Scheme is identity theft scamAttempt to offer aid paying utility billsSAN ANGELO, Texas — Authorities and consumer advocates are warning about a new identity theft scam that attempts to gather sensitive information by offering federal aid on utility bills. ...read full article July 13, 2012 Sacramento man indicted for identity theft, fraudA 28-year-old Sacramento man was indicted today by a federal grand jury for aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, bank fraud and access device fraud. ...read full article July 13, 2012 Friend of Oakland A’s outfielder found guilty of fraud, ID theft for using Crisp’s credit cardLOS ANGELES — A longtime friend of Coco Crisp was convicted Thursday of 14 counts of fraud and identity theft for running up about $30,000 on the Oakland Athletics outfielder’s credit card without his permission. ...read full article July 13, 2012 ID theft risk low in Eugene school data breach, police sayOfficials say student files were posted on a private online site for only about an hourThe 16-year-old who police suspect of illegally accessing private student information on the Eugene School District’s computers didn’t “hack” the system but accessed it using an employee’s user name and password, police said. ...read full article July 13, 2012 Met Police arrest man in Tuleta hacking investigationSummary: A man has been arrested at his home in Cardiff by officers from Operation Tuleta, which is looking at computer hacking in relation to the UK phone-hacking scandalA 55 year-old man has been arrested in Cardiff in connection with Operation Tuleta, the investigation into computer hacking in relation to the UK phone-hacking scandal. ...read full article July 13, 2012 FBI Arrests 3 More Individuals Accused of Carding CrimesLast month, UK authorities apprehended a number of 24 individuals suspected of being involved in payment card information trafficking. As a continuation of the operation, the FBI announced the arrests of three more suspects, bringing the number of defendants to 27. ...read full article July 13, 2012 Targeted Attacks on Small Businesses Increase in 2012In the first six months of 2012, 36 percent of targeted attacks focused on small businesses of fewer than 250 employees, and there were an average of 58 attacks per day, according to a new research report. At the end of 2011, small businesses were on the receiving end of only 18 percent of such attacks. ...read full article July 13, 2012 New 'Warp' Trojan Poses As A Network RouterAttack uses ARP-spoofing to intercept traffic, propagate throughout the networkResearchers have found a new Trojan out of China that mimics a router in order to intercept traffic and spread throughout the network. ...read full article July 13, 2012 Online Android forum hacked, user data accessedUsers have been advised to change their passwords since TuesdayIDG News Service - Android Forums, an online forum for Android users, was the target of a hacker attack that could have led to user information including passwords getting compromised, its operator Phandroid.com said on Thursday. ...read full article July 13, 2012 California couple arrested for ID theftsPLYMOUTH, Minn. -- Authorities in a Twin Cities suburb say a California couple charged with stealing credit card identities from gas stations in Minnesota may be part of a more wide-spread criminal operation. ...read full article July 13, 2012 Bangor woman gets 3 ½ years for identity theftBANGOR, Maine (AP) — A Bangor woman has been sentenced to 3 ½ years in federal prison for stealing checks and credit cards from other people's mail boxes and using them to fuel her gambling and drug habits. ...read full article July 12, 2012 Chinese man pleads guilty in nearly $1M ID theftHOUSTON (AP) — A Chinese man who faked being someone else to steal nearly $1 million from accounts at a Houston bank has pleaded guilty. ...read full article July 12, 2012 450K Yahoo Voice passwords posted onlineThe affected accounts appeared to belong to Yahoo's VOIP serviceA previously unknown hacker group has posted online the details of 450,000 user accounts and passwords it claims to have taken from a Yahoo server. ...read full article July 12, 2012 'Friend' enters guilty plea for ID theft from woman, 87A 33-year-old homeless woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to identity theft and burglary charges after she befriended an 87-year-old woman and used the woman's credit card. ...read full article July 12, 2012 Protect your identity: theft of smart phones are an epidemicDENVER — AT&T is setting up a new system to make sure your stolen smart phone doesn’t make its way on to the black market. ...read full article July 12, 2012 Stolen Credit Card Linked to Identity Theft Ring(Press Release) The Madera County Sheriff’s office believes a stolen credit card used to rent a room in Oakhurst may be connected to an identity theft ring operating in Central California. ...read full article July 12, 2012 Dark Comet RAT Tailored For Attacks On Gamers, GovernmentsResearchers analyzing the Dark Comet remote access Trojan (RAT) program say that data from more than 400 campaigns suggests the malicious program is being used for a wide range of jobs, from attacks on online gamers, to hacks of air force bases and government Web sites. ...read full article July 12, 2012 Group protests committee interest in SOPA provisionA draft bill would expand an intellectual-property attache program, but Public Knowledge questions the legislative processIDG News Service - The House Judiciary Committee is moving toward passage of a small portion of the controversial Stop Online Piracy Act, raising concerns among SOPA opponents. ...read full article July 12, 2012 Unidentified Trojan Served Via Fake USPS Postal NotificationFailed delivery notifications purporting to come from “USPS Mail Service” are making the rounds once again, carrying nasty pieces of malware.MX Lab researchers have discovered a series of emails, apparently coming from mail.service@birmingham.com, which warn recipients that their parcels haven’t been delivered because the “fee isn’t paid.” ...read full article July 12, 2012 Stealing Documents Through Social Media Image-SharingInnocent-looking vacation pictures on Facebook could conceivably traffic exfiltrated documents, Black Hat researchers warnSecurity researchers will unveil at Black Hat USA a new method of hiding sensitive information in the encoding of seemingly safe images shared on social media sites to avoid security mechanisms. The method employed by a new tool they developed called SNScat can not only be used to exfiltrate data off networks without detection , but to also run covert botnets through the type of social media network traffic allowed by most businesses today. ...read full article July 12, 2012 Bank Sues Customer Over ACH/Wire FraudCounterclaim Alleges Business is to Blame for $440K LossIn another legal wrangling over liability linked to ACH and wire fraud, a bank is taking action against a former commercial customer, claiming the customer, not the bank, is liable for losses and damages, as well as legal costs. ...read full article July 12, 2012 Japanese IT glitch leaves foreigners' ID cards incompleteIssued without signatureA computer error has been blamed after countless foreign residents in Japan received new ID cards this week without the key addition of an electronic signature designed to prevent counterfeiting. ...read full article July 12, 2012 Federal Jury Indicts 32 Individuals for Participation in International Loan Fraud SchemeAfter an investigation of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a federal grand jury in Buffalo has indicted a number of 32 individuals. They’re all accused of participating in an international loan fraud scheme that earned them around $2.7 million (2.1 million EUR). ...read full article July 11, 2012 Cross-dressing transient jailed for ID theftMan stole south county woman’s identity and racked up more than $100,000 worth of medical care over a 13-year period, authorities say.SANTA ANA – A transient male cross-dresser has been sentenced to one year in jail for stealing a south county woman's identity and using it to get more than $100,000 worth of medical care at emergency rooms over a 13-year period. ...read full article July 11, 2012 Woodbury Facebook hacker sentenced on 13 identity theft countsA case that prosecutors said is emblematic of the hazards of sharing information online has led to jail time and thousands in fines for a Woodbury man.A case that prosecutors said is emblematic of the hazards of sharing information online has led to jail time and thousands in fines for a Woodbury man. ...read full article July 11, 2012 Java-based Web attack installs backdoors on Windows, Linux, Mac computersSecurity researchers identify Web-based malware attack that targets Windows, Linux and Mac OS X users alikeIDG News Service - A new Web-based social engineering attack that relies on malicious Java applets attempts to install backdoors on Windows, Linux and Mac computers, according to security researchers from antivirus vendors F-Secure and Kaspersky Lab. ...read full article July 11, 2012 U.S. Medical ID Theft Cost Jumps To $41 BillionNew Ponemon study finds that half of medical identity theft victims know the person who stole their IDs, and victims end up footing the bill in many casesIf you are the victim of medical identity theft, then chances are you will foot the bill for the fraudulent charges, a new survey finds. ...read full article July 11, 2012 Wilton Police arrest Bridgeport woman for identity theftWILTON?--?A?35-year-old Bridgeport woman is facing identity theft charges for allegedly using a Wilton woman's personal information to pay her bills. ...read full article July 11, 2012 Belleville man sentenced to 5 years for role in identity theft ringFormer Belleville resident Dayron Rendon was sentenced last week to five years in state prison for his role in a credit card information theft ring. ...read full article July 11, 2012 Palm Springs doctor admits to identity theft, forgery againDr. Lisa Barden convicted first time in 2010PALM SPRINGS, Calif. - A former doctor with a laundry list of convictions for identity theft and forgery connected to a years-long addiction to painkillers pleaded guilty Tuesday to committing the same type of crime again. ...read full article July 11, 2012 Wife of alleged ID-theft leader gets 2nd chanceSaying "the really bad guys are gone," the judge gave her probation. Two others weren't as lucky.Three Nigerian immigrants were sentenced Tuesday for their parts in a sophisticated Twin Cities-based identity theft ring with connections to their homeland and Ukraine. ...read full article July 11, 2012 Sentencing postponed in identity theft caseChild abuse trial for former teacher also moved backMARTINSBURG -Sentencing for a former Spring Mills Middle School teacher who pleaded guilty to stealing her daughter's identity was postponed Monday after a judge ordered that she undergo a 60-day psychological evaluation. ...read full article July 11, 2012 State warns of identity theft scamPresident Barack Obama is NOT going to pay the utility bills of Delaware residents who have been solicited, state officials warn. It’s just a scam to obtain personal information. ...read full article July 11, 2012 Privacy groups hail Google, FTC settlement over Apple Safari trackingLikely $22.5M settlement largest ever levied by FTC on single companyComputerworld - Privacy advocates today welcomed news of a possible Google proposal to settle Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges related to its surreptitious tracking of Apple Safari users. ...read full article July 11, 2012 #OpPedoChat - Alleged Child Porn Sites : Anonymous Hackers New TargetThe hacktivist group Anonymous has launched a new action called Operation PedoChat ( #OpPedoChat ) to eliminate pedophile sites all over the world. ...read full article July 11, 2012 Trojan Hides on Google Play as “Super Mario” and “GTA 3 Moscow City”Security experts have identified a couple of shady Russian applications that have been advertised on Google Play as “GTA 3 Moscow City” and “Super Mario Bros.”According to Symantec, the rogue apps masqueraded a Trojan called Android.Dropdialer and somehow managed to remain undetected from June 24 until recently. In the meantime, they’ve been downloaded tens of thousands of times by unsuspecting Android users. ...read full article July 10, 2012 Identity Theft Scam Rings up $6,000-Plus BillWould-be thieves use Lake Bluff resident's address to deliver goods hoping she wouldn't be homeA case of identity theft left a Lake Bluff resident with more than $6,000 in credit card charges and nothing to show for it. ...read full article July 10, 2012 IRS Employee Accused of Identity TheftThe Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has been ramping up its efforts to protect taxpayers from identity theft. I’m guessing that IRS didn’t expect to have to protect taxpayers from identity theft from its own employees. However, that’s exactly what federal investigators allege happened in Philadelphia. ...read full article July 10, 2012 Gangs choose ID theft, cyber crimes more oftenGang members are more frequently trading in their guns and masks for laptops and card skimmers, as authorities have seen an increase in the number of gangbangers committing identity theft and more Internet-based crimes. ...read full article July 10, 2012 Identity Theft Suspect Happens To Already Be In JailA Caledonia man discovered that someone had taken $309 from him, but the suspect happens to already be in jail. How does that happen?Police are investigating a report of an identity theft and if their suspect is indeed who committed the crime, he won’t have to go far after he’s convicted. ...read full article July 10, 2012 Man arrested for identity theftNEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - Police say a 37-year-old Newport News man was arrested at his home for identity theft. ...read full article July 10, 2012 U.S. law enforcement sought mobile user data more than 1.3 million times in 2011Carriers told Rep. Ed Markey that law-enforcement requests for mobile data are risingIDG News Service - Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in the U.S. made more than 1.3 million requests for cellphone records in 2011, according to carriers' responses to a congressman's investigation. ...read full article July 10, 2012 Securing your data: Full disk hardware encryption -- part 1Summary: The best way to protect the data on a desktop or notebook system is to replace the existing drive with a solid-state drive featuring full disk encryption.Data loss is bad enough, but having that data fall into someone else's hands -- especially if they happen to be the wrong hands -- can be disastrous. While in an ideal we shouldn't be losing data in the first place, we should always hope for the best but plan for the worst. ...read full article July 10, 2012 Man-in-the-Mobile Attacks Target the Bank Accounts of Android UsersMan-in-the mobile (MITMO) attacks powered by pieces of malware such as Tatanga and SpyEye (SPITMO) have been spotted targeting users from Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany. ...read full article July 10, 2012 New Android Malware Family Infects 100,000A new family of malware has infected some 100,000 Android devices via malicious application downloads on nine separate third-party markets in China, according to researchers at the mobile security provider TrustGo. ...read full article July 10, 2012 Inside the PATCO Fraud RulingCourt Decision Details Flaws in Bank's Security PlanOne cannot overstate the significance of a federal appeals court's recent decision favoring PATCO Construction Inc. over the former Ocean Bank in a dispute resulting from ACH/wire fraud. (See PATCO ACH Fraud Ruling Reversed.) ...read full article July 10, 2012 Best Buy: Hackers Are Using Stolen Credentials to Access Customer AccountsBest Buy has started sending out notification emails to alert customers that hackers may be attempting to access their accounts. ...read full article July 9, 2012 Obama paying utility bills? Scam victims nationwide think soScammers committing a particularly painful form of identity theft appear to have hit on just the right formula to trick thousands of victims: A punishing heat wave, large utility bills, a bad economy and a good story. ...read full article July 9, 2012 Alagasco, BBB warn of identity theft scam in AlabamaBIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- A scam that hit much of the country in June has now reached utility customers in Alabama, natural gas company Alagasco and the Better Business Bureau of Central Alabama said today. ...read full article July 9, 2012 Former PNC janitor faces another ID theft chargeLOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A janitor accused of stealing personal information from customers at a PNC Bank is facing even more charges. ...read full article July 9, 2012 Couple Victims of Tax Refund ID TheftIRS says false claims for tax refunds is a fast growing crime.A resident of Green Valley Drive, in Green Brook, field a report of identity theft at 7:06 p.m. July 2, following up on news received earlier this year when he and his wife attempted to file their income tax return for 2011. ...read full article July 9, 2012 Alert IRS, others if tax ID theft is suspectedTax refund theft is increasing. If tax ID theft is suspected, contact the IRS. You may also put security freezes on your credit reports at all three bureaus. ...read full article July 9, 2012 Traffic Stop Leads to Identity Theft, Counterfeiting BustCharges against three suspects nabbed on suspicion of identity theft and counterfeiting were to have been turned over to the District Attorney's Office on Friday. ...read full article July 9, 2012 State police looking for identity theft suspectSILVER CITY — New Mexico State Police is looking for a suspect who is wanted for identity theft which occurred in Silver City. ...read full article July 9, 2012 Bulgarian Hackers Group arrestedBulgarian authorities say that after months of investigation they have busted the “most powerful hacker group” in the country, the Cyber Warrior Invasion. The operation was conducted by Bulgaria’s Sector for Computer Crimes, Intellectual Property and Gambling and the territorial units of the Chief Directorate for Fight with Organized Crime in the municipalities of Pleven, Shumen, Plovdiv, Burgas, Haskovo, Stara Zagora and Kyustendil. ...read full article July 9, 2012 Craigslist Facebook Scheme Combines Phishing with Survey ScamsPhishing scams are not new and neither are fake surveys that promise fabulous prizes to anyone willing to click on a few links. However, a new scheme seen on Facebook combines the two in an attempt to steal login credentials and redirect unsuspecting users towards websites that earn the fraudsters a commission. ...read full article July 9, 2012 Fraudsters Rely on Digital Economy Act to Convince Users to Pay UpThe UK’s anti-piracy bill known as the Digital Economy Act (DEA) has given fraudsters new ideas on how to dupe unsuspecting individuals into handing over their money. Shortly after OFCOM released the Initial Obligations Code, users started seeing suspicious emails landing in their inboxes. ...read full article July 9, 2012 Two Britons jailed for £1.5m phishing scamsTwo Britons responsible for phishing scams that stole over £1.5m from UK students have received jail sentences totalling almost ten years. ...read full article July 9, 2012 Machines Still Infected With DNSChanger Pose DangersNo surprise, but the DNSChanger server shutdown today didn't cause significant disruption on the Net -- but the threat is not over yet, security experts sayWhen the FBI today shut down the temporary DNS servers keeping users infected with the DNSChanger Trojan online, only a tiny fraction of users still harbored the malware and some ISPs had established their own DNS backup servers for those stragglers. ...read full article July 6, 2012 Thieves targeting Cardiff rubbish bags for clothes and identity theftRubbish bags in parts of Cardiff are being targeted by thieves hunting for clothes to sell and even identities to steal. ...read full article July 6, 2012 Identity theft victim led police to suspect, E.C. officials sayEAST CHICAGO | A man using a stolen identity to work in the city was arrested Tuesday after the real resident tracked him down at a South Side factory, police said. ...read full article July 6, 2012 Officials seek ID's in credit card theftAiken Public Safety investigators said a credit card that was stolen from a gas station in the city earlier this month has been used to make unauthorized purchases. ...read full article July 6, 2012 KPN closes portal after finding most corporate customers use default passwordUse of the default password, the same for many users, combined with an easily-guessed username, left corporate data at riskIDG News Service - KPN closed a self-service portal for corporate ADSL customers on Tuesday after it discovered that 120,000 of its 180,000 business clients were still using default passwords, all variants of "welkom01," a company spokesman said Friday. ...read full article July 6, 2012 Dalai Lama's Birthday Used As Bait In Targeted AttacksFollowers and supporters of Tibetan Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama were the targets of an e-mail borne attack that used news of the spiritual leader's birthday to trick recipients into installing a surreptitious monitoring program on their computers. ...read full article July 6, 2012 Seemingly Insignificant SQL Injections Lead To Rooted RoutersBlack Hat researcher to show how vulnerable databases with temporary router information can lead to root-level access of Netgear routersLow-priority databases containing temporary network workload information could be a perfect vector for simple SQL injection attacks, which can lead to outright domination of WiFi routers given the right chain of attack. So warns a Black Hat presenter who, in a few weeks, will show how he used SQL injection attacks to put together attacks that lead to remote takeovers of SOHO routers. ...read full article July 6, 2012 Tackling Emerging Mobile RisksCommunication Is Key to Addressing Security Gaps and ThreatsThe proliferation of mobile, particularly as it applies to mobile banking, has opened new revenue streams and enhanced customer and member experiences and convenience. But it also has opened new doors for fraud, and staying on top of those vulnerabilities is critical. ...read full article July 6, 2012 Cybercriminals Recruit Money Mules by Sending Job Offer EmailsEmails that offer too-good-to-be-true job opportunities can sometimes hide something really malicious, as experts from Solutionary highlight.It’s not uncommon for users to receive links that point to a shady website that advertises work-from-home jobs. However, this is not the only method preferred by fraudsters and in some cases they’re looking for much more than someone who’s willing to pay a small fee for the key to success. ...read full article July 6, 2012 Internet will vanish Monday for 300,000 infected computersUsers must wipe DNSChanger malware from PCs and Macs before 12:01 a.m. ET July 9Computerworld - As many as 300,000 PCs and Macs will drop off the Internet in about 65 hours unless their owners heed last-minute calls to scrub their machines of malware. ...read full article July 6, 2012 Appeals Court Calls Bank’s Security “Commercially Unreasonable”The United States Court of Appeals on Tuesday reversed a lower court’s decision, ruling that the IT security system used by a domestic bank was not “commercially reasonable” to protect its customers. ...read full article July 6, 2012 Hingham: Woman indicted for mortgage fraud, identity theftA Hingham woman has been indicted on mortgage fraud charges approximately four months after police filed charges against her in District Court alleging that she has been using several different identities. ...read full article July 5, 2012 Malware May Knock Thousands off Internet on MondayThe warnings about the Internet problem have been splashed across Facebook and Google. Internet service providers have sent notices, and the FBI set up a special website. ...read full article July 5, 2012 Bank Trojan crooks trouser £800k from 30,000 BritsHow the crims outran anti-virus sniffer dogsAnalysis Trustwave SpiderLabs has revealed how criminals stole more than £800,000 (€1m) from UK bank accounts using the Zeus Windows PC malware. ...read full article July 5, 2012 Louisville man charged with identity theft for allegedly ordering iPods in the name of PNC Bank customersA Louisville man who worked for a cleaning crew at PNC Bank placed online orders in the names of bank customers, then waited outside their homes to pick up the goods when they were delivered, police said. ...read full article July 5, 2012 Lithuanian admits ID theft plotA Lithuanian national admitted on Tuesday in federal court in Pittsburgh to selling information to an undercover FBI agent that could have compromised the personal information of 10,000 people. ...read full article July 5, 2012 LMPD: ID theft suspect obtained info while workingLOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – Louisville Metro Police have arrested a man who they said used information he stole while working to order items under the names of other people and wait at their home for the items to be delivered. ...read full article July 5, 2012 Identity theft scam targets utility customersSouth Carolina Electric and Gas is warning utility customers of a scam that has already victimized “dozens of local customers.” ...read full article July 5, 2012 Wikileaks releases Syria Files, 2.4 million government related emailsWikileaks says its latest release shines a light on the inner workings of Syria's government and on Western hypocrisyIDG News Service - Whistle-blowing site Wikileaks on Thursday released the Syria Files, a database of more than 2.4 million emails to and from Syrian political figures, ministries and associated companies, dating from August 2006 to March 2012. ...read full article July 5, 2012 Painesville woman indicted on identity theft, wire fraud chargesA 44-year-old Painesville woman has been indicted by a grand jury on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. ...read full article July 5, 2012 Branchburg man faces identity theft chargesSOMERVILLE — A Branchburg man has been charged with attempted identity theft after allegedly trying to obtain a car loan and an American Express credit card by using a Social Security card belonging to someone else. ...read full article July 5, 2012 Twitter Transparency Report Shows Huge Interest From U.S. Law EnforcementPrivacy advocates and security experts often warn users about the consequences of handing over so much of their personal data to Web sites or social networks, saying that they never know how it's going to be used or sold. But it's rare that users ever see examples of that in action. Twitter is giving people that chance with its decision to begin releasing reports on law enforcement requests for user data and content takedowns. ...read full article July 5, 2012 Android Botnet Used to Advertise Shady Pharmacy Sites, Experts FindAs it turns out, mobile malware that targets Android devices is not used only to steal sensitive information and send SMS messages to premium rate numbers. A number of experts have found a spam botnet that’s made of infected Android phones and tablets. ...read full article July 3, 2012 Owners of Woodbridge Home Health Business Indicted for Health Care Fraud, Aggravated Identity TheftALEXANDRIA, VA—The owners of a Woodbridge, Virginia-based home health care business have been indicted for allegedly submitting numerous false claims for Medicaid reimbursement for services they did not provide. ...read full article July 3, 2012 Twitter loses fight to withhold activist's account informationJudge rules that Twitter messages are not protected by law in the same way as emails and private messagesIDG News Service - Twitter has lost a fight in which it challenged a court order to turn over public but now deleted Twitter messages written by an Occupy Wall Street protestor without being served a search warrant. ...read full article July 3, 2012 Brit anti-terror hotline hacker teen pleads guiltyTeaMp0isoN lad also snaffled Blair contact list off GMailA teenage computer crook faces prison after admitting hacking offences, including breaking into former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's electronic address and phone book. ...read full article July 3, 2012 FBI Credit Card Ring Bust Exposes PCI ChallengesSome experts say existence of complex credit card fraud black market a sign that PCI isn't effectiveThe publicity around the FBI sting that nabbed dozens of criminals in an international credit card fraud ring provides a good opportunity to reflect on the sophistication of today's data theft black market and the importance of organizations to look beyond the baseline security levels set by compliance regulations such as PCI, security experts say. ...read full article July 3, 2012 Former Citi VP Sentenced$22 Million Embezzlement Scheme Defrauded Bank, CustomersGary Foster, the former vice president at Citigroup Inc.'s treasury finance department, has been sentenced to 97 months in prison for fraud related to his embezzlement of more than $22 million from Citigroup and its customers. (See Citi Case Exposes Insider Risks.) ...read full article July 3, 2012 Phisher Convicted in Massive SchemeAttacks Aimed at Chase, BofA Highlight Increasing RisksAn Atlanta man has been convicted for the role he played in a massive phishing and fraud scheme that targeted Chase Bank, Bank of America, Branch Bank & Trust Co. and payroll processor ADP. Authorities say the scheme defrauded the banks and ADP of $1.5 million (see Phisher Guilty of $1.3 Million Scam). ...read full article July 3, 2012 Microsoft Reveals Names of Two Individuals in ZeuS Botnets CaseMicrosoft’s Digital Crimes Unit continues the battle against ZeuS botnets. The firm has not only uncovered new evidence which they've handed over to the FBI, but they've also learned the identities of two suspects. ...read full article July 2, 2012 Police: Identity theft crimes most likely committed by someone victim knowsFor many, the phrase "identity theft" automatically invokes images of distant hackers and shady scam artists stealing information anonymously and racking up thousands of dollars in bills. ...read full article July 2, 2012 Sex Offender Suspected in Identity Theft Shopping SpreeThis thief racked up $3,500 in credit card charges before the bank contacted the victim. After a background check, it turns out the suspect is a registered sex offender.An Indiana man is being investigated by Fox Point police for racking up $3,500 in credit card charges on a Fox Point man's MasterCard. ...read full article July 2, 2012 Ex-worker at Tulsa McDonald's pleads guilty in identity-theft ringA former McDonald's employee pleaded guilty Friday to taking part in a conspiracy in which account numbers were stolen from diners' credit and debit cards, telling the court that the crimes started when a drive-through customer asked if he wanted to make some extra money. ...read full article July 2, 2012 Trio arrested for identity theft, burglary chargesThree Mitchell residents were arrested Thursday on identity theft, drug and car burglary charges.Three Mitchell residents were arrested Thursday on identity theft, drug and car burglary charges. ...read full article July 2, 2012 ID theft can take many forms, but victims can spend 300 hours clearing their nameTAMPA - The IRS estimates one third of the tax refund fraud takes place in Florida but it is not the only big-money rip-off involving identity theft. ...read full article July 2, 2012 Piedmont Natural Gas Issues Alert About Bill-Payment Scam That May Expose Customers To Risk Of Identity TheftOffer Claims Government Will Pay Bill, Asks For Customers' Social Security NumberCHARLOTTE, N.C., June 29, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Piedmont Natural Gas PNY +1.03% is warning customers not to be fooled by a nationwide bill-payment scam that promises the federal government - in fact, President Obama himself - will pay their utility bill. The scam is asking people to share sensitive personal information that could lead to identity theft. ...read full article July 2, 2012 Woodbridge Home Health Care Business Owners Indicted For FraudThe owners of a home health care business in Woodbridge allegedly submitted many claims for Medicaid reimbursement for services they never provided.The owners of Bright Beginnings Healthcare Services have been indicted for health care fraud after allegedly submitting many claims for Medicaid reimbursement for services they never provided, reported Neil MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. ...read full article July 2, 2012 Beware of Shady “Red Cros” Donation RequestsFraudsters don’t necessarily have to rely on malware to steal money from unsuspecting internauts. They can simply ask them to make a donation to the American Red Cross. ...read full article July 2, 2012 LinkedIn Breach: Leading CISOs Share 9 Protection TipsIn the wake of LinkedIn's high-profile data breach, could your company suffer a similar fate? Leading chief information security officers share their techniques for building a better security program. ...read full article July 2, 2012 U.S. Congress Hears Of Growing Cyber Espionage Threat To U.S.Testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives' Homeland Security Committee painted a grim picture about the problem of cyber espionage against U.S. companies and interests. ...read full article July 2, 2012 Judge considers hearing on improper Megaupload seizureCustomers of the file-sharing site should be treated as creditors and wait until the DOJ's copyright case is resolved, a DOJ lawyer saysIDG News Service - A U.S. judge may hold an evidentiary hearing to determine whether the U.S. Department of Justice acted improperly in blocking Megaupload customers' access to their files when seizing the file-sharing service's domain name and servers in January. ...read full article July 2, 2012 Mac-based Trojan targets Uyghur activistsHuman rights attacked onlineSecurity researchers have intercepted a Mac-based Trojan attack targeting Uyghur human rights activists. ...read full article June 29, 2012 Scammers Improve National Lottery Commission Scam, Experts FindExperts have found a new variant of the classic National Lottery Commission scam and, as it turns out, those who send them have put some effort into making them more legitimate-looking. ...read full article June 29, 2012 Texas Cancer Center Alerts Patients to Personal Data Theft -- Almost Two Months LaterA University of Texas cancer center today began notifying almost 30,000 patients that their personal data was stolen after someone swiped an unencypted laptop from a physician's home almost two months ago. ...read full article June 29, 2012 Dutch government unprepared for SSL hack, report saysGovernment bodies depend too much on IT departments when it comes to the acquisition of SSL-certificates, says Safety BoardIDG News Service - The Dutch government was unprepared to handle an SSL hack that caused the its communication infrastructure to be vulnerable for months, the Dutch Safety Board said in a report on Thursday. Because the government was unable to replace the certificates immediately, citizen and company data was left unsecured, the board said. ...read full article June 29, 2012 U.S. and Canada Announce the Release of the Beyond the Border: Statement of Privacy PrinciplesWASHINGTON—The United States and Canada today announced they are delivering on key commitments under the U.S.-Canada Beyond the Border Action Plan by releasing a joint Statement of Privacy Principles. These principles reflect the commitment of the United States and Canada to protecting privacy, and underscore the importance of information sharing to the security of both nations. ...read full article June 29, 2012 FBI Takedown Won't Curb Card FraudThe Real Problem is Malware and Outdated Payments TechIn the wake of what federal authorities have called the biggest international carding-crime takedown in history, industry experts say the bust, while positive, won't have any long-term impact on card fraud. ...read full article June 29, 2012 'Evil' hacker gets two and a half years in the slammercyber crime motivated by ego and unemploymentAustralia’s most notorious country town, truck driving, cyber criminal David ‘Evil’ Cecil has been handed a two-and-a-half year prison sentence after being arrested nearly a year ago. ...read full article June 29, 2012 Automated robbery: how card skimmers (still) steal millions from banksSkimming costs less than ever, but a new generation of credit cards might stop it.In January 2011, a pair of Bulgarian-born Canadians named Nikolai Ivanov and Dimitar Stamatov took a road trip from their home in Quebec to New York City. Their five-day visit to Manhattan’s East Village and Astor Place wasn’t your typical tourist trek, though; instead of Statue of Liberty souvenirs, the pair collected the card data and personal identification numbers for over 1,100 ATM cards. Ivanov and Stamatov were "skimmers." ...read full article June 29, 2012 Witness in Identity Theft and Tax Trial Sentenced in Alabama to 15 Months in Prison for Perjury and Lying to a Federal AgentNacretia Lewis was sentenced today to 15 months in federal prison for perjury and lying to a federal agent, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. She was also ordered to serve one year of supervised release following her release from prison. ...read full article June 29, 2012 Colton police make arrest in identity theft caseCOLTON - police reported the arrest of a suspect in an identity theft case after officers reportedly discovered evidence at a residence. ...read full article June 29, 2012 Congress Probes Tax Prep Fraud and Identity TheftThe House Judiciary Committee’s Crime Subcommittee held a hearing Thursday on the growing problem of identity theft and income tax preparation fraud. ...read full article June 29, 2012 Teens take risk of identity theft when they order fake IDs from ChinaA fake driver's license made in China works as well as the real thing. ...read full article June 29, 2012 4 face healthcare fraud, identity theft chargesMcALLEN — Four people tied to a defunct Pharr durable medical equipment supplier face charges in a 22-count indictment that they tallied millions in fraudulent bills paid for medical equipment that on some occasions was supposedly delivered to patients who were dead. ...read full article June 29, 2012 Two Norwalk realtors slammed with 102 Felony Counts of Grand Theft, Identity TheftTwo Norwalk real estate agents have been arrested on 102-felony counts of grand theft and criminal fraud on Thursday afternoon. ...read full article June 29, 2012 Scholarly woman pleads not guilty to stalking ex, identity theftThis Stanford graduate might have been better off at a school of higher yearning. ...read full article June 28, 2012 Medical identity theft: Not just a financial problemThe Experian/Ponemon study on medical identity theft, released on June 26, found that half of the 757 interviewed victims knew the person who used their medical identity. In fact some had allowed the second person to use their medical insurance card for treatment, healthcare products or pharmaceuticals without realizing the consequences. This might account for the 45 percent of respondents that actually paid the healthcare provider or insurer for services obtained by the thief. ...read full article June 28, 2012 Identity Theft Suspect Nabbed $40K: Police26-year-old Christopher Polley was charged with multiple counts Source: Identity Theft Suspect Nabbed $40K: PolicePolice arrested a 26-year-old man on Wednesday morning for allegedly stealing $40,000 from members of a local fitness club. ...read full article June 28, 2012 Identity Theft Suspect ArrestedOn June 26, 2012, detectives from the San Diego Police Department Economic Crimes Unit initiated a search warrant at 1632 Monmouth Drive, in the Pacific Beach area. While at the residence, detectives contacted and arrested Christopher Polley, 26, for two counts of identity theft, possession of a controlled substance, possession of over ten personal profiles and theft-related charges. During the execution of the search warrant, numerous items and membership applications from the Wave House Athletic Club were discovered linking Polley to the crimes. ...read full article June 28, 2012 Cyber thieves trapped by FBI stingOn June 26 the U.S. Justice Department released documents from “Operation Card Shop,” a two-year international cybercrime investigation and sting. It resulted in the arrest of 26 people including one from the San Diego area. Among other crimes the cyber thieves are accused of trafficking more than 411,000 stolen credit and debit card accounts. ...read full article June 28, 2012 Darby Woman Charged With Conspiracy, Identify Theft Following Tax Scam Dating Back To 2009DARBY, Pa. (CBS) - A Darby woman is charged with selling the identities of children in a tax scam that stretched back to 2009. That’s the finding of a federal grand jury, in what’s called a ‘superseding indictment.’ ...read full article June 28, 2012 FTC Takes On Wyndham For Security LapsesLawsuit alleges deceptive practice in privacy policy following three breaches in two yearsIn another sign that it is cracking down heavily on businesses that put consumer privacy at risk by failing to protect their sensitive data, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launched a lawsuit against hospitality company Wyndham Worldwide. The FTC accuses Wyndham of deceptive practices in the claims it made in its privacy, using three different breaches Wyndham suffered in the course of two years as evidence of failure to live up to promises to protect customer information. ...read full article June 28, 2012 Zemra Botnet Leaked, Cyber Criminals performing DDoS AttacksThe Zemra DDoS Bot is currently sold in various forums for about 100 € and detected by Symantec as Backdoor.Zemra. Zemra first appeared on underground forums in May 2012. ...read full article June 28, 2012 London Olympics-Themed Spam: Prize Notifications, Awards and Visa LotteriesAs the London 2012 Olympics approach the numbers of spam messages and malicious operations launched by cybercriminals grow. Experts have come across at least three new scam versions that currently make the rounds. ...read full article June 28, 2012 The Tale of an Accused HackerWhat a Suspect in a Fraud Scheme Told an Undercover CopJarand Moen Romtveit thought John Leo Jr. was the site administrator of a carding forum when the accused 25-year-old hacker from Norway shared his computer screen with the FBI undercover agent last Feb. 9 to demonstrate a program he claimed to have developed to decrypt databases. ...read full article June 28, 2012 Assange's Asylum In The Balance, Researcher Warns Ecuador's Deliberations Are Vulnerable To Online SnoopingWith Wikileaks founder Julian Assange anxiously awaiting word from the government of Ecuador on his request for political asylum, a security researcher warns that the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is handling the Assange asylum request, is using a video conferencing system that is vulnerable to online snooping. ...read full article June 28, 2012 New Zealand judge rules Megaupload search warrants were illegalNew Zealand police violated the law by allowing the FBI to send copies of seized data to the U.S.IDG News Service - Warrants used to seize external hard drives, laptops and phones from Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom's mansion in January are illegal, a New Zealand High Court judge ruled on Thursday. ...read full article June 27, 2012 24 arrested in international online 'carding' crackdownOperation called the largest coordinated action against operations that traffic in stolen credit card, financial informationComputerworld - A total of 24 people from 13 countries, including 11 from the United States, were arrested on Tuesday on charges related to the theft and misuse of credit card data, bank account information and other financial data. ...read full article June 27, 2012 Fallen Soldier’s Picture Used In ScamAn Oregon father was angered to find an image of his son, a fallen soldier, had been posted on Craigslist as part of a scam to collect money for a fictitious wounded soldier. ...read full article June 27, 2012 New Fraud Ring 'Operation High Roller' Targets the RichA recent fraud ring through which attackers raided high-value bank accounts, nicknamed Operation High Roller (.PDF), employed attacks that were quick, required no human interaction and have already affected several tiers of credit unions, regional banks and large global banks, over the last several months. ...read full article June 27, 2012 Analysis of Leaked eHarmony Passwords: 10,000 of Them Full of “Love”Trustwave researchers have analyzed the 1.5 million passwords leaked by hackers after compromising eHarmony’s database. The results are in and they’re certainly interesting. ...read full article June 27, 2012 FTC Sues Hotel Chain for Card BreachesBanks Should be Concerned About Card Fraud, PhishingThe Federal Trade Commission has filed a suit against the hotel chain Wyndham Worldwide Corp. and three of its subsidiaries in connection with three security breaches that exposed stored card details for nearly 670,000 accounts. ...read full article June 27, 2012 LulzSec duo plead guilty to DDoS against CIATwo members of the computer hacking group LulzSec pleaded guilty to launching distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) in the United Kingdom and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the United States. ...read full article June 27, 2012 New Forensics Method May Nab Insider ThievesBlack Hat presentation features a new methodology that has already produced real-world resultsOne of the biggest challenges of forensics investigations into insider theft is that the markers computer forensics investigators use to detect most attacks are typically not present in insider cases where an employee or other authorized user has legitimate access to sensitive data. Next month at Black Hat USA in Las Vegas, a presenter will bring forward a new methodology that compares normal file access patterns against patterns present when files are copied to detect when insiders have copied data inappropriately. ...read full article June 27, 2012 RSA SecurIDs Get Cracked In 13 MinutesMajor corporations, government agencies, and small businesses all hand out RSA SecurID fob keychains to employees so that they can log in to their systems for security reasons and If you’re used to seeing a device like this on a daily basis, you probably assume that it’s a vital security measure to keep your employer’s networks and data secure. A team of computer scientists beg to differ, however, because they’ve cracked the encryption it uses wide open. ...read full article June 27, 2012 Anonymous turns ire on Japan after anti-piracy law passesKey sites get a good DDoS-ingIt was only a matter of time – hacktivist group Anonymous has taken aim at the web sites of political parties and government departments in Japan in retaliation for a tough new anti-piracy bill passed last week. ...read full article June 27, 2012 The 'great airline ticket giveaway' that just won't go awayThe letter warned the recipient that she still hadn't responded to that great offer from "US Airlines" of two free airline tickets, and time was running out. Call the toll-free number now! it urged. ...read full article June 27, 2012 Warning: Burglars read the obituaries, tooLosing a loved one is painful enough. Imagine the horror of coming home from the funeral to find your home burglarized. ...read full article June 26, 2012 More people aware of medical identity theft but do little to protect themselves from itCOSTA MESA, Calif., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Medical identity theft is a crime of opportunity that can strike close to home. In fact, according to the Ponemon Institute®'s "Third Annual National Study on Medical Identity Theft(1)," commissioned by Experian's ProtectMyID®, half of all survey respondents indicate that they know the person responsible for stealing their identity. Further, more respondents (increased by 5 percent from 2011), reported they actually permitted family members to use their personal identification to obtain medical services including treatment, healthcare products or pharmaceuticals. ...read full article June 26, 2012 Towards Employment warns clients of data breach, possible identity theftCLEVELAND, Ohio -- Towards Employment, a Cleveland non-profit agency that has helped more than 100,000 low-income residents and ex-convicts find jobs over the past 36 years, is warning its clients that they are at risk for identity theft. ...read full article June 26, 2012 Identity thieves target disabled woman while she was at hospitalMUKILTEO, Wash. — Everett police have broken up what they say was a major identity theft ring that victimized at least 64 people, including a disabled Mukilteo woman whose home was burglarized while she was at the hospital. ...read full article June 26, 2012 Identity Theft Suspect Behind Bars in Bulloch CountyAn investigation into a case of identity and check fraud started with a traffic stop in May. ...read full article June 26, 2012 California attorneys at risk of identity fraudWhen a person uses the identity of an attorney to defraud the public, more than one person is hurt. The consumer loses money and the real attorney, whose name was used, faces a possible reputational issue. That is what happened to at least 13 attorneys so far this year. ...read full article June 26, 2012 Sacramento deputy pleads no contest to drug, identity theft chargesA Sacramento County sheriff's deputy has pleaded no contest to felony drug possession and identity theft charges after she befriended an elderly victim and refilled his prescription drugs without his knowledge, according to authorities. ...read full article June 26, 2012 Credit card 'cloning' is a growing form of identity theftLexington, Kentucky, financial crimes detective Gene Haynes swiped a credit card through an innocuous black card reader known as a "skimmer." Less than a second later, two lines of illuminating text showed up in a Microsoft Word document on his computer screen. The mishmash of numbers and symbols was the visual representation of all the information stored on the card's magnetic strip. ...read full article June 25, 2012 Colorado Mother and Daughter Charged in Online Dating Scam With Fake Military MembersA mother and daughter in Colorado were indicted for their role in a "Nigerian internet romance scam" in which associates in Nigeria posed as members of the U.S. Armed Forces and stole over $1 million from 374 victims. ...read full article June 25, 2012 Scammers Assume Identities of California Lawyers Using Online InformationAs many as 111 California lawyers may have fallen victim to identity thieves in the past decade, according to the state bar. ...read full article June 25, 2012 Financial Crimes: Credit card 'cloning' is a growing form of identity theftLexington financial crimes detective Gene Haynes swiped a credit card through an innocuous black card reader known as a "skimmer." Less than a second later, two lines of illuminating text showed up in a Microsoft Word document on his computer screen. ...read full article June 25, 2012 Three charged with identity theft, other felonies following traffic stopThree people were charged Thursday with buying and receiving stolen property and other felonies a day after a California Highway Patrol officer stopped their vehicle and arrested them on Highway 29 near Highway 221. ...read full article June 25, 2012 Smartphone And Tablet Users At Risk Of Identity TheftLos Angeles, California – Nearly half of the cell phone users in the United States now use a smartphone for their mobile communications. Portable tablets with Internet connectivity are also becoming more and more popular. While smartphones and tablets have many outstanding features, they can also put users at increased risk of identity theft. ...read full article June 25, 2012 Sewickley woman charged with ID theftA Sewickley woman was indicted last week by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of identity theft, the office of U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton said in a statement. ...read full article June 25, 2012 Iowan must pay triple damages in check forgeriesKEOSAUQUA, Iowa — A southeast Iowa man convicted of forging checks totaling more than $20,000 has been ordered to pay the victim more than $60,500. ...read full article June 25, 2012 ID theft in Richland on the riseRICHLAND – It’s a crime that's nearly impossible to stop, and it keeps happening here in the Tri-Cities. Richland police say identity theft is on the rise and it's growing exponentially and KEPR uncovered why it's so difficult for police to stop these thieves. ...read full article June 25, 2012 Goukasian Found Guilty of Identity TheftMan found guilty of skimming tens of thousands of credit cardsAfter deliberating for three hours, a jury has found Aleksandr Goukasian guilty on all charges. ...read full article June 25, 2012 Fraud and identity theft suspects arrested near TerrellTerrell, Texas- The Kaufman County Sheriff's Office released information today about a call their deputies handles on June 21, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. The deputies responded to a suspicious person call at a storage facility in the 3800 block of Highway 80, just outside the Terrell city limits. ...read full article June 25, 2012 Thieves disguise wireless camera to swipe ATM PINsCameras disguised as speakers on ATMs were used to rip off 800 victims at a cost of $112,478 to JPMorgan Chase, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. ...read full article June 25, 2012 ID theft suspect arrested, brought to courtA suspect allegedly responsible for a slew of identity thefts in Sterling faced a hearing on advisement Wednesday in Logan County District Court. ...read full article June 22, 2012 Woman pleads guilty to aiding ID theft ringA 43-year-old St. Paul woman, who was a former employee of the Minnesota Board of Psychology, pleaded guilty Thursday, June 21, to aiding an identity theft ring by stealing clients' personal information. ...read full article June 22, 2012 Man's identity theft alert lands brother in jail, Corpus Christi police saidCORPUS CHRISTI — A 33-year-old man may pay more than he expected after applying for jewelry credit with his brother’s information Wednesday, police said. ...read full article June 22, 2012 Wisconsin experiment suggests voter identity theftSome states require state-issued picture identification to register to vote and to vote, while other states accept unsubstantial documentation such as utility bills, lease agreements, birth certificates, and other documents that can be faked. A vote cast by a surrogate using the identity of another person is identity theft. ...read full article June 22, 2012 Couple sentenced for Idaho bank fraud, identity theft schemeA federal judge has sentenced two people convicted for running a bank fraud and identity theft scheme in northern Idaho. ...read full article June 22, 2012 Iran targeted by 'massive cyberattack,' official claimsIranian state television says the country's nuclear facilities are the target of a cyberattackIDG News Service - Iran's intelligence minister has accused the U.S., the U.K. and Israel of planning a "massive cyberattack" against his country after talks this week over Iran's nuclear program failed to reach an agreement, Iranian state TV reported on Thursday. ...read full article June 22, 2012 Twitter Denies Hacktivists Behind Severe OutageTwitter officials say it was a "cascading bug" and not the handiwork of hacktivists that brought down the microblogging site today in two separate outages. ...read full article June 22, 2012 Trojan.Milicenso - Printer Trojan cause massive printingA Trojan that sends printers crazy, making them print pages of garbled nonsense until all the paper has been used up, has seen a spike in activity.Symantec detected the Trojan.Milicenso across various countries, but the worst hit regions were the US and India followed by regions in South America and Europe, including the UK. ...read full article June 22, 2012 Fake BancorpSouth Emails Lure Users to Blackhole Exploit KitBancorpSouth customers are advised to be on the lookout for suspicious emails that purport to originate from the financial institution. ...read full article June 22, 2012 The Intersection Between Cyberespionage And CybercrimeChinese cyberspies and traditional cybercriminals are relying on some of the same malware tools -- and some cyberspies even appear to be moonlightingTraditional cybercriminals increasingly are using the same hacking tools that cyberespionage attackers employ in order to maintain a stealthy foothold inside a victim organization so they can maximize their spoils and profits. ...read full article June 21, 2012 Industrial Espionage: Chinese Malware Steals Tens of Thousands of AutoCAD FilesA worm written in AutoLISP, identified as ACAD/Medre.A, has caught the attention of ESET researchers after it attempted to steal tens of thousands of AutoCAD files from companies in Peru and a few neighboring countries. ...read full article June 21, 2012 Face.com iOS flaw could have allowed Facebook, Twitter account hijackingow-patched Face.com vulnerability that could have let attackers to hijack the Facebook and Twitter accounts of its customersIDG News Service - Facial recognition start-up Face.com patched a vulnerability in its KLINK iOS app that could have allowed attackers to hijack the Facebook and Twitter accounts of its users, according to Ashkan Soltani, the independent security researcher who claims to have found the flaw. ...read full article June 21, 2012 6 Biggest Breaches Of 2012 So FarNow that we're just about at the halfway point of the year, it is just as good of a time as any to take stock of the data breach environment and start gathering lessons from others' missteps. ...read full article June 21, 2012 FDA: Software Failures Responsible for 24% Of All Medical Device RecallsSoftware failures were behind 24 percent of all the medical device recalls in 2011, according to data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which said it is gearing up its labs to spend more time analyzing the quality and security of software-based medical instruments and equipment. ...read full article June 21, 2012 Lessons From Fraud SettlementExperts Analyze Implications of ACH Fraud Case OutcomeThe out-of-court settlement reached in a dispute between Village View Escrow Inc. and California-based Professional Business Bank shows it's getting more difficult for banks to avoid liability, even when commercial customers' lax security controls make them vulnerable to fraud, experts say (see Settlement Reached in ACH Fraud Case). ...read full article June 21, 2012 ID theft scam reported by bankOfficials with The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia are warning its customers this week about ongoing reports of attempted identity thefts. ...read full article June 21, 2012 Dedham flower shop closed; owner charged with larceny and identity theftDEDHAM — Dedham Police arrested an Oakdale shop owner and subsequently shut his business down. ...read full article June 21, 2012 Identity Thief Gets 4 Years in Club FedFour years and six months doesn’t seem like a particularly severe sentence for a thief in Washington state who stole 15 people’s identities, including four police officers, created fake driver’s licenses, washed checks, and used “mules” to steal sensitive documents, make purchases with stolen credit, and sell the merchandise. The thief’s attorneys described him as a “38-year-old drug addict who has had medical and mental setbacks and was living in a motel.” I don’t know what his mental setbacks are, but all the meth he was doing may have been a contributing factor. ...read full article June 21, 2012 New La. law: Sex offenders must list status on Facebook, other social media(CNN) -- A new Louisiana law requires sex offenders and child predators to state their criminal status on their Facebook or other social networking page, with the law's author saying the bill is the first of its kind in the nation. ...read full article June 20, 2012 Several sentenced in ID theft, IRS fraud; Orange Park man the leaderA 33-year-old used car salesman from Orange Park and several cohorts were sentenced in federal court this week including millions in restitution for fraud. ...read full article June 20, 2012 Feds charge Kings County nurse in identity theft schemeJaishree Arbuckle-Pierre accused of selling Social Security numbers of nearly 60 employeesThe feds have charged a nurse with stealing the Social Security numbers of nearly 60 employees of Kings County Hospital in an identity theft scheme, the Daily News has learned. ...read full article June 20, 2012 Crackdown on ATM “Skimming” and Identity TheftSAN FRANCISCO -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced the outcomes of two cases investigated by her office’s eCrime Unit in which defendants “skimmed” credit card information of Chase Bank customers across the state. ...read full article June 20, 2012 Former Police Chief Accused of Wire Fraud and Identity Theft Appears in CourtCOVINGTON—A former northern Kentucky police chief, arrested Friday on wire fraud and identity theft charges, will appear in court today for a detention hearing. ...read full article June 20, 2012 Freeze your credit to fight off ID theftLarry Skidmore, a 67-year-old Air National Guard retiree - after 26 years in uniform - lost his wallet May 21 while bicycling in his Jenks housing addition. Noticing it missing on returning home, he peddled back along his route, but it was gone. ...read full article June 20, 2012 Disguises add new twist in identity theft casesStealing an identity isn't always as simple as snatching a purse or pilfering a credit card. Sometimes, it requires a disguise. ...read full article June 20, 2012 U.S., Israel developed Flame computer virus to slow Iranian nuclear efforts, officials sayFlame was developed at least five years ago as part of a classified effort code-named Olympic Games, according to officials familiar with U.S. cyber-operations and experts who have scrutinized its code. The U.S.-Israeli collaboration was intended to slow Iran’s nuclear program, reduce the pressure for a conventional military attack and extend the timetable for diplomacy and sanctions. ...read full article June 20, 2012 Hackers Leak Data from AmeriCash Advance After Company Refuses to Pay UpA hacker collective called Rex Mundi has leaked a large file that contains information they have stolen from the systems of AmeriCash Advance, a company that provides payday loans and cash advances. ...read full article June 20, 2012 Syrian Dissidents Hit By Another Wave of Targeted AttacksOne of the attackers who has been targeting Syrian anti-government activists with malware and surveillance tools has returned and upped the ante with the use of the BlackShades RAT, a remote-access tool that gives him the ability to spy on victims machines through keylogging and screenshots. ...read full article June 20, 2012 LinkedIn hit with lawsuit over massive data breachA lawsuit seeking class-action status said the company failed to implement 'industry standard' security measuresIDG News Service - LinkedIn has been hit with a potential class-action lawsuit alleging it failed to meet "industry standard" security practices in connection with a massive data breach earlier this month, according to court documents. ...read full article June 20, 2012 Kayak.com investigates after customers discover security breachHe was trying to clarify a line on his credit card bill, but ended up accessing scores of strangers’ personal information. ...read full article June 20, 2012 Researcher Explains Why Scammers Say They Are from NigeriaNigerian scams, or 419 scams (419 is the number of a section in Nigeria’s criminal code), are encountered almost daily by most internauts and we can safely argue that by now a large percentage of users are able to identify and avoid them. ...read full article June 19, 2012 Phony bill payment scheme poses identity-theft riskAKRON - FirstEnergy Corp., parent company of Met-Ed, is warning customers of its 10 electric distribution companies to be wary of bogus claims that President Obama will help pay utility bills for residential customers through a special federal program. ...read full article June 19, 2012 Fla. man gets prison for sealing Pa. soldier's IDPITTSBURGH -- A Florida man has been sentenced to one year in federal prison for stealing the identity of a western Pennsylvania soldier while the soldier was serving in Iraq. ...read full article June 19, 2012 Internet Search Engines Surpass E-Mail in Online Scam ThreatsConducting an everyday search using internet search engines poses more threat for web surfers than e-mail accounts, according to an analysis conducted by Blue Coat Security Lab. With e-mail users smartening up to phishing scams, thieves are now searching for new ways to take money, spread viruses and implement online identity theft. ...read full article June 19, 2012 Online credit card complaint database to debutWASHINGTON (CNNMoney) -- A new online database devoted to cataloging consumer complaints against credit card companies launched Tuesday. ...read full article June 19, 2012 LinkedIn Victims Do Not Connect With Legitimate NotificationsThe company sent an important e-mail notification with special coding (DKIM) and addressed the recipient by name. It also didn't include any links in the actual message. And yet LinkedIn did not connect with some 250,000 of its users, who flagged the legitimate alert as spam. ...read full article June 19, 2012 When Will End Users Stop Being Fooled By Online Scams?Despite millions of dollars in security tools and hours of awareness training, many organizations still find themselves breached by phishing and old-school social engineering attacks. Is there a way to build a better, smarter user? ...read full article June 19, 2012 Trust fined £225k for leaving patient files in abandoned hospitalIs there a secret NHS sweep on who can blow most data?Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has been fined £225,000 by the Information Commissioner's Office for leaving patient and staff files in an abandoned hospital. ...read full article June 19, 2012 CyberZeist Claims to Have Gained Access to Hundreds of Federal AccountsCyberZeist, the hacker who has recently left the UGNazi collective, has leaked a few hundred login credentials that he allegedly obtained by launching a spear phishing attack on US federal employees. ...read full article June 19, 2012 Data in possible credit card breach appears to be oldThe data, linked to from Pastebin, includes, names, addresses and emailsIDG News Service - A batch of names, addresses, emails and phone numbers of credit card customers around the world released on Monday indicates a breach of a payment processor, but the data appears old. ...read full article June 19, 2012 Cybercriminals Upgrade Banking Malware to Include Automatic Transfer SystemsAs if ZeuS and SpyEye haven’t been causing enough damage on their own, security researchers from Trend Micro have found that more recently cybercriminals have begun using Automatic Transfer Systems (ATS) to enhance the information-stealing capabilities of their pieces of malware. ...read full article June 18, 2012 BYOD exposes the perils of cloud storageComputerworld - The dangers of using consumer cloud storage systems became clearer earlier this month, when a hacker claimed that he accessed presidential candidate Mitt Romney's Dropbox storage and email accounts using an easily cracked password. ...read full article June 18, 2012 Pennsylvania Man Indicted For Hack of Department of Energy NetworkA Pennsylvania man was arrested yesterday after a Massachusetts grand jury issued a four-count indictment alleging that he hacked into computer networks belonging to the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) and the University of Massachusetts and tried to sell access to a DoE supercomputer for $50,000 to an undercover FBI agent. ...read full article June 18, 2012 Six in Tokyo slammer after Android smut scamMalware was distributed through adult siteSix men including three IT executives have been arrested in Tokyo in connection with an Android malware scam which netted them over 20 million yen (£160,740). ...read full article June 18, 2012 Indictment: Former chief took $115k from police departmentHIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY (FOX19)- A former police chief who is facing charges for stealing money from his police department will be released from jail on Monday. ...read full article June 18, 2012 Police seek suspect in Elections NB laptop theftThe Fredericton Police Force is asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect in the theft of two Elections New Brunswick laptops. ...read full article June 18, 2012 Internet security company Omniquad warns about DVLA Email Phishing Scam – Identity Theft WarningOmniquad is issuing a warning about emails that appear to come from the DVLA, threatening that people will need to retake their driving license unless they update their details, including credit card details with CVV number, within two weeks ...read full article June 18, 2012 Ex-Employee Charged with ID Theft on Bank AccountsPolice said one of the accounts used belonged to the woman's deceased relative.A former Commerce Bank employee was charged May 31 with two counts of identity theft. ...read full article June 18, 2012 Crack down on SLO County identity theft ringsThe San Luis Obispo County operators of two high-tech bank scam operations that ripped off hundreds of Chase Bank customers over the last three years are winding their way through the court system as the result of a crackdown by Attorney General Kamala Harris’ newly created eCrime Unit, according to a press release. ...read full article June 18, 2012 Five charged with ID theftFive men were charged Friday with multiple counts of identity theft after they allegedly used re-encoded credit cards to buy and resell gas for profit, police said. ...read full article June 18, 2012 Scammers indicted for identity theft and real estate fraudAccording to a FBI press release three Southern California men have been indicted for identity theft and running real estate scams. The men were arrested on June 14 after a grand jury decision to proceed with prosecution. ...read full article June 18, 2012 3 Indicted In $10M Short Sale, Identity Theft ScamsLOS ANGELES (CBS) — Federal authorities say three Southern California men have been indicted for allegedly running a scam involving short sales that caused more than $10 million in losses. ...read full article June 18, 2012 Cromwell man charged with identity theftCROMWELL – A 38-year-old Cromwell man has been arrested and charged with looting an elderly woman’s bank account to pay his everyday personal bills. ...read full article June 18, 2012 Alleged International Credit Card Trafficker “Badb” Extradited from France to the United StatesWASHINGTON – Vladislav Anatolievich Horohorin, aka “BadB” of Moscow, an alleged international credit card trafficker thought to be one of the most prolific sellers of stolen credit card data, has been extradited from France to the United States to face criminal charges filed in the District of Columbia and in the Northern District of Georgia. ...read full article June 18, 2012 Man charged with workplace ID theftA Naperville man faces trial for allegedly stealing the identities of nine people from his workplace in Downers Grove, and then using some of their credit and bank debit card accounts to pay his bills and buy luxury items, including jewelry and tickets to concerts and sporting events. ...read full article June 18, 2012 Oahu entrepreneur becomes identity theft victimIf you haven't filed your taxes yet, someone else may have beaten you to the punch. ...read full article June 18, 2012 Text Messages Can Lead to Identity TheftJefferson City, Mo. –Attorney General Chris Koster today warned Missourians about recent activity by identity thieves to steal information by offering fake prizes like Walmart or Costco gift cards. ...read full article June 15, 2012 Banks: Hackers more aggressive in attacking customer accountsNetwork World - A survey of large financial institutions shows they faced more attacks by hackers to take over customer banking accounts last year than in the two previous years, and about a third of these attacks succeeded. ...read full article June 15, 2012 Pennsylvania Man Arrested on Computer Hacking ChargesWASHINGTON – Charges were unsealed this morning against a Pennsylvania man, alleging that he hacked into computer networks in Massachusetts and around the country and then sold unauthorized access to those networks. ...read full article June 15, 2012 Software Update Site For Hospital Respirators Found Riddled With MalwareUPDATE: A Web site used to distribute software updates for a wide range medical equipment, including ventilators has been blocked by Google after it was found to be riddled with malware and serving up attacks. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is looking into the compromise, Threatpost has learned. ...read full article June 15, 2012 Panetta: Urgency Needed to Defend Against Cyber AttacksThe increasing threat of cyber attacks against the nation’s computer networks requires a commensurate growth in resources dedicated to protecting them, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told Congress. ...read full article June 15, 2012 ATM Skimmer Gets Jail TimeBank Fraud Scheme Targeted 500 AccountsA woman who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud for her role in a New England ATM skimmingcase that targeted more than 500 bank accounts has been sentenced to 45 months in prison (see ATM Skimmer Pleads Guilty). ...read full article June 15, 2012 The Wikiboat and Anonymous have leaked Defense.gov files after hackThe Wikiboat and Anonymous have attacked the Defense.gov website and have leaked some files of the website. ...read full article June 15, 2012 German police searched homes of more than 100 alleged cyber-attackers of anonymous actionFrankfurt ( hf ) - On Tuesday, officials of the Federal Criminal Police Office conducted 106 raids nationwide. The raid is part of the investigation into a hacker attack last year. On 17 December had called the cyber-collective Anonymous to a distributed denial of service attack (DDoS) on the side of the GEMA. The aim was to put the lame website. ...read full article June 15, 2012 New Grad Looking For a Job? Pentagon Contractors Post Openings For Black-Hat HackersMikko Hypponen enjoys his position as the chief research officer at the Helsinki-based security firm F-Secure. He has no intention of leaving. But lately, he’s been spending a lot of time looking at job openings. ...read full article June 15, 2012 Miley Cyrus Tumblr Tape Scam Leads to Shady Video PlayerExperts have come across a Tumblr post that advertises an adult tape featuring Miley Cyrus. The goal of this scheme is to convince unsuspecting users to install a shady-looking video player. ...read full article June 15, 2012 Tax Return Identity Theft Hotline announcedIf you think someone used your identity to file a fraudulent tax return and snatch your refund, call the new Tax Return Identity Theft Hotline. ...read full article June 14, 2012 One in 10 Children Are Victims of Identity Theft, Report Finds(NEW YORK) -- Children are increasingly becoming the preferred target of identity thieves, authorities say. ...read full article June 14, 2012 Troy woman charged in ID theft of 800 peopleFederal agents recently arrested a Troy woman on felony charges for allegedly stealing the identities of 800 people while working at an area hospital as part of a government tax fraud scheme. ...read full article June 14, 2012 Scam Text Messages Could Lead To Identity TheftJefferson City, Mo. (KMOX)– Beware of scam text messages that could affect cell phones with malware and make personal information accessible to thieves. ...read full article June 14, 2012 Woodbury man accused for third time of identity theftFor the third time in little more than a year, a Woodbury man has been charged with stealing someone's identity. ...read full article June 14, 2012 Ham Lake woman pleads guilty to bank fraud, identity theftA 25-year-old Ham Lake woman pleaded guilty June 6 in U.S. District Court in St. Paul to two felony charges for her role in a large-scale identity theft ring. ...read full article June 14, 2012 LinkedIn bolsters security while some users ignore breachAfter LinkedIn sent out millions of emails urging users to update their account information following last week's data breach that resulted in some 6.5 million compromised passwords, many of the messages were mistakenly designated as spam. ...read full article June 14, 2012 LulzSec Reborn aims to keep hacking movement aliveReal danger from federal officials who 'continue to pooh-pooh' cybercrime, police investigator saysCSO — About three months ago, following the arrests of five members of an Anonymous spinoff hacker group, an FBI official declared: "We're chopping off the head of LulzSec." ...read full article June 14, 2012 Expect A Surge In Breaches Following MySQL VulnerabilityVulnerability is so easily attacked and so prevalent that we're bound for a bump in database exposuresAn unusual password vulnerability that makes hundreds of thousands of MySQL and MariaDB databases vulnerable to simple brute-force attacks is likely to soon start a ripple effect of increased data breach activity online, security experts predict. ...read full article June 14, 2012 FTC Bares Teeth, Levies $800k Fine Against Data Brokerage FirmIn a first-of-its-kind ruling, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) told data brokerage firm Spokeo it has until tomorrow to hand over $800,000 to the Treasurer of the United States. ...read full article June 14, 2012 Alleged Lulzsec member, Ryan Cleary, indicted in U.S.Cleary, already charged in the U.K., is accused of attacking Sony Pictures and Fox EntertainmentIDG News Service - A U.S. federal grand jury has indicted Ryan Cleary, a British citizen, accusing him of orchestrating a hacking rampage last year that victimized Sony Pictures Entertainment, Fox Entertainment Group and others. ...read full article June 14, 2012 Comcast Refuses to Hand Over the Identities of Suspected PiratesComcast has asked an Illinois District Court to quash subpoenas obtained by copyright holders that want to learn the identities of individuals who allegedly download their materials from BitTorrent websites. ...read full article June 13, 2012 Oregon Woman Gets $2.1M Fraudulent Tax Refund on Debit CardOregon's Attorney General's office says a woman will be charged today with obtaining a fraudulent $2.1 million tax refund on a debit card, the biggest fraud refund case in the state's history. ...read full article June 13, 2012 Girlfriend gets 8 years for hiding 'Whitey' Bulger(CNN) -- The girlfriend of James "Whitey" Bulger was sentenced to eight years in federal prison Tuesday for identity fraud and helping the reputed mob boss avoid capture for 16 years. ...read full article June 13, 2012 2 Russians accused of ID theft for smartphone buysBATON ROUGE, LA -- Two Russian women living in New York state used fake IDs to get dozens of $500 iPhones for about $200 each in Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas and Oklahoma by taking out long-term contracts under other people's names. ...read full article June 13, 2012 IRS warns taxpayers of scamRolla, Mo. — The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is warning taxpayers to be cautious of a new, email-based phishing scam that targets Department of Defense military members, retirees and civilian employees. ...read full article June 13, 2012 Leader of Staten Island ID theft ring gets 2 to 6 years in prisonSTATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Bulls Head man was a ringleader in a Staten Island-based gang that stole as much as $5 million from borough residents and others, including soldiers who were deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq while they were being ripped off. ...read full article June 13, 2012 Merchant information may have been stolen from Global PaymentsHackers had access to servers hosting personal information of merchant applicants, Global Payments saidIDG News Service - Hackers might have stolen the personal information of individuals who applied for a merchant account with card payment processor Global Payments. ...read full article June 13, 2012 The Importance Of Interviews In Insider InvestigationsExit interviews speed up investigations, prove intent, and cover your legal basesWhether it is an exit interview upon termination or resignation, or just a simple question-and-answer session during an investigation, employee interviews are critical to handling insider incidents, IT forensics experts say. ...read full article June 13, 2012 Attacks Targeting US Defense Contractors and Universities Tied to ChinaResearchers have identified an ongoing series of attacks, possibly emanating from China, that are targeting a number of high-profile organizations, including SCADA security companies, universities and defense contractors. The attacks are using highly customized malicious files to entice targeted users into opening them and starting the compromise. ...read full article June 13, 2012 James Bond-style malware targets firm that secures industrial systemsMalicious e-mail tries to siphon data related to US critical infrastructure.To get a sense of just how advanced some malware-based espionage campaigns have become, consider one recently perpetrated against Digital Bond, a security consultancy that specializes in safeguarding computer systems used to control dams, gasoline refineries, and other critical infrastructure against attack. ...read full article June 13, 2012 Study: Few Aware of Risk of Medical ID TheftNationwide Insurance consumer survey shows need to educate, take precautions to protect your credit and your healthCOLUMBUS, Ohio, Jun 13, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- While it's the fastest-growing type of identity theft, a new Nationwide Insurance survey reveals few people know what medical identity theft is or how devastating it can be to your credit and your health. ...read full article June 12, 2012 Dutch Citizen Charged With Fraud, Identity Theft in Hacking CaseA 21-year-old Dutch citizen has been charged with allegedly selling credit card numbers collected from Boeing's employee credit union and stealing card numbers from other illegal online data markets. ...read full article June 12, 2012 ID thefts paid for cell scamFederal agents: Two women had 81 cellphones, 27 IDsTwo Russian nationals took a road trip through four Southern states, using other people’s identification to purchase discounted smartphones under long-term wireless contracts, federal officials alleged Monday in Baton Rouge. ...read full article June 12, 2012 Va man sentenced to more than 6 years in federal prison for identity, benefits theftNORFOLK, Va. — A Norfolk man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for using another man's identity to obtain federal government benefits. ...read full article June 12, 2012 Robbery Victim Now Fighting Identity TheftLocal man survives ATM armed robbery, says he's a victim againSPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Struggling to recover, a local man survived an armed robbery at a bank ATM, and now he says he's a victim again. This time he's fighting to pay his bills and prove his identity. ...read full article June 12, 2012 LinkedIn Claims Vulnerable Passwords Have Been DisabledBusiness social network LinkedIn issued more information and advice to its users over the weekend, in the wake of a massive cyber attack in which 6.5 million passwords were stolen. ...read full article June 12, 2012 Six-Member Identity Theft Ring Sentenced in UKRingleader Jason Place was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison.Six men were recently sentenced at the UK's Southwark Crown Court for their involvement in the "design, production and sale of fake identities and the management of online forums where clients were coached in how to commit fraud," according to London's Metropolitan Police Service. ...read full article June 12, 2012 LifeLock General Counsel Confronts Challenges By Going BigAfter Clarissa Cerda accepted the general counsel position at LifeLock, Inc., she did something a little unusual: she attacked the company’s biggest problems by teaming up with her boss. The Phoenix-based identity theft protection company was facing 14 class-action suits, and a competitor lawsuit, on top of an ongoing government inquiry. There were times when Cerda, already a veteran GC, joked with the company’s chief executive that she didn’t know if she’d been hired just in the nick of time or a day too late. ...read full article June 12, 2012 Identity thieves reach into local accountsApproximately 15 million U.S. residents have their identities used fraudulently each year with financial losses totaling about $50 billion, according to the Bureau of Justice statistics. The bureau's data suggests about 7 percent of all adults have their identities misused with each instance resulting in about $3,500 in losses and Greene County residents have fallen victim to identity theft as well ...read full article June 12, 2012 Tumblr Users Should Beware of Cookie ThievesTwo researchers say they've found a security hole in Tumblr, one of the most popular sites on the Internet, that could steal users' authentication cookies to break into their accounts. ...read full article June 12, 2012 'Conclusive' Link Found Between Stuxnet And FlameResearchers say Flame predates Stuxnet and shares some source code with first-generation version of StuxnetA new twist in the mystery that is Stuxnet/Duqu/Flame: Researchers now say Flame came first and has direct ties to Stuxnet, the targeted attack reportedly launched by the U.S. and Israel against an Iranian nuclear facility. ...read full article June 12, 2012 Building a Culture That Values PrivacyA Three-Step Approach to Managing ChangeA successful effort to build a corporate culture that values privacy should be built on ideas that come from the rank-and-file staff in all departments, not just upper management, says Jan Hillier, a specialist in managing change. ...read full article June 12, 2012 Emails from “Amazon.com” Fool Users into Visiting Malware-Serving SitesWe’ve recently reported that Amazon has started warning its customers after they’ve identified a large number of malicious emails that relied on the company’s name and reputation. Today, GFI experts provide a sample email that’s making the rounds, attempting to lure users onto compromised websites. ...read full article June 12, 2012 Passwords pillaged from League of Legends wand-strokersEuro gamers' very private jewels sniffed by hackersPasswords, email addresses, dates of birth and other sensitive data have been plundered from the player databases of fantasy strategy game League of Legends. ...read full article June 11, 2012 Multimillion-pound cyberfraud gang jailed for selling identity theft kitsConfidential Access's 'platinum' products cost £5,500 and came complete with instructions on how to defraud companiesMembers of a gang who provided fake identities and documents to thousands of customers have been jailed following a two-and-a-half-year investigation into their multimillion-pound operation. ...read full article June 11, 2012 Two Suspects Arrested On Charges Of ID TheftA man and a woman were arrested Thursday on charges of identity theft and other theft charges after allegedly stealing a purse from a worker at a Hermiston doctor's office. ...read full article June 11, 2012 ID-theft victim regrets errorFARMINGTON — If Kelsey Ross had put a lock on her Social Security number after a burglary in November, she could have been in the market to buy a house this summer. ...read full article June 11, 2012 UK cops hunt for thousands who bought identity fraud 'packages' onlineLONDON -- An extensive search is underway in the UK for thousands of individuals who used an online service that helped people commit identity theft and mortgage fraud. ...read full article June 11, 2012 2 men sentenced for ID theft, to be deportedTwo men have been sentenced to federal prison terms for conspiracy to commit identity theft and sale of fraudulent Social Security cards. ...read full article June 11, 2012 Trappe Man Struck By Identity TheftA 60-year-old Trappe man was victimized by identity theft last month, Pennsylvania State Police said Friday. ...read full article June 11, 2012 Another Case of Identity Theft in WestlakeA Wakefield Lane couple is dealing with the mess that identity theft creates. ...read full article June 11, 2012 Police: Woman arrested near Walmart had fake I.D.Two women were arrested Friday night near the Walmart in American Canyon, one for alleged possession of stolen property and one on suspicion of identity theft, police said. ...read full article June 11, 2012 Police: Man impersonated physician on phone to pharmacyNEW HARTFORD, N.Y. (WKTV) - New Hartford Police arrested a Utica man after he allegedly called a pharmacy, impersonating a local physician, to prescribe and obtain medicine. ...read full article June 11, 2012 Survey Shows 85 Percent of Small Business Owners Convinced a Data Breach UnlikelyIf a newly released survey is any indication, publicized data breaches aren't enough to prompt small businesses to better protect their customer or employee data. ...read full article June 8, 2012 “t0pp8uzz” and “GM” Sentenced to Jail for Running Fraud WebsiteJay Moore, known by his online moniker as t0pp8uzz, and his accomplice Damian Horne, aka GM, have been sentenced to jail after investigators accused them of running a fraud website worth an estimate of £26.9 million ($41 million or 33.2 million EUR). ...read full article June 8, 2012 UK court requires Facebook to hand over troll identitiesIn the first case of its kind in the United Kingdom, a woman has won the approval of courts to force social networking giant to reveal the identities of cyberbullies who allegedly incited a hate campaign against her. ...read full article June 8, 2012 How Charles Dickens helped crack your LinkedIn passwordResearchers are using words from classic novels to crack the LinkedIn password hashesIDG News Service - Kevin Young, a computer security expert who studies passwords, is nearly at a loss for words. Literally. ...read full article June 8, 2012 Report: North Korea Accused Of DDoS Attack On South Korean AirportNorth Korean agents have been linked to a malware attack on a South Korea's Incheon International Airport, according to a report from the JoongAng Daily, a South Korean paper. ...read full article June 8, 2012 FTC Highlights P-to-P Network Risks2 Settlements in Cases That Exposed Data on 100,000The Federal Trade Commission has reached settlement agreements with a debt collector and an automobile dealership charged with exposing sensitive consumer information on peer-to-peer file-sharing networks. ...read full article June 8, 2012 Flame: Developed by Expert Cryptographers, Comes with “Suicide” SwitchThere are a couple of new reports about the now-infamous Flame that we thought of sharing with our readers. One group of researchers has stated that the malware may have been developed by world-class experts, while Symantec has revealed that the threat comes with a “suicide” functionality. ...read full article June 8, 2012 Last.fm Confirms They Were Hacked, Change Your Passwords NowAfter this week’s LinkedIn fiasco, it appears the latest tech giant to fall to bored hackers is Last.fm. Music-streaming website Last.fm is the latest organisation to urge its users to change their passwords immediately. ...read full article June 8, 2012 Mobile devices bring cloud storage -- and security risks -- to workCorporate policies alone won't address the use of cloud storage services by employeesComputerworld - Dropbox made headlines this week when Gawker.com was the first to report that an unnamed hacker broke into Mitt Romney's hotmail account with the same password used for a Dropbox account also associated with the GOP presidential candidate. ...read full article June 8, 2012 Cybercrime 'much bigger than al Qaeda'Security experts confirm concern outlined by DHS Secretary in recent speechJune 07, 2012 — CSO — It is unlikely that Americans will ever again see commercial jets crashing into skyscrapers, piloted by terrorists. But Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano believes that malicious computer code generated by groups like al Qaeda are just as big a threat to the security and stability of the nation. ...read full article June 8, 2012 Suspect in ID theft case sentencedThe final suspect in custody following a federal investigation into an identity theft ring that allegedly served the Hattiesburg and Laurel area was sentenced to five years in prison. ...read full article June 8, 2012 Man gets prison for posing as SEAL in ID theft caseA former sailor who posed as a SEAL chief to persuade other sailors to turn over their personal information was sentenced Wednesday to a little more than seven years in prison for bilking a credit union out of nearly $182,000. ...read full article June 8, 2012 Ham Lake woman pleads guilty to bank fraud, identity theftA 25-year-old Ham Lake woman pleaded guilty June 6 in U.S. District Court in St. Paul to two felony charges for her role in a large-scale identity theft ring. ...read full article June 8, 2012 Scarsdale Police Arrest Two On ID Theft, Grand Larceny ChargesSPD arrested a Mount Vernon woman and Bronx man yesterdayScarsdale Police detectives have had a busy week. SPD arrested a Bronx man and a Mount Vernon woman yesterday on charges of identity theft and grand larceny, after the two attempted to fraudulently withdraw money from a Chase Bank in Scarsdale. ...read full article June 8, 2012 Arrests made in thefts from online bank accountsFourteen people were indicted in an alleged cyber bank fraud scheme that took money from the accounts of Bank of America customersStealing victims’ identities was the first step toward pilfering from their online banking accounts, according to a cyber bank fraud indictment announced Thursday. ...read full article June 8, 2012 Son Turns in Feasterville Dad for Identity TheftA Lower Southampton man is facing identity theft charges following his son telling police that he was using a stolen identity to avoid legal problems in Virginia. ...read full article June 8, 2012 Richmond woman charged with Social Security fraud, identity theftA Richmond woman was indicted Thursday on charges of using another person's Social Security number, adding to charges she already faces, including tax evasion and bank fraud. ...read full article June 8, 2012 ID theft sting nabs state employeeALBANY - An employee of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services is accused of selling personal information to an outside person. ...read full article June 8, 2012 Police flush ID theft schemeBRANDON -- Deputies have made two arrests in what they said is a stolen identities scheme that wound its way from South Florida to Hillsborough County. ...read full article June 7, 2012 Phantom Debt Collectors From India Harass Americans, Demand MoneyHundreds of thousands of cash-strapped Americans have been targeted by abusive debt collectors operating out of overseas call centers suspected of links to organized crime in India, law enforcement officials told ABC News. ...read full article June 7, 2012 Microsoft's reaction to Flame shows seriousness of 'Holy Grail' hackCompany's fast, sweeping response proves how critical it considers Windows UpdateComputerworld - The exploit of Microsoft's Windows Update system by the sophisticated Flame cyber espionage malware was a "significant" event in the history of Windows hacking, experts said today. ...read full article June 7, 2012 Like LinkedIn, eHarmony is hacked; 1.5 million passwords stolenEHarmony, the popular online dating site, was the target of a password hacking attack that resulted in 1.5 million stolen passwords, most of which have been cracked. ...read full article June 7, 2012 LinkedIn Confirms Password BreachNearly 6.5 Million May Have Been CompromisedLinkedIn has confirmed that a breach of its network compromised passwords connected to accounts. While LinkedIn has not yet confirmed how many passwords were affected, some reports estimate nearly 6.5 million could have been compromised. ...read full article June 7, 2012 Survey Shows Consumers Still Openly Risking ID TheftA new survey conducted by a credit card comparison Web site indicates consumers continue to be lax when it comes to guarding against identity theft. ...read full article June 7, 2012 CloudFlare Details How AT&T Systems Were Bypassed by HackersA few days ago we reported that CloudFlare representatives reached the conclusion that UGNazi hackers managed to breach their systems by first compromising AT&T. Today, the company’s CEO Matthew Prince has returned with additional details. ...read full article June 7, 2012 Siemens Enhances Security In Post-Stuxnet SCADA WorldFirewall, VPN features now embedded in some products as Siemens gradually beefs up its security strategyStuxnet was not only bad news for Iran, but also for Siemens, whose process control systems were targeted in the attack that disrupted a nuclear facility in Iran. Since then, Siemens has quietly made several security moves in the wake of Stuxnet's discovery two years ago -- most recently, new industrial control products that come with built-in security features. ...read full article June 6, 2012 6.5 Million Alleged LinkedIn Password Hashes Dumped OnlineA 271-megabyte file containing hashes was published on a Russian forum a couple of days ago. The data allegedly represents encrypted passwords that belong to LinkedIn customers.According to a Norwegian publication, dangensit.no, a total of 6.5 million LinkedIn password hashes are in the file. ...read full article June 6, 2012 Indian ISPs targeted in Anonymous censorship protestTheir websites have been attacked as blocks on some file-sharing sites continueIDG News Service - The websites of Indian government-run communications company Mahanagar Telephone Nigam and the Internet Service Providers Association of India faced DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks from Anonymous on Wednesday as some Internet service providers continue to block file-sharing websites following a court order. ...read full article June 6, 2012 Hacker Says He Accessed Pair Of Presidential Hopeful Romney's Online AccountsBreach suggests Mitt Romney--or his aides--used same password across multiple Web services ...read full article June 6, 2012 Google starts warning users of state-sponsored computer attacksUsers targeted by government-involved campaigns may see advisory bannersGoogle unveiled a service that automatically displays a warning to users who may be the target of state-sponsored phishing or malware attacks. ...read full article June 6, 2012 Identity theft victim fights to clear his name after deadly crashFORT WORTH, TX - A Texas man is trying to clear his name after his identity was stolen. ...read full article June 6, 2012 Two indicted for ID theft, tax fraudEdwin Bonannee, Sabrina Balkman-Bradwell are accusedA 32-year-old Hollywood man is one of two people indicted for identity theft in a tax fraud scheme, according to U.S Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer. ...read full article June 6, 2012 Suspect sentenced in identity theft caseOnly one suspect remains to be sentenced following the arrest of 10 in a federal investigation of an identity theft ring in Laurel last year. ...read full article June 6, 2012 Woodbury man accused of stealing co-worker's identityWashington County prosecutors allege a Woodbury man convicted last year of identity theft was back at it again this year.Washington County prosecutors allege a Woodbury man convicted last year of identity theft was back at it again this year. ...read full article June 6, 2012 Bronx man arrested after stealing Darien identitiesA FedEx driver's vigilance helped Darien Police arrest a Bronx man who tried to buy nearly $7,000 worth of computers after stealing identities from at least two Darien residents. ...read full article June 6, 2012 Urbana woman charged with aggravated ID theftURBANA — An Urbana woman who allegedly stole the identity of an elderly Champaign County Nursing Home resident to pay two bills has been charged with aggravated financial identity theft. ...read full article June 6, 2012 Empowering the IRS in Combating Identity TheftThe National Taxpayer Advocate, Nina Olsen says the main reason people go to her office is to seek help because their identities have been stolen. Identity theft is a growing crime that results in stolen tax refunds and fraudulent tax claims. In response, the IRS has taken steps to curb the menace. Out of the approximately 100 million tax returns the IRS processes each year, the agency has detected 940,000 fraudulent tax returns in 2010 and avoided paying out $6.5 billion to suspected identity thieves. ...read full article June 6, 2012 ID Theft in Backyard of Texas Attorney GeneralLAREDO, Texas (CN) - An identity thief who used her position in the Texas Attorney General's Office to claim other people's tax refunds will serve 2 1/2 years prison. ...read full article June 6, 2012 Anonymous Again Crusading Against Child PornographyMembers of the hactivist collective Anonymous resurfaced this week with a new campaign to expose suspected pedophiles on Twitter and get the site and its users to help root out other accounts linked to child pornography. ...read full article June 6, 2012 New Bern man pleads guilty to ID theft schemeRaleigh, N.C. — A New Bern man pleaded guilty Monday to stealing the identities of dozens of people and filing fraudulent tax returns in their names to obtain refunds, authorities said. ...read full article June 5, 2012 Financial Documents Found In Bank Trash BinOildale Woman Victim Of Identity TheftOILDALE, Calif. -- A family contacted 23 ABC after they said a local bank did not shred documents appropriately and that led to identity theft. ...read full article June 5, 2012 Commission candidate faced ID theft charge in 2008Linda K. Armstrong, a candidate for the Shawnee County Commission, said Monday that her having received diversion on an identity theft charge filed in 2008 “is a moot point, because it’s not a conviction.” ...read full article June 5, 2012 Police: Man working in Cinnaminson using woman's identityCINNAMINSON — A man from Cherry Hill who is an undocumented immigrant was working in the township by using a woman’s identity, police said Friday. ...read full article June 5, 2012 Police search for man who stole $10,000 in Carlisle area identity theft caseA suspect in an identity theft stole nearly $10,000 from a Carlisle man in May, according to state police at Carlisle. ...read full article June 5, 2012 Police say woman used fake ID at Sears store in MeridenMERIDEN — A Bronx woman faces charges after police say she tried to purchase $2,200 worth of merchandise from the Sears store at Westfield Meriden mall using stolen information. ...read full article June 5, 2012 Manteca man sentenced for ID theft and fraudSACRAMENTO - A Manteca man found guilty of defrauding more than 50 individuals, banks and financial institutions by using victims' personal information to obtain credit cards and make phony driver's licenses was sentenced in Sacramento federal court. ...read full article June 5, 2012 Stockton Man Sentenced to Nearly 5 Years for Identity Theft(Source: FBI) - SACRAMENTO, CA—Michael Garcia, 39, of Stockton, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. to 57 months in prison for fraud in connection with computers and in connection with an access device, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. ...read full article June 5, 2012 Dominican national used personal ID of dead man for decade, feds sayA Dominican national who has been living in Winter Springs was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison Friday for aggravated identity theft and making a false statement on a passport application. ...read full article June 5, 2012 Plea agreement filed in identity theft caseA sentencing date has been set for a Linden woman accused of using another woman’s identity to establish utility and credit card accounts. ...read full article June 5, 2012 Restaurant Chain Reports Card BreachMethod of Attack, Which Affected 43 Sites, Is UnclearPenn Station Inc. has confirmed that 43 of its 235 U.S. restaurants may have been affected by a payments breach that exposed credit and debit details. ...read full article June 5, 2012 State of California Site Hacked, Sensitive Data LeakedAfter breaching the State of Rhode Island website yesterday, today The Unknowns return with another target from the same category. This time the victim is the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, a subdomain hosted on ca.gov. ...read full article June 5, 2012 SwaggSec claims China Telecom data breachHacktivists not happy with China 'screwin with the Pentagon'Hacktivist group SwaggSec is claiming the scalps of China Telecom and Warner Brothers after apparently taking advantage of poor security to infiltrate their networks and steal a sizeable booty of sensitive data. ...read full article June 5, 2012 Famed 'credit zombie' resurrected, with lessons for anyone with a SSNJudy Rivers isn't dead after all. And, as anyone who's had a maddening run-in with the nation's credit system would agree, her "resurrection" is miraculous. ...read full article June 4, 2012 Experian Data Breach Resolution and Ponemon Institute study indicates consumer confusion following a data breachNew survey reveals 72 percent of respondents were disappointed in the way they were notified of a data breachCOSTA MESA, Calif., June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- A business's ability to protect personal information and communicate the circumstances of a data breach can impact customer loyalty and an organization's trustworthiness and reputation, according to a recent study by Experian Data Breach Resolution and the Ponemon Institute. In fact, according to more than 700 survey respondents, 72 percent of people who received notification of a data breach were dissatisfied with the communication and often felt the need for more information. ...read full article June 4, 2012 Bend Man Charged With Theft From Elderly VictimBEND, Ore. -- A 56-year-old Bend man was arrested Friday on more than 100 theft, ID theft and fraud charges, accused of stealing over $180,000 from an 83-year-old Bend resident over the past six months, police said Saturday. ...read full article June 4, 2012 BHPD Chief Alleged Victim of Identity TheftDavid Snowden's personal information was allegedly stolen in an effort to shut off the electricity at his homeBeverly Hills Police Department Chief David Snowden is one of the alleged victims named in the case against Steven Grant Almeida, who pleaded not guilty Friday to charges that he stole the identities of people in the local justice system and used their personal identifying information to try to shut off the electricity at their homes. ...read full article June 4, 2012 Federal blunders enable ID theftTAMPA -- Thousands of names, Social Security numbers and birth dates accidentally are released to the public every year by the U.S. government. ...read full article June 4, 2012 Offices need to lock up IDs to prevent theftWith South Florida leading the nation in identity theft, companies especially need to safeguard employees' and clients' personal information from being taken by dishonest co-workers. ...read full article June 4, 2012 Utah CTO steps down following data breachComputerworld - The executive director of Utah's Department of Technology Services has resigned over a data breach that exposed the Social Security numbers and other personal data of about 280,000 Medicaid recipients. ...read full article June 4, 2012 Thrift Savings Plan Notifies Customers of Breach 10 Months After the IncidentData breaches have become more and more common in the past few years and if most companies are capable of handling the effects of such incidents, there are some that appear to be failing at the task. Such is the case of the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which alerted customers only 10 months after hackers gained unauthorized access to their systems. ...read full article June 4, 2012 Five Sentenced for Their Roles in Stolen Identity Refund Fraud SchemeFahim Suleiman and Muuad Salem were sentenced to prison today by U.S. District Court Judge James S. Gwin in connection with their roles as co-conspirators in a scheme to defraud the United States by obtaining false and fraudulent U.S. Treasury tax refund checks, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. According to documents filed with the court, the two participated in a conspiracy with others to file false United States income tax returns using personal identifying information, including names and Social Security numbers, of deceased taxpayers in order to obtain false tax refund checks that were subsequently sold and negotiated. Suleiman was sentenced to 64 months in prison, including a 24 month mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated identity theft. Salem was sentenced to 27 months in prison. ...read full article June 4, 2012 Companies See Business In 'Doxing' The AdversaryIt's not a malware problem -- it's an adversary problem: More security firms are focusing on the people behind the keyboards in order to stymie attacks ...read full article June 4, 2012 Microsoft certificate used to sign Flame malware, issues warningSummary: Microsoft has issued a security advisory warning and a high-priority update after parts of the Flame malware were signed with Microsoft-issued certificates. ...read full article June 4, 2012 Small banking Trojan poses major riskSecurity researchers have discovered a tiny, but highly capable banking Trojan. ...read full article June 4, 2012 'Spy' contacted defense firms / Police plan to investigate, question those courted by diplomatA Chinese diplomat allegedly engaged in espionage contacted officials at several defense companies while he was in Japan, according to investigative sources. ...read full article June 4, 2012 'SwaggSec' claims hack of China Telecom, Warner Bros.The alleged data haul includes internal documents and administrator login credentialsIDG News Service - A hacking group is claiming to have breached the networks of Warner Bros. and China Telecom, releasing documents and publishing login credentials. ...read full article June 4, 2012 Malicious PowerPoint Presentations Exploit Flash Vulnerability to Drop BackdoorIt’s not uncommon for internauts to come across shady-looking emails that bear .exe, .zip, or .pdf files which hide some sort of malicious plot. However, it’s rather unusual to find a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation that embeds a Flash file which hides an exploit. ...read full article June 1, 2012 IRS Aims High to Crack Down on Identity TheftThe IRS is ramping up its efforts to crack down on personal identity thefts involving illegally procured tax return information. ...read full article June 1, 2012 Four Arrested in Federal Identity Theft Investigation(Source: Richmond County Daily Journal, Rockingham, N.C. (MCT) — Four people have pleaded guilty in connection to identity theft charges after a joint federal investigation by the United States Secret Service and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. ...read full article June 1, 2012 Fort Bragg police: Two boys posing as officers in ID theft scamUkiah Daily Journal -- Two teenaged boys are possibly going door-to-door in Fort Bragg posing as police officers who are investigating identity theft to get personal information, according to the Fort Bragg Police Department. ...read full article June 1, 2012 Philly Woman Charged with Credit Card, Identity Theft in Toms RiverA Philadelphia woman is charged with credit card theft and identity theft, in incidents within Monmouth and Ocean counties, police said. ...read full article June 1, 2012 Hackers Not Attracted to Small Businesses? FalseSmall business owners may think the size of their company precludes them from being targets of identity theft, not realizing they are more at risk than the larger companies. ...read full article June 1, 2012 Tenafly man sentenced for role in bank fraud ringA Tenafly man, described as an essential cog in a scheme to build up credit scores for a Bergen County identity theft and bank fraud ring that catered to Koreans, was sentenced Thursday to two years in federal prison. ...read full article May 31, 2012 Suspect in multi-state ID theft ring in custody in MilfordMILFORD — Police from several states are investigating an elaborate identity theft ring in which suspects are stealing drivers’ licenses and attempting to withdraw large sums of cash from banks. ...read full article May 31, 2012 FL Woman Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud & Identity Theft(Source: FBI) - TAMPA—Arswaya Ralph (33, Riverview) pled guilty today to filing a false claim with the Internal Revenue Service and identity theft. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison for the false claim charge and 15 years in federal prison for the identity theft charge. ...read full article May 31, 2012 St. Paul man pleads guilty in $2M ID theft ringA St. Paul man has admitted to being part of group from the Twin Cities whose identity-theft, bank-fraud and money-laundering activities covered more than a dozen states and earned the suspects at least $2 million. ...read full article May 31, 2012 2nd Fla. man in ID theft scheme sentenced in Conn.HARTFORD, Conn. -- A federal judge in Connecticut has sentenced a Florida man to 22 years in prison for participating in what authorities say was a multi-state identity theft scheme in which he and another man targeted purses in cars. ...read full article May 31, 2012 Tips on Preventing Tax-Refund Identity TheftThe New York Times recently wrote about increasing tax refund identity fraud. That’s when a thief uses your name, Social Security number and birth date to file a fake tax return with fabricated income and tax-withholding data to collect an improper refund — often, on an easy-to-use prepaid debit card, sent to a specially chosen address. ...read full article May 31, 2012 ID thief gets at least three years for putting skimming devices, cameras on ATMsA Bulgarian national will spend at least three years in prison for a technically clever identity theft in which he affixed skimming devices and cameras to Chase ATMS in Union Square and Astor Place last year. ...read full article May 30, 2012 Serco: 'Sophisticated' Attack On U.S. Govt. Pension Plan Nets Info On 123kSerco Inc., a well-known contractor working with the U.S. government, announced that it was the target of a sophisticated attack that exposed data on 123,000 civil employees of the Federal government and their families, including names, addresses and social security numbers taken from the company’s system. ...read full article May 30, 2012 Romanian authorities dismantle hacker group targeting government websitesRomania's organized crime prosecutors detained 12 individuals suspected of hacking into official websitesIDG News Service - Twelve individuals were detained by Romanian authorities on Tuesday, suspected of being members of a cybercriminal group that hacked into the websites of various Romanian and foreign public institutions and government agencies. ...read full article May 30, 2012 Flame Cyber Attack: Israel Behind Largest Cyber Spy Weapon Ever?A top Israeli official hinted today that his country could be behind the most sophisticated cyber espionage program ever developed, known as Flame, which infiltrated and has spied on computer systems throughout the Middle East, including those in Iran, for the past two years. ...read full article May 30, 2012 Hospital agrees to pay $750,000 over data breach allegationsA Massachusetts hospital has agreed to settle in court to the sum of $750,000 over allegations concerning its failure to protect sensitive patient data. ...read full article May 30, 2012 New Jersey mayor, son, arrested on charges they nuked recall websiteThe father and son used a low tech hack—password recovery—to take down the site.The mayor of a small New Jersey hamlet has been arrested, along with his son, on federal charges that they shut down a website advocating the mayor's recall after breaking into the online accounts of political foes. ...read full article May 29, 2012 Click here to find out more! By Agency staff Comments 29 May 2012 02:00 Jailed for five years: £800,000 fraudster who faked his death... but left fingerprints on his own cremation certificateHis plan began to unravel when ex-employers HMV called police with concerns about a life insurance policy they'd paid outA man who faked his death and started a new life in Australia so his wife could cash in a life insurance policy and write off debts has been jailed for five years. ...read full article May 29, 2012 Dentist indicted on prescription, fraud charges; Identity theft also among allegationsAn Oakton dentist has been indicted on charges of illegally distributing prescription pills to patients, professionals and paramours over the past five years and also assuming another dentist's identity to bill more than $160,000 in claims for work he performed on his family. ...read full article May 29, 2012 Man indicted for wire fraud, identity theft in scheme involving PayPal accountsNEW ORLEANS — A man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for one count of wire fraud and one count of identity theft, according to U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. ...read full article May 29, 2012 Identity theft scam bustedThree Mississauga residents are facing numerous charges in connection with an alleged identity theft scam, through which victims in Oakville, Mississauga, Brampton and other GTA cities lost thousands of dollars. ...read full article May 29, 2012 Print Email Font Resize Alleged ID theft ring dismantled after routine traffic stop in Diamond BarDIAMOND BAR - Five people were charged with 19 felony counts of identity theft and counterfeiting Friday after a routine traffic stop in Diamond Bar earlier in the week led to their arrests, authorities said. ...read full article May 29, 2012 Rent scam results in identity theft for North mumA Whangarei mum thought she had escaped being duped in a rental property scam but 15 months later realises she's become a victim of identity theft. ...read full article May 29, 2012 Linden job-seekers duped in ID-theft scamDozens of Linden-area residents who thought they were applying for work might end up with a full-time “job” they didn’t seek and certainly don’t want: retrieving and repairing their financial identities. ...read full article May 29, 2012 Man faces sentencing for ID theft schemeHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A Florida man faces sentencing for participating in what federal authorities say was an extensive identity theft scheme in which he and another man targeted purses in cars. ...read full article May 29, 2012 Port Barre residents victims of identity theftThe Port Barre Police Department has received two separate complaints from elderly citizens who say they received a phone call from a man claiming to be representative of a sweepstakes company. The incidents are a reminder for citizens to be wary of identify thieves. ...read full article May 29, 2012 Car theft ring also involved in identity theftAs a border town, San Diego has always been plagued by auto theft. Many cars are resold in Mexico or chopped up for parts that end up throughout the country. Last year the San Diego Regional Auto Theft Task Force (RATT) launched “Operation Last Judgment” along with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ABF) and the San Diego Police Department Gang Unit as a response to increasing concerns. ...read full article May 29, 2012 Identity thieves targeting travelersDENVER - Earlier this week representatives from Lifelock Identity Theft Prevention services made a stop in Colorado. ...read full article May 29, 2012 Could business ID theft put you out of business?Washington, DC - Identity theft hits millions of Americans each year. What many business executives don’t know is that ID thieves are using a variation on the crime to prey on legitimate companies. ...read full article May 29, 2012 N.J. Senate to vote on bill aimed at stopping ID theft via copiersTRENTON — A bill aimed at preventing identity theft through digital copy machines used in banks, doctors' offices and other businesses is headed to the New Jersey Senate. ...read full article May 29, 2012 Village Warns Residents of Identity Thieves and Jury Duty ScamsThreat has been reported in 11 states and involves a caller asking for personal information after stating you missed jury duty.The village of Buffalo Grove recently sent out a bulletin warning residents of yet another type of identity theft threat; the jury duty scam. ...read full article May 25, 2012 Texas man gets 20 years in prison for trying to give al-Qaida drone, GPS documentsHOUSTON — A Texas man convicted of trying to sneak out of the U.S. to give al-Qaida restricted military documents, GPS equipment and money was sentenced on Thursday to 20 years in prison — the maximum punishment he could receive. ...read full article May 25, 2012 Arrest made in Facebook identity theft caseJOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Johnston County mother said she's been living a nightmare after her Facebook identity was stolen and used against her in a child custody dispute. ...read full article May 25, 2012 Unidentified man found guilty of identity theft and fraud involving Mayport Naval Station and JAXPORTJACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- An individual who can only be identified as John Doe has been found guilty of seven counts of aggravated identity theft, six counts of falsely representing a social security number, and one count of passport fraud, according to U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill. ...read full article May 25, 2012 Data Breach and Identity Fraud: How to Proactively Mitigate Fraud LossThe growth of online shopping increased risks associated with consumer identity theft and fraud. These concerns escalated in the early 2000s with some high profile “break-ins.” Today, identity fraud has reached a new level of concern. Consumers no longer speculate whether or not they will become a victim of identity fraud, but rather when and how often their personal information will be obtained and used fraudulently. ...read full article May 25, 2012 China arrests suspects as ID theft crackdown continuesBeijing authorities have arrested 160 individuals on charges of stealing personal information, according to the Chinese news site Sina. ...read full article May 25, 2012 Whiting Man Indicted on Identity Theft ChargesA Whiting man faces charges accusing him of impersonating another man in order to take out two credit cards that he used to buy goods. ...read full article May 25, 2012 Identity theft cases in the Rochester region reached 683Finger Lakes, N.Y. — In 2011, the U. S. Federal Trade Commission fielded 4,162 instances of fraud and other consumer complaints from the Rochester region. In addition, last year the FTC also received 683 reported cases of identity theft from the Rochester area. ...read full article May 25, 2012 Westborough woman charged with identity theftFRAMINGHAM — A Westborough woman stole the identity of her former employer and ran up thousands of dollars in unpaid credit card bills and rent, a prosecutor said yesterday in Framingham District Court. ...read full article May 25, 2012 California Woman Indicted for Allegedly Impersonating a Congressional AideWASHINGTON – An Atwater, Calif., woman was charged today in a one-count indictment filed in the Eastern District of California for impersonation of an officer or an employee of the United States, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. ...read full article May 24, 2012 Secretary Hillary Clinton: We Hacked Yemen Al Qaeda SitesIn a rare glimpse into cyber warfare tactics, a top U.S. official has explicitly acknowledged that the U.S. government hacked into websites run by Al Qaeda’s affiliate in Yemen, changing advertisements that boasted about killing Americans into advertisements that underscored the deaths of Muslim civilians in al Qaeda terror attacks. ...read full article May 24, 2012 Insider Case Exposes Security LapsesIn Pennsylvania, a former PNC Bank branch manager has agreed to plead guilty to bank theft - a charge that could lead to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. ...read full article May 24, 2012 Armenian Bredolab Creator Jailed For Computer SabotageAn Armenian court sentenced a 27-year old Russian man to four years in jail this week following his conviction in connection with the infamous Bredolab botnet that infected 30 million computers over the last few years. ...read full article May 24, 2012 Fake Angry Birds app makers fined £50k for shock cash suckMaking money-grabbing malware is too easy on Android, say expertsA firm that disguised Android malware as Angry Birds games has been fined £50,000 ($78,300) by UK premium-rate service regulator PhonepayPlus. ...read full article May 24, 2012 New Jersey Identity Theft Brings Credit Card Skimming to LightA thief known for credit card skimming New Jersey restaurant patrons’ cards has pleaded guilty to his role in a credit card fraud ring. With skimming threatening identity theft, credit issues and more, it’s a good idea for cardholders in the state and nationwide to learn more about how to protect themselves from this crime. ...read full article May 24, 2012 2 sentenced in identity theft, false documents caseTwo alleged managers from a multi-city identity theft and false document production scheme were sentenced today in U.S. District Court. ...read full article May 24, 2012 Appeals court affirms Mason City woman's identity theft sentenceMASON CITY — The Iowa Court of Appeals has upheld a district court sentencing of a woman convicted of identity theft in October 2011 in Cerro Gordo County District Court. ...read full article May 24, 2012 IDChief.com Is Popular Among TeenagersGAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND (WUSA)--Police have a warning about fake IDs that young people nationwide are purchasing from a very popular website. ...read full article May 23, 2012 EXCLUSIVE: Feds Bust Multi-Million Dollar Identity Theft RingMIAMI (CBS4) – They are the tools of the identity thief’s trade, federal agents say — a laptop computer and a credit card reader. ...read full article May 23, 2012 Extensive identity theft operation exposedDALLAS - A California man with North Texas ties is behind bars for drug possession. He was also in a downtown Dallas hotel room that appeared to be the center of an extensive identity theft operation. ...read full article May 23, 2012 Man Arrested on Four Counts of ID Theft in WiltonA 32 year-old man has been charged for an alleged connection to a scamming scheme which may involve multiple victims.Police arrested a 32 year-old Bridgeport man for his alleged involvement in scamming at least one person by using an identity theft scheme, police said. Marque Harris, of Poplar Street in Bridgeport, was arrested at his workplace in Shelton by Wilton Police this past Friday, May 18 and was charged with four counts of second-degree identity theft, according to the police report. ...read full article May 23, 2012 Fife police arrest two people in ID theft caseFife police have arrested two people suspected of stealing the identities of more than 40 people. ...read full article May 23, 2012 Wilton police arrest Bridgeport man for identity theftWILTON -- A Bridgeport man was arrested by Wilton police and charged was with four counts of identity theft last week. ...read full article May 23, 2012 Anonymous claims it hacked a DOJ siteThe department said it was looking into the unauthorized accessIDG News Service - The U.S. Department of Justice said Tuesday it was looking into the unauthorized access of a website server in its statistics wing, after hacker group Anonymous claimed to have collected and released 1.7GB of data from it. ...read full article May 23, 2012 Jailed Facebook hack Brit targeted Justin Bieber's girlfriendSelena Gomez 'told' fans her boyfriend 'sucks' in attackA British man jailed for a year after hacking into a private Facebook account targeted Justin Bieber's actress-turned-singer girlfriend, it has emerged. ...read full article May 23, 2012 McAfee sees 'malware explosion' across desktop, mobile platformsSummary: Although Android is a prime target, McAfee researchers find that there is an increase in malware across all platforms. ...read full article May 23, 2012 IBM Research Website Hacked and Defaced by KHSThe official IBM Research website (researcher.ibm.com), a domain dedicated to projects and publications, has been taken offline after a group called Kosova Hacker Security (KHS) has managed to breach and deface it. ...read full article May 22, 2012 PARIS TN: Paris, TN woman to pay $70,000 in identity fraud caseA Paris woman was ordered to pay more than $70,000 in restitution when she pleaded guilty to fraudulent use of a credit card and identity theft Friday in Henry County Circuit Court. ...read full article May 22, 2012 5 Plead Guilty to Mortgage Scheme$1.5 Million Scam Illustrates Challenges in Catching FraudA more than $1.5 million mortgage fraud scheme in Gainesville, Va., that defrauded financial institutions out of more than $700,000 proves mortgage fraud continues to thrive. ...read full article May 22, 2012 Seven-Year-Old Boy's Identity StolenReidsville, NC -- More children are becoming victims of identity theft. In fact, one study found one in ten kids were victims of identity theft, and kids in Reidsville are no exception. ...read full article May 22, 2012 Identity theft ring bustedDALLAS - Police on Monday stumbled upon hundreds of stolen credit cards and social security numbers. ...read full article May 22, 2012 Ghana man gets 2 years in prison for identity theftA judge sentenced a Ghana man who stole another’s identity and lived in Dickinson, to two years in prison, and another two of supervised release, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of North Dakota Monday. ...read full article May 22, 2012 Identity Theft Is No Longer The Top Reported Cyber CrimeWe've been hearing a lot about identity theft lately, so we were surprised to find out it actually wasn't the top-reported cyber crime last year. ...read full article May 22, 2012 NoHo man held as suspect in card skimming, ID theftA 27-year-old North Hollywood man was arrested early Monday morning on suspicion of a number of charges related to credit card skimming and identity theft, according to the Simi Valley Police Department. ...read full article May 22, 2012 Man Sentenced for Aggravated Identity TheftA citizen of Ghana, Africa, pleaded guilty and was sentenced today identity theft and immigration charges. Ashalley Kotey, 29, was charged with aggravated identity theft, use of immigration identification document not lawfully issued and possession of counterfeit immigration document. ...read full article May 22, 2012 Diablo 3 Accounts Get Hacked, Blizzard Says It’s Investigating Every CaseDiablo 3 players, in between having to face different errors relating to the game’s mandatory online connection, are now dealing with a spree of hacking attempts, as quite a lot of people are saying that their accounts were breached and the culprits got away with in-game gold and their precious gear. ...read full article May 22, 2012 Smartphone hijacking vulnerability affects AT&T, 47 other carriersMalicious data is injected by tricking firewalls into leaking sensitive dataComputer scientists have identified a vulnerability in the network of AT&T and at least 47 other cellular carriers that allows attackers to surreptitiously hijack the Internet connections of smartphone users and inject malicious content into the traffic passing between them and trusted websites. ...read full article May 22, 2012 Cross-browser worm spreads via Facebook, security experts warnMalware writers use Crossrider browser extension development framework to build Facebook wormIDG News Service - Malware writers have used Crossrider, a cross-browser extension development framework, to build a click-fraud worm that spreads on Facebook, security researchers from antivirus firm Kaspersky Lab said on Monday. ...read full article May 21, 2012 The man who stole identities of dead childrenTHE families of dead children whose identities were stolen by a German con artist, now in a Victorian prison, were not told of the crime by authorities.The sister of one of the boys said her family was angry and felt the identity theft was a terrible slur on the memory of a child. ...read full article May 21, 2012 Woman sentenced in ID theft case at Mitchellville prisonA woman who used personal information from 48 prison ministry volunteers to open credit accounts has been sentenced to four years in federal prison. ...read full article May 21, 2012 ID theft by sisters devastates womanSPARTA -- When Rachel Mongiovi returned home in 2008 from a year of studying abroad, she was hoping to land her dream job as a civilian administrator at Picatinny Arsenal. ...read full article May 21, 2012 Local identity theft case may help break up suspected forgery ringWARRENSBURG -- Local resident Rick Hull just wanted to electronically file his state and federal tax returns last month. ...read full article May 21, 2012 Hospital worker from Quincy charged with ID theftShe and her brother stole electricity, Quincy police allegeQUINCY — Police say a Quincy woman who worked at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and her brother used stolen patient information to open fake National Grid accounts that allowed them to dodge paying for electricity. ...read full article May 21, 2012 Residents Of Teaneck Falling Prey To ‘Outbreak’ Of ID Theft, Credit Card FraudThieves are very busy preying on residents of Teaneck, New Jersey. ...read full article May 21, 2012 Woman’s ‘years of plotting’ lead to probationPukalani resident sentenced for stealing from travel businessWAILUKU - A Pukalani woman was placed on five years' probation Thursday after she was convicted of stealing more than $20,000 from a business where she had been working as an independent commissioned travel agent. ...read full article May 21, 2012 Mount Olive Police charge woman found in Mine Hill with identity theftMOUNT OLIVE — A 32-year-old woman reported that someone who resided in an apartment at Hensysn Village had used her identity to open a bank account. ...read full article May 21, 2012 Children Far More Likely To Be Victimized By Identity TheftGreensboro, NC -- It happened at age six. "It's really scary. Just to think what could happen to me in the future - and what it's going to effect," said Madison Polansky. ...read full article May 21, 2012 Another NHS trust coughs up £90k fine for lax fax actsPatients' privates sent to wrong address for monthsThe taxpayer-backed NHS has suffered another fine from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) for outing patients' private information to the wrong people. ...read full article May 21, 2012 Three Johnson County inmates charged with identity theftThree Johnson County Jail inmates are accused of accessing another inmate's phone account to make nearly $60 in phone calls. ...read full article May 18, 2012 Defendants in Alabama Plead Guilty in Two Separate Stolen Identity Refund Fraud SchemesThree defendants in separate cases involving the use of stolen identities to file fraudulent tax returns have pleaded guilty in the Middle District of Alabama, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. ...read full article May 18, 2012 ID Theft Victims Ate at Same RestaurantSeveral people in the Metro recently found out they were victims of identity theft. Police figured out the one thing they all have in common: a restaurant. ...read full article May 18, 2012 200 in county recent victims of mail theftCredit cards, checks and other personal information were recovered in cases throughout the county.LAKE STEVENS -- It was shortly before noon May 1 when the man in a burgundy Toyota Corolla was pulled over because he wasn't wearing his seat belt. ...read full article May 18, 2012 Mac-based Flashback click fraud campaign was a bustMalware infected 600,000 Macs, but hackers haven't collected a dimeComputerworld - The hackers in charge of the Flashback botnet managed to generate $14,000 from their click fraud campaign, but have not been paid, Symantec said today. ...read full article May 18, 2012 New P2P Zeus Variant Targets Popular Sites with Bogus OffersFacebook, Gmail, Yahoo and Hotmail users should beware of rogue rebate offers and new secure payment options aimed at getting them to part with their debit card information. ...read full article May 18, 2012 SCADA/Smart-Grid Vendor Adopts Microsoft's Secure Software Development ProgramMeanwhile, utilities lag when it comes to cyberattack preparedness and risk management at the executive and board levelMicrosoft today added two new recruits to its Secure Development Lifecycle (SDL) -- a SCADA and smart-grid supplier and the government of India. ...read full article May 18, 2012 3 Keys to Mobile SecurityBanks Are Thinking Beyond Mobile Banking, PaymentsMobile banking is being adopted by consumers at an increasing rate, but it's just one piece of the overall mobile financial services puzzle. As the mobility trend grows, banking institutions are still figuring out how far ahead they should look, and what strategies make the most sense. ...read full article May 18, 2012 Anonymous turns its DDoS cannons on IndiaTakes out government, court and political party sitesHacktivist collective Anonymous has turned its attention to India, taking down the web sites of the Supreme Court, the country’s two major political parties and several government sites in retaliation for a court injunction which led to the blocking of several video sharing and bit torrent sites. ...read full article May 18, 2012 Bitcoin Developers Address Denial-of-Service VulnerabilityBitcoin has released a new variant of the peer-to-peer digital currency system to address a denial-of-service (DOS) vulnerability that could have been leveraged by an attacker to isolate a victim’s node and create blockchain forks. ...read full article May 18, 2012 Senior Corporate Execs Failing in Cyber Risk Management, SurveySenior corporate executives are placing a strong emphasis on risk management generally, but are falling short when it comes to extending that emphasis to the world of IT, a new survey has found. ...read full article May 18, 2012 US firms over-reliant on firewalls to defend against DDoS attacksBut no 'magic box' can beat DDoS, says NeustarMay 17, 2012 — Techworld — More than half of US businesses still rely on conventional firewalls or intrusion prevention systems to shield themselves from the scourge of DDoS attacks, a survey by services firm Neustar has found. ...read full article May 18, 2012 Skype Malware Campaign Spreading Poison Ivy TrojanMalware researcher Dancho Danchev is reporting a widespread social engineering campaign on Skype that is spreading a variant of the Poison Ivy Trojan. ...read full article May 18, 2012 Livingston Man Arrested for Tax Fraud, Identity TheftA Livingston man was arrested this morning for allegedly filing hundreds of phony federal income tax returns. Todd P. Halpern, 46, is accused of using the identity of a dead return preparer, whose business he bought in 2008. ...read full article May 18, 2012 School officials' Facebook rummaging prompts mom's privacy crusadeA mother who says her middle-school daughter was forced to let school officials browse the 13-year-old girl’s private Facebook page is speaking out against the practice because, she says, "other parents are scared to talk about it." ...read full article May 17, 2012 Alabama Sisters Sent to Prison for Their Roles in Stolen Identity Refund FraudLoretta Fergerson and her sister, Tracey Fergerson, both of Montgomery, Ala., were each sentenced to 115 months prison for their involvement in a conspiracy to file claims for false income tax refunds using stolen identities, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced today. U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller ordered the Fergerson sisters to pay $504,305 in restitution to the IRS. ...read full article May 17, 2012 Police: NJ airport supervisor accused of ID theft likely bought birth info from cabbieNEWARK, N.J. — A New Jersey airport security supervisor accused of using a murdered man’s identity to hide his illegal immigrant status apparently bought the man’s birth certificate and Social Security number from an intermediary before his death, police said Wednesday. ...read full article May 17, 2012 Another View: Louisiana utility-bill scam a reminder about ID theftNecessity may be the mother of invention, but greed can be a close companion. Take the latest variation on identity theft, which is being used to target utility customers in Louisiana and Texas. ...read full article May 17, 2012 Guyana native charged with aggravated ID theftA man who has been deported from the United States four times will be charged with illegal re-entry and other charges, including identity theft. ...read full article May 17, 2012 Trial set in identity theft caseLINDEN — A trial has been set for a Linden woman charged with stealing another woman’s identity to set up utility services and open credit card accounts. ...read full article May 17, 2012 AusCERT 2012: Lack of security aiding medical fraud, identity theftMedicare cards have no identifiers while prescription slips can be easily forged, says Queensland Health investigations officerQueensland Health Drugs of Dependence Unit (DDU) investigations officer, Rebecca Thompson, has highlighted security flaws within the Australian health system, such as the lack of a photo or PIN on Medicare cards, which is allowing drug addicts to potentially use lost or stolen cards to obtain powerful prescription drugs. ...read full article May 17, 2012 Utah CTO takes fall for data breachResignation sought by Gov. Herbert after breach exposes data on 280,000 Medicaid recipientsComputerworld - The executive director of Utah's Department of Technology Services has resigned over a data breach two months ago that exposed the Social Security numbers and other personal data of about 280,000 Medicaid recipients. ...read full article May 17, 2012 Trojan Mimics Chrome Installer to Steal Banking InformationMalware impersonating a Google Chrome Installer is actually stealing data while stripping software used to protect online banking transactions. The Trojan at present appears to target users in Brazil and Peru. ...read full article May 17, 2012 UK man to spend year in the clink for Facebook account hack21-year-old admitted breaking into US victim's profileA British man has been jailed for a year after hacking into the Facebook account of a US citizen. ...read full article May 17, 2012 Alleged identity theft ring operator bustedA Hawthorne man suspected of operating an identity theft ring was charged with three counts of identity theft and one count each of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a short-barreled rifle and possession of a firearm by a felon last week, according to a Los Angeles County District Attorney felony complaint. ...read full article May 16, 2012 Informant leads to ID?theft convictionAn Austin woman who sold false IDs to a confidential informant last fall pleaded guilty and was convicted Monday of one felony charge in Mower County Court. ...read full article May 16, 2012 Zeus variant tricks Facebook users into exposing card dataNew Zeus version injects rogue debit card-related offers into popular websitesIDG News Service - A new variant of the Zeus trojan tricks users into exposing their debit card details by displaying rogue offers when they visit Facebook, Gmail, Yahoo and Hotmail, according to researchers from security firm Trusteer. ...read full article May 16, 2012 High-Ranked Sites Blacklisted by Google After Being HijackedResearchers have found that Google Safe Browsing has blacklisted a number of legitimate sites after they've been hijacked and set up to serve malicious or illegal content. Many of them are ranked high, according to Alexa. ...read full article May 16, 2012 Feds phasing out SIN card to fight identify theftOTTAWA — The federal government is phasing out the plastic SIN card issued to millions of Canadians in order to save money and help avoid identify theft. ...read full article May 16, 2012 10 Practices to Secure the Supply ChainNIST Drafting New Guidance to Mitigate Supply Chain RiskGuidance that identifies 10 overarching practices to mitigate supply chain risks is being developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. ...read full article May 16, 2012 Another Cybersecurity Bill Runs Into Trouble on Capitol HillA U.S. Senator's bill to broaden cybersecurity intelligence gathering is in trouble after other legislators question whether proposed protections comes at the expense of citizens' privacy. ...read full article May 16, 2012 Stuxnet ? cyberwar, says US Army Cyber Command officerAusCERT: What is cyberwar anyway?While “cyber* operations” are becoming an increasing focus of both government and private research, legal frameworks are failing to keep pace, the US Army Cyber Command operational attorney Robert Clark has told the AusCERT security conference in Queensland. ...read full article May 16, 2012 Airport security guard pleads not guilty to ID theft of dead man(CNN) -- A Nigerian man who supervised more than 30 private security guards at Newark-Liberty International Airport pleaded not guilty Tuesday to identity theft of a man killed in New York two decades ago, prosecutors said. ...read full article May 15, 2012 Security guard at Newark airport is arrested, accused of identity theftHACKENSACK, N.J. _ During 20 years as a private security guard at Newark Liberty International Airport, a man known as Jerry Thomas passed multiple inquiries into his background _ by his employer, by the state and by the federal government. ...read full article May 15, 2012 Northwestern Memorial employee charged with theft of patients' identitiesA Northwestern Memorial Hospital employee has been charged with identity theft after she allegedly used the personal information of hospital patients to pay her bills. ...read full article May 15, 2012 Georgia Launches Pilot Program to Catch Identity Theft-Related Tax FraudThe state of Georgia has begun a pilot program to stop tax fraud with the help of identity verification and authentication tools from LexisNexis. ...read full article May 15, 2012 Is Global's Breach Growing?Sources Say 7 Million Cards May Have Been ExposedSome sources now say the data breach at Global Payments Inc., revealed in March, may have exposed 7 million accounts - a significant increase from the 1.5 million the payments processor first reported. ...read full article May 15, 2012 DoD Program Expanded, Designed to Share Threat InformationThe Pentagon on Friday invited a slew of government contractors to meet and share classified information on cyber threats going forward, part of an initiative that the department hopes will reduce the risk of intrusions to government systems. ...read full article May 15, 2012 CERT Warns On Critical Hole In SCADA Software By Italian Firm ProgeaThe U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin on Thursday warning readers about a previously undisclosed, critical vulnerability in Movicon 11, a product used to manage critical infrastructure including the manufacturing, energy and water sectors. ...read full article May 15, 2012 Check Fraud: The Next GenerationSchemes Have Evolved, But Detection Methods Haven'tMany banks are complacent about check fraud, perhaps because it's been around for so long. And yet, according to the 2012 Faces of Fraud survey, it remains the second-most common form of fraud institutions face. ...read full article May 15, 2012 The Revolution from Cyber Terrorist attack to Indian Cyber SecurityCyber attack has put our lives in danger every second. The cyber attacks are becoming the root cause of the mishappenings around us every other day. As the next generation wars are increasing depending on robust and secure information systems networks, it is imperative for a country to invest in building a reliable infrastructure. ...read full article May 15, 2012 LulzSec member pleads not guilty to charges he hacked Stratfor websiteA former LulzSec member has pleaded not guilty to federal charges that he hacked into the servers of global intelligence company Stratfor and stole credit card data and personal details of 860,000 of its clients. ...read full article May 15, 2012 Illegal immigrant worked 20 years at airport security(CBS/AP) NEWARK, N.J. - An illegal immigrant worked undetected at Newark Liberty International Airport for 20 years, and used a dead man's identity to acquire a top position in airport security, officials said. ...read full article May 14, 2012 BitCoin hacked, More than 18,000 Bitcoins StolenBitcoinica, a Bitcoin exchange started by a 17-year old teenager Zhou Tong, has been shut down for security investigations. It’s believed that at least 18,000 BTC ($90,000 or 68,000 EUR) have been stolen. ...read full article May 14, 2012 700,000 CA social services records lost—on microfichePrivate data belonging to 700,000 caregivers and recipients was lost or stolen.The California office of In-Home Supportive Services, which provides health support to elderly and disabled people, reported on Friday that the personal records of some 700,000 caregivers and care recipients were either lost or stolen. ...read full article May 14, 2012 Exclusive: potential China link to cyberattacks on gas pipeline companiesThose analyzing the cyberspies who are trying to infiltrate natural-gas pipeline companies have found similarities with an attack on a cybersecurity firm a year ago. At least one US government official has blamed China for that earlier attack. ...read full article May 14, 2012 Facebook birthdays and identity theftSmartphone apps can also access your informationCHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Stealing your personal information. There's an app for that and it could be on your smartphone. ...read full article May 14, 2012 Identity Theft Concerns Follow Security BreachYORK, S.C.--York County says there could be nearly 17,000 potential victims after a security breach. The County Manager says a backup web server was breached last August. The problem was tracked to a suspected hacker overseas. York County says South Carolina and a private hosting program is now monitoring their servers. ...read full article May 14, 2012 Lessons Learned: Identity theft 101This telemarketer knows much too much about you -– and your credit card accounts. "Because you have good credit, we can lower your interest rate," the caller says. If you stay on the line, he goes "phishing" for more personal information. ...read full article May 14, 2012 Your Deceased Relative Could be a Victim of Identity TheftYour lost loved one's financial identity could come back to life in a most unsettling way -- 2.5 million deceased Americans' identities are misused every year, according to ID Analytics, an ID theft risk assessment company. The company's research arm compared the names, Social Security numbers and birthdays listed on applications for credit against the Social Security Administration's master file of deaths to come up with those numbers. ...read full article May 11, 2012 UNC-Charlotte Data Breaches Expose 350,000 Social Security Numbers and Much MoreConfidential data, including bank account and Social Security numbers for some 350,000 University of North Carolina-Charlotte students, staff and faculty, were accidentally exposed -- some for almost 15 years -- due to a system misconfiguration and incorrect access settings that made electronic data publicly available. ...read full article May 11, 2012 Senator seeks DOJ cellphone tracking dataLaw enforcement agencies sometimes collect such data from operators without warrants, according to reportsIDG News Service - U.S. Senator Al Franken has in a letter asked the Department of Justice for information on its practices in requesting location information from wireless carriers, following reports that law enforcement agencies are requesting such information sometimes without warrants. ...read full article May 11, 2012 N.J. man indicted in money laundering, identity theftTRENTON - A Newark man was indicted today for allegedly stealing more than $1.2 million from two mortgage lenders by obtaining loans using a stolen identity and using the money to sell his home in New Jersey and buy a luxury home in Georgia. ...read full article May 11, 2012 Scam suspect relents, gets lawyer in Ohio courtCLEVELAND -- A former fugitive charged with identity theft and running a $100 million scam collecting donations for Navy veterans tried representing himself in court Thursday before changing his mind and accepting an attorney. ...read full article May 11, 2012 Woman charged in reported theft of credit cardsA homeless woman already on parole for fraud and identity theft is in jail after allegedly swiping two credit cards and racking up thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges, police said. ...read full article May 11, 2012 Lap Band surgery center owners accused of identity theft and false medical billing schemeSeveral doctors who once worked at the weight loss surgery centers affiliated with the 1-800-GET THIN campaign have filed a lawsuit today against the owners of the clinics, alleging that these doctors’ identities were stolen as part of an extensive false medical-billing scheme. ...read full article May 11, 2012 IC3 2011 Internet Crime Report ReleasedMore Than 300,000 Complaints of Online Criminal Activity Reported in 2011FAIRMONT, WV—The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) today released the 2011 Internet Crime Report—an overview of the latest data and trends of online criminal activity. According to the report, 2011 marked the third year in a row that the IC3 received more than 300,000 complaints. The 314,246 complaints represent a 3.4 percent increase over 2010. The reported dollar loss was $485.3 million. As more Internet crimes are reported, IC3 can better assist law enforcement in the apprehension and prosecution of those responsible for perpetrating Internet crime. ...read full article May 11, 2012 Online Retailer BreachedIncident Highlights E-Commerce VulnerabilitiesBanking institutions and their customers need to be aware of a new online retailer data breach. ...read full article May 11, 2012 Amnesty International UK Site Hijacked, Serves Ghost RATSecurity experts from Websense noticed that between May 8 and 9 their systems detected a malware infection on the site of Amnesty International UK. During this timeframe, visitors may have been served a version of the infamous Remote Administration Tool Gh0st RAT. ...read full article May 11, 2012 Phantom of TeaMp0isoN Arrested in RussiaWhile snooping around on a Russian IRC channel, we came across something interesting. Users were saying that last night, at around 3 AM UTC +4, Saint Petersburg police arrested a 28-year-old man. ...read full article May 11, 2012 UGNazi Hackers Attack Ed.Gov After Being Released (Exclusive)Hackers part of the UGNazi collective have gone silent for a while, but now they acquired another target on which they’ve launched a distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attack.The break seems to have been caused by the fact that a number of the group’s members have been arrested. ...read full article May 11, 2012 Charity 'Scammer' 'Bobby Thompson' Dares Prosecutors to Discover His True IdentityOver seven years, the man known by the name Bobby C. Thompson raised $100 million from donors believing they were supporting American Navy veterans and their families. Then he disappeared. ...read full article May 10, 2012 California moves to stop employers demanding Facebook passwordsThe move is part of a wave of legislative activity to block the practiceIDG News Service - The California assembly passed a bill on Thursday that prevents employers from demanding job applicants' passwords for accounts on Facebook or other social networking sites. ...read full article May 10, 2012 3 Reasons Skimmers Are WinningAnti-Skimming Tech Won't Win War on Card FraudBanks and credit unions say that losses linked to card-skimming and other sources of debit card fraud are increasingly concerning. ...read full article May 10, 2012 Third teen TeamPoison hack suspect quizzed by cyber-copsLad cuffed in anti-terror hotline attack probeBritish cyber-cops have arrested a third suspected member of the infamous TeaMp0isoN hacker crew. ...read full article May 10, 2012 GFI Labs Observes Cybercriminals Targeting Users Of Major Social Networking Sites In AprilVIPRE Report for April 2012 is a collection of the 10 most prevalent threat detections encountered last monthCLEARWATER, Fla., May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GFI Software today released its VIPRE® Report for April 2012, a collection of the 10 most prevalent threat detections encountered last month. In April, cybercriminals were seen exploiting users of major social networking sites including Facebook®, Twitter®, Tumblr® and Pinterest in order to spread malware and spam surveys. ...read full article May 10, 2012 Norwegian teens arrested over SOCA DDoS attackAlso accused of pwning online newspaper, financial services groupNorwegian police have charged two teenagers suspected of taking part in denial of service attacks against the UK's Serious Organised Crime Agency and other targets. ...read full article May 10, 2012 FBI Concerned About Bitcoin Usage Among CybercriminalsThe Federal Bureau of Investigation has become increasingly concerned over the usage of the mostly-anonymous payment network Bitcoin by hackers and cybercriminals, according to an unclassified report obtained by Wired this week. ...read full article May 10, 2012 UNC Charlotte: 350,000 SSNs exposed in decade-long breachThe University of North Carolina at Charlotte said financial data and Social Security numbers were exposedIDG News Service - Two issues exposed financial data and Social Security numbers for 350,000 people, although it is thought the information has not been abused, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte said. ...read full article May 9, 2012 Leaders of Multi-million Dollar Fraud Ring That Used Stolen Information of Medicaid Recipients Each Sentenced to Over 25 Years in PrisonVeronica Dale and Alchico Grant, who jointly ran a stolen identity refund fraud ring that attempted to defraud the United States of millions of dollars over several years, were sentenced to federal prison today, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Veronica Dale, of Montgomery, Ala., was sentenced to 334 months and Alchico Grant of Lowndes County, Ala., was sentenced to 310 months in prison. In addition, Dale and Grant were both ordered to pay over $2.8 million in restitution to the IRS. ...read full article May 9, 2012 Identity theft scheme lands two in jail for 25 yearsMontgomery, Ala (WIAT) Crime may not pay, but it yielded millions for a pair of Alabama scammers before the feds nailed them. Now the pair faces 25 year prison sentences. ...read full article May 9, 2012 Former KeyBank branch manager pleads guilty to fraud, identity theftA former bank branch manager in Springfield accused of trying to fake his own death pleaded guilty today to federal bank fraud, identity theft and intimidating a witness. ...read full article May 9, 2012 Criminal ID Theft: A Long Road for VictimsNorth Little Rock - If you're a victim of financial identity theft the credit bureaus have ways to clear your name. ...read full article May 9, 2012 Identity thieves could rake in $26 billion in tax refunds(CNN) -- Criminals who file fraudulent tax returns by stealing people's identities could rake in an estimated $26 billion over the next five years because the IRS cannot keep up with the amount of the fraud, Treasury Inspector General J. Russell George said Tuesday. ...read full article May 9, 2012 Wanted ID theft suspect arrested after reward offeredPORTLAND, OR - A man wanted for a long list of ID theft and forgery cases has been arrested by Portland Police. ...read full article May 9, 2012 Malware Installed on Travelers’ Laptops Through Software Updates on Hotel Internet ConnectionsRecent analysis from the FBI and other government agencies demonstrates that malicious actors are targeting travelers abroad through pop-up windows while they are establishing an Internet connection in their hotel rooms. ...read full article May 9, 2012 Leaked Twitter accounts 'mostly banned spammers'Twitter has downplayed the significance of a data dump that leaked the login details of 55,000 twits. ...read full article May 9, 2012 Twitter resists subpoena to release user's data without warrantA judge erred when ruling a person does not own content he posts to the service, Twitter saidIDG News Service - Twitter is contesting a court order requiring it to turn over private data on a user charged with disorderly conduct during the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York last year. ...read full article May 9, 2012 Iowa Student Presents Bouncer’s Stolen IDA 19-year-old University of Iowa student reportedly picked the wrong person to fool with a fake ID. ...read full article May 8, 2012 Local 12 Reporter's Identity Stolen By Registered Sex OffenderEach year more than 9 million people become victims of identity theft. But what's at risk isn't just money it can be your freedom. ...read full article May 8, 2012 Texas man gets over 5 years in prison for fraud and ID theft in foreclosureAccording to an FBI press release, Frederic Alan Gladle, 53, of Austin Texas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel in the Western District of Texas to 61 months in prison and was ordered to forfeit $84,010 for his role in operating a foreclosure-rescue scam in Southern California and elsewhere that charged distressed homeowners fees in exchange for fraudulently delaying foreclosure sales. ...read full article May 8, 2012 4 accused of ID theft after raid at Tempe businessFour people were arrested on suspicion of identity theft after the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office raided a Tempe business on Monday. ...read full article May 8, 2012 ID thieves have new target: prison inmatesPHOENIX (CBS5) - A number of inmates at Perryville Prison, west of Phoenix, have committed some serious crimes. ...read full article May 8, 2012 St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud, Conspiracy, and Identity Theft ChargesST. LOUIS—Mario Darnell Smith pled guilty to charges involving his use of customer information to steal money from bank accounts at United States Bank. ...read full article May 8, 2012 Zynga's YoVille gets hackedHackers infiltrate the social game affecting gameplay and stealing users' virtual goods, but private and sensitive data isn't compromised. ...read full article May 8, 2012 Anonymous Hackers Target Putin InaugurationInternet activists from the hacking group Anonymous vowed on Friday to attack Russian government websites ahead of the May 7 inauguration of President-in-waiting Vladimir Putin. ...read full article May 8, 2012 Loan Processor Rips Off Students, Class ClaimsVENTURA, Calif. (CN) - A class action claims that a financial services company and its bank partner prey on college students by coercing them into handing over financial aid money and charging them exorbitant fees to access the funds. ...read full article May 7, 2012 Burleson police investigate possible identity theft involving teacherThe Burleson Police Department is reportedly investigating identity theft in the case of a Burleson high school coach who was accused of an improper online relationship with a 16-year-old student. ...read full article May 7, 2012 Bankruptcy Fraud and Identity Theft in Connection with Nationwide Foreclosure Rescue Scheme Sentence Handed DownLos Angeles, California - An Austin, Texas man was sentenced today in the Western District of Texas to 61 months in prison and was ordered to forfeit $84,010 for his role in operating a foreclosure rescue scam in Southern California and elsewhere that charged distressed homeowners fees in exchange for fraudulently delaying foreclosure sales. ...read full article May 7, 2012 Man charged with identity theft against Miss WashingtonThe Pierce County prosecutor filed identity theft charges Thursday against a man accused of using bank cards stolen from Miss Washington, Brittney Henry. ...read full article May 7, 2012 Three arrested in theft of inmates' identitiesA Georgia couple and a Wilkinsburg man have been arrested in an elaborate scheme to collect money by stealing prisoners' identities and filing false tax returns, the state attorney general's office announced Thursday. ...read full article May 7, 2012 Eastside ID Theft Ring Suspects Arrested in Lake Forest ParkThe head of an organized Eastside identity theft ring and several of her associates were arrested this week after months of investigation, the Bellevue Police Department reported Thursday. ...read full article May 7, 2012 New Haven woman charged with identity theft in Milford purse-snatchingMILFORD — A New Haven woman was arrested on a warrant Tuesday afternoon in connection with a scheme to use an elderly victim’s identity to pay her bills, police said. ...read full article May 7, 2012 Identity Theft Leads To False Tax ReturnsMetro Woman Is Still Waiting For Her ReturnDENVER -- 7NEWS is investigating a case of identity theft with a twist: A thief used someone else's Social Security number to steal a hefty tax refund. ...read full article May 7, 2012 BRIEF: Montgomery woman pleads guilty to tax fraud, identity theftA Montgomery woman has pleaded guilty to tax fraud and identity theft, the U.S. attorney's office announced. ...read full article May 7, 2012 Police take down five involved in ID theft ringOver the last month Bellevue police arrested five members of an identity theft ring that plagued Bellevue and the rest of the Eastside. ...read full article May 7, 2012 Identity theft hits Eastlake woman and 1 in 20 AmericansOn the same day Alice Pettifer was dealing with grief from the death of her father she received a call from a creditor saying charges for nonpayment of a loan were being filed against her — a loan for which she never applied. ...read full article May 7, 2012 Apple engineering mistake exposes clear-text passwords for LionAn attacker could potentially decrypt information secured with an older version of FileVault, Apple's encryption technologyIDG News Service - Apple's latest update to OS X contains a dangerous programming error that reveals the passwords for material stored in the first version of FileVault, the company's encryption technology, a software consultant said. ...read full article May 7, 2012 UK Ministry of Defence: Hackers Have Breached Top Secret SystemsThe UK's military's head of cyber security warned that hackers have breached computer systems containing top secret data, The Guardian reported. ...read full article May 7, 2012 Flash flaw being used to deliver email based attacksAdobe on Friday issued an emergency patch for a critical bug in its Flash Player software that is being used in targeted malware attacks. ...read full article May 3, 2012 Eight Defendants Charged as Part of an Identity Theft Tax Refund Undercover Operationifredo A Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; John V Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; and José A Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID), announced the filing of charges against seven defendants arrested in connection with an FBI-led undercover operation targeting identity theft tax refund fraud. ...read full article May 3, 2012 Woman Jailed in Lynwood's Detention Facility for Suspected ID TheftsThe woman, and another man, were charged with stealing more than $16,000 in an identity theft and check counterfeiting operation.A woman was jailed at the Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood after being charged, along with another man, with stealing more than $16,000 from 20 Santa Clarita Valley businesses and individuals in an identity theft and check counterfeiting operation, a sheriff's deputy said yesterday. ...read full article May 3, 2012 Second of two sentenced for regional identity theft scamA Florida man this week was sentenced to up to 23 months in the Montgomery County prison for assisting another man in a regional identity theft scam. ...read full article May 3, 2012 Hackers blackmail Belgian bank with threats to publish customer dataThe hackers call their demand an "idiot tax" because the information was unencrypted on the bank's web serverIDG News Service - Hackers claimed to have breached the systems of the Belgian credit provider Elantis and threatened to publish confidential customer information if the bank does not pay $197,000 before Friday, they said in a statement posted to Pastebin. Elantis confirmed the data breach Thursday, but the bank said it will not give in to extortion threats. ...read full article May 3, 2012 Botnet army flicks 'off' switch at UK crime agency websiteSuspiciously close to Soca's shutdown of stolen-data shopsThe UK's Serious Organised Crime Agency's website has been taken offline following a DDoS attack that started last night and is still going on. ...read full article May 3, 2012 Feds: We Found Alleged Navy Vets Scammer's $1M StashU.S. Marshals said today they have found $1 million in cash in a storage locker rented by the recently captured fugitive known as Bobby Thompson. ...read full article May 2, 2012 Websites Selling Stolen Cards FoiledSizing Up the Impact on Card FraudInternational law enforcement agencies last week touted the takedown of 36 websites that were used to sell stolen debit and credit data for more than 2.5 million accounts. But how much of an impact will the takedown ultimately have on card fraud? ...read full article May 2, 2012 Healthcare Unable To Keep Up With Insider ThreatsInsiders played a role in recent breaches at Utah Department of Health, Emory and South Carolina Department of Health and Human ServicesApril has been a brutal month for healthcare breaches, with three major breaches disclosed accounting for nearly 1.1 million records lost. The thread woven throughout each has been the role of insiders--both malicious and inept--in triggering the incidents. ...read full article May 2, 2012 Iran admits expanded cyberattacks, claims it's identified hackersBut state-backed media reports are thin on detailsComputerworld - The Iranian government acknowledged today that authorities have found evidence of recent cyberattacks against several agencies, according to reports by state-sponsored media outlets. ...read full article May 2, 2012 Microsoft detects new malware targeting Apple computersApple users should be sure their Mac version of Office has up-to-date patchesMay 02, 2012 — IDG News Service — Microsoft has detected a new piece of malware targeting Apple OS X computers that exploits a vulnerability in the Office productivity suite patched nearly three years ago. ...read full article May 2, 2012 Scam Video Game Startup Yanked From Kickstarter After Raising ThousandsA project soliciting funds for a new video game to compete with the likes of World of Warcraft and Skyrim has been pulled from the crowd funding website Kickstarter after it became clear that the proposal was a sham. ...read full article May 2, 2012 European Space Agency hacked, sensitive data released publiclyIt is reported that yesterday the European Space Agency (ESA) website was compromised by a hacker, opening up sensitive project logs and exposing hundreds of email addresses and passwords associated with some of Europe’s top science institutes. ...read full article May 2, 2012 Microsoft Investigating Skype Breach Exposing IP AddressesA patched version of Skype 5.5 allows the user to acquire the IP address of any Skype member that's currently signed on to the network.Microsoft is reportedly looking into a Skype vulnerability that allows a third party to view a user's last known IP address. The exploit was first made known last week via instructions on Pastebin showing how someone can download a patched version of Skype and obtain any Skype member's IP address whether they're contacts or total strangers. ...read full article May 2, 2012 $728 Million Returned From Rigas-Adelphia FraudMANHATTAN (CN) - The federal government is returning $728 million to more than 13,000 victims of the Rigas family's fraud while they ran Adelphia Communications, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Tuesday. ...read full article May 2, 2012 Woman sentenced for ID theft in prescription-drug caseA Salem woman was sentenced Tuesday to more than three years in prison for committing identity theft to obtain nearly $40,000 worth of prescription drugs. ...read full article May 1, 2012 Flashback gang could be making $10K a day off infected MacsSymantec spells out the malware's money-making mechanism: click fraudComputerworld - The Flashback malware that's infected hundreds of thousands of Macs may be generating more than $10,000 a day for the hackers who made the Trojan horse, Symantec said Monday. ...read full article May 1, 2012 Fat Finger Error Lands Welsh Health Board $140K FineAn e-mail gaffe and a spelling mistake by a doctor led to a breach of the UK’s Data Protection Act last year, according to a press release by the Information Commissioner’s Office today. ...read full article May 1, 2012 Anonymous Deface International Police Association WebsiteThe official site of the International Police Association – IAC (ipa-iac.org) has been breached and defaced by Anonymous hackers. The message posted by the hacktivists on the website’s main page hints that they may have also obtained user credentials stored in the organization’s databases. ...read full article May 1, 2012 Attackers Place Command and Control Servers Inside Enterprise WallsSkilled attackers are burrowing their command and control (C&C) servers inside the networks of compromised businesses in order to circumvent security measures, according to a security expert familiar with the innovative new attack method. ...read full article May 1, 2012 Oops! Amazon Web Services Customer Unleashes ‘Denial of Money’ Attack – on HimselfWhen Panos Ipeirotis checked his Amazon Web Services bill last week, he started to sweat. It was $1,177.76 — much more than he’d ever been charged before — and it was going up another $50 to $100 with each passing hour. He had no idea why. ...read full article May 1, 2012 Muslim Liberation Army Deface Anti-Islamic SiteParas Rajput, considered to be one of the biggest anti-Islam websites, was attacked by hackers part of the Muslim Liberation Army. The hackers defaced the site as a form of protest against organizations that promote anti-Islamic views, VOGH reports. ...read full article May 1, 2012 4 Kingfisher Airlines Sites Defaced by HitcherHitcher, the Pakistani hacker, defaced four websites belonging to the India-based Kingfisher Airlines company to post his protest message against India and Israel. ...read full article May 1, 2012 Notorious identity thief to plead guiltyPORTLAND, Ore. - A man who was part of a notorious identity theft ring that was based in Portland but operated in a dozen states around the country will plead guilty in federal court Tuesday to bank fraud charges. ...read full article May 1, 2012 Beverly Hills woman arrested in Lincolnshire identity theft ringA Beverly Hills, Calif., woman faces identity theft charges after she obtained and used several fraudulent credit cards, including one belonging to a Lincolnshire victim, police said Monday. ...read full article May 1, 2012 Symantec: Cyber-Attacks Up 81% in 2011, SMBs Increasingly TargetedHackers stole 187 million personal identities last year, with the average yield per data breach amounting to 1.1 million identities, Symantec said. Identity theft gleaned from lost or stolen PCs or mobile devices also exposed 18.5 million identities in 2011. And malicious attacks increased by 81 percent in comparison with Symantec's 2010 estimates. ...read full article May 1, 2012 UW ID thief gets probation in case from 2007An identity theft investigation that stretched back almost five years on the UW-Madison campus ended with the conviction of a Chicago woman already spending time in prison. ...read full article May 1, 2012 Corporate identity theft threatens Maine businessesWhile most Mainers are aware of the dangers of personal identity theft, many business owners remain in the dark about the growing threat of corporate identity theft. The term "business identity theft" describes various fraudulent or unauthorized uses of a company's identity and, according to Dun & Bradstreet, has been reported in at least 26 states. ...read full article May 1, 2012 Norfolk woman pleads guilty in ID theft schemeA 28-year-old woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to stealing patients' personal information while working in a local medical office. ...read full article April 30, 2012 Credit Card Identity Theft Ring BustedChicago - The State's Attorney General's Office said it has busted an identity theft ring targeting patrons at Wrigley Field, Ralph Lauren Restaurant, McDonald's and Taco Bell. ...read full article April 30, 2012 Warrant: Stolen tax files led to ID theft caseNew Bern, N.C. — Federal authorities have charged a New Bern man with stealing the identities of dozens of people and filing fraudulent tax returns in their names to obtain refunds, according to a search warrant recently unsealed. ...read full article April 30, 2012 R.I. Attorney General warns of rental property identity theft scamsPROVIDENCE — Searching for a new home could cost you your identity, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin warns. ...read full article April 30, 2012 Identity thief sentenced to four years in prisonA woman who pleaded guilty to three counts of felony identity theft stemming from cases on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus has been sentenced to four years in prison. ...read full article April 30, 2012 Theft of personal documents in Fort Worth led to two-year crime spreeTwo years ago, Tracie Ponds walked to her car in the parking lot of the Fort Worth nursing home where she works as a nurse aide and discovered that someone had stolen her purse. ...read full article April 30, 2012 Freed Facebook hack Brit vents fury at $200k cleanup claimMangham longs for security job after sentence halved on appealA UK man jailed for hacking into Facebook has vowed to rebuild his life – and his reputation – after winning an appeal against his sentence. ...read full article April 27, 2012 Guilty plea entered to fraud, identity theftA Florida woman arrested last year at the Peace Bridge with hundreds of stolen health care records pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Buffalo to access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. ...read full article April 27, 2012 6 identity theft ring suspects sentencedSix suspects implicated in an identity theft ring that allegedly operated in the Hattiesburg and Laurel areas were sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court. ...read full article April 27, 2012 Four Steps for Fighting ACH FraudTexas Bankers, Law Enforcers Collaborate and Offer AdviceIn Texas, increasing incidents of corporate account takeover, |
