Media Center

Identity Theft News

December 28, 2012

ID theft found at LSU hospitals

BATON 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

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December 28, 2012

Postal Worker Arrested For Identify Theft

County prosecutors say law enforcement officials found thousands of pieces of stolen mail in his possession

A 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

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December 28, 2012

S. Ozone man admits guilt in doctor ID theft

A 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

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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

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December 28, 2012

Christmas ruined for 2,100 sex offenders booted off online games

Thousands 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

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December 28, 2012

10,000 Indian government and military emails hacked

State-sponsored snoopers suspected of large scale incursion

India’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

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December 26, 2012

Ex-Marine sentenced in ID theft, tax fraud scheme

MIAMI -- 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

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December 26, 2012

Roscoe woman sentenced for federal mail fraud, identity theft

ROCKFORD (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

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December 26, 2012

Quincy bank robbery suspect has history of fraud, ID theft

QUINCY, 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

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December 26, 2012

Columbus police assist in federal identity theft investigation

The Columbus Police Department recently assisted the United States Department of State and numerous other agencies with an investigation of identity theft. ...read full article

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December 26, 2012

Police suspect identity theft in Weatherford

Investigators 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

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December 26, 2012

Buford Man Discovers Identity Theft When Credit Card Statement Arrives

Man said fraudulent charges had been made on several of his accounts

A Buford man discovered he was a victim of identity theft while reviewing the monthly charges for one of his credit cards. ...read full article

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December 26, 2012

Clearwater man sentenced for identity theft

A 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

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December 26, 2012

Serviceman victim of identity theft

A 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

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December 13, 2012

White Plains cops charge 2 women with ID theft at The Westchester

WHITE 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

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December 13, 2012

South Bay pair sentenced for major ID theft ring

SAN 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

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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

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December 13, 2012

14,000 Californians at Risk Following Medi-Cal, DHCS Breach

Medi-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

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December 12, 2012

Anchorage Man Charged in $150K Identity Theft Scheme

ANCHORAGE, 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

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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

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December 12, 2012

Porn trolling firm dogged by identity theft allegations

Prenda 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

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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

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December 11, 2012

Woman Facing 10 Felonies in Identity Theft Case

Authorities allege Los Angeles woman erased and rewrote details on checks that didn't belong to her

A 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

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December 11, 2012

Scotland Neck woman arrested in identity theft case

A 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

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December 11, 2012

Identity Theft, Tax Fraud Operation Probe Nets 11 Arrests

Eleven 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

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December 11, 2012

Santa Paula woman arrested in connection with identify theft, fraud

A Santa Paula woman was arrested Wednesday in connection with identity theft and fraud, Ventura County Sheriff's officials said. ...read full article

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December 11, 2012

Atlanta man pleads guilty to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft

ATLANTA -- Sidney L. Hall, of Atlanta, pleaded guilty to charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft on Monday in Albany, Ga ...read full article

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December 10, 2012

Man charged for stealing the identity of a missing child

On 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

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December 10, 2012

Former Anon spokesperson indicted for allegedly linking to stolen information

Barrett 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

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December 10, 2012

Medical Identity Theft a Growing Trend

Thieves 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

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December 10, 2012

Queens woman held on $25K bond for ID theft, forgery

A 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

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December 7, 2012

PayPal phishing scams ramp up for holidays

Internet users should not assume that because they're somewhat savvy that they are invulnerable, warns one security expert

CSO — '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

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December 7, 2012

Major £30m cyberheist pulled off using MOBILE malware

Eurograbber did just what it says on the tin

Cybercrooks 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

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December 7, 2012

UK Court Orders Bank Employee to Pay Fine for Illegally Accessing Statements

Barclays 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

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December 7, 2012

Sophisticated botnet steals more than $47M by infecting PCs and phones

Intercepts 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

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December 7, 2012

Major Police Gang Operation Centers On Identity Theft Ring

A continued gang enforcement effort netted 11 arrests today (Thursday), mostly associated with a large-scale identity theft fraud ring. ...read full article

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December 7, 2012

Del. Police Seek Suspects in Identity Theft

GEORGETOWN, 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

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December 7, 2012

Authorities searching for more victims of multi-state identity theft ring

WASHINGTON 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

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December 7, 2012

Speeding car leads to multiple ID theft, burglary, car theft arrests

IRVINE, 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

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December 7, 2012

Manager of Mill Valley Assisted Living Facility Accused of Fraud, ID Theft

Mill 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

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December 7, 2012

New identity theft scam from South Africa

The 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

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December 7, 2012

Iranian man gets prison for Texas mail, ID theft

HOUSTON (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

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December 6, 2012

Air Canada Scam Alert: Your Order Processed

Spam 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

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December 6, 2012

Bellingham identity thief gets prison sentence; wife, friend also charged with theft

BELLINGHAM - 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

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December 6, 2012

Seven arrested in identity theft scamv

Sheila 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

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December 6, 2012

Police: Woman Arrested in Winnetka, Part of Florida Identity Theft Ring

Winnetka 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

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December 6, 2012

Former Illinois hospital worker convicted of ID theft

EAST 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

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December 6, 2012

Bail cut for woman accused of identity theft in connection to killing

Bail 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

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December 6, 2012

Sacramento man sentenced for ID theft, fraud

A 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

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December 6, 2012

Norwalk Man Charged with Health Care Fraud, ID Theft

U.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

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December 5, 2012

State Police bust identity theft, counterfeit check ring

BATON 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

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December 5, 2012

Legal secretary sentenced to federal prison for bank fraud, identity theft

A 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

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December 5, 2012

Indictment: Victims' medical records used for ID theft, tax fraud

Two Wichitans charged with committing the crimes

WICHITA — 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

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December 5, 2012

Identity Theft Threatens Borger Residents

Borger police have joined forces with the secret service to crack down on these criminals. ...read full article

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December 5, 2012

Police: Florida ID theft ring operating in north suburbs

WINNETKA — 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

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December 5, 2012

Spear-phishing scourge: It's up to you, the user

Web 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

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December 5, 2012

Children Increasingly Targeted For Identity Fraud, Study Says

One in 40 families experience theft of personal data from a minor; lower-income families disproportionately affected

Cybercriminals 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

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December 4, 2012

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez Tape Lures Users to Shady Survey Sites

Cybercriminals 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

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December 4, 2012

Attackers can abuse Yahoo developer feature to steal user emails, other data

Yahoo's YQL console is open to cross-site abuse, a security researcher says

IDG 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

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December 4, 2012

FTC Kills "Robocall" Operation

In 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

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December 3, 2012

Preying on the Weak

Estate Planner Victimized Terminally Ill

It 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

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December 3, 2012

Alarming Rise in IRS Refund ID Thefts, Few Prosecuted: GAO Report

A 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

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December 3, 2012

Whitesboro man charged regarding stolen credit cards

A Whitesboro man faces several charges regarding stolen credit cards, village police said. ...read full article

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December 3, 2012

Bay Area Ambulance Patients ID Theft Victims

Berkeley 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

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December 3, 2012

FTC Issues Amended Rule on Identity Theft Red Flags

The 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

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December 3, 2012

West Warwick, Coventry Men Indicted on Identity Theft and Perjury Charges, Among Others

The 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

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December 3, 2012

ADP Discloses Ambulance Data Billing System Breach

Investigation revealed unauthorized access and, in certain instances, disclosure of personal information

FORT 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

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November 29, 2012

Accused ID thief tries to score $40,000 bank loan in Hollywood

Police 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

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November 29, 2012

Woman accused in massive identity theft scam

ST. 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

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November 29, 2012

Florida Woman Charged With Leading ID Theft Ring Tied To Creve Coeur Case

Authorities 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

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November 29, 2012

Two wanted in Fergus Falls mail, identity thefts

FERGUS 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

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November 29, 2012

Oakville Man Gets 94 Months in Jail for Fraud, Identity Theft

An 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

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November 29, 2012

Romanian gang arrested in Australia's biggest-ever credit card ID theft

Hong 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

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November 29, 2012

6 arraigned in Ala. identity theft ring

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Six people were arraigned Wednesday for their involvement in an identity theft ring. ...read full article

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November 29, 2012

Inmates who ran ID theft ring from prison get 25 years

Two 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

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November 29, 2012

Elder abuse town hall meeting focuses on identity theft, fraud cases in the state

MOUNTAIN 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

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November 29, 2012

Hoover man charged in identity theft scheme

HOOVER, 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

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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

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November 29, 2012

NBC Charlotte helps identity theft victim keep the power on

FORT 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

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November 29, 2012

Broward man pleads guilty in massive identity theft

A 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

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November 29, 2012

St. Louis man sentenced for mail fraud and identity theft

ST. 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

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November 29, 2012

Cops: Good Samaritan ripped off after helping Sandy victim

A woman who helped a former classmate left homeless after superstorm Sandy got ripped off for her trouble, police said. ...read full article

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November 28, 2012

Where Identity Thieves are Now Living

While 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

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November 28, 2012

Cyber Threat Not Number One Method of Identity Theft

Much 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

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November 28, 2012

REGIONAL: Woman pleads guilty to identity theft; faces 15 years in prison

NORTH 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

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November 28, 2012

Police: Surprise packages indicate stolen identity

St. 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

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November 28, 2012

It's federal prison for ID thief

ALBANY — 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

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November 28, 2012

SC police warn of online ID theft scam

ST. 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

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November 28, 2012

Romanian authorities dismantle cybercrime ring responsible for $25M credit card fraud

Sixteen suspected members of a cybercrime gang that stole credit card data from foreign companies were arrested

IDG 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

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November 28, 2012

IAEA Server Breached, Scientists' Email Addresses Spilled

The 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

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November 27, 2012

Shredded police documents used as parade confetti

MINEOLA, 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

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November 27, 2012

Petaluma woman arrested for theft of inheritance

SANTA 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

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November 27, 2012

Rhode Island identity theft insurance schemers cop a plea

In 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

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November 27, 2012

Identity Thieves Prey on Gas Station Patrons, Police Say

High-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

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November 27, 2012

Unemployment inquiry masks identity theft scam

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Maine labor officials are warning employers about an identity theft scam that has spread to Maine. ...read full article

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November 27, 2012

Judge warns public about identity theft scam involving jury duty claim

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- An age old scam has a new twist: thieves are tricking people into giving out sensitive information. ...read full article

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November 27, 2012

Clinton woman faces 150 years in prison for ID theft

A Clinton resident faces several charges of identity theft and other crimes, according to state Attorney General Jim Hood. ...read full article

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November 27, 2012

Sacramento man sentenced in ID theft, bank fraud case

SACRAMENTO, 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

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November 27, 2012

Mexican National Sentenced to 54 Months in Prison for Trafficking the Identities of Puerto Rican U.S. Citizens

WASHINGTON – 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

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November 26, 2012

Man Convicted of Illegally Accessing AT&T Servers by 'Impersonating' an iPad

A 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

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November 26, 2012

Stolen Password Led to South Carolina Tax Breach

Timeline Shows When and How Hacker Entered State Tax System

A 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

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November 26, 2012

Fake Apple invoices lead to Blackhole exploit kit that drains your bank account

Online criminals targeting exploits is nothing new, but they are now taking a multi-pronged approach to compromising your security. ...read full article

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November 26, 2012

HR departments at risk of malware infection after unemployment benefits email spammed out

Computer 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

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November 26, 2012

Businesses advised to prepare for Cyber Monday

Updating your browsers and clamp down on plug-ins, experts say

CSO — 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

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November 26, 2012

UK student in dock over Anonymous £3.5m PayPal attack

Denies charge relating to Operation Payback campaign

The 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

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November 26, 2012

Nationwide Hacked, Customer Details Compromised

On 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

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November 20, 2012

New Mexico Man Sentenced to Prison for Stolen Identity Refund Fraud

Douglas 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

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November 20, 2012

Man accused of stealing identities to get fraudulent tax refunds

A 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

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November 20, 2012

Kuester sentenced in identity theft case

A 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

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November 20, 2012

Davidson woman faces charges of identify theft, unlicensed day care

A 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

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November 20, 2012

Former football player Gachelin gets 2-plus years in ID theft case

Former 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

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November 20, 2012

Former CFO guilty of fraud & identity theft in stock scheme

A 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

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November 20, 2012

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey decries identity theft, tax fraud scheme

U.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

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November 20, 2012

R.I. Attorney Pleads Guilty in Identity-Theft Scam

A 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

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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

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November 20, 2012

Neighbor charged with identity theft in Spotsylvania

A 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

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November 20, 2012

Dentist Hamada Markarita Of Oakton, Va. Convicted Of Illegally Distributing Narcotics, Identity Theft And Health Care Fraud

OAKTON, 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

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November 19, 2012

Bank tellers among 17 arrests in ID theft ring

Investigators say ring stole at least 185 identities, filed false tax returns

JACKSONVILLE, 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

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November 19, 2012

Houston-area man pleads guilty to health care fraud, ID theft in forged physician signatures

HOUSTON — A Houston-area man has pleaded guilty in a nearly $1.2 million health case scam using forged signatures of doctors. ...read full article

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November 19, 2012

Phillip Smith, Ring Leader of a $1 Million Identity Theft Ring, Faces 22 Years in Prison

Phillip 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

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November 19, 2012

Navy veteran, VyStar customer falls victim to identity theft

Woman says her identity was stolen while stationed overseas

JACKSONVILLE, 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

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November 19, 2012

Woman Charged After ID Theft Investigation

A Vernon woman was taken into custody on Friday evening after an investigation into alleged identity theft activity, police said. ...read full article

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November 19, 2012

Suspects in ID theft case anticipate deal

Two accused of 'skimming' credit cards

ST. 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

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November 19, 2012

Sisters sentenced for identity theft

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Two Baton Rouge women have been sentenced for an identity theft scheme that netted them nearly $150,000. ...read full article

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November 19, 2012

Man faces multiple felonies for identity theft

BENNINGTON — 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

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November 19, 2012

Woman charged with identity theft and forgery

FALLS — A Bristol Township woman is accused of stealing more than $3,600 from her employer by writing and cashing checks. ...read full article

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November 19, 2012

Three Seaford Bothers Plead Guilty To Identify Theft Ring Involvement

Hussein 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

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November 16, 2012

IT needs ID-as-a-service for move to cloud, expert says

Summary: Existing IT identity management systems don't provide the fuel to run cloud's motor for privacy, security

Broomfield, 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

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November 16, 2012

Police Advise Identity Theft Precautions

Early 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

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November 16, 2012

"Operation Zig Zag" nabs 17 for identity theft

Bank tellers among those who helped steal over $500K of taxpayer money

JACKSONVILLE, 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

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November 16, 2012

17 arrested in Jacksonville ID theft, tax fraud at banks

A 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

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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

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November 16, 2012

Tax fraud defendants include USD football players

SIOUX 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

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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

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November 16, 2012

Freehold Resident Charged with Identity Theft

Monmouth County Grand Jury hands down indictments

Beatriz 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

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November 15, 2012

Cuomo aide defends high bidder for DMV licenses

ALBANY, 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

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November 15, 2012

Adobe confirms breach of Connectusers.com forum database, shuts down website

Adobe is in the process of resetting the passwords of all Connectusers.com forum users

IDG 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

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November 15, 2012

Spammers Trick Instagram Users into Signing Up for Premium Mobile Services

Experts 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

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November 15, 2012

Stolen code, 9-month hacking spree lead to criminal charges

Game 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

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November 15, 2012

Grosse Pointe Shores Police Seeking Identity Theft Suspects

Reward offered by crime stoppers for at least nine identity theft incidents in the Metro Detroit area

GROSSE 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

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November 15, 2012

York County man arrested on 29 counts of Identity Theft

CONEWAGO 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

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November 15, 2012

$287,000 stolen from Bainbridge man in identity theft case

BAINBRIDGE 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

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November 14, 2012

Adobe investigates alleged customer data breach

The information, published on Tuesday on Pastebin, includes hashed passwords, names and email addressses

IDG 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

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November 14, 2012

Yes, the FBI and CIA can read your email. Here's how

Summary: "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

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November 14, 2012

Adobe Allegedly Hacked, Attacker Claims He Gained Access to 150,000 Records

An 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

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November 14, 2012

Skype blocks password resets after account hijacking flaw made public

Knowing the email address associated with a Skype account was sufficient to hijack it

IDG 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

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November 14, 2012

10,000 ID fraud gangs active in US, especially the Southeast, study finds

There 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

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November 14, 2012

'Ringleader' In ID Theft Scheme Faces Sentencing

A Woodlawn couple have admitted stealing identities and money from hundreds of people including doctors at Johns Hopkins. ...read full article

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November 14, 2012

Child identity theft rising, according to FTC

JONESBORO, 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

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November 14, 2012

ID thefts of 49 cops lead to crime ring, feds say

The 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

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November 14, 2012

Dad fears school compromised daughter's identity

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County family said their last name, Smith, has caused them repeated problems that could cause identity theft. ...read full article

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November 14, 2012

Justices spurn ID-theft suit against government

The 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

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November 13, 2012

2 RI men to go to trial in $25M investment fraud

PROVIDENCE, 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

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November 13, 2012

Darien woman charged with identity theft

A Darien woman was arrested for using a relative's information to make purchases at a Walmart store in Batavia. ...read full article

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November 13, 2012

Genesee County woman charged with identity theft

A Genesee County woman faces charges for allegedly stealing the identity of a relative to buy items from a store. ...read full article

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November 13, 2012

Mushrooming ransomware now extorts $5 million a year

Malware 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

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November 13, 2012

European Commission Officials Say Their Computers Were Hacked in Azerbaijan

Neelie 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

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November 13, 2012

Shareholders kept in dark on data breaches

CSO - 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

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November 13, 2012

Mobile Security Revenue for Banks?

Why Institutions Are Best Positioned to Protect Mobile Payments

Increased 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

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November 12, 2012

2 RI men to go to trial in $25M investment fraud

PROVIDENCE, 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

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November 12, 2012

The danger of identity theft after a car crash

Whether 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

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November 12, 2012

Man reports identity theft while stationed overseas

IDENTITY 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

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November 12, 2012

Identity theft conviction upheld

ASHEVILLE — 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

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November 12, 2012

Man charged with identity theft in savings bonds case

An 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

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November 12, 2012

Postal service cracks down on mailbox thefts

Today 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

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November 12, 2012

Philly man found guilty of identity theft

A 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

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November 12, 2012

Identity Theft Victim Turns Amateur Sleuth And Gets Suspect Arrested

ONTARIO (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

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November 12, 2012

Texan admist identity theft to degraud Tulsa credit unions

A 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

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November 12, 2012

Inland Empire: Investigators nab man in identity theft and credit card scheme

A 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

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November 12, 2012

Woman charged with ID theft after multiple burglaries

JUNEAU – 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

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November 9, 2012

Action 16 Investigation: Business Identity Theft

DICKSON 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

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November 9, 2012

Woman Arrested For ID Theft, Stealing From Her Grandfather

Lexington, NC -- Deputies have arrested a 34-year-old woman for identity theft and stealing from her grandfather. ...read full article

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November 9, 2012

How Medical Identity Theft Can Give You a Decade of Headaches

Arnold 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

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November 9, 2012

Md. man pleads guilty to identity theft

BALTIMORE (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

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November 9, 2012

Identity theft charge traced to Salisbury

WATERTOWN — 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

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November 8, 2012

Barbados National Sentenced to Prison for Using Stolen Identities to Obtain Tax Refunds

Defendant Filed False Returns Seeking Over $120 Million in Fraudulent Refunds

Andrew 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

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November 8, 2012

Gaping hole in Google service exposes thousands to ID theft

Vast number of car insurance hunters at risk by flaw

Exclusive 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

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November 8, 2012

La Cañada ID theft suspect nabbed

Crescenta 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

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November 8, 2012

Two men accused of ID theft in Simi Valley Costco incident

Simi Valley police said they arrested two men Tuesday who tried to make purchases using false identification and gift cards at Costco. ...read full article

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November 8, 2012

Couple Sought in Identity Theft

The 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

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November 8, 2012

PBSO seeking help to identity theft suspect

Palm 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

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November 8, 2012

N. Idaho man pleads guilty to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft

COEUR 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

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November 7, 2012

Suspect pleads guilty to federal charges in Tampa tax fraud case

TAMPA -- A tax-refund fraud suspect has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. ...read full article

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November 7, 2012

Image-Stealing Trojan Exposes Victims to ID Theft, Blackmail

A new breed of malware designed to specifically target image files can expose victims to identity theft, fraud, and blackmail, researchers said. ...read full article

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November 7, 2012

Guilty plea for Md. man in identitity theft case

BALTIMORE — A Baltimore man has pleaded guilty to identity theft five years after being convicted of the same crime. ...read full article

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November 7, 2012

Minneapolis woman pleads guilty plea in $387K ID scheme

A 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

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November 7, 2012

Pizza Hut Australia Hacked, Attackers Claim They Stole Credit Card Details

Hackers 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

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November 7, 2012

Twinings Tea Company hacked, 1,600+ consumer credentials Leaked

A 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

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November 6, 2012

Identity Theft Crew Busted

A 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

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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

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November 6, 2012

BNSF employees getting scammed with identity theft

PASCO, Wash. - A series of identity thefts have led Burlington Northern Santa Fe officials to believe their employee records have been compromised. ...read full article

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November 6, 2012

Somers identity theft: $50k shopping spree; 2 charged

SOMERS — 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

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November 6, 2012

Man wanted for identity theft in Arizona arrested in Saco

SACO, Maine — A man living in Saco who had an outstanding warrant out of Arizona was picked up by police on Thursday. ...read full article

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November 6, 2012

Baltimore man pleads guilty to identity theft

BALTIMORE (AP) — A Baltimore man has pleaded guilty to identity theft five years after being convicted of the same crime. ...read full article

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November 6, 2012

1.7M mobile apps analyzed: Users tracked and put at risk, and it's unjustified

Summary: 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

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November 6, 2012

US Voters Targeted with Malware Hidden in Fake Election Documents, YouTube Videos

As 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

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November 6, 2012

Telecom Italia Hacked by Anonymous, 30,000 Credential Sets Stolen

Anonymous hacktivists claim to have breached the systems of Telecom Italia, Italy’s largest telecommunications company. ...read full article

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November 6, 2012

Smart meters not so clever about privacy, researchers find

A University of South Carolina study found smart meters transmitting plain text information that could be used against home owners

IDG 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

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November 6, 2012

McDonald’s Gift Card Scam Advertises Rogue Facebook App

Facebook 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

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November 6, 2012

Woman Trafficked ID Theft Information, Police Say

A 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

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November 5, 2012

Haley describes identity theft ordeal

COLUMBIA — 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

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November 5, 2012

Hot Line: Shameless scammers stealing kids' IDs

How 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

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November 5, 2012

Camille Dunn set for Franklin County hearing on identity theft charges

A 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

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November 5, 2012

Two Charged in $50K Identity Theft Probe

Somers 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

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November 5, 2012

Gilbert man, sons arrested on suspicion of bank fraud, money laundering, ID theft at Chandler store

A 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

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November 2, 2012

Identity theft scam diverts soldier's pay

Four 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

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November 2, 2012

Tax preparer arrested for identity theft

PANAMA 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

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November 2, 2012

Chesterton man faces three count indictment on alleged ID theft

SOUTH 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

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November 2, 2012

Bay County Identity Theft Arrest

The 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

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November 1, 2012

Deputies: Woman wanted for identity theft in 3 states

HENDERSON 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

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November 1, 2012

Woman captured after 12 years on the lam following Santa Clara County conviction

An 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

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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

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November 1, 2012

Bank Fraud Suspects Net $1M in Citibank Casino Scheme

Fourteen 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

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November 1, 2012

Hackers crack Texan bank, Experian credit records come flooding out

Names, numbers, finances, EVERYTHING... and they weren't even customers

Hackers 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

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November 1, 2012

Five Japanese detained for data theft

Summary: 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

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November 1, 2012

Woman pleads guilty in ID theft case

MONTGOMERY, 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

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October 31, 2012

Capo Beach Man Sentenced for Identity Theft

A 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

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October 31, 2012

“Horrible Rumor Spreading About You” Twitter DMs Lure Users to Malicious Sites

In 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

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October 31, 2012

Local Woman Sues Barnes & Noble for Identify Theft

One 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

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October 31, 2012

Trial starts for TN man accused of ID theft, health care fraud

The 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

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October 31, 2012

Here are the top 5 Best Ways to Avoid Post-Sandy Scams

In 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

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October 31, 2012

Latest target for identity thieves? Military pay

TAMPA — 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

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October 31, 2012

Identity theft spreading to social network sites

People 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

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October 30, 2012

Ore. man gets 4 years for role in ID theft ring

PORTLAND, 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

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October 30, 2012

Fresno woman held on 224 counts of ID theft

FRESNO, 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

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October 30, 2012

Ex-Portsmouth restaurateur seeks more time in theft case

A 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

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October 30, 2012

Montreal man to remain in jail on bank-fraud charges

A 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

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October 30, 2012

Experts urge those affected by hacking to take precautions against identity theft

State 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

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October 30, 2012

‘Democrat of the Year’ loses title after felony conviction

Jefferson 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

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October 30, 2012

Identity theft suspects steal Camaro

RENO, 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

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October 29, 2012

Identity theft suspected in illegal acces of prescription drug tracking system

This 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

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October 29, 2012

Identity theft: Woman's identity stolen by adoptive mother

At 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

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October 29, 2012

Scam artists get tax refunds through ID theft

Creative crooks have found a new way of using stolen identity details to defraud people - illegally applying for tax refunds. ...read full article

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October 29, 2012

Cyber Attack on S.C. Department of Revenue Exposes 3.6 Million

COLUMBIA -- 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

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October 29, 2012

Two arrested for stealing from college district

Two 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

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October 29, 2012

Police: Duo Charges Over $1,500 in Identity Theft

Stolen 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

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October 29, 2012

D.P. Crime Ring Leader Gets 25 Years for ID Theft

Christopher 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

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October 29, 2012

Court exempts union bosses from laws against identity theft

One 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

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October 29, 2012

Ex-State Dept. worker admits identity theft; used passport information to get credit cards

WASHINGTON — 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

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October 29, 2012

Woman charged in St. Charles with aggravated ID theft vs. 65-year-old

ST. CHARLES — A 42-year-old West Chicago woman has been charged with using a Colorado resident’s identity, police said Friday. ...read full article

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October 29, 2012

Police investigate identity theft cases

Two Bloomfield Township residents reported attempted identity theft to police after they received suspicious letters from collection agencies. ...read full article

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October 29, 2012

New ID theft scam: Luring people to fake IRS website

Watch 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

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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 months

A 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

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October 29, 2012

Briefs: Trio suspected of identity theft

A 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

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October 29, 2012

IP Theft, Supply Chain Security Major Worries for Government, Former Cybersecurity Czar Says

ANAHEIM, 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

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October 25, 2012

Identity theft crushes Gladwin couple, $30,000 in debt racked up

GLADWIN 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

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October 25, 2012

Man Crawled on Theater Floors, Stealing Money From Female Movie Watchers

A 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

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October 25, 2012

ID Theft Ring Hits Henderson County

HENDERSON 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

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October 25, 2012

Attempted Gearys Beverly Hills? Purchases Tied to Identity Theft Scheme

A 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

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October 25, 2012

Tuckahoe Resident Suffers $2,500 Identity Theft

TUCKAHOE, 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

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October 25, 2012

Man from Bulgaria and Florida woman get 10 years prison for identity theft

A 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

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October 25, 2012

Ex-banker pleads guilty to $121,000 identity theft scheme in DC

WASHINGTON — A former personal banker has pleaded guilty to taking part in an identity theft scheme involving $121,400 in forged checks. ...read full article

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October 25, 2012

More felony counts added in summer ID theft scheme

A 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

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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

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October 25, 2012

Woman facing identity theft charge

ABERDEEN, Miss. (WTVA) -- Tawina Koshay Westbrook, 28, of Aberdeen was arrested by Monroe County Sheriff Department on October 22. ...read full article

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October 25, 2012

Attorney General Madigan: Chicago Man Sent to Prison in Identity Theft Scheme

Chicago--(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

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October 25, 2012

Woman wanted for identity theft

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Detectives are looking for a woman that opened a charge account in someone else's name. ...read full article

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October 24, 2012

Credit Card Data Breach at Barnes & Noble Stores

WASHINGTON — 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

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October 24, 2012

FTC: Companies should limit facial recognition in some cases

The agency releases a list of guidelines and best practices for the use of facial recognition technology

IDG 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

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October 24, 2012

The FBI Warns of Dating Extortion Scams and Payday Loan Schemes

The 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

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October 24, 2012

Sony PlayStation 3 firmware reportedly hacked

Summary: 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

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October 24, 2012

Facebook donates cash seized from spammers to cyber CSI lab

Ill-gotten $250k for Koobface, GhostClick takedown team

Facebook 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

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October 23, 2012

Verizon DBIR Analysis: Insiders Often Complicit in Breaches of Intellectual Property

Verizon 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

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October 23, 2012

Spammers abuse .gov URL shortener service in work-at-home scams

pen redirect vulnerabilities on .gov websites allow spammers to abuse .gov URL shortener service, Symantec researchers say

IDG 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

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October 23, 2012

7 Costly IAM Mistakes

Blunders that lead to costly identity and access management failures

While 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

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October 23, 2012

Fake PayPal Emails Distributing Malware

Cybercriminals 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

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October 23, 2012

ISPs can slow or suspend web use under anti-piracy program

Web 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

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October 23, 2012

Aus student data stored for Google ads

EU reforms may keep students commercial free

Australian 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

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October 22, 2012

Woman Sentenced to 4 Years After Skimming 237 Bank Accounts

A 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

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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

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October 22, 2012

M Qube, Mobile Messenger fraudulent Unauthorized Instant Messaging Billing through Sprint Ripoff Internet

I 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

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October 22, 2012

Police investigating identity theft in Littlestown

Pennsylvania 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

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October 22, 2012

Osawatomie Man Convicted of Medicaid Fraud, Identity Theft

An Osawatomie man was convicted Wednesday on multiple charges related to a Medicaid fraud scheme. ...read full article

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October 22, 2012

Group arrested in Naperville for identity theft, forgery

Seven 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

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October 22, 2012

Tracey Nelson, member of identity theft ring, pulled unemployment while locked up for her crimes

Nelson was sentenced to 6 to 18 years for forwarding donor information from employer UJA-Federation to identity theft ring

A 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

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October 19, 2012

Ore. woman arrested, accused of theft, identity theft involving elderly woman

SALEM, 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

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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

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October 19, 2012

5 Crucial Steps To Protect Servicemembers From Identity Theft, Fraud

In 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

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October 19, 2012

Requesting Sensitive Data Via Google Docs: Phishing Really is That Easy

Please 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

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October 19, 2012

Canada House of Commons Contractor Accused of Hacking Quebec Government Site

The 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

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October 19, 2012

Man's identity theft attempt falls flat at Des Moines bank

A 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

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October 19, 2012

Police weigh extent of ID theft case

GRANDVIEW — 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

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October 19, 2012

french android malware writer arrested for stealing $653,700

A 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

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October 18, 2012

'Habitual offender' to be arrested by Westport Police for ID?thefts

WESTPORT?--?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

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October 18, 2012

Renters beware: ID theft, financial scam in home ads

Potential 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

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October 18, 2012

New York man pleads not guilty to identity theft, attempted forgery

BENNINGTON -- 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

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October 18, 2012

New Verizon Marketing Initiative May Violate Users’ Privacy

Verizon 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

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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 information

IDG 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

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October 18, 2012

Phishy Direct Messages Link to Fake Twitter Sign-in Page

A 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

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October 18, 2012

MasterCard Is Selling Your Data Just in Time for the Holidays

Credit 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

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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 now

Police 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

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October 17, 2012

Woman in 2001 flight flap faces ID theft charge

TRAVERSE 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

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October 17, 2012

Troup man receives 25 years for identity theft

JACKSONVILLE — 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

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October 17, 2012

North Salem Resident Victim Of Identity Theft

NORTH 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

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October 17, 2012

Man charged with fraud, identity theft

KISSIMMEE, 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

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October 16, 2012

Cyberthieves loot $400,000 from city bank account

Cybertheft comes just days after RSA issued a warning that criminal gang planned massive attacks against U.S. banking customers

Computerworld - 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

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October 16, 2012

Researchers Identify Banks Targeted In Forthcoming Attack

Bank of America, Chase, Citibank said to be among institutions under the gun from planned Gozi-Prinimalka malware attack

Researchers say they have some 26 banks that are being targeted in an evolving series of attacks on U.S. financial institutions. ...read full article

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October 16, 2012

Protecting Consumer Location Privacy

GAO: Consumer Can't Judge if Data Sharing Puts Privacy at Risk

The 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

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October 16, 2012

Chinese arrest 9,000 cyber-crims

Halts online PR racket flooding net with negative reviews

Chinese police have smashed over 700 cyber crime gangs and arrested nearly 9,000 alleged criminals ...read full article

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October 16, 2012

Facebook removes two-factor authentication mobile numbers from search

Mobile phone numbers used for Facebook's 'Login Approvals' account security feature are no longer searchable through the website

IDG 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

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October 16, 2012

Garry McKinnon Will Not Be Extradited, UK Home Secretary Says

UK 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

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October 16, 2012

FBI Launches Safe Online Surfing Internet Challenge

What 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

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October 16, 2012

Identity theft not ruled out in fake student case

The 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

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October 16, 2012

Crime Nearby: Identity Theft, Grand Larceny

A 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

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October 16, 2012

Woman suspected in identity theft actually a man, police say

WINTER PARK -- The search for an identity thief in Orange County has taken a strange turn. ...read full article

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October 16, 2012

Man Accused of Stealing Identity of Little Jimmy Dickens, Other Grand Ole Opry Stars

Police 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

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October 15, 2012

Hackers Steal $400,000 from City of Burlington Accounts in Just One Night

Unknown 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

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October 15, 2012

Former LulzSec member guilty in Sony Pictures hack

Raynaldo Rivera admitted his involvement in a cyberattack that resulted in the theft of user information from a Sony Pictures website

IDG 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

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October 15, 2012

Presidential election spurs malware-laden CNN spam

Spammers 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

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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

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October 15, 2012

NASA hacker McKinnon to hear extradition fate tomorrow

Summary: 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

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October 15, 2012

NullCrew Claims to Have Hacked World Health Organization Again

Hackers of the NullCrew collective claim to have breached another subdomain owned by the World Health Organization (apps.who.int). ...read full article

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October 15, 2012

NZ government network leaking data like a sieve

Updated: Ministry apologises, launches investigation

A row has broken out in New Zealand after a blogger exposed serious security flaws in that country’s job-seeker network. ...read full article

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October 15, 2012

US Military Prepares New Rules for Cyber War: Panetta

WASHINGTON - 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

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October 15, 2012

Stealing i-cards a new form of identity theft

Identity 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

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October 15, 2012

TD Bank misplaces personal data tapes

1,000 Canadians with U.S. accounts could be affected

TORONTO — 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

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October 15, 2012

ID theft victim speaks out about costly crime

SPOKANE -- 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

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October 15, 2012

Data Breach Leads to Identity Theft at North West Florida State College

An 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

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October 15, 2012

8 Indicted After Identity Theft, Unemployment Benefits Scam Busted

DETROIT (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

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October 11, 2012

Hackers steal thousands of student records from computers at Florida college

The hack at the Northwest Florida State College is believed to be a job by professional outside hackers

IDG 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

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October 11, 2012

Businesses Remain Scared of Spear-Phishing as Attackers Study Behavior

Scared 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

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October 11, 2012

Dodging 5 Dangerous Database Default Settings

Out-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 breaches

Even 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

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October 11, 2012

“I Will Use a Bomb to Destroy an Airplane,” Computer Virus Says on Victim’s Behalf

Japanese 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

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October 11, 2012

Ransomware and phish cons target Skype users

Fraudsters 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

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October 11, 2012

Cops Seek Couple In Identity Theft Case

WATSONTOWN — 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

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October 10, 2012

Medicare won't issue new IDs to identity-theft victims

8:30AM 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

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October 10, 2012

Man accused of identity theft dies

A Grindstone man charged with identity theft for allegedly using the personal information of a deceased infant died on Tuesday. ...read full article

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October 10, 2012

ISPs to monitor peer-to-peer file-sharing in new anti-piracy plan

A 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

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October 10, 2012

CapOne Site Takes DDoS Hit

SunTrust, Regions Next Expected Targets

The 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

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October 10, 2012

Flaws allow 3G devices to be tracked

New privacy threats have been uncovered by security researchers that could allow every device operating on 3G networks to be tracked. ...read full article

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October 10, 2012

State worker charged with identity theft

A 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

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October 10, 2012

Controversy over Japanese app that published up to 760,000 personal addresses

A security firm says the Android app put up to 760,000 address book entries from 3,400 users into a searchable public database

October 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

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October 9, 2012

Identity theft leads to nine felonies

Saturday, 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

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October 9, 2012

Baby Boomers Need to Become More Educated about Digital Security

AVG Survey Shows Group at Risk for Identity Theft, Financial Fraud

AMSTERDAM & 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

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October 9, 2012

Pilfering sysadmin gets four years and $2.3m fine for kit theft

FBI nails Verizon engineer over Cisco scam

A 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

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October 9, 2012

What An Executive Order On Cybersecurity May Mean For Enterprises

While officials say an executive order could set voluntary security standards, companies worry that it can result in a checklist approach to security

An 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

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October 9, 2012

Dorkbot Now Worming Its Way through Skype

The 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

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October 9, 2012

Malware-infected computers rented as proxy servers on the black market

Researchers have identified a Trojan program that turns infected computers into SOCKS proxy servers to which access is then sold

IDG 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

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October 9, 2012

RSA Warning, DDoS Attacks Linked?

Latest Threats Fuel Fears of More Attacks

The next-generation Gozi Trojan threat that security vendor RSA warned about last week is real and requires response, experts say. ...read full article

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October 9, 2012

Identity Theft Scam Targeting Local Bank Of America Customers

FALLS 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

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October 4, 2012

81-year-old Waitress Loses Life Savings in Scam

GLENDALE, 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

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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 repairs

Computerworld - 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

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October 4, 2012

Swedish Sites Attacked in Retaliation for Police Raid on Web Host

Several 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

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October 4, 2012

New data-theft attack technique can run across web

Researchers 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

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October 4, 2012

Google to Warn Users About Possible 'State-Sponsored' Attacks

Google 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

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October 4, 2012

AusPost Click and Send security glitch could affect consumer trust: IDC

October 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

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October 3, 2012

Scareware defendant fined $163M in FTC suit

Ukrainian operation told computer users their PCs were infected and sold them software to fix the bogus problem

IDG 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

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October 3, 2012

Supreme Court Weighs Government Liability Under Credit Reporting Law

The 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

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October 3, 2012

Police investigating robbery arrest suspects in theft of checks, IDs

Authorities 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

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October 3, 2012

Medical device hacking - FDA are told to start taking it seriously

The 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

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October 3, 2012

Identity theft ring leader pleads guilty to 80 felony counts

Pak faces 20-year prison terms on multiple felony charges of identity theft

HONOLULU — 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

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October 2, 2012

Feds: Notorious Alleged Con Man 'Bobby Thompson' Was Military Spy

Authorities 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

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October 2, 2012

Police allege 59-year-old stole identity of baby who died in 1953

A 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

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October 2, 2012

Bogus Apple Store discount card offer attempts to steal users' identities

Spam 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

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October 2, 2012

Living a Lie

Identity Theft that Lasted Decades

When 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

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October 2, 2012

Westport PD: Repeat Offender Arrested for Identity Theft

This 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

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October 2, 2012

Tucson woman sentenced in identity theft case

TUCSON, 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

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October 2, 2012

How to Protect Against Identity Theft in College

During 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

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October 2, 2012

Twitter Authentication Flaw Allows Hackers to Hijack User Accounts

If 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

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October 2, 2012

Incident Response: Choose Right Words

A 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

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October 2, 2012

Former Pirate Bay hoster raided, and shut down by DDoS attack

Raid and the outage are probably unrelated, says hosting service owner

IDG 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

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October 2, 2012

Hack Attack on City of Tulsa Website Turns Out to Be Part of Penetration Testing

At 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

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October 2, 2012

One-fourth of Americans victims of data breach

WASHINGTON (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

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October 2, 2012

California settles with Anthem Blue Cross over data breach

Attorney 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

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October 1, 2012

Gauss: Cybersurveillance Aimed at Banks

Malware Attacks Prove Profitable for Hackers

Malware 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

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October 1, 2012

Pirate Bay founder's detention extended amid tax hack probe

Swedish court orders that Gottfrid Svartholm Warg be detained two more weeks while prosecutors decide whether to charge him

IDG 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

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October 1, 2012

O2 Phishing Scam: Account Maintenance Notification

Customers 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

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October 1, 2012

Invited to change your Twitter profile's header image? Beware, it could be drug spam

Inventive 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

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October 1, 2012

ProjectWestWind: TeamGhostShell hacks and dumps 120,000 records from 100 U.S. and non-U.S. universities

Over 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

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October 1, 2012

IEEE says proxy "anomaly" caused 100k password breach

The 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

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October 1, 2012

Man faces sentencing for ID theft scheme

HARTFORD, 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

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October 1, 2012

Judge ruled that North Carolina identity protections don’t apply when union bosses retaliate against nonmembers by publicly posting social security numbers

Washington, 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

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October 1, 2012

US Issues Directive to Fight Identity Tax Refund Fraud

As 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

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September 28, 2012

Cyber Attacks on U.S. Banks Expose Tech Vulnerability

Cyber 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

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September 28, 2012

FTC Sues Hotel Operator Wyndham Worldwide Over Data Breaches

The 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

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September 28, 2012

Hackers Attack Philippine Central Bank Site to Protest Cyber Law

Hackers 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

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September 28, 2012

Justice Department, IRS Seek to Avoid Tax Identity Theft

The 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

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September 27, 2012

FTC Refunds over 138,000 Victims of “Free” Goods Telemarketing Scam

Good 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

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September 27, 2012

California Joins Ban on Employers Demanding Social Media Access

California 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

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September 27, 2012

Halifax Bank Phishing Scam: Upward Review of Credit Limit

Emails 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

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September 27, 2012

New FERC office to focus on cyber security

The 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

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September 27, 2012

Authorities identify Hoover woman charged with identity theft

FAIRFIELD, 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

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September 27, 2012

Drones Subject to GPS Spoofing, Privacy ‘Abuses,’ GAO Report Warns

The 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

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September 27, 2012

ACLU forces government to reveal skyrocketing surveillance stats

Feds 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

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September 27, 2012

Massive identity theft scheme busted

A 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

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September 27, 2012

Couple Gets 13 Years for Defrauding BP Oil Spill Trust Fund

MIAMI, 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

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September 26, 2012

Why your next 'Passw0rd' might not be a password

It'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

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September 26, 2012

Energy Giant Telvent Claims Chinese Hackers Installed Malware on Its Systems

Telvent 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

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September 26, 2012

FTC: Software used by rent-to-own stores spied on customers

The stores used software to capture screenshots, log keystrokes and take webcam pictures, the FTC alleges

IDG 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

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September 26, 2012

Tiny Evil Maid CHKDSK Utility Can Steal Passwords

Stealthy 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

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September 26, 2012

Researcher Finds 100k IEEE.org Passwords Stored in Plain-Text on Public FTP Server

A 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

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September 26, 2012

AvMed data breach case opens door for ID theft claims

A 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

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September 26, 2012

Wells Fargo recovers after site outage

The banks appears to be the latest victim in a string of cyberattacks on U.S. financial instiutions

September 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

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September 26, 2012

Four Miami-area residents indicted by federal grand jury in Birmingham on bank fraud charges

BIRMINGHAM - 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

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September 25, 2012

Two men admit to $10 million hacking spree on Subway sandwich shops

The 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

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September 25, 2012

Police warn of ID theft

Man had info on hundreds

The 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

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September 25, 2012

Warrants served at local banks, house in identity theft probe

Search 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

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September 25, 2012

New NIST publication provides guidance for computer security risk assessments

The 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

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September 25, 2012

Cyber espionage campaign targets energy companies

Signs suggest remote access trojan by group that attacked RSA

Computerworld - 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

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September 25, 2012

Social Engineering Still a Major Factor in Corporate Compromise

Businesses 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

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September 25, 2012

New Twitter-Based Malware Uses Direct Messaging to Spread

Sophos 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

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September 25, 2012

Fake Microsoft Emails Designed to Phish Out AOL, Yahoo!, Gmail Credentials

Fake 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

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September 25, 2012

Threat from hacking of city of Tulsa's website extends beyond city limits

TULSA - The city of Tulsa's website was hacked recently, but it's not just Tulsans whose personal information is at risk. ...read full article

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September 25, 2012

JPMorgan Chase Bank Servers Hacked, Tiffany Employee Details Exposed

Computer 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

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September 24, 2012

Latricia Williams, Shelton Tanner sentenced in identity theft and tax credit fraud scheme

PHOENIX - 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

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September 24, 2012

Discover will refund $200 million to settle charges it tricked customers

Discover 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

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September 24, 2012

Massachusetts Hospital Agrees to Pay $1.5m After Stolen Laptop HIPAA Violation

Massachusetts 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

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September 24, 2012

Co-operative Bank Scam: Checking for Inactive Customers

A 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

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September 24, 2012

Breach Exposes POS Vulnerabilities

Hackers Sentenced; Court Docs Reveal Attack Details

Two 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

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September 24, 2012

Chinese hacktivists launch cyber attack on Japan

Government sites sink in dispute over islands

Chinese 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

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September 24, 2012

Cyber espionage campaign targets energy companies

Signs suggest remote access trojan by group that attacked RSA

Computerworld - 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

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Silicon Valley Mercury News , September 20, 2012

Three arrested at Fremont motel accused of running an identity theft ring

Three 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

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Healthcare IT News , September 20, 2012

2,500 involved in Kentucky data breach

The 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

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Miami Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog , September 20, 2012

Former NFL and College Players Enter Pleas in Federal Court

Several 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

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September 19, 2012

Many steps recommended to stay safe from identity theft

Kim 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

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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

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September 19, 2012

U.S. Justice Department speeding arrests of tax refund thieves

Federal 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

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September 19, 2012

String of I.D. thefts strikes FL subdivision

Toll from fraud case nears $100K for 14 victims in Summerfield development

The 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

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September 19, 2012

Fake doctor with stolen ID saw 500 patients in South Carolina

Austell - 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

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September 19, 2012

Eleventh Circuit Rules “Damages” Properly Alleged in Data Breach-Identity Theft Lawsuit

In 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

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September 19, 2012

Ex-Assemblyman Carl Washington arrested by FBI

Carl 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

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September 14, 2012

BUCKS; ID Numbers And Medicare

Images 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

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September 14, 2012

Old, Trusting and Tricked Out of Life Savings

GRACE, 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

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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

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September 14, 2012

Local financial planner sentenced for identity theft

A 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

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September 14, 2012

McAfee identifies new malware threats

The 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

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September 14, 2012

Despite warnings, most states slow to confront corporate ID theft

September 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

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August 17, 2012

SE Queens ID theft ring stole from big stores: DA

Thirteen 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

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August 17, 2012

U.S. Marshals Task Force Captures Three Violent Fugitives in Escambia

Pensacola, 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

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August 17, 2012

College Students Vulnerable to Identity Theft

Better 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

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August 17, 2012

Upper Saucon Woman Charged with Identity Theft

Nichole 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

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August 17, 2012

Alabama Man Indicted in a Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Conspiracy

A 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

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August 16, 2012

Former Limo Company Manager Charged in Identity Theft

LAS 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

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August 16, 2012

The Threat From Within

As 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

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August 16, 2012

Former Hostess Charged With Identity Theft

Former 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

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August 16, 2012

Man sentenced on identity theft charges

A 54-year old man was sentenced to one charge of identity theft in circuit court Monday. ...read full article

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August 16, 2012

MCSO investigates business, arrests 4 for ID theft

PHOENIX -- 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

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August 16, 2012

Purported ID-theft victim sues DPS, saying they wrongly arrested her

An 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

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August 16, 2012

WikiLeaks repels DDoS attacks, returns online

WikiLeaks is back online after absorbing punishing distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks for nine straight days. ...read full article

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August 16, 2012

Evidence Suggests PlayStation Network Hack Is Fake

An 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

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August 16, 2012

Saudi Aramco says virus shuts down its computer network

RIYADH (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

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August 16, 2012

New NIST encryption guidelines may force agencies to replace old websites

Network 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

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August 16, 2012

Evolution of ID, Access Management

RSA CTO Offers Advice on Overcoming IAM Complexity

The 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

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August 16, 2012

Anonymous Hacks Website of Uganda’s Prime Minister, Fake News Posted

Anonymous 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

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August 16, 2012

Chandler police say bicycle thieves may be part of large-scale ID theft ring

Chandler 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

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August 15, 2012

Three Sentenced In Massive Identity Theft, Unemployment Insurance Scam

AG: Unemployment Insurance Scams Will Not Be Tolerated

LANSING, 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

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August 15, 2012

ID theft victims in line for hours to get IRS help

Frustrated 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

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August 15, 2012

Identity Theft Fraudster Jailed for 81 Months

Yumeitrius 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

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August 15, 2012

Meridian woman sentenced for identity theft

MERIDIAN, MS (WLBT) - A Meridian woman was sentenced to time in a federal prison for operating an identity theft fraud scheme Tuesday. ...read full article

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August 15, 2012

Manhattan Prosecutor to Centralize Efforts Against Cybercrime

Many 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

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August 15, 2012

Study: Phishing Messages Elude Filters, Frequently Hit Untrained Users

Many users don't know how to respond to fraudulent email, according to survey of Black Hat attendees

Many 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

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August 15, 2012

Young Cybercrime Expert Details Online War Between Pakistan and India

In 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

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August 15, 2012

Citadel Malware Used to Infiltrate Airport VPN

The 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

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August 15, 2012

Security vendor exposes vulnerabilities in DDoS rootkit

Info designed to help enterprises mitigate attacks, Prolexic says

Computerworld - 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

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August 14, 2012

Va. phlebotomist sentenced for patient ID thefts

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A Norfolk phlebotomist will spend two years in prison for stealing the identities of more than a dozen patients. ...read full article

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August 14, 2012

Police, firefighters targeted in alleged ID theft scheme

Two women remained jailed Monday after being arrested last week in an alleged identity theft scheme that targeted police officers and firefighters. ...read full article

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August 14, 2012

AC man arrested for ID theft

An 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

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August 14, 2012

Leader sentenced in $50 million identity theft ring that hit Wells Fargo, Bank of America, others

A 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

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August 13, 2012

Suspect ID’d in theft of donation jar in Peoria

A 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

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August 13, 2012

Cleveland woman charged with identity theft

CLEVELAND — 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

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August 13, 2012

NSA chief seeks help from hackers

Computerworld - 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

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August 13, 2012

AC man arrested for ID theft

An 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

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August 13, 2012

FinFisher spyware found running on computers all over the world

Corporate IT should monitor systems for signs of communication with command and control servers running FinFisher

Computers 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

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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

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August 11, 2012

Indiana Online Identity Thief Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Counterfeit Credit Card Conspiracy Involving More Than $3 Million in Losses

WASHINGTON – 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

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August 11, 2012

Blizzard Entertainment warns of password breach

The World of Warcraft and Starcraft maker is prompting some users to change their passwords and security questions

IDG 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

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August 11, 2012

Dorifel Malware Encrypts Files, Steals Financial Data, May Be Related to Zeus or Citadel

While 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

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August 11, 2012

Parlin man among 3 arrested in identity-theft, tax scheme

NEWARK — 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

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August 11, 2012

Google to Pay $22.5 Million FTC Fine

Penalty Resulted from Deceptive Cookie Practices

Search 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

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August 11, 2012

Anonymous Celebrates As Australia Puts Internet Surveillance Law on Standby

In 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

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August 11, 2012

Interview: A "malicious hacker" making over $10K a week

Summary: 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

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August 11, 2012

Devon NHS trust left data of 1,373 staff online for MONTHS

Must cough £175k for opening employees to ID fraud, ICO sniffs

A 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

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August 11, 2012

Tilon Trojan Relies on “Search and Replace” Mechanism to Alter Bank Websites

Tilon, 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

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August 11, 2012

Sun Prairie police investigate identity theft of residents on two adjoining streets

SUN 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

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August 11, 2012

Lawyer sentenced for wire fraud in Pinellas corporate ID theft

Houston 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

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August 10, 2012

Identity theft victim's name tied to attempted murder

Vancouver man was shocked to discover that the U.S. suspect charged for an attack with a hammer was a casual acquaintance

When 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

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August 10, 2012

Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced To Life

Oklahoma Fugitive Captured By Task Force in 2011, Sentenced in 2012

San 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

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August 10, 2012

Ex-officer pleads no contest to child porn, ID theft but plans appeal

ELYRIA — 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

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August 10, 2012

BNSF employees report identity theft

BISMARCK (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

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August 10, 2012

Woman arrested in ID theft

HERNANDO 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

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August 10, 2012

North Island-Based Identity Theft Scheme Affects Over 100 Victims

Two 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

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August 10, 2012

Beaverton police ask for help in identifying three suspects in identity theft

The 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

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August 10, 2012

Taxpayer Identity Theft is Growing Problem in MN, Nationwide

If 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

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August 9, 2012

Florida Teen Allegedly Caught Impersonating Physician's Assistant Blames Hospital

A 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

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August 9, 2012

13 more added to list of indicted in massive ID theft scheme

Thirteen 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

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August 9, 2012

Back-to-School Is High Season for Child Identity Theft

Tips 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

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August 9, 2012

Hollister woman arrested, accused of identity theft in Arkansas

A 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

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August 9, 2012

Carlstadt man sentenced for ID theft ring

A Carlstadt man has been sentenced for his role in what federal officials called a "large-scale and sophisticated" identity theft operation. ...read full article

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August 9, 2012

ND police say BNSF employees report identity theft

BISMARCK, 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

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August 9, 2012

Serving Up Malicious PDFs Through SQL Injection

Websites serving binary file content are exposed to malicious payloads and data extraction through SQL injection—even when the database is secure ...read full article

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August 9, 2012

Email Account Phishing Scam: Deactivation Warning

A 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

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August 9, 2012

Zeus botnet on Blackberries and Android

This will hit your phone bill

Security 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

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August 9, 2012

White House exploring executive order to secure critical networks

Continued bickering in Congress over cybersecurity legislation prompting move, report says

Computerworld - 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

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August 9, 2012

Detailed Parking Tickets Breach Personal Privacy, Appeals Court Says

A 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

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August 9, 2012

Alabama Return Preparer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Tax Conspiracy Involving Stolen Identity Refund Fraud

Yumeitrius 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

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August 8, 2012

Tax refund identity theft a growing issue

BELLE 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

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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

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August 8, 2012

Medical ID theft wreaks havoc on providers

When 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

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August 8, 2012

Citrus Heights residents plead guilty to mail theft, credit card fraud

Two 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

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August 8, 2012

Mark Kozlowski charged with attempted identity theft after sheriff receives citizen's tip

Glen 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

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August 8, 2012

Court rules against Countrywide breach plaintiffs

A 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

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August 8, 2012

Business lessons learned in iCloud hack

Experience should reemphasize the need for businesses to educate employees on cloud security, says analyst

August 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

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August 8, 2012

Zombie debt collections: Hollywood Video is dead, but bills still haunt consumers

Talk 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

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August 8, 2012

OpFake, FakeInst Android Malware Variants Continue to Resist Detection

Android 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

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August 8, 2012

Flaw in Australian Transportation Ticket Vending Machines Exposes Credit Card Details

Most 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

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August 8, 2012

Money Laundering Controls Scrutinized

Banks Review AML Practices in Wake of Action Against SCB

New 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

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August 8, 2012

Ill. bans firms from asking workers, job seekers for social media info

It's the third state to outlaw the practice; others are considering similar bills

Computerworld - 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

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August 7, 2012

Queens couple pleads guilty to roles in largest ID theft scam in US history

A 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

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August 7, 2012

Former Sacramento sheriff's deputy will serve 120 days for identity theft charge

Former 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

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August 7, 2012

Local man charged with identity theft of former roommate

BRATTLEBORO -- 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

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August 7, 2012

House Passes Bill to Curb Tax Return Identity Theft

The House has approved legislation to increase the criminal penalties against identity thieves who steal taxpayer information to file fraudulent returns. ...read full article

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August 7, 2012

Honduras: Identity theft concerns authorities

TEGUCIGALPA, 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

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August 7, 2012

Anonymous Launches Operation Demonoid After Raid in Ukraine

The 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

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August 7, 2012

Malicious Olympic 2012 Android Apps and Domains

Whenever 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

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August 7, 2012

'Wall of Shame' exposes 21M medical record breaches

Notification, reporting part of new rules under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act

Computerworld - 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

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August 7, 2012

Slovenian hacker accused of masterminding Mariposa botnet in court

The 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

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August 7, 2012

Bredo Trojan Hides in Fake Groupon Emails

Emails 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

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August 7, 2012

New Study Shows Surge in Fake Twitter Users

Dealers--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

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August 7, 2012

Bigpond Phishing Scam: Reply to This Email with Your Username and Password

The 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

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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

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August 6, 2012

Medical ID theft: Double danger for doctors

The 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

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August 6, 2012

Child pornography arrests may have revealed identity theft from 30 years ago

When 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

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August 6, 2012

Texas shows up in identity theft scheme

The 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

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August 6, 2012

Fake AT&T Emails Using Blackhole Exploit Kit to Install Malware

For 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

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August 6, 2012

Insider Financial Fraud Largely Unsophisticated, But Costly

Analysis of dozens of insider breaches in the financial sector revealed frauds typically went on for more than two years before detection

Dramatic 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

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August 6, 2012

Scam Alert: John Cena Dies of Head Injury, Video Link Included

World 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

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August 6, 2012

Senate delays, maybe kills, cybersecurity bill

Senators decline to vote to end debate on the controversial Cybersecurity Act

IDG 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

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August 6, 2012

Dropbox Spam Attack Blamed on Employee Account Breach

Dropbox 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

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August 6, 2012

Reuters suffers double hack

Call 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

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August 6, 2012

Advance Fee Scam: International FIFA World Cup Online Lottery Program

An 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

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August 3, 2012

Student denied loan after ID theft

ST. 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

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August 3, 2012

What Identity Theft Really Costs the IRS

Identity 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

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August 3, 2012

Wichita police say ID theft operation uncovered

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita police say they've found evidence of a significant identity theft operation. ...read full article

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August 3, 2012

GM warns 883 employees, retirees of possible identity theft risk

General 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

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August 3, 2012

Two Minneapolis men plead guilty in $2 million identity theft case

Two 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

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August 1, 2012

New Jersey men pretend to be Navy SEALs, run bogus 9/11 charity

New 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

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July 31, 2012

Man Gets 30 Months In Identity Theft Case

MINNEAPOLIS (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

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July 31, 2012

Osceola man sentenced for stealing mail, ID's

SPRINGFIELD, 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

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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

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July 31, 2012

Two Southern California Men Arrested for Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

Defendants Impersonated New Orleans City Officials to Defraud Bay Area and Chinese Companies

SAN 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

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July 31, 2012

Identity theft: McGraw-Hill's security phone number stolen

An 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

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July 31, 2012

Gerald Colon Arrested For Identity Theft In Lockport

LOCKPORT, 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

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July 31, 2012

ID Thief Gets 5 Years for Stealing Identities of More Than 50 People

In 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

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July 31, 2012

Sarasota Memorial Worker Charged With ID Theft

Police 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

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July 31, 2012

Why identity thieves love loyalty cards

Loyalty 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

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July 31, 2012

Norwalk Man Charged With Identity Theft In Darien

DARIEN, 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

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July 31, 2012

Ruskin man admits identity theft in fake pharmacist case

A 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

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July 31, 2012

Concord Woman Convicted of Identity Theft

Generose Yambao was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading no contest to 15 criminal counts ...read full article

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July 31, 2012

State mistake puts thousands at risk of identity theft

Madison - 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

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July 31, 2012

More Victims Reported In Identity Theft Scam

Former Wave House Athletic Club Employee Christopher Polley Accused Of Stealing Clients' Identities

SAN 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

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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

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July 31, 2012

Former Radio Shack employee gets 6.5 years for ID theft

FORT 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

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July 31, 2012

Ziegler sentenced to prison for latest identity thefts

A 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

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July 31, 2012

Deer Creek man sent to federal prison for identity theft

A 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

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July 31, 2012

Identity theft warning after Hereford woman is left with debt

A HEREFORD woman returned home from the other side of the world to find that her identity had been stolen. ...read full article

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July 31, 2012

Prison Inmate's Identity Stolen

COLUMBUS -- 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

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July 30, 2012

Cybercriminals exploit Olympic Games to attack computer users

On 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

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July 30, 2012

ID theft suspects busted in credit card-skimming case

SACRAMENTO, 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

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July 30, 2012

Defendants in large-scale identity-theft ring plead guilty, are sentenced

NEWARK — 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

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July 30, 2012

Fort Lee Man Gets Five Years in Prison For Role in Identity Theft Ring

Hyo-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

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July 30, 2012

Oakdale Man Heads to Prison for Stealing Mail, Bank Fraud, Identity Theft

Ricky 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

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July 30, 2012

Identity theft 'superstore' sentence for man Bergen authorities caught in triple murder

UPDATE: 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

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July 30, 2012

Cell Phone Financial Identity Theft

ScienceDaily (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

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July 30, 2012

Derry woman avoids jail for identity theft

BRENTWOOD — A Derry woman avoided possibly spending years in prison after pleading guilty to felony theft and identity fraud charges. ...read full article

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July 30, 2012

Sex Offenders Resort To ID Theft To Skirt Laws, Study Says

OKLAHOMA 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

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July 30, 2012

Police Reports: A Case of Mistaken Identities

Among 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

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July 30, 2012

2 charged in fraud, identity theft scheme

DOVER, 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

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July 30, 2012

Socal men sentenced for ID theft and bank card fraud

OAKLAND — 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

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July 30, 2012

Oakdale man sentenced to prison for role in 10-person ID theft ring

A 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

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July 30, 2012

Man serving prison sentence for homicides in Tenafly pleads guilty to fraud charges

A 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

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July 30, 2012

Florida Hospital Employee Went on Spending Spree With Dead Patient's Credit Card, Police Say

A 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

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July 30, 2012

Pr. George’s man sentenced in ID scam

A 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

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July 25, 2012

16 percent of sex offenders nationally manipulate identities, study finds

By Joshua Rhett Miller

Roughly 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

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July 24, 2012

Florida Tax Preparer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stolen Identity Refund Fraud

Ernst 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

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July 24, 2012

Ex-RadioShack worker gets prison for ID theft

FORT 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

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July 24, 2012

2 accused in ID theft involving elderly patients

EAST 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

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July 24, 2012

ID theft getting ironed out for victim living in public housing

CROSSVILLE (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

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July 24, 2012

UK: PM's Ex-Aide Charged in Hacking Scandal

British 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

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July 24, 2012

Global to Provide New Breach Details

Processor to Offer Investigation Update July 26

Global 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

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July 24, 2012

McKinnon extradition decision date set for mid-October

Summary: 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

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July 24, 2012

Anonymous hits Australia

State government web sites defaced and taken down over data retention policy

People 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

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July 23, 2012

Russian Hacker Arrested for DDoS Attacks on Amazon

Dmitry 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

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July 23, 2012

Dropbox says no evidence of hack in investigation of spam

The investigation into potentially leaked email addresses is ongoing

IDG 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

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July 23, 2012

Gift-card scammers rounded up by authorities face charges of ID theft, forgery

COLUMBUS, 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

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July 23, 2012

Thieves stealing Social Security numbers to file false tax returns

The 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

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July 23, 2012

Montebello police jail man on suspicion of ID, auto theft

MONTEBELLO - 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

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July 23, 2012

I-Team: Red tape restricts state's ability to chase suspected identity thieves

Lawmakers seek change to federal laws

LINCOLN, Neb. - At least two lawmakers wonder if federal laws governing the use of social security numbers should change. ...read full article

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July 23, 2012

Bogus AICPA “Income Tax Refund Infringement” Email Serves Trojan

Internauts 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

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July 23, 2012

Australians dial 000 over hitman scam

Summary: 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

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July 23, 2012

Norwalk man charged with identity theft, posts $50K bond

Eric 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

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July 20, 2012

A Goldmine for Hackers: Your Smartphone

A 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

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July 20, 2012

11 face ID theft, other charges in tax fraud case

NCHORAGE, 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

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July 20, 2012

Identity theft and vital records: What to do about a lost or stolen social security card

Have 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

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July 20, 2012

Local author wanted for fraud, ID theft

NEWPORT 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

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July 20, 2012

Buy a dead person's identity from Social Security for $10

NEW 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

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July 20, 2012

$19 Million Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Conspiracy Charged in Alaska

A 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

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July 20, 2012

Two Foreign Nationals Plead Guilty to Trafficking the Identities of Puerto Rican U.S. Citizens

The 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

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July 20, 2012

3 Lessons from PATCO Fraud Ruling

Attorney Highlights Takeaways from Appellate Court's Reversal

The 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

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July 20, 2012

Pinterest Starts Locking Accounts of Hacked Users

Starting 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

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July 20, 2012

Phishing websites reach all-time high

New detection technnology accounts in part for the rise, which shows how cybercriminals are still hard at work

IDG 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

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July 19, 2012

Online identity theft is up 300% on 2010, warns Experian

Fraudsters 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

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July 19, 2012

1,200 Usernames, Passwords Leaked from Yale University

The 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

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July 19, 2012

Bulgaria Official: Blast Suspect Had Fake Michigan Driver's License

Bulgarian 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

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July 19, 2012

Hacker gets 7 years in thefts of more than 240,000 credit card numbers

Washington (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

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July 19, 2012

$6 (€5): The Price of 500 Compromised Facebook Accounts

Have 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

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July 19, 2012

Nike hacker steals over $80,000

Summary: 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

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July 19, 2012

Scams Surround London Olympics

In 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

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July 19, 2012

Massive identity theft spree linked to single Salt Lake couple on the run

SALT 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

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July 19, 2012

Bankers in ID theft ring sentenced

Two 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

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July 19, 2012

2.4 million Ontario voter records missing

TORONTO (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

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July 19, 2012

POLICE: Identity theft suspect foiled by Papa John's pizza order

LOUISVILLE, 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

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July 18, 2012

ID Thief Faces up to 30 Years in the Big House

HOUSTON (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

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July 18, 2012

Ex-Syracuse star pleads guilty to ID theft, stealing government money

Two 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

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July 18, 2012

Police: Oregon identity-theft suspect runs into victim while trying to cash fraudulent check

MEDFORD, 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

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July 18, 2012

Manchester Resident Falls Victim to Identity Theft Bank Account Scam

Manchester 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

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July 18, 2012

No ground gained in data theft war

There 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

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July 18, 2012

Identity theft hits prison service

The 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

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July 18, 2012

I.D. thief accused of stealing more than $100K from bank customers

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An identity thief is on the run and Wells Fargo customers are his target, WFTV learned on Friday. ...read full article

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July 18, 2012

Medical identity theft growing

Brandon senior citizen Cullie Hanna avoided being a victim of medical identity theft, a growing trend across the country. ...read full article

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July 18, 2012

SF man held, accused of identity theft

A 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

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July 18, 2012

Marion Man Sentenced on Charge of Aggravated Identity Theft

Kenneth 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

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July 18, 2012

Clovis police seek ID theft suspect

Clovis 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

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July 18, 2012

Calif. lobbyist believes his attempt to buy sports team sparked identity theft scheme

SACRAMENTO, 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

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July 18, 2012

Authorities should help clear identity theft victim's name

Donae Antoinette Richmond is not Antoinette Yvonne Jackson, who authorities said has an extensive rap sheet of criminal history. ...read full article

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July 18, 2012

Wilton Police arrest third suspect in identity theft ring

WILTON — 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

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July 18, 2012

IT Wall Street Hacked, 50,000 Accounts Leaked

One 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

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July 18, 2012

Malware Tied to Blackhole Exploit Kit Appears as Facebook Tag Alert

If 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

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July 17, 2012

Online ID OD: Illegal Web Trade in Personal Information Soars

LONDON, 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

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July 17, 2012

Skype glitch sends messages to the wrong contacts

The company says the problem will be fixed in an imminent update

IDG 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

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July 17, 2012

Rapper Arrested for Card Fraud

Alleged Fraudster Linked to POS Hacking Scheme

A 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

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July 17, 2012

Flaw in Artema Hybrid Terminals Allows Hackers to Collect Payment Card Details

VeriFone’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

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July 17, 2012

Dutch Authorities Knock Out Grum Botnet C&C Servers

Dutch 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

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July 17, 2012

FACT: One in five Microsoft logins controlled by hackers

About 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

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July 17, 2012

Religious-themed Madi malware hitting select targets in Iran, Israel

Summary: 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

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July 17, 2012

Data Breach Reports Remain Spotty, Study Finds

In 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

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July 17, 2012

Mitigating Online Fraud

FS-ISAC: New Tech Investments Cutting Losses

Financial 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

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July 17, 2012

“Security Update” Phishing Scam Targets O2 Customers

Customers 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

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July 17, 2012

Nvidia investigates claims that its online stores were hacked

Nvidia investigates whether a successful hacker attack against several of its websites also affected its online stores

IDG 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

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July 17, 2012

HSBC allowed money laundering, Senate says

But bank’s Hong Kong-listed shares rise anyway

SAN 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

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July 13, 2012

NSTIC’s $2.5 million grant for oversight chief goes to SI

Summary: 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

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July 13, 2012

Thousands Fall Victim to Utility Payment Scam

As much as President Barack Obama wants your vote, he's not actually offering to pay your monthly bills. ...read full article

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July 13, 2012

Yahoo breach: Swiped passwords by the numbers

CNET 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

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July 13, 2012

Scheme is identity theft scam

Attempt to offer aid paying utility bills

SAN 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

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July 13, 2012

Sacramento man indicted for identity theft, fraud

A 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

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July 13, 2012

Friend of Oakland A’s outfielder found guilty of fraud, ID theft for using Crisp’s credit card

LOS 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

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July 13, 2012

ID theft risk low in Eugene school data breach, police say

Officials say student files were posted on a private online site for only about an hour

The 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

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July 13, 2012

Met Police arrest man in Tuleta hacking investigation

Summary: 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 scandal

A 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

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July 13, 2012

FBI Arrests 3 More Individuals Accused of Carding Crimes

Last 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

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July 13, 2012

Targeted Attacks on Small Businesses Increase in 2012

In 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

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July 13, 2012

New 'Warp' Trojan Poses As A Network Router

Attack uses ARP-spoofing to intercept traffic, propagate throughout the network

Researchers 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

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July 13, 2012

Online Android forum hacked, user data accessed

Users have been advised to change their passwords since Tuesday

IDG 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

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July 13, 2012

California couple arrested for ID thefts

PLYMOUTH, 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

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July 13, 2012

Bangor woman gets 3 ½ years for identity theft

BANGOR, 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

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July 12, 2012

Chinese man pleads guilty in nearly $1M ID theft

HOUSTON (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

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July 12, 2012

450K Yahoo Voice passwords posted online

The affected accounts appeared to belong to Yahoo's VOIP service

A 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

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July 12, 2012

'Friend' enters guilty plea for ID theft from woman, 87

A 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

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July 12, 2012

Protect your identity: theft of smart phones are an epidemic

DENVER — 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

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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

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July 12, 2012

Dark Comet RAT Tailored For Attacks On Gamers, Governments

Researchers 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

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July 12, 2012

Group protests committee interest in SOPA provision

A draft bill would expand an intellectual-property attache program, but Public Knowledge questions the legislative process

IDG 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

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July 12, 2012

Unidentified Trojan Served Via Fake USPS Postal Notification

Failed 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

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July 12, 2012

Stealing Documents Through Social Media Image-Sharing

Innocent-looking vacation pictures on Facebook could conceivably traffic exfiltrated documents, Black Hat researchers warn

Security 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

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July 12, 2012

Bank Sues Customer Over ACH/Wire Fraud

Counterclaim Alleges Business is to Blame for $440K Loss

In 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

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July 12, 2012

Japanese IT glitch leaves foreigners' ID cards incomplete

Issued without signature

A 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

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July 12, 2012

Federal Jury Indicts 32 Individuals for Participation in International Loan Fraud Scheme

After 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

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July 11, 2012

Cross-dressing transient jailed for ID theft

Man 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

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July 11, 2012

Woodbury Facebook hacker sentenced on 13 identity theft counts

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.

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

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July 11, 2012

Java-based Web attack installs backdoors on Windows, Linux, Mac computers

Security researchers identify Web-based malware attack that targets Windows, Linux and Mac OS X users alike

IDG 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

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July 11, 2012

U.S. Medical ID Theft Cost Jumps To $41 Billion

New 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 cases

If 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

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July 11, 2012

Wilton Police arrest Bridgeport woman for identity theft

WILTON?--?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

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July 11, 2012

Belleville man sentenced to 5 years for role in identity theft ring

Former 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

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July 11, 2012

Palm Springs doctor admits to identity theft, forgery again

Dr. Lisa Barden convicted first time in 2010

PALM 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

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July 11, 2012

Wife of alleged ID-theft leader gets 2nd chance

Saying "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

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July 11, 2012

Sentencing postponed in identity theft case

Child abuse trial for former teacher also moved back

MARTINSBURG -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

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July 11, 2012

State warns of identity theft scam

President 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

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July 11, 2012

Privacy groups hail Google, FTC settlement over Apple Safari tracking

Likely $22.5M settlement largest ever levied by FTC on single company

Computerworld - 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

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July 11, 2012

#OpPedoChat - Alleged Child Porn Sites : Anonymous Hackers New Target

The hacktivist group Anonymous has launched a new action called Operation PedoChat ( #OpPedoChat ) to eliminate pedophile sites all over the world. ...read full article

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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

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July 10, 2012

Identity Theft Scam Rings up $6,000-Plus Bill

Would-be thieves use Lake Bluff resident's address to deliver goods hoping she wouldn't be home

A 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

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July 10, 2012

IRS Employee Accused of Identity Theft

The 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

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July 10, 2012

Gangs choose ID theft, cyber crimes more often

Gang 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

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July 10, 2012

Identity Theft Suspect Happens To Already Be In Jail

A 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

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July 10, 2012

Man arrested for identity theft

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - Police say a 37-year-old Newport News man was arrested at his home for identity theft. ...read full article

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July 10, 2012

U.S. law enforcement sought mobile user data more than 1.3 million times in 2011

Carriers told Rep. Ed Markey that law-enforcement requests for mobile data are rising

IDG 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

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July 10, 2012

Securing your data: Full disk hardware encryption -- part 1

Summary: 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

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July 10, 2012

Man-in-the-Mobile Attacks Target the Bank Accounts of Android Users

Man-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

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July 10, 2012

New Android Malware Family Infects 100,000

A 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

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July 10, 2012

Inside the PATCO Fraud Ruling

Court Decision Details Flaws in Bank's Security Plan

One 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

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July 10, 2012

Best Buy: Hackers Are Using Stolen Credentials to Access Customer Accounts

Best Buy has started sending out notification emails to alert customers that hackers may be attempting to access their accounts. ...read full article

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July 9, 2012

Obama paying utility bills? Scam victims nationwide think so

Scammers 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

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July 9, 2012

Alagasco, BBB warn of identity theft scam in Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, 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

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July 9, 2012

Former PNC janitor faces another ID theft charge

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A janitor accused of stealing personal information from customers at a PNC Bank is facing even more charges. ...read full article

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July 9, 2012

Couple Victims of Tax Refund ID Theft

IRS 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

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July 9, 2012

Alert IRS, others if tax ID theft is suspected

Tax 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

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July 9, 2012

Traffic Stop Leads to Identity Theft, Counterfeiting Bust

Charges 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

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July 9, 2012

State police looking for identity theft suspect

SILVER CITY — New Mexico State Police is looking for a suspect who is wanted for identity theft which occurred in Silver City. ...read full article

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July 9, 2012

Bulgarian Hackers Group arrested

Bulgarian 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

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July 9, 2012

Craigslist Facebook Scheme Combines Phishing with Survey Scams

Phishing 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

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July 9, 2012

Fraudsters Rely on Digital Economy Act to Convince Users to Pay Up

The 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

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July 9, 2012

Two Britons jailed for £1.5m phishing scams

Two Britons responsible for phishing scams that stole over £1.5m from UK students have received jail sentences totalling almost ten years. ...read full article

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July 9, 2012

Machines Still Infected With DNSChanger Pose Dangers

No surprise, but the DNSChanger server shutdown today didn't cause significant disruption on the Net -- but the threat is not over yet, security experts say

When 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

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July 6, 2012

Thieves targeting Cardiff rubbish bags for clothes and identity theft

Rubbish bags in parts of Cardiff are being targeted by thieves hunting for clothes to sell and even identities to steal. ...read full article

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July 6, 2012

Identity theft victim led police to suspect, E.C. officials say

EAST 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

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July 6, 2012

Officials seek ID's in credit card theft

Aiken 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

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July 6, 2012

KPN closes portal after finding most corporate customers use default password

Use of the default password, the same for many users, combined with an easily-guessed username, left corporate data at risk

IDG 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

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July 6, 2012

Dalai Lama's Birthday Used As Bait In Targeted Attacks

Followers 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

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July 6, 2012

Seemingly Insignificant SQL Injections Lead To Rooted Routers

Black Hat researcher to show how vulnerable databases with temporary router information can lead to root-level access of Netgear routers

Low-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

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July 6, 2012

Tackling Emerging Mobile Risks

Communication Is Key to Addressing Security Gaps and Threats

The 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

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July 6, 2012

Cybercriminals Recruit Money Mules by Sending Job Offer Emails

Emails 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

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July 6, 2012

Internet will vanish Monday for 300,000 infected computers

Users must wipe DNSChanger malware from PCs and Macs before 12:01 a.m. ET July 9

Computerworld - 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

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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

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July 6, 2012

Hingham: Woman indicted for mortgage fraud, identity theft

A 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

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July 5, 2012

Malware May Knock Thousands off Internet on Monday

The 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

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July 5, 2012

Bank Trojan crooks trouser £800k from 30,000 Brits

How the crims outran anti-virus sniffer dogs

Analysis 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

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July 5, 2012

Louisville man charged with identity theft for allegedly ordering iPods in the name of PNC Bank customers

A 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

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July 5, 2012

Lithuanian admits ID theft plot

A 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

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July 5, 2012

LMPD: ID theft suspect obtained info while working

LOUISVILLE, 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

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July 5, 2012

Identity theft scam targets utility customers

South Carolina Electric and Gas is warning utility customers of a scam that has already victimized “dozens of local customers.” ...read full article

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July 5, 2012

Wikileaks releases Syria Files, 2.4 million government related emails

Wikileaks says its latest release shines a light on the inner workings of Syria's government and on Western hypocrisy

IDG 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

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July 5, 2012

Painesville woman indicted on identity theft, wire fraud charges

A 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

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July 5, 2012

Branchburg man faces identity theft charges

SOMERVILLE — 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

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July 5, 2012

Twitter Transparency Report Shows Huge Interest From U.S. Law Enforcement

Privacy 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

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July 5, 2012

Android Botnet Used to Advertise Shady Pharmacy Sites, Experts Find

As 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

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July 3, 2012

Owners of Woodbridge Home Health Business Indicted for Health Care Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft

ALEXANDRIA, 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

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July 3, 2012

Twitter loses fight to withhold activist's account information

Judge rules that Twitter messages are not protected by law in the same way as emails and private messages

IDG 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

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July 3, 2012

Brit anti-terror hotline hacker teen pleads guilty

TeaMp0isoN lad also snaffled Blair contact list off GMail

A 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

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July 3, 2012

FBI Credit Card Ring Bust Exposes PCI Challenges

Some experts say existence of complex credit card fraud black market a sign that PCI isn't effective

The 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

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July 3, 2012

Former Citi VP Sentenced

$22 Million Embezzlement Scheme Defrauded Bank, Customers

Gary 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

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July 3, 2012

Phisher Convicted in Massive Scheme

Attacks Aimed at Chase, BofA Highlight Increasing Risks

An 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

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July 3, 2012

Microsoft Reveals Names of Two Individuals in ZeuS Botnets Case

Microsoft’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

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July 2, 2012

Police: Identity theft crimes most likely committed by someone victim knows

For 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

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July 2, 2012

Sex Offender Suspected in Identity Theft Shopping Spree

This 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

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July 2, 2012

Ex-worker at Tulsa McDonald's pleads guilty in identity-theft ring

A 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

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July 2, 2012

Trio arrested for identity theft, burglary charges

Three 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

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July 2, 2012

ID theft can take many forms, but victims can spend 300 hours clearing their name

TAMPA - 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

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July 2, 2012

Piedmont Natural Gas Issues Alert About Bill-Payment Scam That May Expose Customers To Risk Of Identity Theft

Offer Claims Government Will Pay Bill, Asks For Customers' Social Security Number

CHARLOTTE, 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

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July 2, 2012

Woodbridge Home Health Care Business Owners Indicted For Fraud

The 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

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July 2, 2012

Beware of Shady “Red Cros” Donation Requests

Fraudsters 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

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July 2, 2012

LinkedIn Breach: Leading CISOs Share 9 Protection Tips

In 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

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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

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July 2, 2012

Judge considers hearing on improper Megaupload seizure

Customers of the file-sharing site should be treated as creditors and wait until the DOJ's copyright case is resolved, a DOJ lawyer says

IDG 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

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July 2, 2012

Mac-based Trojan targets Uyghur activists

Human rights attacked online

Security researchers have intercepted a Mac-based Trojan attack targeting Uyghur human rights activists. ...read full article

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June 29, 2012

Scammers Improve National Lottery Commission Scam, Experts Find

Experts 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

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June 29, 2012

Texas Cancer Center Alerts Patients to Personal Data Theft -- Almost Two Months Later

A 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

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June 29, 2012

Dutch government unprepared for SSL hack, report says

Government bodies depend too much on IT departments when it comes to the acquisition of SSL-certificates, says Safety Board

IDG 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

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June 29, 2012

U.S. and Canada Announce the Release of the Beyond the Border: Statement of Privacy Principles

WASHINGTON—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

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June 29, 2012

FBI Takedown Won't Curb Card Fraud

The Real Problem is Malware and Outdated Payments Tech

In 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

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June 29, 2012

'Evil' hacker gets two and a half years in the slammer

cyber crime motivated by ego and unemployment

Australia’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

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June 29, 2012

Automated robbery: how card skimmers (still) steal millions from banks

Skimming 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

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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 Agent

Nacretia 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

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June 29, 2012

Colton police make arrest in identity theft case

COLTON - police reported the arrest of a suspect in an identity theft case after officers reportedly discovered evidence at a residence. ...read full article

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June 29, 2012

Congress Probes Tax Prep Fraud and Identity Theft

The 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

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June 29, 2012

Teens take risk of identity theft when they order fake IDs from China

A fake driver's license made in China works as well as the real thing. ...read full article

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June 29, 2012

4 face healthcare fraud, identity theft charges

McALLEN — 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

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June 29, 2012

Two Norwalk realtors slammed with 102 Felony Counts of Grand Theft, Identity Theft

Two Norwalk real estate agents have been arrested on 102-felony counts of grand theft and criminal fraud on Thursday afternoon. ...read full article

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June 29, 2012

Scholarly woman pleads not guilty to stalking ex, identity theft

This Stanford graduate might have been better off at a school of higher yearning. ...read full article

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June 28, 2012

Medical identity theft: Not just a financial problem

The 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

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June 28, 2012

Identity Theft Suspect Nabbed $40K: Police

26-year-old Christopher Polley was charged with multiple counts Source: Identity Theft Suspect Nabbed $40K: Police

Police arrested a 26-year-old man on Wednesday morning for allegedly stealing $40,000 from members of a local fitness club. ...read full article

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June 28, 2012

Identity Theft Suspect Arrested

On 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

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June 28, 2012

Cyber thieves trapped by FBI sting

On 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

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June 28, 2012

Darby Woman Charged With Conspiracy, Identify Theft Following Tax Scam Dating Back To 2009

DARBY, 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

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June 28, 2012

FTC Takes On Wyndham For Security Lapses

Lawsuit alleges deceptive practice in privacy policy following three breaches in two years

In 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

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June 28, 2012

Zemra Botnet Leaked, Cyber Criminals performing DDoS Attacks

The 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

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June 28, 2012

London Olympics-Themed Spam: Prize Notifications, Awards and Visa Lotteries

As 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

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June 28, 2012

The Tale of an Accused Hacker

What a Suspect in a Fraud Scheme Told an Undercover Cop

Jarand 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

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June 28, 2012

Assange's Asylum In The Balance, Researcher Warns Ecuador's Deliberations Are Vulnerable To Online Snooping

With 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

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June 28, 2012

New Zealand judge rules Megaupload search warrants were illegal

New 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

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June 27, 2012

24 arrested in international online 'carding' crackdown

Operation called the largest coordinated action against operations that traffic in stolen credit card, financial information

Computerworld - 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

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June 27, 2012

Fallen Soldier’s Picture Used In Scam

An 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

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June 27, 2012

New Fraud Ring 'Operation High Roller' Targets the Rich

A 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

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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

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June 27, 2012

FTC Sues Hotel Chain for Card Breaches

Banks Should be Concerned About Card Fraud, Phishing

The 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

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June 27, 2012

LulzSec duo plead guilty to DDoS against CIA

Two 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

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June 27, 2012

New Forensics Method May Nab Insider Thieves

Black Hat presentation features a new methodology that has already produced real-world results

One 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

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June 27, 2012

RSA SecurIDs Get Cracked In 13 Minutes

Major 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

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June 27, 2012

Anonymous turns ire on Japan after anti-piracy law passes

Key sites get a good DDoS-ing

It 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

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June 27, 2012

The 'great airline ticket giveaway' that just won't go away

The 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

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June 27, 2012

Warning: Burglars read the obituaries, too

Losing a loved one is painful enough. Imagine the horror of coming home from the funeral to find your home burglarized. ...read full article

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June 26, 2012

More people aware of medical identity theft but do little to protect themselves from it

COSTA 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

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June 26, 2012

Towards Employment warns clients of data breach, possible identity theft

CLEVELAND, 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

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June 26, 2012

Identity thieves target disabled woman while she was at hospital

MUKILTEO, 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

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June 26, 2012

Identity Theft Suspect Behind Bars in Bulloch County

An investigation into a case of identity and check fraud started with a traffic stop in May. ...read full article

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June 26, 2012

California attorneys at risk of identity fraud

When 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

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June 26, 2012

Sacramento deputy pleads no contest to drug, identity theft charges

A 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

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June 26, 2012

Credit card 'cloning' is a growing form of identity theft

Lexington, 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

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June 25, 2012

Colorado Mother and Daughter Charged in Online Dating Scam With Fake Military Members

A 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

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June 25, 2012

Scammers Assume Identities of California Lawyers Using Online Information

As many as 111 California lawyers may have fallen victim to identity thieves in the past decade, according to the state bar. ...read full article

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June 25, 2012

Financial Crimes: Credit card 'cloning' is a growing form of identity theft

Lexington 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

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June 25, 2012

Three charged with identity theft, other felonies following traffic stop

Three 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

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June 25, 2012

Smartphone And Tablet Users At Risk Of Identity Theft

Los 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

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June 25, 2012

Sewickley woman charged with ID theft

A 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

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June 25, 2012

Iowan must pay triple damages in check forgeries

KEOSAUQUA, 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

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June 25, 2012

ID theft in Richland on the rise

RICHLAND – 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

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June 25, 2012

Goukasian Found Guilty of Identity Theft

Man found guilty of skimming tens of thousands of credit cards

After deliberating for three hours, a jury has found Aleksandr Goukasian guilty on all charges. ...read full article

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June 25, 2012

Fraud and identity theft suspects arrested near Terrell

Terrell, 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

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June 25, 2012

Thieves disguise wireless camera to swipe ATM PINs

Cameras 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

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June 25, 2012

ID theft suspect arrested, brought to court

A 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

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June 22, 2012

Woman pleads guilty to aiding ID theft ring

A 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

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June 22, 2012

Man's identity theft alert lands brother in jail, Corpus Christi police said

CORPUS 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

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June 22, 2012

Wisconsin experiment suggests voter identity theft

Some 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

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June 22, 2012

Couple sentenced for Idaho bank fraud, identity theft scheme

A federal judge has sentenced two people convicted for running a bank fraud and identity theft scheme in northern Idaho. ...read full article

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June 22, 2012

Iran targeted by 'massive cyberattack,' official claims

Iranian state television says the country's nuclear facilities are the target of a cyberattack

IDG 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

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June 22, 2012

Twitter Denies Hacktivists Behind Severe Outage

Twitter 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

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June 22, 2012

Trojan.Milicenso - Printer Trojan cause massive printing

A 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

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June 22, 2012

Fake BancorpSouth Emails Lure Users to Blackhole Exploit Kit

BancorpSouth customers are advised to be on the lookout for suspicious emails that purport to originate from the financial institution. ...read full article

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June 22, 2012

The Intersection Between Cyberespionage And Cybercrime

Chinese cyberspies and traditional cybercriminals are relying on some of the same malware tools -- and some cyberspies even appear to be moonlighting

Traditional 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

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June 21, 2012

Industrial Espionage: Chinese Malware Steals Tens of Thousands of AutoCAD Files

A 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

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June 21, 2012

Face.com iOS flaw could have allowed Facebook, Twitter account hijacking

ow-patched Face.com vulnerability that could have let attackers to hijack the Facebook and Twitter accounts of its customers

IDG 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

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June 21, 2012

6 Biggest Breaches Of 2012 So Far

Now 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

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June 21, 2012

FDA: Software Failures Responsible for 24% Of All Medical Device Recalls

Software 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

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June 21, 2012

Lessons From Fraud Settlement

Experts Analyze Implications of ACH Fraud Case Outcome

The 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

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June 21, 2012

ID theft scam reported by bank

Officials with The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia are warning its customers this week about ongoing reports of attempted identity thefts. ...read full article

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June 21, 2012

Dedham flower shop closed; owner charged with larceny and identity theft

DEDHAM — Dedham Police arrested an Oakdale shop owner and subsequently shut his business down. ...read full article

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June 21, 2012

Identity Thief Gets 4 Years in Club Fed

Four 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

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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

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June 20, 2012

Several sentenced in ID theft, IRS fraud; Orange Park man the leader

A 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

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June 20, 2012

Feds charge Kings County nurse in identity theft scheme

Jaishree Arbuckle-Pierre accused of selling Social Security numbers of nearly 60 employees

The 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

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June 20, 2012

Crackdown on ATM “Skimming” and Identity Theft

SAN 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

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June 20, 2012

Former Police Chief Accused of Wire Fraud and Identity Theft Appears in Court

COVINGTON—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

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June 20, 2012

Freeze your credit to fight off ID theft

Larry 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

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June 20, 2012

Disguises add new twist in identity theft cases

Stealing an identity isn't always as simple as snatching a purse or pilfering a credit card. Sometimes, it requires a disguise. ...read full article

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June 20, 2012

U.S., Israel developed Flame computer virus to slow Iranian nuclear efforts, officials say

Flame 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

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June 20, 2012

Hackers Leak Data from AmeriCash Advance After Company Refuses to Pay Up

A 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

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June 20, 2012

Syrian Dissidents Hit By Another Wave of Targeted Attacks

One 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

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June 20, 2012

LinkedIn hit with lawsuit over massive data breach

A lawsuit seeking class-action status said the company failed to implement 'industry standard' security measures

IDG 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

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June 20, 2012

Kayak.com investigates after customers discover security breach

He was trying to clarify a line on his credit card bill, but ended up accessing scores of strangers’ personal information. ...read full article

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June 20, 2012

Researcher Explains Why Scammers Say They Are from Nigeria

Nigerian 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

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June 19, 2012

Phony bill payment scheme poses identity-theft risk

AKRON - 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

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June 19, 2012

Fla. man gets prison for sealing Pa. soldier's ID

PITTSBURGH -- 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

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June 19, 2012

Internet Search Engines Surpass E-Mail in Online Scam Threats

Conducting 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

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June 19, 2012

Online credit card complaint database to debut

WASHINGTON (CNNMoney) -- A new online database devoted to cataloging consumer complaints against credit card companies launched Tuesday. ...read full article

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June 19, 2012

LinkedIn Victims Do Not Connect With Legitimate Notifications

The 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

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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

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June 19, 2012

Trust fined £225k for leaving patient files in abandoned hospital

Is 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

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June 19, 2012

CyberZeist Claims to Have Gained Access to Hundreds of Federal Accounts

CyberZeist, 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

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June 19, 2012

Data in possible credit card breach appears to be old

The data, linked to from Pastebin, includes, names, addresses and emails

IDG 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

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June 19, 2012

Cybercriminals Upgrade Banking Malware to Include Automatic Transfer Systems

As 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

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June 18, 2012

BYOD exposes the perils of cloud storage

Computerworld - 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

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June 18, 2012

Pennsylvania Man Indicted For Hack of Department of Energy Network

A 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

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June 18, 2012

Six in Tokyo slammer after Android smut scam

Malware was distributed through adult site

Six 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

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June 18, 2012

Indictment: Former chief took $115k from police department

HIGHLAND 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

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June 18, 2012

Police seek suspect in Elections NB laptop theft

The 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

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June 18, 2012

Internet security company Omniquad warns about DVLA Email Phishing Scam – Identity Theft Warning

Omniquad 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

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June 18, 2012

Ex-Employee Charged with ID Theft on Bank Accounts

Police 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

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June 18, 2012

Crack down on SLO County identity theft rings

The 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

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June 18, 2012

Five charged with ID theft

Five 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

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June 18, 2012

Scammers indicted for identity theft and real estate fraud

According 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

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June 18, 2012

3 Indicted In $10M Short Sale, Identity Theft Scams

LOS 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

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June 18, 2012

Cromwell man charged with identity theft

CROMWELL – 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

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June 18, 2012

Alleged International Credit Card Trafficker “Badb” Extradited from France to the United States

WASHINGTON – 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

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June 18, 2012

Man charged with workplace ID theft

A 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

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June 18, 2012

Oahu entrepreneur becomes identity theft victim

If you haven't filed your taxes yet, someone else may have beaten you to the punch. ...read full article

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June 18, 2012

Text Messages Can Lead to Identity Theft

Jefferson 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

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June 15, 2012

Banks: Hackers more aggressive in attacking customer accounts

Network 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

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June 15, 2012

Pennsylvania Man Arrested on Computer Hacking Charges

WASHINGTON – 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

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June 15, 2012

Software Update Site For Hospital Respirators Found Riddled With Malware

UPDATE: 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

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June 15, 2012

Panetta: Urgency Needed to Defend Against Cyber Attacks

The 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

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June 15, 2012

ATM Skimmer Gets Jail Time

Bank Fraud Scheme Targeted 500 Accounts

A 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

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June 15, 2012

The Wikiboat and Anonymous have leaked Defense.gov files after hack

The Wikiboat and Anonymous have attacked the Defense.gov website and have leaked some files of the website. ...read full article

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June 15, 2012

German police searched homes of more than 100 alleged cyber-attackers of anonymous action

Frankfurt ( 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

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June 15, 2012

New Grad Looking For a Job? Pentagon Contractors Post Openings For Black-Hat Hackers

Mikko 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

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June 15, 2012

Miley Cyrus Tumblr Tape Scam Leads to Shady Video Player

Experts 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

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June 15, 2012

Tax Return Identity Theft Hotline announced

If 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

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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

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June 14, 2012

Troy woman charged in ID theft of 800 people

Federal 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

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June 14, 2012

Scam Text Messages Could Lead To Identity Theft

Jefferson 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

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June 14, 2012

Woodbury man accused for third time of identity theft

For the third time in little more than a year, a Woodbury man has been charged with stealing someone's identity. ...read full article

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June 14, 2012

Ham Lake woman pleads guilty to bank fraud, identity theft

A 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

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June 14, 2012

LinkedIn bolsters security while some users ignore breach

After 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

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June 14, 2012

LulzSec Reborn aims to keep hacking movement alive

Real danger from federal officials who 'continue to pooh-pooh' cybercrime, police investigator says

CSO — 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

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June 14, 2012

Expect A Surge In Breaches Following MySQL Vulnerability

Vulnerability is so easily attacked and so prevalent that we're bound for a bump in database exposures

An 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

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June 14, 2012

FTC Bares Teeth, Levies $800k Fine Against Data Brokerage Firm

In 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

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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 Entertainment

IDG 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

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June 14, 2012

Comcast Refuses to Hand Over the Identities of Suspected Pirates

Comcast 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

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June 13, 2012

Oregon Woman Gets $2.1M Fraudulent Tax Refund on Debit Card

Oregon'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

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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

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June 13, 2012

2 Russians accused of ID theft for smartphone buys

BATON 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

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June 13, 2012

IRS warns taxpayers of scam

Rolla, 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

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June 13, 2012

Leader of Staten Island ID theft ring gets 2 to 6 years in prison

STATEN 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

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June 13, 2012

Merchant information may have been stolen from Global Payments

Hackers had access to servers hosting personal information of merchant applicants, Global Payments said

IDG 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

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June 13, 2012

The Importance Of Interviews In Insider Investigations

Exit interviews speed up investigations, prove intent, and cover your legal bases

Whether 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

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June 13, 2012

Attacks Targeting US Defense Contractors and Universities Tied to China

Researchers 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

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June 13, 2012

James Bond-style malware targets firm that secures industrial systems

Malicious 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

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June 13, 2012

Study: Few Aware of Risk of Medical ID Theft

Nationwide Insurance consumer survey shows need to educate, take precautions to protect your credit and your health

COLUMBUS, 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

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June 12, 2012

Dutch Citizen Charged With Fraud, Identity Theft in Hacking Case

A 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

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June 12, 2012

ID thefts paid for cell scam

Federal agents: Two women had 81 cellphones, 27 IDs

Two 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

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June 12, 2012

Va man sentenced to more than 6 years in federal prison for identity, benefits theft

NORFOLK, 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

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June 12, 2012

Robbery Victim Now Fighting Identity Theft

Local man survives ATM armed robbery, says he's a victim again

SPARTANBURG, 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

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June 12, 2012

LinkedIn Claims Vulnerable Passwords Have Been Disabled

Business 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

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June 12, 2012

Six-Member Identity Theft Ring Sentenced in UK

Ringleader 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

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June 12, 2012

LifeLock General Counsel Confronts Challenges By Going Big

After 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

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June 12, 2012

Identity thieves reach into local accounts

Approximately 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

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June 12, 2012

Tumblr Users Should Beware of Cookie Thieves

Two 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

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June 12, 2012

'Conclusive' Link Found Between Stuxnet And Flame

Researchers say Flame predates Stuxnet and shares some source code with first-generation version of Stuxnet

A 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

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June 12, 2012

Building a Culture That Values Privacy

A Three-Step Approach to Managing Change

A 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

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June 12, 2012

Emails from “Amazon.com” Fool Users into Visiting Malware-Serving Sites

We’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

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June 12, 2012

Passwords pillaged from League of Legends wand-strokers

Euro gamers' very private jewels sniffed by hackers

Passwords, 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

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June 11, 2012

Multimillion-pound cyberfraud gang jailed for selling identity theft kits

Confidential Access's 'platinum' products cost £5,500 and came complete with instructions on how to defraud companies

Members 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

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June 11, 2012

Two Suspects Arrested On Charges Of ID Theft

A 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

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June 11, 2012

ID-theft victim regrets error

FARMINGTON — 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

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June 11, 2012

UK cops hunt for thousands who bought identity fraud 'packages' online

LONDON -- 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

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June 11, 2012

2 men sentenced for ID theft, to be deported

Two men have been sentenced to federal prison terms for conspiracy to commit identity theft and sale of fraudulent Social Security cards. ...read full article

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June 11, 2012

Trappe Man Struck By Identity Theft

A 60-year-old Trappe man was victimized by identity theft last month, Pennsylvania State Police said Friday. ...read full article

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June 11, 2012

Another Case of Identity Theft in Westlake

A Wakefield Lane couple is dealing with the mess that identity theft creates. ...read full article

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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

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June 11, 2012

Police: Man impersonated physician on phone to pharmacy

NEW 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

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June 11, 2012

Survey Shows 85 Percent of Small Business Owners Convinced a Data Breach Unlikely

If 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

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June 8, 2012

“t0pp8uzz” and “GM” Sentenced to Jail for Running Fraud Website

Jay 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

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June 8, 2012

UK court requires Facebook to hand over troll identities

In 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

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June 8, 2012

How Charles Dickens helped crack your LinkedIn password

Researchers are using words from classic novels to crack the LinkedIn password hashes

IDG News Service - Kevin Young, a computer security expert who studies passwords, is nearly at a loss for words. Literally. ...read full article

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June 8, 2012

Report: North Korea Accused Of DDoS Attack On South Korean Airport

North 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

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June 8, 2012

FTC Highlights P-to-P Network Risks

2 Settlements in Cases That Exposed Data on 100,000

The 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

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June 8, 2012

Flame: Developed by Expert Cryptographers, Comes with “Suicide” Switch

There 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

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June 8, 2012

Last.fm Confirms They Were Hacked, Change Your Passwords Now

After 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

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June 8, 2012

Mobile devices bring cloud storage -- and security risks -- to work

Corporate policies alone won't address the use of cloud storage services by employees

Computerworld - 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

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June 8, 2012

Cybercrime 'much bigger than al Qaeda'

Security experts confirm concern outlined by DHS Secretary in recent speech

June 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

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June 8, 2012

Suspect in ID theft case sentenced

The 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

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June 8, 2012

Man gets prison for posing as SEAL in ID theft case

A 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

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June 8, 2012

Ham Lake woman pleads guilty to bank fraud, identity theft

A 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

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June 8, 2012

Scarsdale Police Arrest Two On ID Theft, Grand Larceny Charges

SPD arrested a Mount Vernon woman and Bronx man yesterday

Scarsdale 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

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June 8, 2012

Arrests made in thefts from online bank accounts

Fourteen people were indicted in an alleged cyber bank fraud scheme that took money from the accounts of Bank of America customers

Stealing 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

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June 8, 2012

Son Turns in Feasterville Dad for Identity Theft

A 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

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June 8, 2012

Richmond woman charged with Social Security fraud, identity theft

A 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

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June 8, 2012

ID theft sting nabs state employee

ALBANY - 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

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June 8, 2012

Police flush ID theft scheme

BRANDON -- 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

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June 7, 2012

Phantom Debt Collectors From India Harass Americans, Demand Money

Hundreds 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

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June 7, 2012

Microsoft's reaction to Flame shows seriousness of 'Holy Grail' hack

Company's fast, sweeping response proves how critical it considers Windows Update

Computerworld - 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

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June 7, 2012

Like LinkedIn, eHarmony is hacked; 1.5 million passwords stolen

EHarmony, 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

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June 7, 2012

LinkedIn Confirms Password Breach

Nearly 6.5 Million May Have Been Compromised

LinkedIn 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

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June 7, 2012

Survey Shows Consumers Still Openly Risking ID Theft

A 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

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June 7, 2012

CloudFlare Details How AT&T Systems Were Bypassed by Hackers

A 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

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June 7, 2012

Siemens Enhances Security In Post-Stuxnet SCADA World

Firewall, VPN features now embedded in some products as Siemens gradually beefs up its security strategy

Stuxnet 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

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June 6, 2012

6.5 Million Alleged LinkedIn Password Hashes Dumped Online

A 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

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June 6, 2012

Indian ISPs targeted in Anonymous censorship protest

Their websites have been attacked as blocks on some file-sharing sites continue

IDG 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

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June 6, 2012

Hacker Says He Accessed Pair Of Presidential Hopeful Romney's Online Accounts

Breach suggests Mitt Romney--or his aides--used same password across multiple Web services ...read full article

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June 6, 2012

Google starts warning users of state-sponsored computer attacks

Users targeted by government-involved campaigns may see advisory banners

Google 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

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June 6, 2012

Identity theft victim fights to clear his name after deadly crash

FORT WORTH, TX - A Texas man is trying to clear his name after his identity was stolen. ...read full article

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June 6, 2012

Two indicted for ID theft, tax fraud

Edwin Bonannee, Sabrina Balkman-Bradwell are accused

A 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

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June 6, 2012

Suspect sentenced in identity theft case

Only 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

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June 6, 2012

Woodbury man accused of stealing co-worker's identity

Washington 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

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June 6, 2012

Bronx man arrested after stealing Darien identities

A 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

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June 6, 2012

Urbana woman charged with aggravated ID theft

URBANA — 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

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June 6, 2012

Empowering the IRS in Combating Identity Theft

The 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

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June 6, 2012

ID Theft in Backyard of Texas Attorney General

LAREDO, 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

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June 6, 2012

Anonymous Again Crusading Against Child Pornography

Members 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

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June 6, 2012

New Bern man pleads guilty to ID theft scheme

Raleigh, 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

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June 5, 2012

Financial Documents Found In Bank Trash Bin

Oildale Woman Victim Of Identity Theft

OILDALE, 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

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June 5, 2012

Commission candidate faced ID theft charge in 2008

Linda 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

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June 5, 2012

Police: Man working in Cinnaminson using woman's identity

CINNAMINSON — 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

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June 5, 2012

Police search for man who stole $10,000 in Carlisle area identity theft case

A suspect in an identity theft stole nearly $10,000 from a Carlisle man in May, according to state police at Carlisle. ...read full article

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June 5, 2012

Police say woman used fake ID at Sears store in Meriden

MERIDEN — 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

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June 5, 2012

Manteca man sentenced for ID theft and fraud

SACRAMENTO - 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

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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

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June 5, 2012

Dominican national used personal ID of dead man for decade, feds say

A 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

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June 5, 2012

Plea agreement filed in identity theft case

A 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

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June 5, 2012

Restaurant Chain Reports Card Breach

Method of Attack, Which Affected 43 Sites, Is Unclear

Penn 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

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June 5, 2012

State of California Site Hacked, Sensitive Data Leaked

After 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

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June 5, 2012

SwaggSec claims China Telecom data breach

Hacktivists 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

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June 5, 2012

Famed 'credit zombie' resurrected, with lessons for anyone with a SSN

Judy 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

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June 4, 2012

Experian Data Breach Resolution and Ponemon Institute study indicates consumer confusion following a data breach

New survey reveals 72 percent of respondents were disappointed in the way they were notified of a data breach

COSTA 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

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June 4, 2012

Bend Man Charged With Theft From Elderly Victim

BEND, 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

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June 4, 2012

BHPD Chief Alleged Victim of Identity Theft

David Snowden's personal information was allegedly stolen in an effort to shut off the electricity at his home

Beverly 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

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June 4, 2012

Federal blunders enable ID theft

TAMPA -- 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

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June 4, 2012

Offices need to lock up IDs to prevent theft

With 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

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June 4, 2012

Utah CTO steps down following data breach

Computerworld - 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

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June 4, 2012

Thrift Savings Plan Notifies Customers of Breach 10 Months After the Incident

Data 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

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June 4, 2012

Five Sentenced for Their Roles in Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Scheme

Fahim 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

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June 4, 2012

Companies See Business In 'Doxing' The Adversary

It'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

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June 4, 2012

Microsoft certificate used to sign Flame malware, issues warning

Summary: 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

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June 4, 2012

Small banking Trojan poses major risk

Security researchers have discovered a tiny, but highly capable banking Trojan. ...read full article

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June 4, 2012

'Spy' contacted defense firms / Police plan to investigate, question those courted by diplomat

A Chinese diplomat allegedly engaged in espionage contacted officials at several defense companies while he was in Japan, according to investigative sources. ...read full article

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June 4, 2012

'SwaggSec' claims hack of China Telecom, Warner Bros.

The alleged data haul includes internal documents and administrator login credentials

IDG 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

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June 4, 2012

Malicious PowerPoint Presentations Exploit Flash Vulnerability to Drop Backdoor

It’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

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June 1, 2012

IRS Aims High to Crack Down on Identity Theft

The IRS is ramping up its efforts to crack down on personal identity thefts involving illegally procured tax return information. ...read full article

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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

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June 1, 2012

Fort Bragg police: Two boys posing as officers in ID theft scam

Ukiah 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

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June 1, 2012

Philly Woman Charged with Credit Card, Identity Theft in Toms River

A Philadelphia woman is charged with credit card theft and identity theft, in incidents within Monmouth and Ocean counties, police said. ...read full article

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June 1, 2012

Hackers Not Attracted to Small Businesses? False

Small 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

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June 1, 2012

Tenafly man sentenced for role in bank fraud ring

A 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

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May 31, 2012

Suspect in multi-state ID theft ring in custody in Milford

MILFORD — 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

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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

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May 31, 2012

St. Paul man pleads guilty in $2M ID theft ring

A 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

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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

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May 31, 2012

Tips on Preventing Tax-Refund Identity Theft

The 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

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May 31, 2012

ID thief gets at least three years for putting skimming devices, cameras on ATMs

A 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

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May 30, 2012

Serco: 'Sophisticated' Attack On U.S. Govt. Pension Plan Nets Info On 123k

Serco 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

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May 30, 2012

Romanian authorities dismantle hacker group targeting government websites

Romania's organized crime prosecutors detained 12 individuals suspected of hacking into official websites

IDG 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

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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

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May 30, 2012

Hospital agrees to pay $750,000 over data breach allegations

A 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

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May 30, 2012

New Jersey mayor, son, arrested on charges they nuked recall website

The 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

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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 certificate

His plan began to unravel when ex-employers HMV called police with concerns about a life insurance policy they'd paid out

A 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

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May 29, 2012

Dentist indicted on prescription, fraud charges; Identity theft also among allegations

An 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

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May 29, 2012

Man indicted for wire fraud, identity theft in scheme involving PayPal accounts

NEW 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

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May 29, 2012

Identity theft scam busted

Three 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

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May 29, 2012

Print Email Font Resize Alleged ID theft ring dismantled after routine traffic stop in Diamond Bar

DIAMOND 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

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May 29, 2012

Rent scam results in identity theft for North mum

A 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

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May 29, 2012

Linden job-seekers duped in ID-theft scam

Dozens 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

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May 29, 2012

Man faces sentencing for ID theft scheme

HARTFORD, 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

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May 29, 2012

Port Barre residents victims of identity theft

The 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

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May 29, 2012

Car theft ring also involved in identity theft

As 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

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May 29, 2012

Identity thieves targeting travelers

DENVER - Earlier this week representatives from Lifelock Identity Theft Prevention services made a stop in Colorado. ...read full article

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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

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May 29, 2012

N.J. Senate to vote on bill aimed at stopping ID theft via copiers

TRENTON — 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

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May 29, 2012

Village Warns Residents of Identity Thieves and Jury Duty Scams

Threat 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

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May 25, 2012

Texas man gets 20 years in prison for trying to give al-Qaida drone, GPS documents

HOUSTON — 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

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May 25, 2012

Arrest made in Facebook identity theft case

JOHNSTON 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

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May 25, 2012

Unidentified man found guilty of identity theft and fraud involving Mayport Naval Station and JAXPORT

JACKSONVILLE, 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

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May 25, 2012

Data Breach and Identity Fraud: How to Proactively Mitigate Fraud Loss

The 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

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May 25, 2012

China arrests suspects as ID theft crackdown continues

Beijing authorities have arrested 160 individuals on charges of stealing personal information, according to the Chinese news site Sina. ...read full article

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May 25, 2012

Whiting Man Indicted on Identity Theft Charges

A 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

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May 25, 2012

Identity theft cases in the Rochester region reached 683

Finger 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

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May 25, 2012

Westborough woman charged with identity theft

FRAMINGHAM — 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

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May 25, 2012

California Woman Indicted for Allegedly Impersonating a Congressional Aide

WASHINGTON – 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

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May 24, 2012

Secretary Hillary Clinton: We Hacked Yemen Al Qaeda Sites

In 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

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May 24, 2012

Insider Case Exposes Security Lapses

In 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

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May 24, 2012

Armenian Bredolab Creator Jailed For Computer Sabotage

An 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

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May 24, 2012

Fake Angry Birds app makers fined £50k for shock cash suck

Making money-grabbing malware is too easy on Android, say experts

A 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

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May 24, 2012

New Jersey Identity Theft Brings Credit Card Skimming to Light

A 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

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May 24, 2012

2 sentenced in identity theft, false documents case

Two alleged managers from a multi-city identity theft and false document production scheme were sentenced today in U.S. District Court. ...read full article

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May 24, 2012

Appeals court affirms Mason City woman's identity theft sentence

MASON 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

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May 24, 2012

IDChief.com Is Popular Among Teenagers

GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND (WUSA)--Police have a warning about fake IDs that young people nationwide are purchasing from a very popular website. ...read full article

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May 23, 2012

EXCLUSIVE: Feds Bust Multi-Million Dollar Identity Theft Ring

MIAMI (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

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May 23, 2012

Extensive identity theft operation exposed

DALLAS - 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

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May 23, 2012

Man Arrested on Four Counts of ID Theft in Wilton

A 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

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May 23, 2012

Fife police arrest two people in ID theft case

Fife police have arrested two people suspected of stealing the identities of more than 40 people. ...read full article

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May 23, 2012

Wilton police arrest Bridgeport man for identity theft

WILTON -- A Bridgeport man was arrested by Wilton police and charged was with four counts of identity theft last week. ...read full article

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May 23, 2012

Anonymous claims it hacked a DOJ site

The department said it was looking into the unauthorized access

IDG 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

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May 23, 2012

Jailed Facebook hack Brit targeted Justin Bieber's girlfriend

Selena Gomez 'told' fans her boyfriend 'sucks' in attack

A 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

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May 23, 2012

McAfee sees 'malware explosion' across desktop, mobile platforms

Summary: Although Android is a prime target, McAfee researchers find that there is an increase in malware across all platforms. ...read full article

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May 23, 2012

IBM Research Website Hacked and Defaced by KHS

The 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

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May 22, 2012

PARIS TN: Paris, TN woman to pay $70,000 in identity fraud case

A 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

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May 22, 2012

5 Plead Guilty to Mortgage Scheme

$1.5 Million Scam Illustrates Challenges in Catching Fraud

A 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

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May 22, 2012

Seven-Year-Old Boy's Identity Stolen

Reidsville, 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

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May 22, 2012

Identity theft ring busted

DALLAS - Police on Monday stumbled upon hundreds of stolen credit cards and social security numbers. ...read full article

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May 22, 2012

Ghana man gets 2 years in prison for identity theft

A 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

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May 22, 2012

Identity Theft Is No Longer The Top Reported Cyber Crime

We'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

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May 22, 2012

NoHo man held as suspect in card skimming, ID theft

A 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

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May 22, 2012

Man Sentenced for Aggravated Identity Theft

A 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

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May 22, 2012

Diablo 3 Accounts Get Hacked, Blizzard Says It’s Investigating Every Case

Diablo 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

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May 22, 2012

Smartphone hijacking vulnerability affects AT&T, 47 other carriers

Malicious data is injected by tricking firewalls into leaking sensitive data

Computer 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

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May 22, 2012

Cross-browser worm spreads via Facebook, security experts warn

Malware writers use Crossrider browser extension development framework to build Facebook worm

IDG 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

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May 21, 2012

The man who stole identities of dead children

THE 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

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May 21, 2012

Woman sentenced in ID theft case at Mitchellville prison

A 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

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May 21, 2012

ID theft by sisters devastates woman

SPARTA -- 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

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May 21, 2012

Local identity theft case may help break up suspected forgery ring

WARRENSBURG -- Local resident Rick Hull just wanted to electronically file his state and federal tax returns last month. ...read full article

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May 21, 2012

Hospital worker from Quincy charged with ID theft

She and her brother stole electricity, Quincy police allege

QUINCY — 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

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May 21, 2012

Residents Of Teaneck Falling Prey To ‘Outbreak’ Of ID Theft, Credit Card Fraud

Thieves are very busy preying on residents of Teaneck, New Jersey. ...read full article

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May 21, 2012

Woman’s ‘years of plotting’ lead to probation

Pukalani resident sentenced for stealing from travel business

WAILUKU - 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

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May 21, 2012

Mount Olive Police charge woman found in Mine Hill with identity theft

MOUNT 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

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May 21, 2012

Children Far More Likely To Be Victimized By Identity Theft

Greensboro, 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

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May 21, 2012

Another NHS trust coughs up £90k fine for lax fax acts

Patients' privates sent to wrong address for months

The 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

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May 21, 2012

Three Johnson County inmates charged with identity theft

Three Johnson County Jail inmates are accused of accessing another inmate's phone account to make nearly $60 in phone calls. ...read full article

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May 18, 2012

Defendants in Alabama Plead Guilty in Two Separate Stolen Identity Refund Fraud Schemes

Three 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

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May 18, 2012

ID Theft Victims Ate at Same Restaurant

Several 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

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May 18, 2012

200 in county recent victims of mail theft

Credit 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

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May 18, 2012

Mac-based Flashback click fraud campaign was a bust

Malware infected 600,000 Macs, but hackers haven't collected a dime

Computerworld - 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

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May 18, 2012

New P2P Zeus Variant Targets Popular Sites with Bogus Offers

Facebook, 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

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May 18, 2012

SCADA/Smart-Grid Vendor Adopts Microsoft's Secure Software Development Program

Meanwhile, utilities lag when it comes to cyberattack preparedness and risk management at the executive and board level

Microsoft 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

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May 18, 2012

3 Keys to Mobile Security

Banks Are Thinking Beyond Mobile Banking, Payments

Mobile 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

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May 18, 2012

Anonymous turns its DDoS cannons on India

Takes out government, court and political party sites

Hacktivist 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

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May 18, 2012

Bitcoin Developers Address Denial-of-Service Vulnerability

Bitcoin 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

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May 18, 2012

Senior Corporate Execs Failing in Cyber Risk Management, Survey

Senior 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

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May 18, 2012

US firms over-reliant on firewalls to defend against DDoS attacks

But no 'magic box' can beat DDoS, says Neustar

May 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

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May 18, 2012

Skype Malware Campaign Spreading Poison Ivy Trojan

Malware 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

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May 18, 2012

Livingston Man Arrested for Tax Fraud, Identity Theft

A 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

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May 18, 2012

School officials' Facebook rummaging prompts mom's privacy crusade

A 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

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May 17, 2012

Alabama Sisters Sent to Prison for Their Roles in Stolen Identity Refund Fraud

Loretta 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

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May 17, 2012

Police: NJ airport supervisor accused of ID theft likely bought birth info from cabbie

NEWARK, 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

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May 17, 2012

Another View: Louisiana utility-bill scam a reminder about ID theft

Necessity 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

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May 17, 2012

Guyana native charged with aggravated ID theft

A 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

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May 17, 2012

Trial set in identity theft case

LINDEN — 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

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May 17, 2012

AusCERT 2012: Lack of security aiding medical fraud, identity theft

Medicare cards have no identifiers while prescription slips can be easily forged, says Queensland Health investigations officer

Queensland 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

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May 17, 2012

Utah CTO takes fall for data breach

Resignation sought by Gov. Herbert after breach exposes data on 280,000 Medicaid recipients

Computerworld - 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

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May 17, 2012

Trojan Mimics Chrome Installer to Steal Banking Information

Malware 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

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May 17, 2012

UK man to spend year in the clink for Facebook account hack

21-year-old admitted breaking into US victim's profile

A British man has been jailed for a year after hacking into the Facebook account of a US citizen. ...read full article

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May 17, 2012

Alleged identity theft ring operator busted

A 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

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May 16, 2012

Informant leads to ID?theft conviction

An 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

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May 16, 2012

Zeus variant tricks Facebook users into exposing card data

New Zeus version injects rogue debit card-related offers into popular websites

IDG 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

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May 16, 2012

High-Ranked Sites Blacklisted by Google After Being Hijacked

Researchers 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

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May 16, 2012

Feds phasing out SIN card to fight identify theft

OTTAWA — 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

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May 16, 2012

10 Practices to Secure the Supply Chain

NIST Drafting New Guidance to Mitigate Supply Chain Risk

Guidance that identifies 10 overarching practices to mitigate supply chain risks is being developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. ...read full article

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May 16, 2012

Another Cybersecurity Bill Runs Into Trouble on Capitol Hill

A 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

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May 16, 2012

Stuxnet ? cyberwar, says US Army Cyber Command officer

AusCERT: 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

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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

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May 15, 2012

Security guard at Newark airport is arrested, accused of identity theft

HACKENSACK, 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

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May 15, 2012

Northwestern Memorial employee charged with theft of patients' identities

A 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

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May 15, 2012

Georgia Launches Pilot Program to Catch Identity Theft-Related Tax Fraud

The 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

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May 15, 2012

Is Global's Breach Growing?

Sources Say 7 Million Cards May Have Been Exposed

Some 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

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May 15, 2012

DoD Program Expanded, Designed to Share Threat Information

The 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

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May 15, 2012

CERT Warns On Critical Hole In SCADA Software By Italian Firm Progea

The 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

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May 15, 2012

Check Fraud: The Next Generation

Schemes Have Evolved, But Detection Methods Haven't

Many 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

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May 15, 2012

The Revolution from Cyber Terrorist attack to Indian Cyber Security

Cyber 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

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May 15, 2012

LulzSec member pleads not guilty to charges he hacked Stratfor website

A 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

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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

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May 14, 2012

BitCoin hacked, More than 18,000 Bitcoins Stolen

Bitcoinica, 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

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May 14, 2012

700,000 CA social services records lost—on microfiche

Private 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

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May 14, 2012

Exclusive: potential China link to cyberattacks on gas pipeline companies

Those 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

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May 14, 2012

Facebook birthdays and identity theft

Smartphone apps can also access your information

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Stealing your personal information. There's an app for that and it could be on your smartphone. ...read full article

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May 14, 2012

Identity Theft Concerns Follow Security Breach

YORK, 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

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May 14, 2012

Lessons Learned: Identity theft 101

This 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

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May 14, 2012

Your Deceased Relative Could be a Victim of Identity Theft

Your 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

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May 11, 2012

UNC-Charlotte Data Breaches Expose 350,000 Social Security Numbers and Much More

Confidential 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

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May 11, 2012

Senator seeks DOJ cellphone tracking data

Law enforcement agencies sometimes collect such data from operators without warrants, according to reports

IDG 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

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May 11, 2012

N.J. man indicted in money laundering, identity theft

TRENTON - 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

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May 11, 2012

Scam suspect relents, gets lawyer in Ohio court

CLEVELAND -- 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

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May 11, 2012

Woman charged in reported theft of credit cards

A 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

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May 11, 2012

Lap Band surgery center owners accused of identity theft and false medical billing scheme

Several 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

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May 11, 2012

IC3 2011 Internet Crime Report Released

More Than 300,000 Complaints of Online Criminal Activity Reported in 2011

FAIRMONT, 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

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May 11, 2012

Online Retailer Breached

Incident Highlights E-Commerce Vulnerabilities

Banking institutions and their customers need to be aware of a new online retailer data breach. ...read full article

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May 11, 2012

Amnesty International UK Site Hijacked, Serves Ghost RAT

Security 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

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May 11, 2012

Phantom of TeaMp0isoN Arrested in Russia

While 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

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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

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May 11, 2012

Charity 'Scammer' 'Bobby Thompson' Dares Prosecutors to Discover His True Identity

Over 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

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May 10, 2012

California moves to stop employers demanding Facebook passwords

The move is part of a wave of legislative activity to block the practice

IDG 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

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May 10, 2012

3 Reasons Skimmers Are Winning

Anti-Skimming Tech Won't Win War on Card Fraud

Banks and credit unions say that losses linked to card-skimming and other sources of debit card fraud are increasingly concerning. ...read full article

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May 10, 2012

Third teen TeamPoison hack suspect quizzed by cyber-cops

Lad cuffed in anti-terror hotline attack probe

British cyber-cops have arrested a third suspected member of the infamous TeaMp0isoN hacker crew. ...read full article

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May 10, 2012

GFI Labs Observes Cybercriminals Targeting Users Of Major Social Networking Sites In April

VIPRE Report for April 2012 is a collection of the 10 most prevalent threat detections encountered last month

CLEARWATER, 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

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May 10, 2012

Norwegian teens arrested over SOCA DDoS attack

Also accused of pwning online newspaper, financial services group

Norwegian 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

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May 10, 2012

FBI Concerned About Bitcoin Usage Among Cybercriminals

The 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

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May 10, 2012

UNC Charlotte: 350,000 SSNs exposed in decade-long breach

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte said financial data and Social Security numbers were exposed

IDG 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

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May 9, 2012

Leaders of Multi-million Dollar Fraud Ring That Used Stolen Information of Medicaid Recipients Each Sentenced to Over 25 Years in Prison

Veronica 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

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May 9, 2012

Identity theft scheme lands two in jail for 25 years

Montgomery, 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

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May 9, 2012

Former KeyBank branch manager pleads guilty to fraud, identity theft

A 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

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May 9, 2012

Criminal ID Theft: A Long Road for Victims

North Little Rock - If you're a victim of financial identity theft the credit bureaus have ways to clear your name. ...read full article

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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

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May 9, 2012

Wanted ID theft suspect arrested after reward offered

PORTLAND, OR - A man wanted for a long list of ID theft and forgery cases has been arrested by Portland Police. ...read full article

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May 9, 2012

Malware Installed on Travelers’ Laptops Through Software Updates on Hotel Internet Connections

Recent 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

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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

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May 9, 2012

Twitter resists subpoena to release user's data without warrant

A judge erred when ruling a person does not own content he posts to the service, Twitter said

IDG 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

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May 9, 2012

Iowa Student Presents Bouncer’s Stolen ID

A 19-year-old University of Iowa student reportedly picked the wrong person to fool with a fake ID. ...read full article

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May 8, 2012

Local 12 Reporter's Identity Stolen By Registered Sex Offender

Each 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

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May 8, 2012

Texas man gets over 5 years in prison for fraud and ID theft in foreclosure

According 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

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May 8, 2012

4 accused of ID theft after raid at Tempe business

Four people were arrested on suspicion of identity theft after the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office raided a Tempe business on Monday. ...read full article

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May 8, 2012

ID thieves have new target: prison inmates

PHOENIX (CBS5) - A number of inmates at Perryville Prison, west of Phoenix, have committed some serious crimes. ...read full article

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May 8, 2012

St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud, Conspiracy, and Identity Theft Charges

ST. 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

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May 8, 2012

Zynga's YoVille gets hacked

Hackers infiltrate the social game affecting gameplay and stealing users' virtual goods, but private and sensitive data isn't compromised. ...read full article

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May 8, 2012

Anonymous Hackers Target Putin Inauguration

Internet 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

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May 8, 2012

Loan Processor Rips Off Students, Class Claims

VENTURA, 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

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May 7, 2012

Burleson police investigate possible identity theft involving teacher

The 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

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May 7, 2012

Bankruptcy Fraud and Identity Theft in Connection with Nationwide Foreclosure Rescue Scheme Sentence Handed Down

Los 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

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May 7, 2012

Man charged with identity theft against Miss Washington

The 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

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May 7, 2012

Three arrested in theft of inmates' identities

A 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

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May 7, 2012

Eastside ID Theft Ring Suspects Arrested in Lake Forest Park

The 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

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May 7, 2012

New Haven woman charged with identity theft in Milford purse-snatching

MILFORD — 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

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May 7, 2012

Identity Theft Leads To False Tax Returns

Metro Woman Is Still Waiting For Her Return

DENVER -- 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

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May 7, 2012

BRIEF: Montgomery woman pleads guilty to tax fraud, identity theft

A Montgomery woman has pleaded guilty to tax fraud and identity theft, the U.S. attorney's office announced. ...read full article

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May 7, 2012

Police take down five involved in ID theft ring

Over 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

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May 7, 2012

Identity theft hits Eastlake woman and 1 in 20 Americans

On 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

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May 7, 2012

Apple engineering mistake exposes clear-text passwords for Lion

An attacker could potentially decrypt information secured with an older version of FileVault, Apple's encryption technology

IDG 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

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May 7, 2012

UK Ministry of Defence: Hackers Have Breached Top Secret Systems

The 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

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May 7, 2012

Flash flaw being used to deliver email based attacks

Adobe 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

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May 3, 2012

Eight Defendants Charged as Part of an Identity Theft Tax Refund Undercover Operation

ifredo 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

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May 3, 2012

Woman Jailed in Lynwood's Detention Facility for Suspected ID Thefts

The 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

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May 3, 2012

Second of two sentenced for regional identity theft scam

A 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

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May 3, 2012

Hackers blackmail Belgian bank with threats to publish customer data

The hackers call their demand an "idiot tax" because the information was unencrypted on the bank's web server

IDG 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

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May 3, 2012

Botnet army flicks 'off' switch at UK crime agency website

Suspiciously close to Soca's shutdown of stolen-data shops

The 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

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May 3, 2012

Feds: We Found Alleged Navy Vets Scammer's $1M Stash

U.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

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May 2, 2012

Websites Selling Stolen Cards Foiled

Sizing Up the Impact on Card Fraud

International 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

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May 2, 2012

Healthcare Unable To Keep Up With Insider Threats

Insiders played a role in recent breaches at Utah Department of Health, Emory and South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

April 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

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May 2, 2012

Iran admits expanded cyberattacks, claims it's identified hackers

But state-backed media reports are thin on details

Computerworld - 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

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May 2, 2012

Microsoft detects new malware targeting Apple computers

Apple users should be sure their Mac version of Office has up-to-date patches

May 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

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May 2, 2012

Scam Video Game Startup Yanked From Kickstarter After Raising Thousands

A 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

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May 2, 2012

European Space Agency hacked, sensitive data released publicly

It 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

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May 2, 2012

Microsoft Investigating Skype Breach Exposing IP Addresses

A 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

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May 2, 2012

$728 Million Returned From Rigas-Adelphia Fraud

MANHATTAN (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

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May 2, 2012

Woman sentenced for ID theft in prescription-drug case

A 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

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May 1, 2012

Flashback gang could be making $10K a day off infected Macs

Symantec spells out the malware's money-making mechanism: click fraud

Computerworld - 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

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May 1, 2012

Fat Finger Error Lands Welsh Health Board $140K Fine

An 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

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May 1, 2012

Anonymous Deface International Police Association Website

The 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

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May 1, 2012

Attackers Place Command and Control Servers Inside Enterprise Walls

Skilled 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

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May 1, 2012

Oops! Amazon Web Services Customer Unleashes ‘Denial of Money’ Attack – on Himself

When 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

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May 1, 2012

Muslim Liberation Army Deface Anti-Islamic Site

Paras 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

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May 1, 2012

4 Kingfisher Airlines Sites Defaced by Hitcher

Hitcher, 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

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May 1, 2012

Notorious identity thief to plead guilty

PORTLAND, 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

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May 1, 2012

Beverly Hills woman arrested in Lincolnshire identity theft ring

A 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

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May 1, 2012

Symantec: Cyber-Attacks Up 81% in 2011, SMBs Increasingly Targeted

Hackers 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

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May 1, 2012

UW ID thief gets probation in case from 2007

An 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

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May 1, 2012

Corporate identity theft threatens Maine businesses

While 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

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May 1, 2012

Norfolk woman pleads guilty in ID theft scheme

A 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

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April 30, 2012

Credit Card Identity Theft Ring Busted

Chicago - 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

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April 30, 2012

Warrant: Stolen tax files led to ID theft case

New 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

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April 30, 2012

R.I. Attorney General warns of rental property identity theft scams

PROVIDENCE — Searching for a new home could cost you your identity, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin warns. ...read full article

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April 30, 2012

Identity thief sentenced to four years in prison

A 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

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April 30, 2012

Theft of personal documents in Fort Worth led to two-year crime spree

Two 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

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April 30, 2012

Freed Facebook hack Brit vents fury at $200k cleanup claim

Mangham longs for security job after sentence halved on appeal

A 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

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April 27, 2012

Guilty plea entered to fraud, identity theft

A 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

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April 27, 2012

6 identity theft ring suspects sentenced

Six 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

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April 27, 2012

Four Steps for Fighting ACH Fraud

Texas Bankers, Law Enforcers Collaborate and Offer Advice

In Texas, increasing incidents of corporate account takeover, often perpetrated by phishing schemes used to commit ACH and wire fraud, have raised concern. ...read full article

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April 27, 2012

Taliban website hacked for third time this year

KABUL — Hackers have for the third time in less than a year crippled the main website of the Afghan Taliban, with a Taliban spokesman on Friday blaming Western intelligence agencies amid an intensifying cyber war with the insurgents. ...read full article

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April 27, 2012

FBI Targets An Austrian Remailer in Pitt Bomb Threat Case

FBI investigators have broadened their probe into emailed bomb threats at the University of Pittsburgh to an anonymous remailer in Austria. ...read full article

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April 27, 2012

Patriotic hackers face off in South China Sea

Dispute over islands claimed by China and Philippines goes online

The Philippine government has appealed in vain for patriotic hackers in the country to “be the bigger man” and not retaliate against China for a series of suspected attacks on university and government web sites, as the stand-off between the two countries over a set of disputed islands continues. ...read full article

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April 27, 2012

House passes CISPA cyberthreat sharing bill, despite privacy concerns

One opponent has expressed worries that the bill would create a 'Wild West of information sharing'

IDG News Service - The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a cyberthreat information-sharing bill that critics say will give U.S. government agencies access to the private communications of millions of Internet users. ...read full article

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April 26, 2012

Nissan Delayed Revealing Hack

Nissan Motor Company was hacked 11 days ago by unknown attackers who swiped employees’ IDs and encrypted passwords after planting a computer virus on the company’s computer systems. But the motor vehicle maker waited a week to disclose the attack so it could investigate. ...read full article

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April 26, 2012

White House Issues A Smackdown On CISPA

The Internet appears poised to win another battle when it comes to Internet legislation. Civil liberties groups and other “political voices of the Internet” have been expressing grave concern over the past few weeks about the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, a bill moving through Congress that would make it easier for private companies to share information about cyber threats with government agencies. Those opposed have expressed concern about the fact that it exempts companies from privacy laws, shields companies from liability from customers and regulators for information they turn over, and the vagueness of the bill, which doesn’t define what a cyber threat is, set limits on what can be turned over, nor describe which agencies would be privy to the secret spilling. ...read full article

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April 26, 2012

Bend ID Theft Case Drives Home Message of Caution

Police Say Mail Was Stolen from Trash to Fake Checks, IDs

BEND, Ore. -- A Bend woman was arrested Tuesday on more than 160 identity theft, forgery and computer crime charges, the third arrest in an ID theft scheme that went through people’s garbage to find their mail, police said Wednesday. ...read full article

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April 26, 2012

Cookeville teen victim of criminal identity theft

Nineteen year old Cookeville resident, Chelsea Renee Scott learned about identity theft up close and personal. She is not a shoplifter, so you can imagine her surprise, to say the least, when she and her family read in the local newspaper that she'd been accused of the crime. ...read full article

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April 26, 2012

Fairfield Man Charged with Identity Theft

A Fairfield man was charged with identity theft last week following an investigation started earlier this year, police said. ...read full article

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April 26, 2012

Raleigh Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud and Identity Theft Scheme

RALEIGH—United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that Roger Van Santvoord Camp, 68, pled guilty last week to a six-count indictment charging him with four counts of bank fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344(2), and two counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028A. ...read full article

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April 26, 2012

'Obstinate' Conficker worm infests millions of PCs years later

Suppressed botnet has 7M Windows machines in its grip three years after it first appeared

Computerworld - Microsoft yesterday said the long-suppressed Conficker botnet is still actively infecting millions of new machines, giving Windows enterprise users a two-and-a-half-year headache. ...read full article

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April 26, 2012

Global cop squad busts 36 credit card data-selling sites

SOCA, Feds and others shut down fraud-in-a-trolley scammers

An international team of cops has taken down 36 websites that were being used to shift vast quantities of stolen credit card and bank account data. ...read full article

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April 26, 2012

Russian cyber crime market more organized, lucrative

When it comes to information sharing, the cyber crime community in Russia is way ahead of the game. ...read full article

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April 26, 2012

Cyber Spin on Check Fraud?

Hackers Use Malware to Gain Access to Stored Images

Check fraud may seem like an antiquated scheme, but banking institutions continue to struggle with how best to prevent it. ...read full article

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April 26, 2012

Iranian Cyberthreat To U.S. A Growing Concern

'Seismic shift' in Iran's cyberstrategy, but the U.S. is lacking an official strategy for response and offense, experts tell Congress

Iran isn't at the top of the list of cyberthreats to the U.S. today, but the bad news is that the Iranian government has the intent and motivation to become a major threat -- and appears to be shifting from defense to offense, according to expert testimony today on Capitol Hill. ...read full article

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April 25, 2012

N.Y. Jury to See Video of Man Posing as Dead Mom

Jurors in a New York court will see surveillance footage today of a man who allegedly dressed up as his dead mother for six years to cash her Social Security checks, even going as far as visiting the DMV for a new license in the get-up. ...read full article

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April 25, 2012

Florida Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft and Wire Fraud

Ernst Pierre, a Port St. Lucie, Fla., tax preparer, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Pierre was charged with a scheme to file false federal income tax returns using stolen identity information. ...read full article

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April 25, 2012

Refund Tax Fraud, iPhone, Feed Identity Theft By Employees

Last Thursday night, an undercover deputy from the Hillsborough County, Fla. Sherriff’s office, acting on a tip, made a street buy. What makes this noteworthy is he didn’t buy drugs. Instead, he purchased 33 stolen names, birth dates and Social Security numbers. ...read full article

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April 25, 2012

Man faces 10 identity theft charges

A Gastonia man faces charges he stole a Wells Fargo debit card and used it 10 times over a four-day period, according to arrest warrants. ...read full article

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April 25, 2012

Huntington Beach Police release photos of identity theft suspect

Woman wanted for stealing more than $300,000 from Chase Bank customers throughout California, Nevada.

HUNTINGTON BEACH — Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a woman wanted for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from victims' bank accounts through identity theft and forgery. ...read full article

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April 25, 2012

CISPA sponsors support amendments addressing privacy concerns

A proposed amendment would limit what U.S. agencies can do with shared information

IDG News Service - The sponsors of a controversial cyberthreat information-sharing bill will offer new amendments to address privacy concerns, with changes focused on limiting how government agencies can use information shared by private companies, as the bill comes to a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives this week. ...read full article

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April 25, 2012

Healthcare industry group builds cybersecurity threat center

Network World - Looking to address growing cybersecurity threats in the healthcare industry the Health Information Trust Alliance today said it has established a centralized Cybersecurity Incident Response and Coordination Center where organizations can report incidents and get help remediating electronic medical security problems. ...read full article

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April 25, 2012

E-Mail, Source Code From VMWare Bubbles Up From Compromised Chinese Firm

In what looks like the IT equivalent of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster, purloined data and documents, including source code belonging to the U.S. software firm VMWare, continue to bubble up from the networks of a variety of compromised Chinese firms, according to "Hardcore Charlie," an anonymous hacker who has claimed responsibility for the hacks. ...read full article

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April 25, 2012

Iran cuts off oil plants hit by mystery data-destroying virus

Lockdown as officials drill into malware riddle

Malware discovered at an Iranian oil terminal forced Iran to disconnect key oil facilities on Sunday. ...read full article

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April 25, 2012

Anonymous tweetbomb: Hacktivists round on CISPA

Hacktivist group Anonymous has slammed SOPA’s successor-bill CISPA, due to go before the US House of Representatives. They claim it will allow companies unprecedented access to personnel information, severely violating privacy laws. ...read full article

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April 25, 2012

Megaupload Trial May Never Happen Because of Possible FBI Error

The U.S. government seems to be losing ground quickly in the PR war surrounding the case against Megaupload, the massive file-sharing site, and the company’s leader, Kim Dotcom. Just over a week ago, we learned that Quinn Emmanuel had signed on as the company’s defense team; the firm hit the ground running with a brief calling B.S. on one of the government’s objections. ...read full article

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April 25, 2012

Anonymous Fameball Barrett Brown Raided By FBI

Barrett Brown, bubble bath webcam star and former spokesman for the hacktivist collective Anonymous was raided by the FBI on Wednesday. Authorities took his laptop, but not his relentlessly self-promotional spirit. ...read full article

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April 25, 2012

Containing Weapons of Mass Surveillance

President Obama is on the right track with Monday's executive order, but the United States needs to get tougher on the global digital arms race.

As the bodies continue to pile up in Syria, the Assad government's war against its own people extends beyond physical space to cyberspace. Not satisfied with pervasive surveillance through Internet and mobile networks -- conducted with the help of Western companies -- the Syrian government also conducts outright cyber-warfare against its own people. ...read full article

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April 24, 2012

Employee Sends Medicaid Info of 228K To His Yahoo! Account

MedicaidA South Carolina man was arrested yesterday on charges stemming from a data breach that may have leaked personal information on more than 200,000 Medicaid beneficiaries in the state, including their names, phone numbers, addresses, birth dates and Medicare ID numbers according to a report in the newspaper The State. ...read full article

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April 24, 2012

Iran: Oil Industry Hit By Malware Attack

Deja vu all over again as Iranian government-owned systems reportedly targeted by a 'worm'

Officials in the Iranian oil ministry say their network and the country's main oil export terminal were infected with a malware-borne attack that reportedly forced the nation to take those systems offline temporarily. ...read full article

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April 24, 2012

Russian cybercriminals earned $4.5 billion in 2011

Russian mafia took control and professionalized online crime in 2011, researchers say

IDG News Service - Russian-speaking hackers earned an estimated $4.5 billion globally using various online criminal tactics and are thus responsible for 36% of the estimated total of $12.5 billion earned globally by cybercriminals in 2011, Russian security analyst firm Group-IB said in a report published on Tuesday. ...read full article

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April 24, 2012

Trojan designed to take screenshots of hotel payment apps

Researchers warned this week of a trojan that is being hawked, on black market websites, as a way to steal customer credit card information from hotels. ...read full article

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April 24, 2012

UK biz pays heavy price for skimping on security - PwC

Infosec 2012 Hacking attacks against Blighty's top firms hit a record high according to figures for 2011. ...read full article

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April 24, 2012

Grave Robbing: 2.5 Million Dead People Get Their Identities Stolen Every Year

Being a victim of identity theft is always a frustrating ordeal, but millions of Americans have to face an even more troubling scenario: Finding out that a criminal has applied for credit in the name of a deceased family member. A new study finds that, each year, the identities of some 2.5 million dead Americans are stolen. ...read full article

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April 24, 2012

Woman sentenced to prison in ID thefts linked to car break-ins at Mt. Rainier

TACOMA, Wash. — A Tacoma woman who victimized more than a dozen visitors to Mount Rainier National Park, was sentenced to two years in prison, three years of supervised release and $7,034 in restitution for conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. ...read full article

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April 24, 2012

Man gets 75 months for ID theft

LEAGUE CITY — A man who pleaded guilty in January to aggravated identity theft and credit card fraud was sentenced Monday to 75 months in federal prison, the U.S. attorney’s office said. ...read full article

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April 24, 2012

Former Guard recruiter pleads to identity theft

JACKSON, Miss. — A former National Guard recruiter faces a mandatory two years in prison after pleading guilty Friday to aggravated identity theft. ...read full article

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April 24, 2012

ID theft victim has problem with police taking her report

Lyz DeMarco of Hollywood has been trying to report that her identity was stolen and a thief filed a federal tax return in her name for a refund, but Hollywood police have twice turned her away. ...read full article

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April 24, 2012

ID theft fraudster loses jail term plea

A hard-hearted fraudster who used a dead baby’s identity to apply for a mortgage on a house in Shropshire has had an appeal against her jail sentence thrown out by top judges. ...read full article

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April 23, 2012

Global Breach: Lessons Learned

Gartner's Litan Highlights Steps for Improving Fraud Detection

Details surrounding the Global Payments breach remain fuzzy, raising questions among security practitioners about how the payments industry can and should improve steps to mitigate card-fraud risks. ...read full article

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April 20, 2012

Students accused in identity theft ring

Women in possession of 54 stolen credit cards

To the casual observer, they looked like what they were: four college girls shopping. ...read full article

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April 20, 2012

Sacramento man indicted for bank fraud, identity theft

Yasir Mehmood, 41, is charged with multiple counts of bank fraud, submitting false documents to an agency of the United States, obtaining U.S. mail by fraud, aggravated identity theft, and credit card fraud, according to a federal Department of Justice news release. ...read full article

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April 20, 2012

Loris woman pleads guilty to identity theft in Myrtle Beach

A Loris woman pleaded guilty to identity theft in federal court on Tuesday, according to Bill Nettles, United States Attorney for South Carolina. ...read full article

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April 20, 2012

Gay man, shunned by family, steals brother's identity, police say

Brotherly love has apparently turned sour between two siblings after police said one of them fraudulently obtained credit cards, established a bank account and bought a new car under the other’s identity. ...read full article

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April 20, 2012

FBI seizes anonymizing server in bomb threat probe

Groups using the server said there's little chance the FBI will be able to trace email sent by the machine

IDG News Service - The FBI is unlikely to uncover from a seized server the identity of someone emailing bomb threats to the University of Pittsburgh, according to groups who used the equipment. ...read full article

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April 20, 2012

2,500 copycat hack attempts on abortion provider site – report

Five weeks after a man was cuffed by police for swiping around 10,000 records of women who registered with British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), the site remains under sustained hack attempts, the BBC reports. ...read full article

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April 19, 2012

BBB reports local company is victim of business identity theft

TUCSON - If you think only an individuals' identity can be stolen, think again - the Better Business Bureau reports that a local pet business recently became the victim of business identity theft. ...read full article

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April 19, 2012

Plata's Identity theft case nears end

BARSTOW • Eighteen have been convicted and seven cleared of those arrested in the extensive identity theft ring involving a local restaurant. On Tuesday, the charges were dismissed from the final defendant arrested in the crime. ...read full article

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April 19, 2012

FBI investigating UC San Marcos ID theft

(04-18) 07:00 PDT SAN MARCOS, Calif. (AP) -- The FBI is investigating allegations that 700 students had their identities stolen from computers at a San Diego County university. ...read full article

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April 19, 2012

Russian charged with hacking into brokerage accounts

Petr Murmylyuk allegedly caused $1 million in losses to Fidelity, Scottrade, E*Trade, and Schwab

IDG News Service - A Russian national has been charged in the U.S. with allegedly hacking into brokerage accounts and executing fraudulent trades, which several brokerage houses claim caused $1 million in losses. ...read full article

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April 19, 2012

ATM Attacks Exploit Lax Security

Toronto Hospitals Struck by Skimming Attacks

Lax security makes non-banking sites prime targets for skimming attacks, like the ones that hit eight hospitals in Toronto. ...read full article

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April 19, 2012

Trojan sneaks into hotel, slurps guests' credit card data

Cyberooks are selling malware through underground forums which they claim offers the ability to steal credit card information from a hotel point of sale (POS) applications. ...read full article

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April 18, 2012

Petr Murmylyuk, a.k.a. Dmitry Tokar, Charged With Fraud, Hacking, Identity Theft, Money Laundering

Petr Murmylyuk, a.k.a. Dmitry Tokar, is having a bad day. Murmylyuk has been slapped with a slew of federal charges in two different states. ...read full article

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April 18, 2012

Education combats child identity theft

Call it the invisible crime. Most parents remain largely unaware of child identity theft even as it’s becoming increasingly common. Victims and their parents may be unaware for years that a crime has occurred. A friend tried to open a bank account for her 7-year-old daughter and discovered someone had been using the child’s identity for years, starting two months after her birth. ...read full article

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April 18, 2012

Two plead guilty to roles in Palisades Park-based ID-theft ring

A major supplier of black-market Social Security cards to a Palisades Park-based identity-theft and bank-fraud ring and a customer of the ring who became a collusive merchant were each sentenced Tuesday to 4½ years in federal prison. ...read full article

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April 18, 2012

Identity Theft Bust

An identity theft investigation that began in Camarillo led to nine arrests in Port Hueneme. ...read full article

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April 18, 2012

East Palo Alto woman arrested on suspicion of identity theft

Police arrested an East Palo Alto woman on suspicion of identity theft Monday after she allegedly used a South Dakota woman's check to open an account at a downtown Palo Alto bank. ...read full article

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April 18, 2012

Identity Theft Tops List of Tax Scams

For Angela Beasley of Miami, tax time seemed especially promising this year. After doing her taxes with Intuit’s popular TurboTax software, she found she was due a refund of nearly $5,000. ...read full article

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April 18, 2012

ID thefts plague hospitals

According to a February study, 91 percent of small healthcare organizations suffered at least one data breach, with 24 percent of them likely resulting in medical identity theft. That list already is growing as about 100 North Shore University Hospital patients had their identities compromised, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System announced Thursday. ...read full article

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April 18, 2012

Teen's Arrest Underscores Need for More Secure Web Development

A 15-year-old who claimed he was bored when he turned to hacking was arrested for breaking into almost 260 companies during the first three months of this year, according to a ZDNet article published earlier today. ...read full article

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April 18, 2012

Third person pleads in New England skimming racket

A third defendant accused of participating in an ATM skimming spree that hit banks in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island has pleaded guilty. ...read full article

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April 18, 2012

Chinese and US military square off for cyber war games

The United States and Chinese military have been locking horns in secret cyber warfare exercises designed to help prevent the outbreak of real war between the two. ...read full article

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April 18, 2012

Hackers ramp up attacks against Tibetan activists

Hackers pose as security researchers or companies to trick Tibetan activists into infecting their computers with malware

IDG News Service - Hackers are ramping up their attacks against Tibetan activists and are using increasingly sophisticated techniques to deliver malware, according to researchers from security firms FireEye and Trend Micro. ...read full article

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April 18, 2012

Iranian Takes Credit For POS Hack That Spills Three Million Bank Accounts

An Iranian national exposed confidential account details for some three million bank accounts in that country, prompting warnings from banking officials. ...read full article

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April 18, 2012

Police Arrest Local Woman With History Of ID Theft

A career identity thief is back in jail after reportedly stealing checks out of women's purses in changing rooms at Rogue Valley Mall and cashing them around the county, police said. ...read full article

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April 18, 2012

Identity theft alleged in post

Gov. Bobby Jindal’s office reported an incident of alleged Facebook identity theft Tuesday involving a top aide who is spearheading the administration’s state employee pension revamp. ...read full article

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April 17, 2012

Prosecutor: Ex health agency exec stole brain injury patients' IDs, got NY-NJ tax refunds

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. — Dozens of victims of severe brain injuries had their identities stolen by a man who worked at the New York center where they were treated, a prosecutor said Monday. The suspect then filed phony tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service and in at least two states, pocketing over $200,000 in refunds. ...read full article

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April 17, 2012

Tamarac Man Faces Identity Theft Charge

FT. LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – A Tamarac man is behind bars after he was charged with ten counts of identity theft. ...read full article

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April 17, 2012

Website vulnerabilities fall, but hackers become more skilled

Developers introduced 148 serious flaws on an average per website in 2011, according to WhiteHat Security

IDG News Service - The number of coding mistakes on websites continues to fall but companies are slow to fix issues that could be exploited by hackers working with improved attack tools, a security expert said. ...read full article

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April 17, 2012

'Not guilty' plea in Utah cop site hacking case

Police twitter feed doesn't wait for court hearing

An Ohio man pleaded not guilty today to charges that he hacked into a pair of police websites in Salt Lake City, Utah in January. ...read full article

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April 17, 2012

Anonymous takes down CIA, DOJ, FBI, NASA, MI6

In a DDoS frenzy, Anonymous hacktivists have taken down websites belonging to the CIA, DOJ, FBI, NASA and MI6. Using Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, an Anonymous hacktivist from Brazil who goes by the Twitter handle Havittaja ? @Havittaja, has orchestrated an impressive series of attacks on various government website. ...read full article

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April 17, 2012

3 million bank accounts hacked in Iran

Summary: First, he warned of the security flaw in Iran’s banking system. Then he provided them with 1,000 bank account details. When they didn’t listen, he hacked 3 million accounts across at least 22 banks. ...read full article

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April 16, 2012

Traffic stop led to discovery of ID theft of special needs patients in Miami

Debbie Jean Cooper, 53, Miami Gardens, was arrested and charged with eight counts of identity theft after a deputy stopped a 2006 white Lexus on I-75 in Collier County for speeding on Thursday. The vehicle was traveling 115 mph in a 70 mph zone, according to a news release from the Collier County Sheriff's Office. ...read full article

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April 16, 2012

Tax Refunds Delayed By Rising Identity Theft

Mike Bucalo Jr., 71, has never lived in Miami. He's spent the past 25 years in Akron, Ohio. Yet according to his 2011 tax return filed in January, he resided in Florida last year. ...read full article

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April 16, 2012

Thieves spree on id’s

Dumpster-diving thieves are gleaning sensitive financial information from documents tossed by some of Manhattan’s richest residents — and the identity theft is creating a citywide spike in grand larceny, The Post has learned. ...read full article

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April 16, 2012

ID theft suspect's rent: $9 a month

Suspect in ID theft received gov't subsidized housing

LAWRENCE — A woman charged as part of an alleged nationwide identity theft ring was paying just $9 per month to live in a subsidized apartment at 19 Bigelow St. in South Lawrence. ...read full article

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April 16, 2012

Mom of dead infant gets 1 year for identity theft

A woman locked up in the Marion County Jail since August 2011 — whose baby girl died under suspicious circumstances while she was incarcerated — has been sentenced to a year in jail, according to court and jail records. ...read full article

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April 16, 2012

Five from area face identity theft, tax fraud charges

A federal grand jury has indicted five tri-county residents in an identity theft and tax fraud scheme, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. ...read full article

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April 16, 2012

U.S. Rep. Wasserman Schultz to introduce new tax-ID theft bill

The Broward Sheriff's Office has been swamped with an "escalating epidemic" of identities being stolen and used to file bogus tax returns before taxpayers could file legitimate returns. ...read full article

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April 16, 2012

UK teen charged with jamming of anti-terrorist hotline

A 16-year-old also arrested last week was bailed pending further enquiries

IDG News Service - A 17-year-old arrested after a series of prank phones calls and denial-of-service attacks directed toward an anti-terrorist alert hotline was charged on Saturday, according to the U.K.'s Metropolitan Police Service. ...read full article

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April 16, 2012

Malware Campaign Extorts Users with SOPA Threats

A new scareware-ransomware hybrid attempts to convince users they are being sued in violation of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and offers to remedy the problem if users purchase a fake antivirus solution. ...read full article

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April 16, 2012

Android Trojan distracts Japanese with anime and porn

Video trailers mask data pilfering malware

Security experts are warning of yet more malicious applications found on Google’s official online apps market Play, this time designed to steal personal data in the background while promising to show trailers for Japanese anime, video games and porn. ...read full article

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April 16, 2012

FBI track Anonymous hacker using photo of girlfriend's breasts

The FBI tracked an Anonymous hacker from Texas, with the help of a photo uploaded by his girlfriend taunting the police. The photo showed the woman's breasts with a sign attached to her belly that had information that helped the FBI track the hacker. ...read full article

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April 13, 2012

Child Identity Theft Protection Bill Passed By Maryland Lawmakers

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- As more and more children are having their credit ratings damaged by identity theft before they think of borrowing a dime, Maryland lawmakers have approved a first-of-its-kind measure to enable parents to take steps to protect their kids. ...read full article

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April 13, 2012

Nurse arriagned for ID theft

NEW YORK (WABC) -- After Eyewitness News' story aired, the Investigators immediately started getting calls and emails from victims of identity theft who all share on thing in common; they've all been patients in the North Shore Hospital-LIJ Network. ...read full article

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April 13, 2012

Arrest made in connection to ID theft ring

THE GAZETTE - Colorado Springs police arrested a 43-year-old man Thursday in connection with an identity theft and burglary ring that has been the subject of an ongoing investigation. ...read full article

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April 13, 2012

Harlem Woman Convicted Of Identity Theft Sentenced To Almost 4 Years In Federal Prison

Augusta, GA -- Regina Beard, 43, was sentenced Wednesday by United States District Court Judge J. Randal Hall to 46 months imprisonment based on her previously entered guilty plea to bank fraud. At the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, Beard was taken into custody to immediately begin serving her sentence. ...read full article

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April 13, 2012

Kenya: Disqualify Parties for Identity Theft

YESTERDAY a Star journalist discovered that he had been registered as a member of the Independent Party of former Kibwezi MP Kalembe Ndile. ...read full article

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April 13, 2012

BC companies vulnerable to corporate identity theft

Family drama highlights BC government security loophole and lawyer corruption Can anyone with the right password erase you from your own company at the Corporate Registry? A "War Of The Roses" unfolding in Vancouver reveals that there's no government protection in BC against corporate identity theft or predatory lawyers. ...read full article

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April 13, 2012

ATM Cash Trapping on the Rise

New Report Details ATM Crime Trends

The European ATM Security Team says financial losses linked to ATM fraud are down in most European markets, despite an increasing number of ATM attacks. ...read full article

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April 13, 2012

Weak passwords still the downfall of enterprise security

A pet's name or a favorite movie just isn't enough

Computerworld - A recent data breach that exposed the Social Security numbers of more than 255,000 people in Utah has once again highlighted the longstanding but often underestimated risks posed to organizations by weak and default passwords. ...read full article

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April 13, 2012

Tough Love Triumphs: SCADA Vendor Koyo Fixes Basecamp Bugs

Industrial control system vendor Koyo moved to fix vulnerabilities in its ECOM brand programmable logic controllers (PLCs) after researchers, in January, revealed that the devices were vulnerable to brute force password guessing attacks. ...read full article

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April 13, 2012

Two teens cuffed after Blighty's anti-terror hotline hacked

Two teenagers have been arrested after hackers attacked Scotland Yard’s anti-terror hotline, eavesdropped on a conversation between officials and uploaded a recording to the internet. ...read full article

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April 13, 2012

Court ruling limits reach of U.S. anti-hacking law

Insiders who have valid credentials to access confidential records cannot be charged under the nation's anti-hacking law, according to a ruling handed up this week from 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. ...read full article

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April 13, 2012

New fake anti-virus shakes down frightened file-sharers

Scareware brands Windows Registry Editor a smut 'tool', punts 'safe' torrents

Security researchers have discovered a strain of fake anti-virus software that tries to intimidate supposed file-sharers into paying for worthless software. ...read full article

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April 13, 2012

Stuxnet worm reportedly planted by Iranian double agent using memory stick

The Stuxnet computer worm used to sabotage Iran's nuclear program was planted by a double agent working for Israel. The agent used a booby-trapped memory stick to infect machines deep inside the Natanz nuclear facility, according to a report published on Wednesday. ...read full article

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April 12, 2012

Knoxville family loses tax return to identity theft

A Knoxville family lost its tax return to identity theft when they needed it the most. ...read full article

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April 12, 2012

Police Arrest Identity Theft Suspect

A four-month long investigation ends in the arrest of one person and information on others in an identity theft ring.

Scotts Valley Police have arrested a man involved in an identity theft ring responsible for several hundred thousand dollars in stolen items. ...read full article

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April 12, 2012

The dead are prime targets for ID theft

Karen Matthews’ husband died in February. In taking care of the finances, she wrote and asked me, “Is it possible to get a credit freeze for him although (he’s) deceased? I am concerned that he could be a prime target for identity theft.” ...read full article

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April 12, 2012

Identity Theft Dangers in Massachusetts

A GoLocalWorcester investigation has uncovered how the Massachusetts Public Records law is putting Bay Staters at risk of identity theft. Currently, anyone can walk into a town or city clerk’s office and ask for someone’s birth, death or marriage certificate with no proof of identity needed, just a check to pay for the copy of the document. ...read full article

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April 12, 2012

Man convicted of mail, ID theft in Houston

HOUSTON (AP) — Prosecutors in Houston say hundreds of people have been scammed by a man who swiped mail and set up fake identities. ...read full article

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April 12, 2012

Sen. Sherrod Brown looks to boost penalties for tax identify theft

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) on Wednesday said he supports a Senate bill that increases penalties for people convicted of identify theft by filing false tax returns with the IRS. ...read full article

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April 12, 2012

DDOS attacks on financial services firms explode

IDG News Service - The financial services industry saw nearly triple the number of distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks during the first three months of this year compared to the same period last year, according to a report released Wednesday. ...read full article

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April 12, 2012

Anonymous Knocks CISPA Supporters Offline

The Anonymous Internet collective is claiming responsibility for DDoS attacks that reportedly knocked offline the websites of prominent defense contractor, Boeing, and two trade associations, TechAmerica and USTelecom. ...read full article

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April 12, 2012

Trojans target pro-Tibet organisations

Gh0st RAT implicated again in attacks targeting Mac and Windows systems

Security experts are warning of yet another targeted malware campaign using socially engineered emails to infiltrate pro-Tibet organisations in a bid to covertly nab sensitive files. ...read full article

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April 12, 2012

Philadelphia IRS Worker, Partner Charged With Tax Frauds And Shakedowns

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Right in the midst of tax-filing season, a Philadelphia couple — one of them an IRS employee — has been charged in an alleged tax-refund scam. ...read full article

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April 12, 2012

Police: man forged Ilion Mayor's signature in attempt to get automotive dealer license from NYS

ILION, N.Y. (WKTV) - A Village of Ilion man is facing numerous charges after authorities say he forged the Village Mayor's signature on a document in an attempt to get a license for an automotive dealer business. ...read full article

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April 11, 2012

Fighting physician identity theft

About six years ago, Anne Peters, MD, an internist practicing in southern California, started receiving calls from doctors in her area. They told her their patients were reporting that she was billing Medicare for procedures she had done for them – things like brain scans and surgery – procedures she didn’t do. ...read full article

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April 11, 2012

Postal officials remind residents to be careful of scam money orders

WHITESBORO, N.Y. (WKTV) - One Whitesboro resident says he recently received a $955 money order from what looked like the U.S. Postal Service, one that he was not expecting and from someone he did not know. ...read full article

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April 11, 2012

ID-theft suspect arrested, faces 34 charges

CENTERVILLE — A woman who has wanted by multiple jurisdictions along the Wasatch Front is now behind bars. ...read full article

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April 11, 2012

How to Tell If an Email Is a Phishing Scam

CIO - Email phishing scams have grown more sophisticated since they first began popping up in corporate inboxes in the 1990s. Early phishing emails were relatively easy to detect as they were characterized by poor grammar and spelling. No legitimate business would send an email to customers chockfull of typos. ...read full article

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April 11, 2012

Malware-infected flash cards shipped out with HP switches

Vendor fields ProCurveBall

HP has sent out a warning to customers after the vendor found out it had inadvertently been shipping virus-laden compact flash cards with its networking kit. ...read full article

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April 11, 2012

Microsoft patches 11 security issues, attacks underway

Microsoft on Tuesday delivered six patches to plug 11 holes in its products, including one vulnerability that hackers already are using to wage targeted attacks. ...read full article

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April 11, 2012

New ZeuS-based Trojan leeches cash from cloud-based payrolls

Adds phishing mules to employee roster

Cybercrooks have forged a ZeuS-based Trojan that targets cloud-based payroll service providers. ...read full article

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April 11, 2012

Feds seize more domain names of sites accused of selling counterfeits

The two agencies have seized 758 domain names since June 2010 in an effort to combat counterfeiting

IDG News Service - The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have seized more than $896,000, plus the domain names of seven websites accused of selling counterfeit sports apparel, the two agencies announced Tuesday. ...read full article

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April 10, 2012

Tax Procrastination Can Cost You: Identity Thieves File Before Victims Do

Tax day is a week away and I hope you've already filed, because if you haven't, it's quite possible con artists have filed FOR you, using your Social Security number to claim refunds for themselves. Tax-related identity theft has doubled over the past two years and now makes up the single largest category of the crime. In 2009, only 12 percent of identity theft was related to taxes. Now tax identity theft makes up 24 percent of all ID theft crimes reported to the Federal Trade Commission. Crooks have found that Uncle Sam is a pretty easy target and they can scoop up tax refunds using YOUR good name. ...read full article

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April 10, 2012

Minnesota man charged with hacking into Marlborough server

MARLBOROUGH — A Minnesota man was charged Friday in federal court with hacking a protected Marlborough company's server and obtaining personal information of his co-workers, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ...read full article

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April 10, 2012

Former Freedom man reaches settlement in identity theft case

SAN JOSE - A man who fought to restore his credit rating after becoming a victim of identity theft more than three years ago has finally had his credit rating restored and is now able to move on with his life. He's also been able to purchase his own home, at last. ...read full article

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April 10, 2012

Identity Theft Survival Guide: What to Do Next

You may be one of these people who is painstakingly careful with the security of your personal information. You don't share sensitive data about yourself unless it is absolutely necessary, and you take numerous precautions to keep people from stealing your identity. ...read full article

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April 10, 2012

Rancho Cucamonga ID theft ring uncovered

RANCHO CUCAMONGA - Sheriff's deputies broke up a large identity theft operation this past weekend while investigating a report of drug dealing at a hotel room. ...read full article

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April 10, 2012

Anonymous plans DDoS attack on GCHQ in snoop law protest

Hacktivists hard at work as Home Office site staggers back online

Analysis The Home Office website is back online following a weekend of disruptive denial-of-service attacks by Anonymous. ...read full article

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April 10, 2012

Hackers target tech-industry groups over cybersecurity bill

Several top tech-industry groups said on Monday they were the target of cyberattacks because of their support for controversial cybersecurity legislation. ...read full article

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April 9, 2012

Twitter sues five over spamming, providing automated tools

Following in the footsteps of other social media giants, Twitter has filed its first-ever lawsuit against individuals and companies who enable spam to spread across the microblogging platform. ...read full article

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April 9, 2012

Utah breach may have compromised over 25,000 Social Security numbers

A configuration error at the authentication level allowed the hacker to circumvent the security system

IDG News Service - A data breach on a server of the Utah Department of Technology Services appears to have compromised the Social Security numbers of 25,096 individuals, the department of health of the western U.S. state said. ...read full article

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April 9, 2012

Chase Hit in ATM Skimming Attacks

Vegas Cases Highlight International Crime Concerns

A grand jury in Las Vegas has indicted 13 California residents for the roles they played in an alleged two-year card-skimming scheme that attacked ATM vestibule entry doors at numerous Chase Bank branches throughout the region. ...read full article

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April 9, 2012

Anonymous Targets U.K. Government Over Extradition Practices

Supports of Anonymous targeted the U.K. on Saturday, hitting the websites of the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice. While the attack only lasted a short time, Anonymous has said to expect more of the same as they push forward. Currently, the next target is said to be the GCHQ on April 14. ...read full article

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April 9, 2012

Sky News admits two counts of computer hacking

Sky News, which is partially owned by Rupert Murdoch's News International, has admitted that it twice authorized journalists to hack the email accounts of people it was researching for stories. ...read full article

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April 9, 2012

Heartland Suit Dismissed

Federal Judge Denies Amended Complaint by 5 Institutions

A lingering lawsuit against Heartland Payment Systems and two acquiring banks, KeyBank and Heartland Bank, appears to have been put to rest. ...read full article

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April 9, 2012

Security experts: 600,000+ estimate of Mac botnet likely on target

Researchers from several security firms say the unparalleled Mac infection is real

Computerworld - Security experts today could not confirm claims by Doctor Web, a little-known Russian antivirus company, that more than 600,000 Macs have been infected with a zero-day-exploiting Trojan, but they said the number was within reason. ...read full article

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April 9, 2012

Pa. Microsoft ID theft suspect now charged by Army

PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh man charged by the FBI with illegally obtaining a credit card using the identity of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen will first face desertion charges filed at the Louisiana Army base where he's now stationed. ...read full article

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April 9, 2012

Collier sheriff reports about 300 cases of identity theft with IRS tax filings

NAPLES — For all their criminal characteristics, identity thieves have at least one admirable quality: They file income tax returns early. ...read full article

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April 9, 2012

Teens risk ID theft for beer

More than a dozen Saratoga Springs, NY, teenagers allegedly gave up valuable personal information in exchange for fake driver's licenses.

Fourteen teens arrested in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., over the past month are suspected of doing what a lot of young people have done for generations: trying to get their hands on some alcohol. But they may have bought themselves a whole lot of future trouble. ...read full article

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April 9, 2012

24 Year Sentence For Identity Theft Ringleader

Judge Foster hands down the maximum sentence, but says she doubts Florida man will rehabilitate in his next 12 years in prison.

A 30-year-old Florida man will spend the next two decades in custody for his role in a multi-state identity theft scheme that ended up in Wisconsin. ...read full article

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April 9, 2012

Registry document thefts prompt identity fraud concerns

LAWRENCE — Drivers doing business at the Wilmington branch of the state Registry of Motor Vehicles on Monday and last Friday may be vulnerable to identity theft because of the documents stolen Wednesday from a state courier truck parked outside the local RMV office in the Stadium Plaza on Route 114. ...read full article

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April 9, 2012

ID theft ring suspects face added charge

Five suspects in an identity theft ring dismantled late last year now face an additional charge of the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, the sheriff's office said Thursday. ...read full article

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April 8, 2012

LinkedIn users buried in spam after database leak

Hackers go phishing with their new bait

LinkedIn users are being bombarded by spam emails after the social network was hacked and hashed passwords of users dumped online. ...read full article

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April 5, 2012

Former Army Reservist Says Bank of America Left Him With $25,000 in Debit Charges

John McDevitt, a U.S. Army reservist from Clayville, N.Y., said Bank of America and Visa have not helped him re-coup $25,243.71 in fraudulent charges accrued on his debit card almost two years ago while he was on leave from service. ...read full article

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April 5, 2012

Pa. Microsoft ID Theft Suspect Now Charged by Army

A Pittsburgh man charged by the FBI with illegally obtaining a credit card using the identity of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen will first face desertion charges filed at the Louisiana Army base where he's now stationed. ...read full article

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April 5, 2012

Identity thefts relied on data stolen at Las Vegas ATMs, federal indictment charges

A federal indictment accuses 13 California residents of participating in an identity-theft scheme that employed electronic devices at ATMs around Las Vegas to illegally glean data from credit and debit cards. ...read full article

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April 5, 2012

Letterbox thief jailed for four years over identity theft which funded his £100,000 spending spree

A serial conman who stole the identity of his victims by intercepting their post and using their information to fund his lavish lifestyle has been jailed today for four years. ...read full article

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April 5, 2012

Three-time escapee surrenders in Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ - An identity-theft suspect who evaded authorities three times in the past three months turned himself in Tuesday night. ...read full article

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April 5, 2012

Tax season brings increased risk of identity theft

Tax time is pushing Cedartown Police Department investigators into probing more cases of identity theft, according to one investigator. ...read full article

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April 5, 2012

UK hacker accessed accounts for 20 months before bust

CSO - The reassuring news in the UK this past week was that Edward Pearson, a 23-year-old hacker from York, was jailed for 26 months after stealing the personal information of bank card, credit card and PayPal customers. Also a relief to those customers was that Pearson was caught after making only $3,800 in fraudulent transactions. ...read full article

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April 5, 2012

Project Basecamp Adds Stuxnet-type Attack Module to Metasploit

Project Basecamp, a volunteer effort to expose security holes in industrial control system software, unveiled new modules on Thursday to exploit holes in common programmable logic controllers (PLCs). The new exploits, which are being submitted to the Metasploit open platform, include one that carries out a Stuxnet-type attack on programmable logic controllers made by the firm Schneider Electric, according to information provided to Threatpost by Digital Bond, a private consulting firm that has sponsored the effort. ...read full article

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April 5, 2012

Anonymous turns its fire on China

Over 480 gov and biz sites hit by hacktivist blitz

Hacktivist group Anonymous has finally turned its attention to the People’s Republic of China, claiming to have defaced more than 480 web sites over the past few days including government sites, whilst urging Chinese hackers to join its cause. ...read full article

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April 4, 2012

Local couple becomes victims of tax fraud, prompting safety when filing

ROME, N.Y. (WKTV) - David Swald, of Rome, is now a victim of identity theft. ...read full article

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April 4, 2012

1940 census raises concern about identity theft, but offers much more interesting information

The 1940 census release caused an onslaught of visitors to the National Archives Web site.

The 1940 census is now online, and it reveals more than just America’s obsession with everything genealogical and “retro.” ...read full article

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April 4, 2012

Woman, daughter sentenced in identity theft scheme

BALTIMORE (AP) - A woman and her daughter have been sentenced in an identity theft scheme using information from patients at Johns Hopkins Hospital and others to open credit accounts. ...read full article

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April 4, 2012

MURRIETA: Two arrested on suspicion of identity theft

Police say a Murrieta man and his girlfriend stole ID cards, drivers licenses and other personal documents

A Murrieta couple was arrested on suspicion of identity theft and other charges in a case that involves nearly 60 victims, police said. ...read full article

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April 4, 2012

Rolly: Mormon genealogy site vulnerable to identity theft?

After reading about the controversy surrounding the LDS Church’s practice of baptisms for the dead, a Salt Lake City man checked the church’s International Genealogical Index to see if anyone had done ordinance work for his deceased parents without his permission. He found their names, their birth and death dates and their Social Security numbers. ...read full article

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April 4, 2012

ID theft victims need to see bogus tax returns: ABA

(Reuters) - Taxpayers who are victims of identity theft should be allowed to see fraudulent tax returns attributed to them, tax attorneys told Congress in a proposal. ...read full article

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April 4, 2012

FTC, Upromise college savings site settle privacy complaint

The Web services firm's toolbar collected extensive information about users, including bank account numbers, the agency alleged

IDG News Service - Upromise, a Web service accused of collecting extensive information about its users without their consent, will be required to clearly disclose its data collection practices and obtain users' consent before installing a browser toolbar on their computers under a settlement approved by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. ...read full article

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April 4, 2012

Flight check-in emails lead to Zeus infection

Consider this the flight to nowhere.

Researchers have discovered a variant of the Zeus banking trojan circulating in emails that offer recipients a link to check in to a US Airways flight. Except this flight doesn't exist: It's a con to get unsuspecting users to install malware. ...read full article

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April 4, 2012

Will We Learn Authentication Lessons From Global Payments Breach?

Weaknesses in knowledge-based authentication and mag stripe highlighted in security experts speculation about the breach

In spite of a Monday morning media conference call, details about the Global Payments breach that broke late last Friday remain sparse this week. But that hasn’t stopped the security community from speculating about the potential lessons we may learn from this latest megabreach. Though the conjecture covers numerous angles, the thematic elements tend to converge on authentication, both at the administrator account level where many of these breaches occur and at the card-holder level when transactions are processed. ...read full article

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April 4, 2012

Microsoft to Investigate Alleged Xbox Credit Card Hack

Microsoft is looking into a potential security issue affecting its Xbox 360 video game console this week after a group of college students claimed they were able to extract the credit card information of a console’s previous owner from the machine. ...read full article

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April 4, 2012

Breaches: Effective Security Measures

Verizon Breaks Down Breach Examples and Strategies

Breaches typically involve multiple actions by the intruders in order to get to the data they're looking for. How can organizations detect and respond to such intrusions? ...read full article

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April 4, 2012

Infographic: Infections from 25K Sites Hit 10M Victims in February

Over 10 million people were hit by exploits served up by 25,000 of the most popular websites in the world in February, according to a new study released by Barracuda Labs. ...read full article

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April 4, 2012

Spoofed Email with Keylogger Malware Costs Company $100,000

The IC3 has received several complaints from businesses regarding an e-mail, purportedly from the BBB, which states the BBB has received a complaint from a customer regarding their business. ...read full article

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April 4, 2012

Computer expert who stole eight million people’s personal details for an 'intellectual challenge' jailed for two and half years

A computer hacker illegally acquired enough credit and debit card details to carry out a potential £800,000 worth of fraud. ...read full article

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April 3, 2012

ID thieves file fake tax returns

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Attorney General’s Office announced today it has received more tax-related identity theft complaints this year than in all of 2011. ...read full article

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April 3, 2012

Stolen Identity Dangers

It's the fastest growing property crime and the Bay Area is in the center of it all

It’s the fastest growing property crime in America according to the Federal Trade Commission: We're talking about identity theft. ...read full article

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April 3, 2012

Former Berkeley County teacher pleads guilty to identity theft, faces 10 years in prison

July 17 trial scheduled on charges of child abuse

MARTINSBURG, W. Va.— Rebecca Jean Ferguson, a former Berkeley County public school teacher, is facing up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty Monday to eight counts of identity theft in Berkeley County Circuit Court. ...read full article

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April 3, 2012

Banks and credit card firms keep ID theft victims in the dark

The hacking of a credit card processing company last week, with more than a million people's card numbers potentially stolen by identity thieves, highlights yet again how little privacy we enjoy in the digital age. ...read full article

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April 3, 2012

Elgin neighborhood hit by ID thieves

ELGIN — Police believe stolen mail may be involved in a string of identity theft reports on the city’s far southwest side. ...read full article

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April 3, 2012

Glendale man accused in identity and credit card theft

A Glendale man was arrested last week after police uncovered hundreds of credit card numbers in his possession, according to court documents. ...read full article

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April 3, 2012

Identity theft on rise with gangs

MIAMI - Identity theft and credit card fraud is on the rise as a street gang activity according to South Florida gang detectives. ...read full article

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April 3, 2012

Scarsdale Police Respond To Several Reports of ID Theft

Excerpts from the Scarsdale Police Log. The following information was supplied by the Scarsdale Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction

In the past week, the Scarsdale Police Department responded to three different cases of alleged identity theft. Two involved credit cards and one involved a cell phone account. ...read full article

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April 3, 2012

U.S. Treasury wants financial institutions to help combat identity theft-related tax frauds

NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Accelus) - U.S. Treasury Department reminded financial institutions of their obligation to lend a hand as the Internal Revenue Service struggles to crack down on rampant schemes using identity theft to obtain fraudulent tax refunds via electronic filings. ...read full article

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April 3, 2012

Charge filed in Peoria hacking, ID theft

PEORIA — A Peoria man was charged Monday with hacking into email accounts at Brewer's Distributing Co. and stealing identities. ...read full article

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April 3, 2012

Michigan Teacher Said She Was Disciplined for Not Giving Boss Facebook Access

When Kimberly Hester of Cass County, Mich. posted with permission a photo a coworker sent her on Facebook, she didn't think it would offend the public school where she taught, or lead the superintendent to demand access to her Facebook page. But a photo of her coworker with her pants down did just that. ...read full article

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April 2, 2012

Credit Card Processor Hit by Hackers

Merchants and consumers could be the big losers in the latest case of hackers cracking the complex systems used to process credit and debit card transactions. ...read full article

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April 2, 2012

Road Warrior: N.J. requiring more proof of identity to get a driver's license

It’s time to dig up our birth certificates again. In a move sure to revive old complaints, New Jersey’s 6 million licensed drivers will soon be required to produce enough formal documents to confirm their identities when they get in line to renew their licenses. ...read full article

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April 2, 2012

New Mexico ring uses Tarrant court records to steal identities

An identity theft ring based in Albuquerque has stolen the identities of 232 people, most with ties to Tarrant County, Albuquerque police tell The Watchdog. ...read full article

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April 2, 2012

How to protect personal data on devices you plan to sell

It's almost impossible to get rid of personal information from some devices, even if you follow the manufacturer's directions for wiping the device clean.

Thinking of selling or giving away your smartphone or laptop computer? If you have a BlackBerry or an iPhone, go right ahead. But if you have an Android phone or a computer running Windows XP, you may want to hold off. ...read full article

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April 2, 2012

Wisconsin's ugly side of identity theft

Last year there were 279,000 reports of identity theft. There have been an estimated 10 million victims each year for 12 straight years. Consumers that are not concerned about identity theft generally do not understand what identity theft is. With this weekend’s familiar headlines such as, “Credit Card Breach affects 10 million Cardholders,” it is not hard to understand why many consumers associate identity theft with credit card fraud instead of the more insidious types of identity theft. ...read full article

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April 2, 2012

Thieves now targeting children for identity theft

As an adult, you already know how important a credit report can be and how to protect your personal information. But what about your child's? ...read full article

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April 2, 2012

Woman arrested in Everett, accused of identity theft

EVERETT -- The woman told detectives she was getting started in the "paper business." By paper business, police allege she really meant identity theft, forgery and fraud. She appeared to be off to a prolific start, according to court records. ...read full article

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April 2, 2012

Lessons from Paul Allen ID Theft

Microsoft Founder's Card Breach Highlights Growing Concern

The Paul Allen debit card scandal just reiterates a concern financial fraud experts have been screaming about for years: Socially-engineered schemes that compromise employees are among the industry's greatest threats. And technology alone won't overcome them. ...read full article

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April 2, 2012

Marietta Defendants Convicted in Identity Theft Scheme

A mail carrier obtained U.S. citizenship under stolen identity and then stole the identities of over 85 victims

A jury in Atlanta's federal district court returned a guilty verdict late Thursday against Opeoluwa Adigun, age unknown, and Chukwuka Onyekaba, a/k/a Gabriel Onyekaba, 34, both of Marietta, on charges of stealing the identities of more than 85 individuals in the Atlanta area. ...read full article

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April 2, 2012

Stolen Mail Fueled ID Theft Scheme

A Postal Service carrier and her partner, both living in the Marietta area, ripped off more than 85 people, a federal jury found.

A federal jury in Atlanta found Cobb County residents Opeoluwa Adigun and Chukwuka "Gabriel" Anyekaba guilty late Thursday of stealing the identities of more than 85 people in the Atlanta area. ...read full article

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April 2, 2012

U.S. Ambassador To Russia Accuses Reporters Of Hacking Cell Phone, E-mail

Call it a "rocky start": U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul used his Twitter account to lash out at domestic news operation NTV, which he accused of hacking his e-mail account and cell phone in order to follow the Ambassador about town. The accusation has prompted a sharp response from critics in Russia. ...read full article

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April 2, 2012

SubscriberWise: Imposter Caught After Providing Kansas Woman’s SSN

MASSILLON, Ohio, Apr 02, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- SubscriberWise®, the leading provider of analytics-driven subscriber risk management for the communications industry, announced today that the company’s decision management technology exposed an imposter after she mistakenly provided a social security number that belongs to a woman living in Kansas. ...read full article

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March 30, 2012

Madigan: 6 charged with stealing nearly $300,000 in Chicago-area identity theft schemes

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has announced charges against six people accused of stealing nearly $300,000 in separate identity theft schemes. ...read full article

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March 30, 2012

GHS Fires Employee Facing Identity Theft Charges

The Greenville Hospital System confirmed Thursday that a woman accused of using patient and employee record information to steal identities has officially been fired. ...read full article

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March 30, 2012

Serial identity thief pleads guilty, gets 10 years

Monterey man, 28, went on identity-theft crime spree in Santa Clara County in 2010, District Attorney's office says

A 28-year-old man who went on an identity-theft crime spree in Santa Clara County, including in Palo Alto, pleaded guilty on March 22 to numerous criminal counts, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office announced Thursday, March 29. ...read full article

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March 30, 2012

Identity theft comes with legal fallout, headaches, ex-cop warns

Far more is at stake from identity theft than financial injury alone, and recovering from the crime can be costly and time-consuming, an ex-RCMP officer warned Thursday. ...read full article

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March 30, 2012

Identity Theft Suspect Arrested

Oakland resident charged up $3,500 on stolen credit card at Stoneridge Mall

A 31-year-old Oakland resident was arrested for allegedly stealing an identity, then charging up more than $3,000 at several Stoneridge Mall stores. ...read full article

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March 30, 2012

Canada touts its Little Black Book of Scams

(Reuters) - With an eye at curbing fraudsters operating online, by mail, by phone and door-to-door, Canada on Wednesday published a small reference guide called: The Little Black Book of Scams. ...read full article

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March 30, 2012

Shreveport woman accused of identity theft

An employee of Dillard’s at Pierre Bossier Mall was arrested Wednesday afternoon by Bossier Parish Sheriff’s deputies on a charge of identity theft. ...read full article

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March 29, 2012

Action Line: Report tax identity theft, stolen refunds to IRS

Dear Action Line: Please advise what is being done to stop identity theft of income tax refunds. My husband was targeted in 2010 - our e-filing was rejected by IRS - and after months of checking where the fraud was, he was informed there was no fraud (we proved otherwise with credit reports). ...read full article

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March 29, 2012

Man sentenced in ATM identity theft scam

(03-28) 23:44 PDT San Luis Obispo, Calif. (AP) -- The California attorney general's office says a man has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for an ATM identity theft scam that spanned seven counties. ...read full article

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March 29, 2012

Identity theft plagues Southern Arizona residents

It is a reminder to keep a tight grip on your personal information. A recent report from the Federal Trade Commission shows Arizona has the fourth highest rate of identity theft per capita in the nation. The Pima County Sheriff's Department deals with it daily. Just three months into the year and there have already been about 30 reported cases of identity theft in Pima County. The victims range in age from 21-81. ...read full article

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March 29, 2012

Identity Theft Suspect Rips Off Officer, Faces $2.8 Million Bail

Livermore resident Joshua Wayne Miller picked the wrong mark to target in his alleged identity theft spree. ...read full article

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March 29, 2012

Palmer's Deli agrees to settle identity theft case

DES MOINES, Iowa (WTW) — A restaurant chain sued for failing to follow a federal anti-identity theft law has reached an agreement to give away soft drinks as a way of settling the case. ...read full article

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March 28, 2012

Witness in Identity Theft and Tax Trial Convicted of Perjury and Lying to a Federal Agent

A federal jury in Montgomery, Ala., convicted Nacretia Lewis today of perjury and lying to a federal agent, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. ...read full article

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March 28, 2012

Identity Theft Kingpin Pleads Guilty

A Capistrano Beach man believed to be the kingpin of a crime ring pleaded guilty Monday to stealing numerous identities to buy high-end goods he then sold on eBay and Craigslist, the Orange County District Attorney’s office reported. ...read full article

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March 28, 2012

Nurse's Aide Accused Of Identity Theft

CLARKSVILLE, Ind. -- A nursing assistant at an area hospital has been accused of using her patients' personal information to obtain credit cards in their names. ...read full article

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March 28, 2012

Fake-credit-card schemes plague South Florida stores, consumers

Blank credit cards, holograms, magnetic strips and stolen account information are selling in bulk on websites that offer identity thieves a one-stop shop for their counterfeit-credit-card schemes. ...read full article

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March 28, 2012

High tech identity theft

MILWAUKEE - Could new technology or social networking sites put you at risk for identity theft? ...read full article

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March 28, 2012

EU to get tough on cybercrime, file-sharers to be spared

European Commission proposes new European cybercrime force as part of Europol

IDG News Service - The European Commission is to get tough on cybercrime, but won't target illegal file-sharing, it revealed on Wednesday. ...read full article

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March 28, 2012

Money Mules, Not Customers, The Real Victims of Bank Fraud

Money mules - the accomplices who help move stolen funds - may be the real victims of online banking scams, not the bank customers who are the ostensible targets of fraudsters, according to new research from Microsoft. ...read full article

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March 28, 2012

RockYou settles FTC charges related to 2009 breach

Online gaming firm will pay $250,000, submit to independent audits for 20 years after exposing data on 30 million users

Computerworld - RockYou will submit to third-party security audits for the next 20 years as part of a settlement of charges filed by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in connection with a Dec. 2009 data breach that exposed email addresses and passwords of more than 30 million people. ...read full article

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March 28, 2012

Climategate 2.0? Popular Climate Blog Hacked, E-mails, Passwords Leaked

The website of Skeptical Science, a blog that is critical of climate change skeptics, was hacked over the weekend, and users' e-mails, passwords and IP addresses were taken, according to a post on the site Sunday. ...read full article

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March 28, 2012

Analysis: Microsoft's War on Fraud

Creative Legal Hunt for Botnets Stirs Debate

While Microsoft's new initiative to take down Zeus malware-related botnets is being touted as a unique approach to fight financial fraud, some industry experts question its long-term viability. ...read full article

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March 28, 2012

Dominican Police Arrest Six Anonymous Hackers in Operation Unmask

Dominican Republican police have arrested six alleged hackers in the capital Santiago who have been accused of belonging to the local branch of Anonymous. ...read full article

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March 28, 2012

Internet Crime Complaint Center's (IC3) Scam Alerts

This report, which is based upon information from law enforcement and complaints submitted to the IC3, details recent cyber crime trends and new twists to previously-existing cyber scams. ...read full article

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March 28, 2012

Attacked by Anonymous: How to defend against a denial-of-service

One of the reasons hacktivism has gained greater visibility recently is that it’s now very easy to obtain and use attack tools, especially those that perform denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. The goal of hacktivists is usually to protest or promote a particular political issue, but these days anyone can become a target of theses types of attacks, even if it’s “just for the lulz”. I recently had the opportunity to witness a hacktivist DDoS attack (announced by Anonymous in advance) and here, I’ll share the tools they used and some tips on how to defend against these types of incidents. ...read full article

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March 27, 2012

Check Fraud Crimes Declining, But Debit Card Crimes on the Rise

During a year that saw a record rise in financial crime reports, one scam that has plagued banks and consumers for decades is fading away: check fraud. ...read full article

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March 27, 2012

EXCLUSIVE: Hackers turn credit report websites against consumers

The most important tool consumers have to fight against ID theft has been turned against them by hackers, msnbc.com has learned. Websites that offer consumers a chance to see their credit reports are being brazenly used by hackers to steal victims' information. ...read full article

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March 27, 2012

FTC Privacy Framework Pushes for Do Not Track, Closer Inspection of Data Brokers

The Federal Trade Commission has issued a new report on consumer privacy and online tracking and among the recommendations the commission makes is that data brokers make themselves known to consumers and be open and transparent about the data they collect on consumers. The FTC also says that companies should be building privacy protections into their products by design, including implementing the Do Not Track mechanism once it's finalized. ...read full article

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March 27, 2012

Microsoft censors Pirate Bay links from IM

Malware blamed – but other torrent links still allowed

Microsoft has confirmed that users of its instant messaging app will not be able to send each other links to popular torrent site The Pirate Bay, citing malware fears. ...read full article

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March 27, 2012

Senators seek probe of employers seeking Facebook info

Move heats up debate over employers asking job seekers for passwords used for social networks like Facebook, Google+

Computerworld - Two U.S. senators are calling for a federal investigation into the growing trend of employers seeking access to the social network pages of job applicants. ...read full article

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March 27, 2012

Zeus Trojan Bank Fraud Hacker Sentenced

Another Cyber Fraud Defendant Charged in Operation Aching Mules Sentenced in Manhattan Federal Court - Investigation Targeted Global Bank Fraud Scheme that Used Zeus Trojan and Other Malware to Steal Millions of Dollars from U.S. Bank Accounts ...read full article

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March 27, 2012

Hacker Pleads Guilty to Celebrity Computer Intrusions

A Florida man pleaded guilty to a series of cyber-related crimes relating to his hacking into the personal e-mail accounts of more than 50 individuals associated with the entertainment industry. ...read full article

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March 27, 2012

Chinese hacker arrested for leaking 6 million logins

In what is being called the biggest hacking case in China’s Internet history, police have arrested a man, surnamed Zeng, suspected of leaking personal information belonging to more than 6 million users of the China Software Developer Network (CSDN). Zeng has been detained on charges of illegal acquisition of computer data. ...read full article

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March 27, 2012

Scam: New Update from facebook. Now you can check who visited your profile

Facebook scammers are once again trying to take advantage of curious users who want to know which of their friends are visiting their profiles. This is a scam. The “Facebook Profile Viewer” and “Profile Visitor” apps are not something you want to install. Remember: Facebook does not give you any way to find out who has been viewing your profile, will never do so, and neither does any app or service. ...read full article

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March 27, 2012

Paul Allen victim of identity theft

It looks like no one is immune from identity theft. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen had his identity stolen by an AWOL soldier in Pennsylvania. ...read full article

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March 27, 2012

Member of Armenian Power Crime Organization and Three Associates Convicted for Roles in Identity Theft

The five week trial of one of California's largest bank fraud and identity theft schemes in Californian history is over. All four defendants were convicted in the case. ...read full article

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March 27, 2012

Exclusive: Identity theft tax fraud on the rise

Victims wait for answers, and refunds.

As he waited in line at the IRS office in Fort Myers, all Jim Mersinger wanted were answers. ...read full article

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March 27, 2012

2 women charged with identity theft in connection with cashing stolen checks

A wig and a speedy tip from a bank teller helped Chapel Hill police arrest and charge two Florida women for forging stolen checks at a local Wells Fargo. ...read full article

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March 26, 2012

Facebook scammers host Trojan horse extensions on Chrome Web Store

Rogue Chrome browser extensions have been used to gain persistent unauthorized access to Facebook accounts

IDG News Service - Cybercriminals are uploading malicious Chrome browser extensions to the official Chrome Web Store and use them to hijack Facebook accounts, according to security researchers from Kaspersky Lab. ...read full article

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March 26, 2012

Microsoft zaps Zeus command centers used in bank fraud

Microsoft has cast a big blow to one of the most pernicious trojans in existence, responsible for stealing tens of millions of dollars through the keystroke logging of online banking credentials, usually belonging to small and midsize businesses. ...read full article

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March 26, 2012

3 Ways to Fight the Insider Threat

Tips to Help Prevent Malicious and Accidental Breaches

Increasingly, social engineers target insiders to plunder organizations' financial and intellectual assets. How can you prevent these and traditional inside attacks? Carnegie Mellon University's Dawn Cappelli offers tips. ...read full article

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March 26, 2012

Police Arrest Two for Poll Hacking in Hong Kong

The University of Hong Kong’s Public Opinion Program offered an unofficial poll for those who could not vote in last week’s elections, but it quickly came under attack the organizers’ said. According to local media, police have arrested two men on charges related to the incident. ...read full article

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March 26, 2012

Conn. state police investigate identity theft case

NORTH CANAAN, Conn. — State police in North Canaan are investigating the theft of debit card information that was used to buy gift cards at stores around central Connecticut. ...read full article

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March 26, 2012

FTC Issues Report on Experiences of Victims Recovering From Identity Theft

The Federal Trade Commission issued a staff report summarizing the results of a survey of identity theft victims who were asked to describe their experiences dealing with consumer reporting agencies and, more generally, exercising their rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, to recover from identity theft. The survey showed that most of the respondents were generally satisfied with their experiences, but the report also noted areas for improvement. ...read full article

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March 26, 2012

College students vulnerable to identity theft

According to Javelin Strategy & Research, younger Americans are less likely to check their bank accounts regularly and use identity theft monitoring services. ...read full article

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March 26, 2012

Chapel Hill Police arrests women for identity theft

The Chapel Hill Police Department has charged two women with financial crimes. ...read full article

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March 26, 2012

Man waives hearings for multiple credit card thefts

Daniel Simmons, 49, of Philadelphia, waived three preliminary hearings before Magisterial District Judge Robert D'Agostino, March 19. ...read full article

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March 23, 2012

Armenian Power Member and Three Armenian Power Associates Convicted in Los Angeles for Roles in Identity Theft Ring

WASHINGTON – After a five week trial, four defendants have been convicted for their roles in one of the largest bank fraud and identity theft schemes in California history, with dozens of victims in four states and millions of dollars in losses. ...read full article

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March 23, 2012

U.S. Relaxes Limits on Use of Data in Terror Analysis

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is moving to relax restrictions on how counterterrorism analysts may retrieve, store and search information about Americans gathered by government agencies for purposes other than national security threats. ...read full article

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March 23, 2012

Credit bureaus upsell ID theft victims, FTC report says

A new report by the Federal Trade Commission slams the nation's credit bureaus for upselling identity theft prevention services when victims call looking for help. ...read full article

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March 23, 2012

Suspects in chase, mail, identity theft case arrested

2 led authorities on high-speed chase earlier this week

Two suspects who led several law-enforcement agencies on a high-speed chase through Northern Colorado earlier this week were arrested Wednesday night in Weld County, according to Weld County Sheriff's Office. ...read full article

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March 23, 2012

South Carolina woman faces local identity theft charges

A South Carolina woman was charged Thursday by the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office with stealing her sister’s identity. ...read full article

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March 23, 2012

4 convicted in major bank fraud, identity thefts

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Four members of an Armenian organized crime ring were convicted in one of the largest bank fraud and identity theft schemes in California history, the U.S. attorney's office announced Thursday. ...read full article

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March 23, 2012

2 suspected of identity thefts in northern Colorado arrested, along with 2 associates

GREELEY, Colo. — Weld County sheriff's deputies have arrested two people wanted in Larimer County on suspicion of mail and identity theft, plus two of their associates. ...read full article

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March 23, 2012

Anonymous Deface page - “POPE is not welcome, out out!!!!!”

Anonymous blocked access to two websites linked to the upcoming visit to Mexico by Pope Benedict XVI. Anonymous Hispano, the hackers succeeded in temporarily knocking the websites offline and defacing them with their own message: “Hacked system. The POPE is not welcome, out out!!!!!” ...read full article

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March 23, 2012

IBM Report: Mobile Attacks, Phishing Attacks Mount in 2011

Spam volume is down, there are fewer unpatched software holes and oftware application developers did a better job of writing secure code over the last year. But IBM's X-Force Trend and Risk Report still found plenty to worry about in 2011, according to a copy of the report released this week. ...read full article

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March 23, 2012

Most 2011 cyberattacks were avoidable, Verizon says

Despite all the hype about sophisticated attack methods, 97% could have been stopped using fundamental precautions

Computerworld - Despite rising concern that cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, hackers used relatively simple methods 97% of data breaches in 2011, according to a report compiled by Verizon. ...read full article

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March 22, 2012

College students crack $70 million cybercrime ring

Rock Center - It was a crime of staggering sophistication by computer hackers who figured out a new way to get rich. ...read full article

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March 22, 2012

Child identity theft 'repugnant'

Colin Diedrichs used the identities of dead children to apply for government benefits, and hid the money in 29 different bank accounts. ...read full article

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March 22, 2012

Buckeye Woman Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft

PHOENIX (AP) — The U.S. attorney's office says a Buckeye woman has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit false claims, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft involving a tax credit scam ...read full article

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March 22, 2012

Report about hack threat to Tibetan activists used as lure in malware attack

Hackers trick Tibetan activists into visiting exploit pages by baiting them with a legitimate report from AlienVault

IDG News Service - Hackers are using a recent report about cyberthreats to Tibetan activists as a lure in a new attack against pro-Tibet organizations that distributes Windows and Mac malware, researchers from security vendor AlienVault said Monday. ...read full article

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March 22, 2012

Verizon: Hacktivists Steal Most Data In 2011

It can be hard to parse the results of the Verizon Data Breach Investigation Report (DBIR), what with the shifts from year to year in the sources of breach data collected. Last year’s report, if you recall, found a stunning drop in incidents of data theft in 2010, even as tracking sites like Datalossdb.org reported no noticeable change that year. ...read full article

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March 22, 2012

Will Megaupload's 28 petabytes of data be deleted?

Megaupload's hosting provider, Carpathia, wants to get rid of it, saying it costs US$9,000 a day to maintain

IDG News Service - The hosting provider for the defunct file-sharing site Megaupload wants to delete the data now that investigators have collected most of what they need for the criminal case against the company's operators. ...read full article

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March 22, 2012

7 simple steps for thwarting hactivists

March 22, 2012 — Network World — More data was stolen from corporate networks last year by hactivists than by cybercriminals, according to a new report from Verizon. ...read full article

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March 22, 2012

Online GED seekers presented with bogus diplomas, lawsuit alleges

Denise Richardson had three kids, worked the night shift and had little spare time to take classes that would earn her the high school degree she never received as a teenager. ...read full article

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March 22, 2012

Woman convicted in huge ID theft ring

SANTA ANA – A U.S. District judge has found guilty the wife of a key player in one of the largest I.D. theft schemes in Southern California with dozens of victims from Orange County and millions of dollars in losses. ...read full article

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March 21, 2012

Two Southern California Men Plead Guilty for Their Roles in a Nationwide Breach of Credit and Debit Card Terminals at Michaels Stores Inc.

Defendants Possessed 952 Blank Gold and Silver Credit Card-like Cards Re-Encoded with Stolen Bank Account and Personal Identification Numbers

WASHINGTON – Two southern California men pleaded guilty today in the Northern District of California for their roles in a scheme to defraud nearly 1,000 debit card holders by using stolen bank account information to withdraw money from ATMs, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag of the Northern District of California; and Andrew C. Adelmann, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) San Francisco Field Office. ...read full article

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March 21, 2012

GHS Employee Faces Identity Theft Charges, Has Lengthy Arrest Record

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- A Greenville Hospital System employee has been suspended without pay after being charged with two identity theft cases. ...read full article

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March 21, 2012

ID theft raid turns up weapons, Post uniform

Five replica guns, a Taser, a Canada Post uniform and at least 88,000 credit card numbers are just a small sampling of the bounty RCMP have uncovered from an identity theft operation in Burnaby. ...read full article

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March 21, 2012

Couple Sought In Serial ID Thefts, Car Chases

LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. -- Larimer County authorities are asking the public's help in locating a man and woman wanted on identity theft charges and accused of fleeing police in several car pursuits on Monday. ...read full article

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March 21, 2012

Eight online banking scammers arrested in Russia

Hackers mainly targeted Russian, Eastern European and Dutch banks

IDG News Service - The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) arrested eight hackers who allegedly stole $4.5 million in the last quarter alone using an online banking Trojan, security analyst firm Group-IB said Tuesday. ...read full article

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March 21, 2012

6GB NASA Database Leaked, Hackers Notify Agency

Members of two hacker collectives, Team r00tw0rm and Team inj3ct0r, identified an SQL injection vulnerability on one of the subdomains owned by NASA and hosted on the domainnasa.gov. By leveraging the security hole, the hackers obtained a 6 gigabyte database, but refused to disclose the name of the flawed subdomain to give the agency time to patch it up. ...read full article

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March 21, 2012

International Police Association Australia Hacked by S3rver.exe

The hacker known as S3rver.exe managed to breach the official website of the International Police Association of Australia (ipa-australiapolice.com.au), defacing the Houses domain. ...read full article

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March 20, 2012

Thieves may be stealing your tax refund

Anderson Cooper 360. Tax refund fraud is rampant, and officials blame the IRS for not doing enough to stop it. CNN's Randi Kaye reports. ...read full article

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March 20, 2012

Web Services Single Sign-On Contain Big Flaws

Microsoft Research report shows how risky single sign-on can be without solid integration and better support from Web service providers like Google and Facebook

As more and more organizations tap into single sign-on (SSO) schemes through Web services providers such as Google and Facebook, new research suggests that they must better plan how they implement SSO APIs lest they leave users open to attack. New findings by Microsoft Research found troubling logic flaws in SSO for Facebook, Google ID, PayPal, and other Web services that threaten a large number of users online. ...read full article

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March 20, 2012

Case Study: Joining Fraud Detection and AML

U.S. Institution Shares Tips to Improve Security, Compliance

At Honolulu-based First Hawaiian Bank, the need for integrating fraud detection and anti-money-laundering systems became a clear necessity a couple of years ago. ...read full article

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March 20, 2012

Secure access, authorization among areas still lacking at IRS

The Internal Revenue Service is again taking fire from a government watchdog. On Friday, the U.S. Government Accountability Office released a fifth consecutive annual report to chronicle security shortfalls at the nation's tax collector. The agency's trouble with GAO dates back to at least 2005. ...read full article

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March 20, 2012

Newly Compiled Driver Shows Duqu Authors Still At Work

The still-unidentified group of attackers behind Stuxnet and Duqu have drawn quite a bit of attention to themselves in the last couple of years with their creations. Researchers, law enforcement and some particularly angry governments all would like to have a long talk with the crew. But that attention apparently hasn't persuaded the group that it's time to tone down their pursuits, as evidenced by the fact that researchers have discovered a newly compiled driver for Duqu within the last couple of days. ...read full article

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March 20, 2012

Duqu trojan built by 'old school' programmers, Kaspersky says

Researcher cites choice of Object Oriented C programming language for critical Duqu component

Computerworld - The use of a little used programming language to create part of the Duqu trojan, an espionage tool that last year attracted lots of attention for its many Stuxnet-like features, indicates that it may have been written by experienced, old school programmers, a security researcher at Kaspersky Labs said Monday. ...read full article

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March 20, 2012

AntiSec Remains Active - Defaces Hundreds of Canadian Websites

On Wednesday, the AntiSec movement defaced hundreds of websites in what was said to be proof that the movement works just fine without Sabu, their alleged leader who was arrested and flipped by the FBI last year. ...read full article

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March 20, 2012

Malicious Android application loots bank login data

The banking credentials of Android device users are being threatened by a new, self-updating trojan that poses as a one-time password application (OTP). ...read full article

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March 20, 2012

Fake LinkedIn Emails Link to Blackhole Exploit Malware

Cyber Criminals have been busy pumping out spam emails that pose as legitimate LinkedIn notices, enticing you to click on a link in order to read what message some random stranger has left for you. The incident was identified by researchers at security provider GFI Labs. ...read full article

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March 20, 2012

Data Breach at University of Tampa Posted Information of 30K Online

A breach at the University of Tampa may have exposed the sensitive information of thousands of students, faculty and staff members, including their names, identification numbers, social security numbers and birth dates, according to a press release posted to their the University's Web site over the weekend. ...read full article

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March 20, 2012

Top 3 Security Risks to Banks

While incidents of ACH- and wire-related fraud continue to plague the banking industry, Joe Rogalski, the information security officer for New York-based First Niagara Bank, says other risky financial transactions and channels are posing growing concerns. ...read full article

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March 20, 2012

Microsoft RDP Vulnerability Leak Shines Light on Bug Sharing Program

It has been close to four years since the birth of the Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP). The program is meant to give security vendors vulnerability information early so that they can provide updated protections to customers, and up until recently, seems to have functioned without a hitch. ...read full article

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March 20, 2012

Cost of data breaches falls for first time in seven years

Data breaches caused by malicious attacks add to the cost of doing business -- but not as much as they used to, a study finds

March 20, 2012 — IDG News Service — The average organizational cost of data breaches has decreased for the first time in seven years, according to a study released by Symantec and the Ponemon Institute on Tuesday. ...read full article

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March 19, 2012

Learn to Recognize the Latest Scams

I have some con artists to thank for today's column. Yes, you heard that right. This week's topic arrived by mail -- in the form of a classic come-on. My husband received a $3,850 check in the mail. It looked awfully official, complete with "security features" and bank account numbers. I'm going to dissect if for you, to show all the tip-offs to a rip-off. ...read full article

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March 19, 2012

Arrests made in identity theft case

Federal authorities have arrested 19 people in nine states in an investigation of a transnational criminal organization that bought and sold stolen personal and financial information through online forums. ...read full article

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March 19, 2012

When Debt Collectors Call: What You Need to Know

With many Americans struggling to pay their bills one business is booming: debt collectors. ...read full article

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March 19, 2012

Mitchell teen accused of identity theft

Mitchell police arrested an 18-year-old Mitchell man Tuesday for using another person’s checks for purchases at two local gas stations. ...read full article

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March 19, 2012

NYC woman discovers she is 'married' to multiple men after identity theft

NEW YORK -- New York City woman Anna Vargas thought she was happily married -- she just did not know she was "married" to four guys, The New York Post reports. ...read full article

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March 19, 2012

Hingham woman charged with ID theft headed back to court

HINGHAM — She is known to some as Penny Collins, a friendly mother who has invited neighbors to her home on Crooked Meadow Lane and used to take her son trick-or-treating on the quite cul-de-sac off Main Street. ...read full article

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March 19, 2012

Philadelphia woman sentenced in identity theft scheme

ALBANY – A Philadelphia woman, who was involved in a large scale identity theft ring in the Capital District, was sentenced to four years and nine months in federal prison on Friday. ...read full article

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March 19, 2012

Pro-Syrian Malware Targets, Impedes Activists

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) warned this week that political activists in Iran and Syrai are being targeted in malware attacks disgiosed as Adobe Flash Player updates on Youtube. ...read full article

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March 19, 2012

Microsoft blames security info-sharing program for attack code leak

Trying to figure out how exploit example shared with AV partners ended in hackers' hands

Computerworld - Microsoft on Friday confirmed that sample attack code created by the company had likely leaked to hackers from a program it runs with antivirus vendors. ...read full article

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March 16, 2012

TRICARE Breach Victims Report Fraud

8 Class Action Lawsuits Pending; Consolidation Sought

In the weeks following last year's TRICARE health information breach, some of the 4.9 million beneficiaries affected became victims of financial fraud tied to their credit cards or banking accounts. That new detail is included in an amended complaint tied to the original class action lawsuit filed in the case, which claims the financial fraud is related to the breach incident. ...read full article

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March 16, 2012

Tech support scammers target antivirus customers, diversify tactics

Tech support scammers are impersonating customer representatives from antivirus companies

IDG News Service - Tech support scammers have started targeting antivirus customers and have diversified their techniques, according to reports from antivirus vendors Avast and ESET. ...read full article

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March 16, 2012

Homeless ID theft: Man poses as woman for 13 years

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (KABC) -- A bizarre case of identity theft out of Orange County: A man is accused of stealing a woman's identity, then racking up thousands of dollars in medical bills. ...read full article

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March 16, 2012

In India, 112 government websites hacked in three months

Experts blame poor adherence to security audit procedures

March 15, 2012 — IDG News Service — A total of 112 government websites in India were hacked from December to February, a federal minister said Wednesday, reflecting India's continuing problem with online security. ...read full article

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March 16, 2012

PennDOT Supervisor Faces Trial on ID Theft Charges

A Philadelphia man is headed to trial for allegedly using his position as a PennDOT supervisor in Malvern to create false identities. ...read full article

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March 16, 2012

Three Arrested, Charged With ID & Metal Theft

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office has announced the arrest of three people on various felony charges after a metal theft investigation turned into an identity theft investigation. ...read full article

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March 16, 2012

"Anonymous OS" Taken Offline Due to Security Concerns

SourceForge has removed a controversial Ubuntu-based operating system from its Website due to claims the software is laced with Trojans. ...read full article

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March 15, 2012

Mail and Identity Theft Arrests

Larimer County Sheriff’s Office investigators have solved yet another series of mail thefts and subsequent identity thefts. These cases are separate from the successful joint operation on March 1 that led to the arrest of eight suspects and warrants for another four throughout Larimer and Weld counties. ...read full article

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March 15, 2012

Braintree man indicted on identify theft charges

Braintree — A Braintree man has been indicted for allegedly stealing Discover credit cards from the mail and then using these cards to obtain money. ...read full article

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March 15, 2012

Android Malware Stealing Online Banking Credentials

Malware that targets Android phones has been on a steady rise for the last couple of years, and much of it has come in the form of compromised apps or outright malicious apps disguised as games or utilities. But now researchers have come across a new Android threat that is designed specifically to steal users' online banking credentials and create persistent, silent access to the compromised handset. ...read full article

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March 15, 2012

Post-Breach: How to Protect IDs

Data breaches continue to impact organizations, and cyberattacks are usually to blame. In fact, hacking was behind most large-scale breaches in 2011, according to a study conducted by the Identity Theft Resource Center. ...read full article

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March 15, 2012

18 firms sued for using privacy-invading mobile apps

Facebook, Apple, Twitter are among those charged in class action suit with surreptitiously taking user data

Computerworld - Facebook, Apple, Twitter, Yelp and 14 other companies have been hit with a lawsuit accusing them of distributing privacy-invading mobile applications. ...read full article

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March 15, 2012

Pinterest's popularity attracts cyber scammers

And so it begins. The all-the-rage virtual pinboard Pinterest is the latest social networking darling to draw the fancy of cyber swindlers.

Pinterest is the latest social networking craze -- and that means cyber criminals aren't going to let you share images of your favorite summer sandals, button bracelets and vegan cupcakes in peace. ...read full article

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March 15, 2012

'Largest Fraud Ever' Against NYC, Feds Say

MANHATTAN (CN) - Science Applications International Corp., the lead contractor for New York City's automated payroll system, will pay $500 million in restitution and penalties for "the single largest fraud ever perpetrated on the city of New York," the U.S. attorney said. ...read full article

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March 14, 2012

IRS Warning Tax Preparers About Identity Theft

EVANSVILLE -- The Internal Revenue Service is warning tax preparers about cases of identity theft and providing them with tips on how to deal with such cases, according to a spokesperson for H&R Block. ...read full article

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March 14, 2012

Teen charged with multiple counts of identity theft

ALBANY, GA - A warning tonight for parents after a teenager is charged with dozens of counts of identity theft. WALB News Ten learned personal information from at least one Dougherty County High School has been compromised. ...read full article

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March 14, 2012

Child identity theft on the rise

SALT LAKE CITY — Child identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in America. It serves as a reminder that parents should be careful when sharing their children's name, date of birth or social security number with third parties. ...read full article

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March 14, 2012

Woman claims $2,000 JEA bill is identity theft

Woman files police report but bill isn't dropped

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A woman claimed her $2,000 bill from Jacksonville was the result of identity theft. Kirstonshelia King said she received a letter about the bill a few weeks ago. ...read full article

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March 14, 2012

Chaparral woman nets 70 month sentence for fraud, ID theft

LAS CRUCES - A U.S. District Judge in Las Cruces on Tuesday sentenced Gloria Porter, 65, of Chaparral to 70 months of imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release for her conviction on fraud and identity theft charges, according to U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales. ...read full article

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March 14, 2012

Police: 2 Sought In Identity Theft

2 Wanted For Purchases Made At A Home Depot

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Police are asking for your help in identifying a suspect wanted for identity theft. Several people attempted to obtain several credit cards in the victim's name. ...read full article

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March 14, 2012

ATM Skimmer Pleads Guilty

Rather than face trial, a Washington state man pleaded guilty to leading an ATM skimming scheme that cost banks and consumers more than $300,000. ...read full article

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March 14, 2012

Mark Thompson Confirms Iran Hack Attack on BBC Persian Service

The Iranian government has hacked BBC Persian TV as part of broader attempts to disrupt the service, the BBC director-general has confirmed. ...read full article

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March 14, 2012

Geotagging poses security risks

FORT BENNING, Ga. (March 7, 2012) -- "Is a badge on Foursquare worth your life?" The question was posed by Brittany Brown, social media manager of the Online and Social Media Division at the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs. It may sound outlandish, but in the age of social geotagging, it can be a reality. ...read full article

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March 14, 2012

Fake FC Barca Facebook Page Found Conning Fans

Fans of the immensely popular FC Barca football club may have been duped into giving away their Facebook log-on credentials, according to a post on Symantec's Security Response blog. ...read full article

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March 14, 2012

Tennessee insurer to pay $1.5 million for breach-related violations

BlueCross BlueShield agrees to pay HHS for HIPAA violations tied to 2009 breach that exposed data on 1 million members

Computerworld - A 2009 data breach that has already cost BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee nearly $17 million got a little more expensive Tuesday. ...read full article

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March 13, 2012

Spike in mail theft in Monterey County

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office is warning local residents to keep an eye on their mail after a recent countywide spike in mail thefts. ...read full article

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March 13, 2012

Neb. man gets 1 year in prison for identity theft

OMAHA, Neb. (WTW) — A Nebraska man will spend a year in federal prison for using his brother's Social Security number while collecting $189,401 in disability and welfare benefits. ...read full article

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March 13, 2012

Man pleads guilty of ID theft in case tied to secretary of state

The Des Moines man accused of trying to illegally use the identities of Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz and his brother, Thomas, has received a deferred judgment in exchange for a guilty plea to a simple misdemeanor. ...read full article

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March 13, 2012

Valley man gets prison for ID theft, fraud

A Valley man has been ordered to pay nearly $190,000 in restitution for identity theft and Social Security fraud. ...read full article

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March 13, 2012

ID-theft hassle gets worse, area businesses find

Bridget Monrad, owner of Tucson-based Happy Tails Travel, didn't know anything was amiss until six months ago. ...read full article

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March 13, 2012

U.S. Law Firms Continue to be the Target of a Counterfeit Check Scheme

The IC3 continues to receive reports of counterfeit check schemes targeting U.S. law firms. The scammers contact lawyers via e-mail, claiming to be overseas and requesting legal representation in collecting a debt from third parties located in the U.S. The law firms receive a retainer agreement and a check payable to the law firm. The firm is instructed to deposit the check, take out retainer fees, and wire the remaining funds to banks in China, Korea, Ireland, or Canada. After the funds are wired overseas, the checks are determined to be counterfeit. ...read full article

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March 13, 2012

Hacker Snitch Sang to FBI from Day One

MANHATTAN (CN) - Hector Monsegur, who helped the FBI track down other members of Anonymous and LulzSec after hacking into systems of governments and private companies, "proactively" gave information "literally the day he was arrested," according to a recently unsealed transcript of his arraignment. ...read full article

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March 13, 2012

'Whitey' Bulger girlfriend to plead guilty

(CNN) -- The longtime companion of notorious fugitive James "Whitey" Bulger agreed to plead guilty to several charges against her related to her infamous 16-year run from authorities with her alleged mobster boyfriend. ...read full article

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March 13, 2012

Attackers Go After SIM Cards in Bank Fraud Scams

Attackers are using a some new schemes that combine old phishing tactics with some newer techniques in order to steal or disable the SIM cards in victims' mobile phones and then take them over for use in bank fraud transactions. ...read full article

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March 12, 2012

Know your rights: Identity theft victims express problems with reporting system

Unwanted pressure to buy protection services from credit reporting agencies and the inability to speak to a live person when reporting an identity theft situation were the two most annoying issues victims identified in a Federal Trade Commission report issued on the growing problem this week. ...read full article

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March 12, 2012

Cybercriminals Peddling Android Malware Through Twitter

Researchers at Symantec have identified a spike in Twitter messages carrying links to malicious programs for Android mobile devices in recent weeks, according to a post on Symantec’s Security Response blog on Monday. ...read full article

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March 12, 2012

Can Interviewers Insist on ‘Shoulder Surfing’ Your Facebook Page?

Privacy advocates say that, for now, it is legal for a prospective employer, during a job interview, to insist that you log into your Facebook page and then click through your “friends only” posts, photos and messages. ...read full article

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March 12, 2012

Woman Uses Stolen ID in Job Hunt

Detectives say woman may have committed same crime before

Plano police are looking for a woman who used a stolen identity to get a temporary job at a bank. ...read full article

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March 9, 2012

SEC Proposes Identity Theft Prevention Rules

WASHINGTON (CN) - Broker-dealers, mutual funds and other financial services have to develop policies to protect their customers from identity theft, according to new rules proposed by two federal agencies. ...read full article

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March 9, 2012

Member of Large-Scale Identity Theft Ring Sentenced

NEWARK—A Bergen County, New Jersey woman who was a member of a large-scale and sophisticated identity theft scheme was sentenced to 41 months in prison today, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. ...read full article

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March 9, 2012

Police: Hingham women held in fraud case charged with identify theft

HINGHAM — Police have filed six new charges, including five counts of identity theft, against a Hingham women being held on $125,000 bail in a widening identity-fraud investigation involving several state and federal agencies. ...read full article

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March 9, 2012

Man on probation charged with identity theft

A 21-year-old Burbank man faces identity theft charges this week after police found a re-encoded credit card in his home during a probation search. ...read full article

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March 9, 2012

Lost phones prone to identity theft, finders poke around

WASHINGTON - Many Americans have lost their cell phone before, and wondered if the person who recovered their phone might try to access personal information. ...read full article

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March 9, 2012

Two Salinas men arrested in stolen car, accused of identity theft

APTOS - Two farmworkers from Salinas are accused of vehicle theft and identity theft involving multiple victims, according to the Sheriff's Office. ...read full article

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March 9, 2012

Westfield man accused of identity theft, larceny

WESTFIELD—A Westfield man was arrested by Chautauqua County sheriff’s deputies Friday on third-degree identity theft and petit larceny charges for using someone else’s debit card. ...read full article

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March 9, 2012

Lewiston woman wanted for identity theft

CLARKSTON, ID - A Lewiston woman is wanted on a felony warrant out of Asotin County on the charges of forgery, theft and identity theft. ...read full article

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March 9, 2012

Florida leads country in identity theft

Florida leads the nation in identity theft complaints, according to the Consumer Sentinel Network’s recently released report. ...read full article

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March 9, 2012

Police Investigate Fraud, Forgery and Identity Theft

At around 1 p.m. on Feb. 24, a resident on the 100 Block of Carriage Way Drive reported to police that a fraud had been committed. Someone allegedly had used the resident's checking account to pay a bill. Burr Ridge Police said they could not answer questions as to how the fraud was discovered or what type of bill was paid using the resident's checking account, because the matter is pending investigation. ...read full article

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March 9, 2012

Revenge: LulzSec Supporters Claim To Dump Symantec AV Source Code, Hack Vatican

Wave of high-profile retribution attacks in the wake of arrests of LulzSec hackers and its leader's secret work for the FBI -- and new developments with three of the suspects ...read full article

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March 9, 2012

Woman extradited to Cumberland County for identity theft charges

A woman accused of identity theft almost two years ago has been extradited back to North Middleton Township. ...read full article

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March 9, 2012

Woman who faked cancer to avoid jail gets 5 years

March 9, 2012 (PHILADELPHIA) -- A Philadelphia woman who faked having cancer to avoid reporting to prison has been ordered to spend nearly five years behind bars for obstruction and fraud committed during her medical scam. ...read full article

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March 9, 2012

NYT Profiles LulzSec's Sabu As Talented Hacker With Star-Crossed Life

Hector Xavier Monsegur or "Sabu," de facto ringleader of the notorious Anonymous Internet Collective, was not merely a talented hacker. He was also something of a Robin Hood of the East Side projects and a hard-partying nuisance to his neighbors, a report by the New Yok Times claims. ...read full article

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March 9, 2012

Pair plead guilty to identity theft after using dead friend’s credit card

The 1989 film “Weekend at Bernie’s” became real this week when two Denver men took their dead friend on a night out, Newser reports. ...read full article

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March 9, 2012

Burglary investigation leads to ID theft ring

HESPERIA • Hesperia investigators helped dismantle an identity theft ring that victimized people from across the country, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Hesperia station officials said. ...read full article

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March 8, 2012

Alleged Stratfor hacker no stranger to law enforcement

Hammond had previously been convicted on hacking charges

Computerworld - Jeremy Hammond, one of the five hackers arrested in Tuesday's crackdown on key members of LulzSec and Anonymous, is no stranger to the law. ...read full article

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March 8, 2012

Hackers claiming to be from Anonymous take out Vatican site

Hackers claim attack is protest against church doctrine, child sex scandal

Computerworld - The main website of the Vatican was inaccessible Wednesday after what appears to have been an attack by malicious hackers claiming to be affiliated with the Anonymous hacking collective. ...read full article

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March 6, 2012

LulzSec Leader Turns Informant As Feds Arrest Key Members Of Hacking Group

Arrests of 'Sabu' and five others connected with major hacking attacks, including that of Sony, Fox, PBS, HBGary Federal, is big news -- but security experts warn that it's no time to let down your guard for this brand of threat ...read full article

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March 6, 2012

Anonymous Knocks Interpol Offline With DDoS

Group retaliates following arrests of 25 alleged Anonymous associates

Anonymous launched a sustained distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack that knocked Interpol's public-facing website offline for several hours Tuesday. ...read full article

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March 6, 2012

FBI Probes Hacker's $10 Million Ransom Demand for Stolen Virginia Medical Records

The FBI is investigating a $10 million ransom demand by a hacker or hackers who say they have stolen nearly 8.3 million patient records from a Virginia government Web site that tracks prescription drug abuse, an FBI official confirmed Wednesday. ...read full article

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March 2, 2012

Renata Shamrakova, Personal Assistant, Charged With Stealing $1.6 Million For Personal Use

Evidently one woman thought personal assistant also meant personal banker. ...read full article

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March 2, 2012

Identity theft ringleader pleads guilty

COEUR d'ALENE – Michelle Ann Mason, 27, of Oldtown, pleaded guilty yesterday in United States District Court in Coeur d'Alene to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson. ...read full article

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March 2, 2012

Authorities say Jefferson County man takes identity theft to a new level

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Alabama - Authorities are searching for a Jefferson County man who they say moved into someone's unoccupied home, took control of his financial information and even forged checks to re-do the house. ...read full article

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March 2, 2012

HPD Detective Aids in the Arrest of Identity Thief

HUNTSVILLE (Source Cody Stark The Huntsville Item, Texas (MCT) — Identity theft is everyone’s worst nightmare. It can cause a tangle of webs that can ruin someone’s life financially in the blink of an eye. ...read full article

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March 1, 2012

Identity Theft A Growing Concern For Businesses

You've heard of identity theft — someone using a person's credit information or a Social Security number for ill-gotten gains. Well, experts say similar crimes are also affecting businesses. ...read full article

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March 1, 2012

Most organizations take months, years to discover a breach

Over 90 percent of data breaches are caused by external attacks, according to a new Verizon report

IDG News Service - Over 90 percent of data breaches are the result of external attacks and almost 60 percent of organizations discovered them months or years later, Verizon said in a report released at the RSA security conference on Wednesday. ...read full article

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March 1, 2012

Feds crack suspect's encrypted drive, avoid Constitution meltdown

Digital age plays havoc with 5th Amendment

Investigators have cracked the encryption key for a laptop drive owned by a Colorado woman accused of real-estate fraud - rendering a judge's controversial order to make her hand over the passphrase or stand in contempt of court irrelevant. ...read full article

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March 1, 2012

Space station control codes on stolen NASA laptop

Theft of unencrypted laptop is just one of thousands of incidents in recent years, costing millions of dollars, the agency's inspector general tells Congress. ...read full article

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March 1, 2012

Identity theft suspect arraigned

HUDSON — Sekhou Toure, the 27-year-old man who was arrested in connection with rampant local identity theft in November, was arraigned in the Columbia County Courthouse on Wednesday. ...read full article

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March 1, 2012

When is a cybercrime an act of cyberwar?

With no consensus on clearly defining the terms, it's easy to get confused by the array of labels available for cyber attacks

There is growing talk of cyberwar, as opposed to run-of-the-mill cybercrime. There are also terms that lies somewhere in the middle called cyber espionage, and cyber hacktivism - which is sort of like cyber terrorism for good guys. At the heart of the debate is an attempt to define the scope of an appropriate response to each type of threat. ...read full article

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March 1, 2012

New York man charged with identity theft

A Brooklyn, N.Y., man is facing 39 counts each of credit card theft and third-degree identity theft after police said he used stolen debit cards to purchase more than $6,000 in goods from area stores. ...read full article

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March 1, 2012

Putnam woman arrested in identity theft case

Judy Tabor faces 11 charges

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A Putnam County woman faces identity theft and fraud charges related to her mobile pet clinic. ...read full article

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March 1, 2012

Hackers say they tapped into Springfield website; city offers ID theft protection to 2,100

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Springfield officials are offering 2,100 people free identity theft protection for a year after an internationally known group claimed it hacked into the city's website and stole residents' personal information. ...read full article

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March 1, 2012

Exclusive: Undercover Grandma Catches Medicare Fraud on Tape

In the wake of an ABC News undercover investigation, federal authorities in Texas are investigating how an active 82-year-old grandmother was diagnosed as homebound, with a range of ailments that she did not have, including Type 2 diabetes, opening the door to potentially tens of thousands of dollars in Medicare payments for home health care, supplies and equipment she did not need. ...read full article

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March 1, 2012

Nearly 40 Percent Of IT Decision Makers Report Unintentional Exposure Of Corporate Data Through Theft Or Loss Of Removable Devices

Imation survey reveals that 91 percent of companies allow removable storage devices on their corporate networks, but only 34 percent enforce encryption on those devices ...read full article

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February 29, 2012

Interpol Says Suspected Anonymous Hackers Arrested

Interpol said Tuesday that 25 suspected members of the loose-knit Anonymous hacker movement have been arrested in a sweep across Europe and South America. ...read full article

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February 29, 2012

Interpol website suffers 'Anonymous cyber-attack'

Website crashes briefly following Interpol's announcement of the arrest of 25 suspected members of the hacking group

Interpol's website appears to have been the victim of a cyber-attack after the international police agency announced the arrests of 25 suspected members of the hacking activist group Anonymous in Europe and South America. ...read full article

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February 29, 2012

Fake Chat Screen Malware Hijacks Banking Customers

A new attack against online banking customers uses a malware platform to trick its victims into verifying bogus transactions. ...read full article

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February 29, 2012

Moore's Law leaves mobile networks ripe for attack

Corrupt telcos also to blame

RSA 2012 The GSM mobile standard is wide open for attack, experts have warned, thanks in part to the increasing amount of computing power available to hackers. ...read full article

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February 29, 2012

Suffolk bank raid suspect charged with US identity theft

A man wanted for a £1m bank theft in Suffolk in 1993 and arrested in the US has been charged with identity theft and social security offences. ...read full article

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February 29, 2012

Michelle Singletary: Your online profile may help identity thieves

We’ve become a society that shares too much of our personal information — and all that voluntary transparency makes us vulnerable to crooks. ...read full article

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February 29, 2012

Malware increasingly using DNS as C&C channel to avoid detection

Most companies unprepared to deal with the use of DNS as command and control channel for malware, experts said at the RSA Conference

The number of malware threats that receive instructions from attackers through DNS is expected to increase, and most companies are not currently scanning for such activity on their networks, security experts said at the RSA Conference 2012 yesterday. ...read full article

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February 29, 2012

News of the World hacking suspect jailed for blagging in separate case

Philip Campbell Smith, accused of computer hacking for the tabloid, is one of four men jailed for accessing private data

A private detective at the centre of allegations that computers were hacked for the News of the World has been jailed for illegal "blagging" in a separate case. ...read full article

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February 29, 2012

Minnesota: Jury convicts 2 in $50M bank fraud

(AP) MINNEAPOLIS — A federal jury in Minnesota convicted two people on Tuesday for their roles in a $50 million bank fraud conspiracy that authorities say depended on identity theft by employees of some of America's largest banks. ...read full article

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February 29, 2012

Recall circulator charged with election fraud, identity theft

A 59-year-old Racine man was charged Tuesday with nine felonies related to the gathering of signatures on petitions to recall state Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine). ...read full article

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February 28, 2012

Personal Information Found Dumped Behind Mo' Money Taxes

MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Memphis police are investigating thousands of documents containing personal information in dumpsters at a Whitehaven area Mo' Money Taxes business. Now the tax preparation business is the focus of a federal investigation by the IRS for identity theft. ...read full article

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February 28, 2012

UPDATE: Wikileaks Dumps First of 5 Million Stratfor E-Mails

The whistle-blower Web site Wikileaks has published what it claims are the first of millions of internal e-mails taken from the Texas based strategic intelligence firm Stratfor. ...read full article

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February 28, 2012

Cyber threats a game changer for the FBI

CSO - You know by now that cyber attacks are a growing threat to US government data facilities, critical infrastructure and American businesses. Thursday at RSA Conference 2012, FBI Director Robert Mueller will explain how the threat has been a game changer for his agency. ...read full article

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February 28, 2012

Child abuse suspect won't be forced to decrypt hard drive

US appeals court rules it would violate his 5th Amendment rights

A federal appeals court has ruled it improper to compel a child pornography suspect to decrypt his hard drive because such an act would violate his Fifth Amendment rights. ...read full article

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