[IP] I Cringley on ID Theft
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 12:20:40 -0500
From: John Lyon <jelyon@xxxxxxx>
Subject: I Cringley on ID Theft
To: Dave Farber <dave@xxxxxxxxxx>
Might be of interest to IP:
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20030911.html
Identity theft is not only incredibly easy to do, but our government seems
to go out of its way to help the thieves. The government is making many
Americans more vulnerable, not less. This is crime just waiting to happen
on a massive scale, thanks to computer technology.
Identity theft is generally a pretty low-tech crime. The bad guys steal
your mail or pilfer your trash, coming up with enough personal information
to apply for bank accounts, credit cards and loans with your name and
credit rating but with their address. They can even appropriate your
existing accounts. All it takes is having your name, address, date of
birth, and Social Security number. Before you know it the crooks have
bought goods, bounced checks, and drained your bank accounts, leaving a
world of heartbreak for the victims as they try to repair the damage.
-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as roessler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To manage your subscription, go to
http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip
Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/