Arkansas Department of Information Systems Loses Storage Tape Containing Backgrounds Ckecks

A missing computer storage tape with criminal background checks performed by the Arkansas Department of Information Systems is talk of the state.

Twelve years of background checks were stored on this tape, which was being stored at Information Vaulting Services, an off-site storage facility, that is, at this point, not at fault for the missing information.

Although the storage tape has not been found, it is not known if the data on the tape was taken with the intent to misuse the information, or if it was mistakenly misplaced.

The department decided to notify the public in the sake of safety and prevention of possible identity theft.

Though an identity theft protection company may not be necessary at this point it would be a good idea to monitor your credit if a background check was performed on you by this company.

University of Florida Computer System Hacked

Near the end of December 2008, someone from Antiqua and Barbuda hacked into the University of Florida’s Grove computer system. They found a security hole and accessed the system. This was discovered mid January when the IT department discovered the breach.

As soon as it was discovered, the system was shut down. The system included many personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers of staff, students and faculty. This amounts to almost 100,000 records that could have been accessed by the hacker.

Letters were sent to everyone associated with the university mid February, notifying them of the security leak and letting them know they are unsure if the information is at risk. If you receive one of these letters we advise you to consider a credit monitoring service to watch your credit for any irregularities. Identity theft can be costly both emotionally and financially.

The University of Florida has been victim to numerous security breaches, most just within the last year. Due to numerous electronic hackings, the university is looking into ways to better maintain control of the information and to further secure their computer servers.

Stolen Laptop at Rio Grande Food Project Exposes 36,000 Clients

A New Mexico food pantry is notifying their clients of a recent theft–a laptop, belonging to the agency, that contained personal information of some 36,000 clients.

The Rio Grande Food Project in Albuquerque sent letters to their clients notifying them of the theft. At this time, there has been no notification that this information has been used incorrectly, but in the wrong hands, the birthdates, addresses, and Social Security numbers could be a goldmine for anyone who intends to steal identities.Clients should consider enrolling in one of many identity theft protection services or take steps to protect their own good name and credit.

This data, which also included state driver’s licenses and Mexican identification cards, was collected to help the food panty track clients.

Financial Documents from Customers of People’s United Bank Found in Dumpster

It happens a lot, but you would think a bank would know better than to leave financial documents thrown away in the dumpsters behind their building.

People’s United Bank in Bridgeport, Connecticut is being sued by numerous customers who became aware their information was thrown away (and not shredded) and available for anyone to find.

The information found in the dumpster included names and account numbers, as well as Social Security numbers. This data can be used for one to participate in identity theft, and ruin the credit and financial lives of those victimized.

The bank now has locking trash bins, and have affixed “no trespassing” decals on their dumpsters. This, along with the careless employees of the bank, will not deter or make up for the information that was mistakenly made public. Credit Protection is highly advised for all who had their credit information exposed.

Patients of Northeast Orthopaedics Have Their Personal Information Exposed

Patients of Northeast Orthopaedics, a surgical practice in Albany, New York, have found theirs, and others’, personal information posted on a website.

The website showed names, birth dates, and social security numbers of former and current patients of the facility.

Upon further research, it appears as though the company that transcribes the medical data had a security leak, and the information was inadvertantly posted online and indexed by Google’s search software. This data is always archived through Google, and so patients are hopeful that the data will be removed entirely from Google, leaving the data deleted and unreachable by the public.

At this time, officials are not aware of this information being used for identity theft, but it is a definite possibility. They are unsure the number of patient’s whose information was available online. Patients should contact them to see if their information was exposed and if so obtain identity theft protection immediately.

Inside Identity Theft Job at Johns Hopkins Hospital

You hear about identity theft from online purchases, credit card number skimming, and stolen mail, but rarely do you hear of medical identity theft.

Turns out, someone–namely Shanell Bowser of Baltimore City–was arrested for stealing credit card information of patients at John Hopkins Hospital.

The discovery was made when a past patient of a kidney transplant received mail at her home congratulating her for her new house. Strange thing was, this couple had not purchased a new home.

After some research done on their own, they encountered other hospital patients that had experienced the same sort of situations happening to them. A phone call to the police department gave way to the arrest of Bowser.

It is unknown how many patients were affected, as the numbers could be in the thousands, and the investigation has not yet uncovered how the information was obtained. It is believed to be an inside employee action.

If you or someone you know was previously hospitalized at John Hopkins Hospital, it is best to notify them of this security breach. Since information has been misused already, the data that was accessed is at high risk for identity theft use. Due to the potential of medical identity theft we would suggest you look at TrustedID as well as other identity theft protection services.

Broome Community College Mails Social Security Numbers

Until the process of identity theft became as common as it is now, many colleges used social security numbers for student ID numbers.

This former practice has risen from the past when Broome Community College failed to remove the identifying social security numbers from their 2009 winter/spring magazine that was mailed to almost 30,000 former students. The social security numbers were printed on the back of the magazine with the student’s name and address. With all these magazines circulating around it is imperative that students look in to identity theft protection.

The practice of using social security numbers for student IDs was stopped by the college in 2004. Since then, alternative numbers were used to identify and verify students and home addresses.

At this time, there have been no notifications that these numbers were used inappropriately. Even so, the college is urging all alumni to watch their credit accounts closely for unusual activity on their accounts, especially after a similar error occurred less than a year ago when an email containing social security numbers of other students was sent by accident to hundreds of campus students.

Debix Recommended for University of Alabama Students

The University of Alabama notified it’s students mid-February that a hacker had access to files on the campus’s computer server databases.

The databases that were accessed contained over 35,000 records of lab data, which included names, addresses, birthdays and Social Security numbers. These date back to 1994 and onward.

It appears that whoever hacked into the system was not on the database long enough to access much information, perhaps finding nothing of interest and continuing on to something else.

Regardless, the University contacted those who have had lab work, which includes blood or urine tests, done on the campus. They suggested watching for strange or suspicious activity on credit cards, bank accounts, and other possible sources of identity theft.

Debix, at $24 per year, is a great option for identity protection for students and gives them both fraud alerts and insurance.

Workers at Clayton County Sheriff’s Department Suspected

Employees of the Clayton County Sheriff’s Department in Georgia are worried about their personal information being stolen from the office’s computer system.

It appears as though data files were copied off of the office’s computers and distributed. This information included social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, phone numbers, and other personal data that could be used for identity theft.

In addition to the computer files, it appears that additional items have been missing since the beginning of the year. Sheriffs have discovered missing weapons, keys, and other property belonging to the county.

It has been known that several now “former” employees were fired after a sheriff became aware of their criminal and disciplinary background. It is unknown at this time if any of these former employees are linked to the missing property and files.

Employees should consider a credit protection service if they feel this missing information is in the hands of criminals who may attempt to take over their identities or credit.

Federal Aviation Administration Hacked

Letters are being sent to some 45,000 employees and retirees of the Federal Aviation Administration due to a hacker break-in on the agency’s computers.

On February 9th, 2 of the agency’s 48 computers were hacked into, compromising the personal information of thousands of FAA employees and retirees from the beginning of 2006 onward.

There has been no other security breach at this agency before, although there was an incident years back where employees were receiving anti-union mail. It is believed that the data was taken from an FAA computer file, but there was no investigation that led to any identifying information.

Those affected should be cautious and monitor their credit reports.

Next Page »