TEXAS COMPUTERS AND HARD DRIVES CONTAINING CREDIT INFORMATION STOLEN FROM BUSINESSESThe CourierCredit information stolen from thousands

By: Sue Thackeray April 05, 2004



Information that could be used to steal the identities of thousands of Montgomery County residents was taken from five Conroe businesses.

The burglaries happened sometime Sunday night or Monday morning at an office building located at 2125 N. Loop 336 W.
"They entered into one of the office suites by breaking a window," Conroe Police Sgt. Bob Berry said of the burglars. "They then gained access to the other suites on the shared hallway by prying open the doors."
Computer equipment, including hard drives, servers, monitors and other items, were taken from First Option Financial, May Realty, Farmers Insurance, LPL Financial and Stewart Title.
The computers for many of the businesses contained Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, bank account numbers and other personal information for people who have dealt with those companies, Berry said.
"This wasn't kids fooling around on the weekend," Berry said. "These people knew what they wanted. They probably already have buyers for this information, or they're part of a ring. They were obviously out on a mission."
Jack Stinson, the president of First Option Financial, said personal information for as many as 3,000 people who have dealt with his company in the past three years, even those who simply filled out a credit application, was taken.
"There are Social Security numbers, bank accounts, addresses, driver's license numbers," Stinson said. "Everything does have passwords, but the police have told me these people will probably be able to get past the passwords."
Stinson said his company will mail letters and send e-mails to clients whose information was stolen. But police said people who suspect their information may have been stored at any of these businesses should immediately request credit reports from the three major credit reporting agencies.
"They need to contact their credit card companies, all three credit reporting agencies, banks if they have an ATM card or their bank account information was listed," Berry said. "They need to get their banks to change their account numbers and at least let them know what's going on."
The most important thing for people who have dealt with these companies to do is to keep a close eye on their bank accounts, credit card statements and credit reports, said Detective Nolan Fannin, who specializes in identity theft cases for the Conroe Police Department.
"If there are any inquiries on the credit reports that they didn't make or any money transfers out of their bank account, they need to immediately file a police report in the jurisdiction where they reside," Fannin said. "If they live in Conroe, they need to call us. If they live in the county, they need to call the Sheriff's Department. If they live in Montgomery, they need to call the Montgomery Police Department."
Fannin said anyone whose information may have been stolen needs to act immediately and remain vigilant from now on.
"They could be using the numbers now, or it could take them several years," Fannin said. "They buy, sell and trade these things like baseball cards."
Anyone who has done business in the past three years with any of the businesses burglarized is urged to call all three credit reporting agencies to get a credit report: Equifax, (800) 525-6285; Experian, (800) 397-3742; and Trans Union, (800) 680-7289.
For more information about identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission Web site at www.consumer.gov/idtheft or call (877) ID-THEFT