NORTH CAROLINA POLICE ADDRESS COMPUTER DATA THEFT The Robesonian Online:

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"Computer danger
Lumberton police Lt. Mickey Biggs says his department has seen a dramatic increase over the last year in reported identity theft cases, with cases rising to as many as one or two a week.
And more often than not, the computer is the high-tech avenue most of the culprits take in separating people from their personal information. Biggs said folks who store their personal information on laptop computers are doubly-victimized when their laptops are lifted.
Biggs suggests using Spyware or firewall programs that can be bought at computer or office supply stores or downloaded free off the Internet to help protect your personal information. And Biggs says it's probably best not to store any financial information on a laptop that is easily stolen"