Anti-Gym Dumps Confidential Information

The IRS came and shut down the Anti-Gym, a Denver-based athletic center that failed to pay it’s payroll taxes.

During the shut-down of this daring gym concept (a gym that had cage dancers, DJs and trainers in drag), personal information was thrown away in the dumpster out back. This information included medical and personal data about the members, as well as negative comments and remarks as to why the members left the gym, either because of marriage, cancer, or “fatty style.” This paperwork was placed in a dumpster without being shred, allowing for anyone to walk off with this information.

If you were at any time a member of the Anti-Gym in Denver, Colorado, it is highly suggested that you be aware of the information that may be available to others. Had this information been in the wrong hands, it could be used for identity theft or worse, blackmail. Check your credit reports regularly for any misuse or use a credit monitoring service for daily notification of any changes.

Laptop Stolen from Parkland Health and Hospital System

After the theft of a laptop computer from Parkland Memorial Hospital, the company is allowing employees to enroll in a free credit monitoring service.

The laptop, storing the names, birthdates and social security numbers of some 9,000 employees, was stolen the beginning of February. It is unknown how the theft occurred. The laptop did not include any information related to the patients of the hospital, just employee data.

Those who have been affected are advised to monitor their credit for suspicious activity.

Identity Theft Protection Recommended for Kaiser Permanente Employees

Employees of Kaiser Permanente in Northern California are watching their credit reports for signs of identity theft.

This comes after the company released information that some employees had found their information being used inappropriately, after a stolen computer had been found with Kaiser employee personal data. This includes names, addresses, birthdates and social security numbers.

Mia Garza from San Ramon was arrested in December of 2008 for possession of stolen property and suspected forgery. The stolen computer was found in her care, and had a file with the employee data. It is unsure how she obtained the information.

Kaiser recommends that all employees place fraud alerts on their credit reports and watch for activity that is not their own. The company is providing free credit monitoring for those affected as well. As some employees have already fallen victim we would highly recommend an identity theft protection service.

Purdue University Data Breach

Purdue University caught a major problem soon after it occurred.

Apparently, 1099 tax forms that were printed two per page were sent to the person on the top form, thus sending them their own AND another organization’s 1099 form. This means that the personal information that is used for filing taxes is at risk.

It is not known at this time how many were affected by this mailing error, but they are taking any questions at 866-248-1178.

If your information was mailed to someone else it would be advisable to look at some form of credit protection as they would have all the information they need to steal your identity.

Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles

A computer was stolen the end of January from a state contractor in Roswell.

The computer included information of current and past parolees since 1998.

Even though the information stored on the computer was password protected on numerous levels, they still suggest that current and former parolees keep a close eye on their personal information and watch for suspicious or unusual activity on their credit reports.

Identity Thief Used Mooresville’s Dry Cleaning Station To Capture Data

A small business in Mooresville, North Carolina is owned, and was closed, by a woman on the run.

Ana Maria Calderon-Melendez is wanted for grand theft and organized fraud, after taking her customer’s clothes and credit card numbers and disappearing.

She has been using the credit card numbers fraudulently, but investigators are still unable to locate the business owner.

After researching her criminal past, investigators found that she has been caught doing the same thing over ten years ago in Florida.

It is unknown how many customers are affected, but all should carefully keep an eye on their credit reports for unusual or suspicious activity.

As this is a known criminal who has your information we would highly recommend an identity theft protection service as well.

United Way in Florida Hacked

The United Way center in Miami-Dade, Florida, has been victim of a computer hack. Files were deleted, but it is unknown if the hacker was able to access the credit card information that was stored on its’ system.

If you have donated to the United Way in the past, officials highly recommend monitoring your credit reports for unusual activity.

Two Laptops Stolen from Baystate Medical Center’s Pediatrics

Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts is concerned over several laptops that were stolen from the pediatrics department.

Although the information did not include any financial or social security numbers, and even though the laptops were password protected, the medical center still sent a letter to all those who may have been affected as a safety precaution.

This is one to keep any eye on anyways as password protected laptops are far less secure then encrypted ones. If you receive a letter you should, at least, monitor your credit by ordering your free credit report from www.annualcreditreport.com.

Best Buy Employee Steals 4,000 Credit Card Numbers

Identity theft protection may be high on the list of previous Best Buy customers in Florida. The popular electronics store in West Palm Beach, Florida is dealing with a former employee who stole over 4,000 credit card numbers of customers shopping during the 2008 holiday season.

This employee, hired as a cashier during the hectic holiday seasons, had been using a skimming device (a device that reads and stores credit card numbers) to obtain the numbers, then sold the numbers to another person. They then were resold again by the recipient.

Best Buy is notifying affected customers, but if you had shopped at the store during November and December of 2008, your information could be at risk and you should call their customer care line at 866-792-6391.

Due to the blatant nature of this theft of credit card numbers it is highly recommended that customers who had their personal information stolen look in to a credit monitoring service.

Southern Satellite Dumps Personal Information

It happens all the time–a company mishandles important information by throwing it away in a dumpster. One gentleman in Volusia County, Florida, found a box of folders from a company called Southern Satellite, which is a home satellite installation company. These folders contained names, address, credit cart information and social security numbers.

Officials are investigating, and the owner of Southern Satellite was not aware of the oversight in proper document destruction. When details are released, those affected may want to consider credit protection.

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