In June 2005, hackers broke into the computer database of Card Systems, a credit card database hub, in Tucson, Arizona, stealing personal information on at least 40 million MasterCard; Visa; Discover; American Express, and other credit card holders.
According to Consumer Reports, seven million Americans were identity theft victims in 2002. Since then the number has steadily increased. Identity theft victims typically lose $800 and spend two years clearing their name, Consumer Reports states.
Consumer Reports says your best defense is to order your credit-bureau report each year from all three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian, and check them all carefully for errors, and for bogus accounts you never opened.
Identity thieves aim to steal credit card or bank account information and make fraudulent purchases or steal money from accounts in your name. Some identity theft victims don't even catch on for a year or more.
Identity theft on the rise with numerous victims
Issue date: 11/11/05 Section: Features
| The phone rings and a collection agency demands you pay a past-due bill, for items you never bought. Your grocery store refuses your checks because you suddenly have a history of check bouncing. Stealing (usually by strangers) of your full name, birth date, social security number; bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and other confidential data, is on the rise. One reason for this is that only the United States uses social security numbers, the on piece of information most coveted by identity thieves. Consumers, internet users, private companies, public schools, churches, all have been victims. Parishioners at Christ Episcopal Church in Las Vegas recently reported identity theft when someone hacked into the church's database. Vigilance over your confidential data, such as social security numbers; credit card and bank statements; bank account numbers, and any other information someone could use to make purchases or withdraw |