KENTUCKY COMPUTERS STOLEN Lexington Herald-Leader | 02/24/2007 | CRIME REPORTS:
Feb. 22-23: Burglary, Larkwood Drive and Woodhill Drive. Playstation 3 and two computers stolen.
Visit www.barracudasecurity.com
Saturday, February 24, 2007
NEW YORK COMPUTER STOLEN FROM COBBLE HILL HEALTH CENTER Courier-Life Publications - Crook caught on video tape - Cobble Hill Ctr. robbed:
Crook caught on video tape - Cobble Hill Ctr. robbed
This guy’s brazen, brave, bold and…bald.
A chrome-domed crook is being sought for a recent theft at the Cobble Hill Health Center.
Armed with surveillance photos that snapped up every step he made — from his jimmying open an office door to peering out from behind a soda machine to make sure the coast was clear – cops are combing the area for the husky, sticky-fingered thief who made off with a laptop computer, as well as a number of personal items that belonged to an employee.
Police said that the thief entered the center, located on Henry Street between Warren and Congress streets, at about 11:30 a.m. on January 27.
He was spotted wandering the halls and then, when no one was looking — save for the video camera – he forced open an office door.
A few moments later, he was seen exiting the office with the laptop computer that he had stolen. He had apparently hidden the computer in a bag that he had also stolen.
The thief was last seen casually sauntering out of the building with his newly acquired loot under his arm, police said.
Cops are asking anyone with information regarding this man’s whereabouts to come forward.
Calls can be made to Detective Edwin Cesario at (718) 834-3221. All calls will be kept confidential.
COLORADO DENBER CITY ATTORNEY FOUND TO HAVE STOLEN COMPUTER IN HIS HOME Rocky Mountain News - Denver and Colorado's reliable source for breaking news, sports and entertainment: Local
City attorney on leave over stolen computer
Denver city attorney Larry Manzanares was put on paid "investigatory" leave Friday after a stolen computer was found in his home, Denver's 7 reported.
Mayor John Hickenlooper put Manzanares on leave after being contacted by Denver's 7.
"We are extremely concerned about the serious issues raised by this situation and the fact that we were not made aware of the investigation until today," Hickenlooper said.
Manzanares told Denver's 7 reporter Tony Kovaleski he had bought the Gateway computer from a man in a parking lot one block south of the City and County Building last month.
"It was rather foolish of me to even think about buying a computer from a fellow in a parking lot," Manzanares said. "But being kind of naive, I bought it. I didn't have any idea that it was stolen."
The computer was stolen from Denver district court in the City and County Building. Denver police were able to locate it through Internet tracking and found that it was in use at Manzanares' home.
Manzanares said he returned the computer when police contacted him about it, and wasn't aware there was an investigation until Denver's 7 contacted him.
"I certainly did not take it," he told Kovaleski.
"I certainly would not have, would not jeopardize my career for a computer. But nevertheless, I recognize that buying a computer in a parking lot was not a very smart thing to do." Kovaleski asked Manzanares how, as a former judge and current city attorney, he didn't know better.
"It was foolish on my part to buy a computer on the street and all I can tell you about it is that I'm embarrassed about it," Manzanares replied. "I was mortified to find out about it."
WASHINGTON DISCUSSION ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND PROTECTING PERSONAL INFORMATION DHS isn’t protecting your personal information - Homeland Stupidity:
DHS isn’t protecting your personal information
The Department of Homeland Security isn’t sufficiently protecting personally identifiable information on its computer systems, though it is making progress, according to an inspector general’s report.
DHS is still trying to determine which of its 699 computer systems require security measures to protect personally identifiable information, has not encrypted most of its laptops, rarely encrypts personal information transported or stored offsite, doesn’t have sufficient security for remote users, and doesn’t track and destroy copies made of personal information, according to the report (PDF) from IG Richard Skinner.
“Until adequate encryption mechanisms have been implemented, there is increased risk that sensitive data or [personally identifiable information] may be compromised through the loss or theft of laptopcomputers and mobile computing devices,” the report said.
The IG is also concerned that the department has not followed OMB guidelines for protecting systems that can be accessed by remote users. In their interviews with officials at component agencies, the IG’s office found that their efforts to improve remote access and storage controls were hindered by “uncertainty regarding the applicability and scope of the OMB recommendations and new DHS requirements.”
The IG recommends that the department’s chief information officer identify those gray areas and provide additional guidance. — Federal Computer Week
Computer security has been a long-standing challenge for the Department of Homeland Security, one it has yet to meet.
A previous Inspector General’s report found last October that DHS hasn’t sufficiently been able to ensure the computer security of its systems generally. For example, computers could be improperly secured and nobody would know because the security paperwork had in many cases been fudged.
In this case, though, it’s your personal information not being encrypted, not well secured, and vulnerable to the next hacker or identity thief.
NORTH CAROLINA COMPUTERS STOLEN Online Backup Software » Technology Blog,SEO & Web Design Blog:
This is a review paid for by PayPerPost. However, the story is true.
Several years back I decided that I was not going to be one of those people that gets a bad virus/trojan, has to wipe the hard drive to completely get rid of it and then is faced with the loss of all my data because I did not have a backup.
So I grabbed an external hard drive and began religiously running backups. I felt good about my level of backup protection. I was ready for anything. Then, an event changed my perspective.
I read a newspaper article telling how thieves had broken into an office and stole the computers AND the external hard drives containing all the backups. What good are backups if someone steals them? That story demonstrated to me the need for an offsite backup.
If that sounds like a good idea to you, here is a review of a possible solution: IBackup – Online Backup. There are several price-points ranging from $9.95 a month ($99.50 for 1 year) for 5GB of storage all the way up to $299.95 a month ($2,999.50 for 1 year) for a hefty 300GB of online storage space. Plus you get file sharing and collaboration options as well :) .
Using their service will help a business meet Federal mandates like HIPAA, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), GLBA and SEC/ NASD. If you might"
SINGAPORE COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM COMPANY'S OFFICE BY EMPLOYEE Singapore Swing: Case File
JAILED FOR STEALING GOODS FROM OWN WORKPLACE
AN ELECTRICAL fitter was jailed for two years yesterday for breaking into and stealing $32,624 worth of goods from his company's office.
On Sept 28 last year, Lim Se Hing, had hidden himself on a staircase landing at Brown Technologies in the Eunos Techpark after office hours and waited for the last person to leave.
Lim, 34, used a card to tamper with the office door to get in, then went up one floor to switch off the power supply to the closed-circuit television recordings. He took the CCTV hard disk with him and placed it inside the cargo lift.
Among the items he stole were seven desktop computers, 13 LCD monitors, three laptop computers and a trolley.
He loaded the stolen items into a company van and drove away, but turned himself in the next day.
A second charge of stealing the company van was taken into consideration.
| Hanover expands policies to address rise of fraud |  |  |
| Written by Christina Davis | |
| Thursday, 22 February 2007 | |
| The Hanover Insurance Group of Worcester is expanding its insurance offerings in the wake increases in commercial fraud - which now accounts for more than $600 billion in losses each year. Hanover said it has adopted a "new streamlined fidelity/commercial crime form with an expanded appetite" to address the increase in fraud, including everything from stolen computers to missing cash. The insurer's fidelity/commercial crime policies include coverage for employee theft and computer theft. In addition, there are policies that cover against employee theft of client assets when those employees are working on the premises of a client. Hanover also announced Wednesday that Chief Financial Office Edward J. Parry III is resigning to pursue other career opportunities. Parry, whose resignation takes effect June 15, also serves as executive vice president. He will remain a board member until his term expires May 15 and will not stand for re-election. Parry joined the company in 1992 as a merger and acquisition specialist. Hanover said it is currently conducting a search for Parry's replacement. |
Friday, February 23, 2007
MASSACHUSETTS PERSONAL SECURITY AND IDENTITY THEFT EXPERT DISCUSSES DATA BREACH LITIGATION AND COMPUTER THEFT Personal Security and Identity Theft Expert Says Laptop Security Might Shield Businesses from Data Breach Litigation:
Personal Security and Identity Theft Expert Says Laptop Security Might Shield Businesses from Data Breach Litigation
| Boston, MA 02215 | | February 23 2007 |
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| Video Clip : Click to Watch | ||
| (BOSTON, Mass. - Feb. 23, 2007 - IDTheftSecurity.com) Earlier this month, the federal government reportedly initiated efforts to offer liability protection in data breaches to companies that had installed encryption technology on stolen computers. According to Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert, businesses indeed should invest in all-in-one security technologies that offer GPS tracking along with encryption and other features as means to minimize the expense of litigious actions that often follow data breaches. "In possibly offering shelter to companies that invest in data security measures," said Siciliano, "politicians are tacitly saying, 'Be proactive.' Smart organizations will be the first to benefit from these government policies should they pan out. Security technology such as GPS tracking and encryption on laptopcomputers surely equals smart business." Siciliano, president of IDTheftSecurity.com, leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients in workshops that teach consumers strategies to combat data security problems. The Privacy Learning Institute has featured Siciliano, a longtime speaker on identitytheft. Author of "The Safety Minute: 01," Siciliano has discussed identity theft and data security on CNBC, on NBC's "Today Show," FOX News, and elsewhere. A Feb. 2 article in ConsumerAffairs.com reported on possible legislation that might view the use of encryption technology as reason to spare companies from liability in data breach cases, which are prone to litigation. Research from Gartner Group has shown that the cost of laptopcomputer theft can exceed $6,000 for even just one machine, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has reported that losses due to laptop theft totaled more than $6.7 million dollars in 2005. Data breaches and laptop thefts continued, as always, to flood the news. On Feb. 19, the Boston Herald and others reported on a debit-credit card scam spanning numerous stores belonging to New England-based Stop & Shop Supermarket Companies Inc., with a data-security breach of untold scope ensuing. And, according to articles in the Dallas Morning News and elsewhere, a laptop computer stolen from Central Texas' Seton Family of Hospitals housed sensitive data on approximately 7,800 patients. Siciliano directed individuals and organizations alike to MyLaptopGPS. Recently mentioned on Law.com and ConsumerAffairs.com, this product from the company of the same name combines Internet-based GPS tracking, which is more effective than other forms of GPS are for trackingstolen laptops. Additional technologies from MyLaptopGPS further protect data even while the machine is in a criminal's hands. "Organizations of all kinds have yet another reason to be proactive in securing their computers and data," said Dan Yost, chief technology officer at MyLaptopGPS, "The choice is self-evident. Invest in cost-effective, affordable mobile computing security technology such as ours, and avoid the alternative -- the high cost of litigation and recovery." MyLaptopGPS's software silently retrieves, and then deletes, files from machines as it tracks the hardware -- at once returning the data to its rightful owner and removing it from thestolen computer. Users can call on all MyLaptopGPS's functions remotely. ### About IDTheftSecurity.com Identity theft affects us all, which is why Robert Siciliano, president of IDTheftSecurity.com, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identitytheft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. A leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, "The Suze Orman Show," "ABC News with Sam Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," and "The Howard Stern Show." Visit Siciliano's Web site, www.IDTheftSecurity.com, or his blog, www.IDTheftSecurity.blogspot.com. About MyLaptopGPS Since 1984, the minds behind AIT Solutions, LLC (DBA MyLaptopGPS.com) have specialized in complete system integration. From real-time electronic payment processing software to renowned mid-market ERP implementations, the executive team at MyLaptopGPS has been servicing leading enterprises and implementing world-class data systems. With MyLaptopGPS, AIT Solutions, LLC brings a level of expertise, dedication, knowledge and service that is unmatched. MyLaptopGPS's rock-solid performance, security, and reliability flow directly from the company's commitment to top-notch software products and services. The media are encouraged to get in touch directly with the following individuals: Robert Siciliano John Dunivan The media may also contact: Brent Skinner, President | ||
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| Robert Siciliano (Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com) President IDTheftSecurity.com P.O. Box 15145 Boston, MA 02215 Phone : 888-742-4542 Fax : 877-232-9669 | ||
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| IDTheftSecurity.com | ||
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| More Information MyLaptopGPS |
IOWA COMPUTER STOLEN DesMoinesRegister.com:
Police: Items stolen to possibly decorate another house
By TOM ALEX
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
February 23, 2007
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Burglars who broke into a house in the 600 block of 18th Street in Des Moines recently took stereo equipment, a computer, end tables, bottles of wine and one item the owner values above all others: a framed cross-stitch of a woman in a gold frame with maroon matting. It's valued at $1,000.
Kelly Wilson told police other items were moved to other locations in the house. Several decorative items were missing and a television was found on a bed in a spare bedroom. Police said the intruders apparently were spooked and fled the residence without taking everything they'd gathered up.
The police report says, 'The burglary appears to have been done to possibly decorate another house.'
UK COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM SCHOOL Local News - Stamford Today: News, Sport, Jobs, Property, Cars, Entertainments & More:
Thieves break into school and steal pupils' computers
Victims of crime aged just 7 and 8
CHILDREN had a sad lesson on the unpleasant side of life this week after thieves broke into their school and stole com-puters worth thousands of pounds.
Thieves smashed their way through a downstairs window at Oakham CE School in Burley Road on Tuesday night and stole 20 laptops from a locked computer trolley in the corridor.
Headteacher Joan Gibson said: 'It upset all the children in the school. It is very unsettling for them to think anybody would come in and steal their things.'
The laptops were used by Year 3 and 4 pupils and were packed with coursework the children had been working on since September.
Luckily the work had been backed up, but the cost of replacing the computers and paying for repairs to the damage will cost £18,000.
The computers were bought about 18 months ago and were partly funded by the school and partly by the PTA. Each one has large Oakham CE School security stickers on them.
Police said the burglary occurred between 6pm on Tuesday and 7am the following morning.
Forensic experts took fingerprints and collected evidence from the school before pupils went into the classroom on Wednesday morning.
Despite their shock and disappointment staff and children pulled together to ensure a normal working day.
Mrs Gibson said: "The school's premises officer Richard Lambert was called to the building in the early hours and we had to wait for police to pick up all the evidence before the children could use the classroom.
"It is very disappointing for children to learn that people have such low moral standards."
The school has an alarm system and CCTV cameras and police are now checking through any footage.
The school is insured through Rutland County Council but is awaiting the outcome of the insurance claim.
Anyone with any information should contact Oakham police on 0116 222 2222.
23 February 2007
TEXAS COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS The Herald Banner, Greenville, TX - Thieves in county stealing various items
By BRAD KELLAR
Herald-Banner Staff
The Hunt County Sheriff’s Office is reporting its fair share of thefts and burglaries during the past week.
There were the usual targets, such as computers and copper wiring, but the culprits have also grabbed dog pens, a swimming pool and even wheelchairs and walkers from an elderly Commerce-area resident.
Two wheelchairs and two walkers were reported stolen from a building at the residence of an 80-year-old woman on County Road 4423 near Commerce. A television, a case of motor oil and a lawn mower battery were also taken during the burglary which occurred between 2 p.m. Feb. 10 and 2 p.m. Saturday.
Copper wiring was stolen from underneath a mobile home on Tomahawk between 5 p.m. Feb. 16 and 2 p.m. Saturday.
A handgun was stolen from a residence on County Road 4710 near Commerce between 3:15 and 9:45 p.m. Sunday.
Computer and electronics equipment, along with a jar of quarters, were stolen during a burglary at a residence on Highway 50 near Commerce between 5 p.m. Feb. 16 and 10:20 p.m. Sunday.
A motor vehicle burglary was listed as occurring at a residence on Harden Oaks near Quinlan between 3 p.m. Saturday and 5:30 p.m. Monday.
Two chain-link dog pens, four 10-foot construction panels for dog pens and an 18-foot circular above-ground pool were stolen during a theft at a residence on County Road 1073 near Greenville between 4:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday.
An engagement ring set was reported stolen Tuesday during a motor vehicle burglary at a residence on Private Road 3724 between 11:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 a.m. Sunday.
Bolt cutters were stolen from a residence on County Road 3605 near Quinlan between 10 p.m. Monday and 8 a.m. Tuesday.
Someone broke into the Badlands MX Park on County Road 1095 near Celeste between 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday. Park officials said Tuesday the burglars removed a computer, motorcycle, candy and chips and a portable radio and did $650 damage.
Officers with the Greenville Police Department were dispatched to 65 calls, took six people into custody and filed 15 reports.
OREGON COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM JEWISH REVIEW Jewish Review: At Jewish Review: Burglars steal PCs
At Jewish Review: Burglars steal PCs
Thieves stole two key laptop computers from the offices of the Jewish Review in an apparent smash-and-grab burglary over the President's Day weekend.
The thieves used large rocks to puncture the shatter-resistant glass windows in the adjoining offices occupied by the papers two top editors.
Police said one or more thieves apparently boosted another high enough to reach the windows, which are about nine feet above ground.
An Portland Police Bureau Identification Division officer searched both offices for fingerprints. Both jaggedly broken windows, one gaping wide enough to accommodate an intruder, were examined for residual DNA.
"Even the not so smart criminals are smart enough to wear gloves," said first responder Officer Nathan Voeller, who added that cases such as these often are solved when an individual contacted by police in different circumstances ends up confessing to various crimes.
Voeller said once the data is accumulated from the crime scene it is sent to the detectives office, where cases are typically prioritized based on monetary merit. Officer Voeller estimated each window and laptop would equate to $500 in loss for the Federation and Review, respectively.
Jewish Review Editor Paul Haist said the replacement cost of the two laptops would greatly exceed the police estimate. He added that the more significant loss was all the stories and other documents, which had not yet been backed up.
The burglary occurred just as the paper's staff was about to begin the layout of this edition of the paper. Most local stories had been backed up to another location, but all the wire stories and images had to be resent by the paper's wire service, and new layout computers had to be set-up.
There are no immediate suspects, though authorities know the burglary occurred very early Saturday morning, thanks to a silent alarm that was triggered.
While the laptops are likely of nominal resale value, they contained countless documents and correspondences for both Haist and City Editor Deborah Moon. Any one who made recent contact with either editor is asked to resend or resubmit any documentation or correspondence due to the inconvenience.
Both offices are located at the back of the building at 6680 SW Capitol Hwy. Each has windows facing south. Three rocks, likely accomplices in the burglary, were found in the offices and are now doorstops.
The Jewish Review moved into the Southwest Capitol Highway building more than six years ago. The Review previously was located downtown.
This was the first break-in for the newspaper in at least 16 years.
MICHIGAN COMPUTERS TARGETED IN BREAK-INS AT BUSINESSES Police Investigate Two Overnight Break-Ins: "Police Investigate Two Overnight Break-Ins"
Two Traverse City businesses are targeted in overnight break-ins and police say the crimes may be connected. Investigators say that burglars tried to pry open a window at Terapin Computers Network on Eighth Street around Eight o'clock Wednesday night. Police believe they were scared off before they got inside. A second Eighth Street business, Dr. Tom Tracy, Chiropractor was also reportedly struck. Police say the burglars pried open a door, damaged a computer and stole cash. This case is under investigation .
MASSACHUSETTS COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM CHURCH WHDH-TV - New England News - Police searching for church thieves
LAWRENCE, Mass. -- Authorities are on the hunt for whoever broke into the St. Mary of the Assumption Church, stole cash, laptop computers and caused interior structural damage.
The church is also home to the St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary School, and the Notre Dame High School, which occupies the second and third floors of the same building.
The damage inside the church was extensive, beginning with a statue of Our Lady of Mercy being found on the floor with a chipped base, crown and nose. The perpetrator also pried open the church's safe and stole $700 in cash, police said.
Offices inside the building, at 250 Hampshire St., were also ransacked. In addition, thieves managed to access the Notre Dame High School in the upper levels of the building and stole 15 laptops and an undetermined amount of cash. No money was taken from the elementary school, which also occupies the building.
Church officials cannot understand why someone would steal from the church, especially since the season of Lent has just begun.
The church is concerned about repairing the damage to the church since the parish is already facing financial difficulties. The parish has a $47,000 deficit and the weekly collections during Mass never meet the $7,500 weekly bill to operate all five of its parish buildings. The property includes the 1,200-seat church, the grammar school, the rectory, the friary and the Notre Dame Education Center.
Police said they have interviewed church employees and followed some leads, but the investigation is still ongoing
Thursday, February 22, 2007
NEW ZEALAND STOLEN COMPUTERS RECOVERED Cops seize more stolen goods - Local News - The Marlborough Express:
Cops seize more stolen goods
The Marlborough Express | Friday, 23 February 2007
Watchful Blenheim business owners helped police track down a car full of stolen goods yesterday.
It was the third time the business community has helped track down offenders this week.
Blenheim police said two offenders from Christchurch were arrested in Scott Street at about 2pm yesterday.
Stolen electronic items including computers were found in their car after they were tracked down thanks to an internal alert system run by several chain stores throughout New Zealand.
The system included Farmers, Smiths City, Noel Leeming, Harvey Norman and The Warehouse.
Police said the offenders had previously been in Dunedin and Christchurch.
A 31-year-old male was arrested on several warrants and also faces new charges of possession of an offensive weapon, possession of cannabis and possession of utensils for the consumption of methamphetamine.
A 21-year-old woman was also arrested on several warrant matters, police said.
The pair were due to appear in the Blenheim District Court today.
The incident is the third time in the last week where Blenheim retailers have helped police with infor-mation about suspicious people.
On Tuesday, two people were arrested on Redwood St for possessing substances used to manufacture methamphetamine after a call was made to police by a member of the Blenheim business community.
A 41-year-old man and 31-year-old woman, both from Christchurch, were charged with the possession of a precursor substance.
Police said it was likely further charges would be laid.
Last week two men were found in central Blenheim with 500 tablets of medicine after buying products from a local pharmacy.
The men also faced charges of possession of a precursor substance.
Police said the incidents were not linked but in both cases pharmacies had alerted police to the repeat buyers of certain medicines which can be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
ILLINOIS COMPUTERS STOLEN Store owner arrested; tied to stolen computers | Chicago Tribune:
Store owner arrested; tied to stolen computers
Published February 22, 2007
HYDE PARK -- Police on Wednesday arrested a South Side computer store operator who, they say, was selling computers stolen in and around the Hyde Park neighborhood, officials said.
A robbery suspect arrested over the weekend was found with 10 to 15 laptops and other office equipment, said Chicago Police Sgt. Gregory Jackson. As police investigated, they found signs that other stolen electronics had been sold to a computer store in the 5200 block of South Blackstone Avenue, Jackson said.
They returned with a search warrant about 2:45 p.m. and arrested the man, who has not been charged, police said. Investigators seized more than 70 desktop computers, laptops and monitors, Jackson said.
NORTH CAROLINA COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM MEDICAL OFFICE News-Record.com - Greensboro, North Carolina: News: Computers stolen from medical office:
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Computers stolen from medical office
GREENSBORO — Five laptops worth $2,400 each were stolen from the Triad Internal Medicine office early this morning, according to police.
Officers responded to a burglary alarm call at the business at 1593 Yanceyville St. at 6:30 a.m. Thursday.
A rock had been thrown into a glass side door to gain entry.
Police ask people with information to call Crimestoppers at 373-1000.
TEXAS COMPUTER STOLEN MARKETING SERVICES COMPANY CONTAINING SHOPPERS DATA Mysterious Computer Theft Hits Mystery Shopping Company:
Mysterious Computer Theft Hits Mystery Shopping Company
February 22, 2007
Speedmark, a marketing services firm that employs "mystery shoppers" to observe employee behavior for client companies, was hit with a data breach when thieves stole computers containing some shoppers' personal data from the company's Woodlands, Texas office.
Several computers were taken, one of which contained a database with personally identifying information on mystery shoppers working for Speedmark. The information included names, addresses, e-mail accounts, and Social Security numbers of Speedmark employees and contractors.
The theft was discovered on Dec. 16, 2006, but many shoppers contracted to Speedmark did not receive letters notifying them of the breach until mid-February, 2007.
Many shoppers for Speedmark were frustrated at the length of time the company took to disclose the breach, and by the fact that the letters were mailed as standard postage rather than email or overnight mail, according to comments posted on Volition.com, an online message board that caters to mystery shoppers and independent contractors.
"I received my letter today, over two months after this happened!" fumed shopper "NatashaM." "In my opinion, two months is entirely too long to hear about this. I agree with another poster that stated an e-mail should have been sent immediately (as in the same week of the event) and then they could follow it up with this badly xeroxed letter mailed substandard class."
One reader posted a transcript of the notification letter from Speedmark president Scott Hiller. In the letter, Hiller said that the information on thecomputer was password-protected, and that the company had notified local law enforcement of the theft.
"Speedmark takes the security of your personal data seriously," Hiller said. "Accordingly, we have taken steps to ensure the security of our premises and equipment to the best of our ability, including security guards during non-business hours until further notice."
Another shopper contacted Speedmark's customer service to get more information.
The company replied that breach notification had taken so long because they company had to "first restore the data from back-ups, identify those who were possibly affected, and contract with a vendor to produce and mail 35,000 letters."
"Notice was provided via mail because we did not have agreements from our shoppers to use email as an acceptable mode of notification," the company said. You must actually stipulate that email (or fax) is acceptable notice to you, or any formal notice must be delivered via US Postal Service in order to be considered a valid delivery attempt of the notice. Without the stipulation, email would not have been sufficient legal notice."
However, an attorney consulted by ConsumerAffairs.Com said there was nothing stopping the company from sending emails as a courtesy and following up with a letter.
"It is the height of absurdity to say that because postal mail is the specified form of legal notification, the company's managers couldn't take five minutes to send everyone an e-mail telling them about thetheft and alerting them to watch their mail," said the attorney, who asked not to be identified because she did not have first-hand knowledge of the case.
Speedmark representatives refused to comment on the case to ConsumerAffairs.Com.
Don't Mess With Texas Data
Under Texas state law, disclosure of data breaches must occur "as quickly as possible," unless law enforcement requests a delay while investigating the incident or "or as necessary to determine the scope of the breach and restore the reasonable integrity of the data system."
William Ballard, the detective assigned to the case, told ConsumerAffairs.Com that after two months, the case had "no leads and nowhere to go."
"We have no suspects, the fingerprints we got from the scene aren't usable, and no information," he said. Ballard was investigating the possibility that the Speedmark break-in was part of a ring of computer thefts in the Dallas and Houston areas, as he claimed he had seen a "rash" of cases in recent weeks.
"They just vanish into thin air," Ballard said.
The Mysteries Of Mystery Shopping
The Speedmark case is not only the latest example of a data breach arising from computer theft, but also an indicator of how affected customers and employees can have difficulty addressing the problem.
Mystery shoppers are often employed to work for big companies by third-party vendors such as Speedmark. As such, they are treated as independent contractors, and have to furnish personal information to the hiring vendor for tax purposes -- even if they never get any offers to work for a client.
In addition, mystery shoppers are often easy prey for scammers and con artists looking to cajole cash out of the unsuspecting, often through unneeded "fees" or phisher e-mails.
A mystery shopper who asked to remain anonymous tipped ConsumerAffairs.Com regarding the breach. The person noted that the non-disclosure agreements mystery shoppers sign when working for clients would make it difficult to notify authorities and media regarding thetheft.
"Are they violating [non-disclosure agreements] with others by admitting they are a mystery shopper?" they asked. "Of course, they blow cover if they appear publicly and can no longer work. You see the conundrum the shoppers are in?"
UK COMPUTER STOLEN FROM GARAGE Joyrider Stole Keanes Old Car (from Evening Times):
A TEENAGE joyrider who stole a £105,000 Bentley was shocked when he was told it was ex-Celtic star Roy Keane's former car.
Michael Tait, 17, escaped detention for the theft but warned he faced a long sentence if he took another wrong step.
The teenager crawled through a window at the upmarket Glenvarigill Garage in Edinburgh's Fort Kinnaird with friend Thomas McKenzie after closing time on August 28.
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They stole a key to the silver Continental Coupe from an office cabinet.
McKenzie, 18, then filled up the car with petrol. CCTV footage shows the Bentley being driven away.
The joyriders took it to their home patch in nearby Niddrie before ditching it. Police later found it abandoned but undamaged.
An earlier hearing had been told police quickly tracked McKenzie after the joyride and found him with a laptop computer stolen from the garage.
McKenzie, who pleaded guilty to the same charge as Tait and who also admitted stealing the laptop, was earlier sentenced to six months at a young offenders' institution and disqualified from driving for two years.
Outside court, Tait, from Edinburgh, said: 'When I found out in the police cells it was Keane's old car I couldn't believe it.
'I was driving it, I think I might have gone up to 120mph, it was quite a buzz, but I'm not going to do it again or I will get the jail."
Sheriff James Scott placed him on an intensive probation order for two years.
SOUTH AFRICA MASTERMIND BEHIND STOLEN COMPUTER SYNDICATE NABBED The Herald Online **News**:
Mastermind behind stolen laptop syndicate nabbed
THE mastermind behind a syndicate dealing in stolen laptop computers was arrested in Central after police caught him shipping laptops to Nigeria.
Humewood police station commander Director Ronald Koll said the 34-year-old man had been arrested as he was walking out of the Post Office earlier this week, having just submitted a shipment of stolen laptops to be sent to Nigeria.
Koll said the police believed that the man, who is thought to be the head of a syndicate trading in stolen laptops, was behind the recent increase in laptop thefts in Port Elizabeth.
“There have been a number of laptop thefts throughout Port Elizabeth in recent months, including from businesses, in housebreakings and even from vehicles.
“The police were at first not able to pinpoint how the thieves were disposing of them as there was no sign of the stolen items appearing at second-hand shops or other known stolen goods channels,” he said.
Humewood police detectives had formed a special task team to investigate the matter and, with the Port Elizabeth crime intelligence unit, had set up a surveillance operation which had traced the operation to the man they arrested.
“It appears he offered criminals a set price for any laptops they stole and would then neatly package them before shipping them to his partners in Nigeria, via the O R Tambo Airport, where they would then be sold.”
Koll said the man was believed to have already shipped more than 40 laptops in this fashion. He said the police were appealing to anyone who had had their laptop stolen recently to contact the Humewood detective branch, or their nearest police station, at 08600 10111.
The man is expected to appear in the magistrate‘s court today on charges of theft and possession of stolen property.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
UK SECURING CLIENT DATA FROM THE RISKS OF THEFT IFAonline.co.uk - Securing client data from the risks of theft - Nationwide, FSA, fine, data, clients, security, laptop:
Securing client data from the risks of theft
Wednesday 21st February 2007: 14:00
By Scott Sinclair
THE £1m fine meted out to Nationwide by the FSA after a laptop was stolen from an employee’s home has rapidly brought the issue of client data protection to advisers’ attention.
Although the regulator says the fine was for “larger failings” within the building society’s security systems, rather than for the theft itself, IFAs are beginning to ask: Just what is expected of us?
Jim Clancy, of Clancy’s Financial Planning, says the fine worried him, especially after he had his laptop computer stolen during a recent trip to London.
“What controls can we advisers really put in place?” he says.
“Sometimes you can’t help but have valuable information on your laptop. I could have everything on there: life policies, quotes, mortgage details. You can password protect your laptop but someone could get past that if they really wanted to. What can we do to protect ourselves?
“The fine handed out to Nationwide was pretty big. If they were to hand out anything approaching that to a smaller firm, it could really hurt them,” says Clancy.
The Nationwide theft occurred in August last year, but it took three weeks before the society realised the extent and sensitivity of the customer details on thecomputer.
During its investigation, the regulator found the building society did not have adequate information security procedures and controls in place, potentially exposing its customers to an increased risk of financial crime.
Amanda Davidson, of IFA firm Baigrie Davies, says advisers need to be aware protecting client information is their responsibility and theirs alone.
“I know from speaking with IFAs that they have been shocked by the size of the fine,” she says. “But I’m not sure Nationwide handled it as well as they might have done.
“Thefts will happen but advisers need to make sure they are on top of this whole security thing. It is your duty as an adviser to look after your client data carefully. You need to remember that you are a regulated firm and data protection sanctions can be quite severe.”
Kim North, director of consultancy firm Technology and Technical, has some advice for IFAs that find themselves out and about visiting clients.
“I think data protection, particularly these days, is something that should be taken extremely seriously,” she says.
“If you’re walking around with all your information on you, you need to be very, very careful. My advice would always be never to walk around with the whole of your database because of the high risk involved.
“If you have just got addresses and basic information it should be fine, but anything under data protection, such as National Insurance numbers, will not be. If advisers are out and about visiting clients, then the way to do things would be to just carry that client’s details with them, not those of everyone,” adds North.
The FSA says all firms offering financial services and regulated by them need to ensure they have “appropriate” systems to protect their client data.
The regulator also says it didn’t expect smaller firms to have the same level of protection as their larger counterparts.
A spokesperson says: “The bottom line is that firms should have appropriate systems and controls in place to minimize the risk of financial crime.
“They must have systems in place that are proportional to the risks in their business, so this is not a case of one size fits all. Different companies will be required to have different systems in place depending on a number of factors,” she adds.NEW YORK JP MORGAN CHASE AND BANK ONE LATEST VICTIMS OF COMPUTER STOLEN FROM TOWERS PERRIN The Columbus Dispatch - Business:
Laptops with Chase data stolen
Retirees, ex-employees told last week about theft
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Denise Trowbridge
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
The personal information of tens of thousands of JPMorgan Chase and Bank One retirees and former employees has been stolen.
Five laptop computers containing the Social Security numbers, names, birth dates and other personal information of some former Chase workers were stolen from the Manhattan office of Towers Perrin.
Towers Perrin is a benefits-consulting firm that Chase hired as a subcontractor.
The banking company isn’t sure how many workers are affected, said Chase spokesman Jeff Lyttle, but several thousand former employees received letters last week notifying them about the theft.
Chase, which acquired Bank One in 2004, employs about 14,000 people in Columbus.
There is "no indication that any of this information has been used inappropriately," Chase spokesman Tom Kelly said, and the theft will not affect the delivery of pension benefits to Chase or Bank One retirees.
The stolen laptops also contained personal information of employees and retirees of several other Towers Perrin clients, including United Technologies Corp. in Hartford, Conn., and Altria Group, the parent company of Kraft Foods and Phillip Morris.
The laptops were stolen Nov. 27 from a locked computer room, Towers Perrin spokesman Joseph Conway said. They remain missing.
Former Towers Perrin employee Dewayne Rivers was arrested Dec. 28 in connection with the theft. Rivers has been charged with grand larceny and is awaiting trial in April, according to court records.
Since January 2005, more than 104 million personal records of U.S. citizens have been stolen.
Laptop theft is the leading source of data theft, accounting for 40 percent of incidents of stolen personal information. That amounted to about 30 million records in 2006, according to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a nonprofit consumer group in San Diego, Calif., that tracks data breaches.
Companies see laptops as a boon to productivity, said Beth Givens, director of the privacy-rights group.
But the data on laptops often aren’t properly protected or encrypted, she said. "It makes me wonder if companies care about security at all."
The Towers Perrin laptops had two layers of password protection, Conway said.
Data theft has become a hot topic in recent years as consumers begin to realize they have no control over where their information goes, Givens said. And, when data are stolen, it’s the individual’s responsibility to make sure they aren’t a victim of identity theft.
Towers Perrin is providing one year of free credit monitoring to those affected by the laptop theft.
This is the latest in a series of data breaches affecting central Ohio.
Last month, Nationwide said tapes containing the personal health-care information of about 28,000 Nationwide Health Plans customers werestolen from a subcontractor’s office in Weymouth, Mass.
A week earlier, TJX Cos., the parent company of TJ Maxx, Marshalls and A.J. Wright stores, said it was investigating breaches of its credit-card, debit and check-transaction databases, where hackers allegedly obtained unencrypted customer-account information. TJX Cos. has about 10 stores in Columbus.
dtrowbridge@dispatch.com
NEW MEXICO COMPUTERS STOLEN Alamogordo Daily News - Alamogordo police logs:
A woman on the 1200 block of Hendrix reported that someone entered her residence and stole antique dishware, remote control vehicles, an Apple desktop computer, three Dell computers, two cable television boxes, a keyboard and clothing. Investigation continues.
FLORIDA COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM BIOTECHNOLOGY COMPANY MiamiHerald.com | 02/18/2007 | Thieves target Acuras, Civics in Weston:
Computers taken: At Goodwin Biotechnology Inc., 1850 NW 69th Ave., someone threw a chunk of concrete through a window between 8 and 8:05 p.m. Jan. 25. The burglars entered two offices and a cubicle and stole a Dell computer from each office and a desktop computer and monitor from the cubicle. The stolen items were valued at a total of $5,000.
CALIFORNIA RURAL RESIDENTS FACE A RISE IN IDENTITY THEFT Rural residents face a rise in identity theft:
Rural residents face a rise in identity theft
Issue Date: February 21, 2007
By Christine Souza
Assistant Editor
Cliff Emery is aware of the irony of his situation. A former farmer, he is among the more than 100 members of a Stanislaus County almond hulling and shelling cooperative whose personal information was stolen over the Christmas holiday. Emery is also an electronics surveillance specialist with the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department.
It just goes to show that identity theft can strike anyone--and anywhere.
"The burglars broke into the co-op hoffice and did a smash-and-grab. Once the alarm went off they vacated the premises with, at the very least, a computer that contained our Social Security numbers and tax identification numbers," Emery said. "Now the growers in the co-op are sitting around saying, 'What do we do?' It was a real wake-up call for my wife and I…a real jolt of reality."
In response, Emery helped organize a presentation at the Agricultural Center in Modesto where Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department detectives educated co-op members and other farmers about identitytheft.
Web Blog Editor: See Link for full articleTuesday, February 20, 2007
UK COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM CHARITY Charity In 6 000 Computer Theft Blow (from Thisisdorset):
Charity in £6,000 computer theft blow
By Morwenna Blake
Comment
THE elderly and disabled in north Dorset will be the worst hit after callous thieves targeted a charity in a series of burglaries netting £10,000 worth of goods on Sunday night.
A unit used by Sturminster Newton Community Learning Centre was one of five broken into at The Sidings, Station Road, Stalbridge overnight between Sunday and Monday.
Seven laptop computers, invaluable in its work, were lost.
Manager Gregg Pyne said: 'These people have really done a disservice to the community, particularly the elderly and the disabled in the area.
'This means we will not be able to do our outreach work until we can get the laptops replaced.'
The thieves picked out the newest computers among the dozen or so the charity uses to work in community halls across north Dorset, leaving older models behind.
Mr Pyne estimates the value of the goods lost from the charity's unit alone at £5,000, with the cost in manpower to repair damage and replace software adding at least another £1,000 to the bill.
The burglars used a crowbar or something similar to force the locks on all but one of the business units at the site and as well as the laptops stole cash, other computer equipment and satellite navigation equipment.
PC Alistair Davidson, of Sherborne Police, said: "This is an unusual series of crimes for the area and I believe the same people are responsible for all five of them."
Contact police in confidence on 01202 222222.MARYLAND THIEVES WHO STOLE COMPUTERS FROM BUSINESS ARRESTED Cecil Whig:
Police arrest 7 suspects in string of burglaries
Tuesday, February 20, 2007 9:05 AM EST
State police arrested Jason Mahoney, 19, Matthew Jian-niney, 32, Ashley Nicole Blakeley, 19, and Stacy Nicole Boyd, 27, all of Cecil County, and charged each in the Nov. 9 burglary of Elkton Sparkler, said Detective Sgt. Steve Seipp.
Two unnamed juveniles from Elkton and North East also were charged, he said. Over $5,000 in fireworks and computers was stolen from the business.
Jianniney, Mahoney and two unnamed juveniles also were charged in connection with the Oct. 27 burglary of Game Stop in the North East Plaza. They damaged the ceiling and a light fixture while entering through the roof but did not take anything, Seipp said.
Mahoney, Jianniney, Boyd and Brian Lee Simons, 18, of North East, also were charged in two residential burglaries that occurred in August and September.
All four are accused of breaking into a home in the 2900 block of Turkey Point Road near North East and a home in the 100 block of Water Wheel Drive near Port Deposit. The suspects stole two ATVs in the burglaries, Seipp said.
According to court records, Mahoney, of 13 Walden Court near North East, was charged with three counts each of second-degree burglary and conspiracy to commit second-degree burglary; two counts each of fourth-degree burglary and conspiracy to commit fourth-degree burglary; and at least five related charges.
Jianniney, of 19 Cemetery Road in North East, was charged with two counts each of second-degree burglary and conspiracy to commit second-degree burglary, as well as three related offenses.
Boyd, of 19 Cemetery Road, and Blakeley, of 13 Walden Court, each were charged with second-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit second-degree burglary and related charges.
Simons, of 103 Charles Court near North East, was charged with theft of less than $500.
Seipp said police plan to bring additional charges against the suspects and expect more arrests in other burglaries in the North East area.
NOVA SCOTIA DISABLED BOY'S COMPUTER STOLEN FROM DAY CARE Digital Journal - Thief steals disabled boy’s computer from day care:
Thief steals disabled boy’s computer from day care
A 18 year old was arrested iand charged n Cape Breton with theft and break and enter and 2 breach of probation in a break in at a Daycare. A specially programmed computer that belonged to Nathan MacMullen who is 4 years old was stolen.
The computer has not been recovered yet. The thief knew it was for a child because it was on a low table. They believe he sold the computer.
The parents of the boy had bought the computer for their son. It helps him to be able to interact with other kids. Its used to teach him and help with his motor skills as well. They even stole the keyboard and the speakers as well, leaving nothing behind.
Police said the daycare has been targeted before with windows being broken and a wheelchair ramp destroyed.
A K-9 unit was used to catch the 18 year old. They tracked his footprints and scent.
It would be nice whoever bought this computer, if they returned it to the child. But i am sure they are afraid of being charged for receiving stolen goods. They had to know it was stolen.
TEXAS COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM SCHOOL Computers Stolen From HISD High School - Local News:
HOUSTON -- Computers were taken during an early-morning burglary at a southeast Houston high school, officials told KPRC Local 2.
Houston Independent School District police said someone broke into Jesse Jones Senior High School on St. Lo Road near Pershing Street at about 4:45 a.m.
Investigators said they found an open door and evidence of a break-in.
Houston police and a K-9 unit assisted in a search of the school, but no one was found.Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
TEXAS SCHOOL COMPUTER THEFTS COSTLY Star-Telegram | 02/20/2007 | School computer thefts costly
School computer thefts costly
FORT WORTH -- School is in, especially for burglars.
Thieves have stolen or damaged almost $350,000 in computers and other equipment in Fort Worth schools in the past year, according to records requested under open record laws.
The thefts have caused school officials to explore new security measures, including digital surveillance systems and software that would let police track a stolen computer's location.
"It's a big concern," Trustee Judy Needham said. "It's disgusting that people are stealing the tools our kids need to learn. The administration is working on the problem and, hopefully, we've seen the worst."
Overall, the losses would represent less than 5 percent of the district's $7.1 million budget for school technology in 2006-07. That money pays for computers, laptops and related items at the district's 144 schools.
But educators say the losses are immeasurable for students and teachers who rely on this equipment for projects and lessons, and to prepare for the high-stakes Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, which begins today.
Some schools have been hit hard.Among the larger heists last year were $45,000 worth of laptop computers from a cart at Meacham Middle School and $45,000 in similar equipment from North Side High School.
Last month, someone made off with more than $60,000 in property from J.P. Elder Middle School. The principal estimated that the total inventory loss could approach $100,000.
Fort Worth police say they don't know whether the number of school break-ins has risen in recent years, but the value of stolen property has.
"Technology has changed, and schools are using computers and projectors," said Lt. John Grady of the Fort Worth police School Security Initiative. "It's nice equipment that costs money."
School officials said they've increased security patrols and realigned some security cameras. The district will spend about $560,000 this year on security for facilities, according to the district's budget office.
"We know where our vulnerabilities are," said Cecelia Speer, assistant superintendent of safety, security and operations. "We hope that as we move forward, we'll have the funds to address those issues."
Creative thieves
Burglars have found all kinds of ways to get into buildings.
At J.P. Elder, they broke open a roof hatch and stole computers, projectors, a flat-screen monitor and walkie-talkies. They also broke cabinets and glass and cut wires.
At Meacham in November, they broke a small window next to a door, then used the same method to get inside classrooms. They took 37 laptop computers. This came two months after thieves stole six projectors from portable classrooms.
At North Side High, there was no sign of forced entry; police suspect they used a key.
Police later arrested a 17-year-old student in connection with the theft of a projector but haven't linked the student to other stolen items.
"It was indicated that a coach may have lost a set of keys, and they floated around a little," said police Sgt. E.J. Kraus, who investigates crimes in north Fort Worth. "It's unknown if copies were made."
The locks have since been changed.
Police suspect that more of the thieves could be students, Kraus said.
Game players use projectors to display their video games on the wall, as if on a big-screen television, Grady said. In the past, suspicious parents have even called police or school officials after their children came home with expensive equipment.
The projectors can cost $600 a piece.
"As I understand it, they're stolen for entertainment," Grady said.
The projectors aren't big; most would fit on a sheet of notebook paper, Speer said. Advances in technology have made it easier to stealcomputers and projectors because they are no longer "big and clunky," she said. "These days, you can fit a laptop into your purse."
Hurting students
Thieves aren't just stealing from taxpayers; they're ruining students' and teachers' work.
When 24 laptop computers were stolen from North Side High in October, students lost half-finished science projects, Principal Virginia Dean said. Instead of working oncomputers, they had to use poster board and construction paper.
The stolen projectors meant that teachers could no longer show students PowerPoint presentations they had spent hours creating.
"It directly hurt the students' ability to complete their assignments," Dean said. "There is a lot of anger when students get to school and find out the nice things they had are gone. They feel like their school is being violated."
Meacham Principal Manuel Cantu said thieves essentially cleaned out one of the school's two computer laboratories. Students had used the computers for English and social studies.
"We've basically doubled up our labs in the one we have left," Cantu said. "It slows thing down, and it's bothersome. We use the labs to practice writing for the TAKS test."
The district has assured the school that the computers will be replaced, he said.
But it's not a quick process. After a break-in, school officials must get police reports and file memos with the district business office. The business office has to verify that none of the items were personal property, move funds and place orders.
These items are not covered by the district's commercial insurance, but the district maintains a contingency fund to replace stolen or damaged items, spokeswoman Barbara Griffith said.
And not all school-owned items can be replaced. J.P. Elder lost equipment that was paid for with a grant.
"The replacement costs and the dead period between thefts and when things are replaced are a concern," Trustee Juan Rangel said. "The kids are the ones who suffer."
Solutions
In December, school officials increased security patrols. Police asked the district's security contractor, Smith Protective Services, to start notifying them before they respond to an alarm.
But more options are being considered.
There has been talk of imprinting the school district's name on laptops before putting them into service, Grady said. If someone tries to sell them, it would be clear that they were stolen property.
Officials also discussed activating software similar to Lojack equipment that helps police track stolen cars, he said. With the software, police could locate the IP address when someone connected a stolen computer to the Internet.
That would help police find stolen equipment. School officials are also looking into improved digital surveillance equipment to keep thieves out in the first place.
One such system has been installed at South Hills High School, where almost 90 cameras monitor the sprawling school.
When an alarm goes off at the school, workers at the district's security office will instantly see an image of the area, Speer said. They can then better decide how to respond.
Older surveillance systems just notify workers that an alarm is sounding.
But the digital systems can cost about $100,000 for large schools. South Hills' system was paid for in part by a federal grant.
To put that kind of system in would probably require bond funding, Speer said.
"The shame is that some people don't mind stealing from children," she said.
Diane Smith contributed to this report, which includes material from the Star-Telegram archives.
SCHOOL THEFTS
The Fort Worth school district has been plagued by break-ins in the last year. According to school district records, the following items were among thosestolen from schools:
83 laptop computers worth $110,040
37 desktop computers worth $41,649
72 projectors worth $44,715
13 rooftop units (copper wire theft) worth $53,368
Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 817-469-TIPS (8477) or school district night security at 817-871-3333.
Alex Branch, 817-390-7689 abranch@star-telegram.com
UK COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM OFFICES AND SCHOOL Burnley News - Burnley Today: News, Sport, Jobs, Property, Cars, Entertainments & More:
Computer gear targeted by thieves
THOUSANDS of pounds worth of lap-tops and computer equipment have been stolen from offices and a school over the weekend.
Two Dell lap-tops, a Hewlett-Packard lap-top and an ASA lap-top, together worth £1,800, were stolen from Vedas Recruitment, St James's Row, and £5,000-worth of Samsung lap-tops were stolen from Lancashire County Council's Chaddesley House in Manchester Road.
Ten Dell flat-screen monitors and projectors, worth £2,700, were also stolen from Blessed Trinity College in Coal Clough Lane.
Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111 or Burnley police on 425001.
20 February 2007"
NORTH CAROLINA COMPUTER STOLEN FROM NEWSPAPER OFFICE heraldsun.com: Newspaper office site of break-in:
Newspaper office site of break-in
Feb 19, 2007 : 8:25 pm ET
CHAPEL HILL -- Police responded to a break-in Monday morning about 4 a.m. at the office of The Chapel Hill Herald.
Someone broke a glass door to gain entry and rummaged through desk drawers and file cabinets. The intruder also broke a glass door of a private office and stole four laptop computers in black cases. A small amount of cash was also stolen.
One of the black cases had a pink vinyl band from the U.S. Open in Pinehurst on the handle of it.
Anyone with information about the break-in is asked to call the Chapel Hill Police Department at 968-2760 or CrimeStoppers at 942-7515."
TEXAS COMPUTER CONTAINING MEDICAID DATA STOLEN FROM HOSPITAL OFFICE 7,800 Seton hospital patients face identity theft threat | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle:
7,800 Seton hospital patients face identity theft threat
AUSTIN — About 7,800 insured patients who were treated at Seton hospital system facilities since July 2005 are being warned to watch for signs of identity theft after a laptop containing personal information was stolen last week.
The Seton Family of Hospitals said the computer was stolen from an office in the system's information services department in Austin.
Greg Hartman, senior vice president of marketing and planning for the Seton system, said the computer doesn't contain patient health information. It might contain names, birthdays and Social Security numbers of uninsured patients who went to Seton-owned emergency rooms, outpatient services and area health clinics since July 1, 2005.
Hartman said in a story in today's online edition of the Austin American-Statesman that the information isn't easily available because it is protected by a "complicated password protocol."
He said the theft was caught on camera and the video has been given to Austin police. He said a film projector also was taken from the building, which only can be accessed by people with security badges.
"It's a very difficult situation," Hartman said. "We're very hopeful we can catch this thief."
System officials used the data stored on the computer to try to get payment through Medicaid, Medicare or charity programs, Hartman said.
Seton plans to send letters beginning this week to affected patients.
The hospital system has set up a toll-free number for anyone seeking more information: 888-325-3456.
On the Web
Monday, February 19, 2007
OREGON COMPUTER STOLEN .: Albany Democrat-Herald :. News:
Burglary — A house in the 1600 block of Jackson Street S.E. was broken into sometime before Saturday afternoon. A Dell computer tower, a 15-inch IBM flat screen and a CD burner were stolen. The items were valued at $840."
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