[Dataloss] We make it way too easy for those who steal identities

[security curmudgeon]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: InfoSec News <alerts at infosecnews.org>

http://www.fresnobee.com/columnists/boren/story/538680.html

By Jim Boren
The Fresno Bee
04/20/08

No wonder identity theft is the fastest-growing crime. Our common sense 
hasn't caught up with our technology.

We let anyone have our Social Security and driver's license numbers. We 
might as well leave our wallets on a store counter and walk away. A thief 
with a computer can quickly empty our bank accounts.

The bad guys consider our personal information better than cash. They can 
only spend cash once, but with our personal information, they can create 
false identities to open credit card and checking accounts.

The next thing you know, they're buying boats in your name and you don't 
know it until the repo guy is at your door looking for the Chris Craft 
Corsair 36.

I once interviewed a Sherman Oaks woman who didn't know her identity had 
been stolen until she was called by a collection agency demanding money on 
an unpaid cell phone bill. In a panic, she got a copy of her credit report 
and found out that more than than $300,000 in fraudulent charges had been 
made in her name.

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