WASHINGTON DC COMPUTER DATA THEFT http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/10/20/prweb8891850.DTL
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Data Breach Notices are a Red Flag for Identity Theft, Warns ITAC, the Identity Theft Assistance Center
Thursday, October 20, 2011
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Receiving a notice that your personal information has been compromised doesn't necessarily result in identity theft. But it is a red flag you should take steps to minimize your risk.
ITAC recommends consumers take the following steps:
a. Take advantage of any free protection services that are offered.
b. Place a fraud alert on your credit report. A fraud alert requires lenders to confirm the consumer's identity when they apply for credit.
c. Change account passwords.
"Identity theft can come from many sources and receiving a data breach notice from an account holder is red flag," said ITAC President Anne Wallace. "Although most breaches do not result in fraud, research shows consumers who receive these notices are more likely to become victims than consumers who do not receive a notice."
Most states have laws that require companies that maintain personal and financial information to notify consumers in writing, or by email or phone in the event of a breach. In general, notification is required to contact consumers if the information breached is your first name or first initial and last name in combination with 1) a social security number, credit or debit card number, or driver's license, or 2) an account number, credit card number or debit card number in combination with any required security code, access code, or password that would permit access to an individual financial account.
Deliberate breaches pose the greatest potential for harm to businesses and consumers; accidental data breaches are less likely to be harmful than those resulting from an intentional computer hack or hardware theft. Unfortunately, these attacks are on the rise. Earlier this year, PlayStation game maker Sony Corp. was attacked by hackers and the intruders may have gained information on 101.6 million users of Sony's online services for games, music and films.
Given the number of data breaches, consumers may receive notices from multiple companies. Many choose to ignore the notices or fail to take advantage of identity theft protection services.
In a survey of more than 2500 victims who used ITAC this year, nearly 70% did not know the source of the crime. "Given the pervasive threat of identity theft from multiple sources, it make sense to take these notices seriously and to accept help when it's offered," said Wallace.
About ITAC
ITAC, the Identity Theft Assistance Center (www.identitytheftassistance.org), is the national advocate for identity theft victims and a leading voice on identity policy. Millions of consumers have access to the ITAC victim assistance service through our members - the financial services companies who support ITAC and offer it as a free service for their customers. ITAC is dedicated to protecting all consumers through education, research and the criminal prosecution of identity crime. Through our partnership with Intersections Inc., ITAC's world-class victim assistance and identity management service is available to everyone through ITAC Sentinel® (www.itacsentinel.com).
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For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/10/prweb8891850.htm
Washington, DC (PRWEB) October 20, 2011
ITAC, the Identity Theft Assistance Center, advises consumers to take action when they receive notice that their personal information has been breached, even if the compromise is unlikely to result in identity theft.ITAC recommends consumers take the following steps:
a. Take advantage of any free protection services that are offered.
b. Place a fraud alert on your credit report. A fraud alert requires lenders to confirm the consumer's identity when they apply for credit.
c. Change account passwords.
"Identity theft can come from many sources and receiving a data breach notice from an account holder is red flag," said ITAC President Anne Wallace. "Although most breaches do not result in fraud, research shows consumers who receive these notices are more likely to become victims than consumers who do not receive a notice."
Most states have laws that require companies that maintain personal and financial information to notify consumers in writing, or by email or phone in the event of a breach. In general, notification is required to contact consumers if the information breached is your first name or first initial and last name in combination with 1) a social security number, credit or debit card number, or driver's license, or 2) an account number, credit card number or debit card number in combination with any required security code, access code, or password that would permit access to an individual financial account.
Deliberate breaches pose the greatest potential for harm to businesses and consumers; accidental data breaches are less likely to be harmful than those resulting from an intentional computer hack or hardware theft. Unfortunately, these attacks are on the rise. Earlier this year, PlayStation game maker Sony Corp. was attacked by hackers and the intruders may have gained information on 101.6 million users of Sony's online services for games, music and films.
Given the number of data breaches, consumers may receive notices from multiple companies. Many choose to ignore the notices or fail to take advantage of identity theft protection services.
In a survey of more than 2500 victims who used ITAC this year, nearly 70% did not know the source of the crime. "Given the pervasive threat of identity theft from multiple sources, it make sense to take these notices seriously and to accept help when it's offered," said Wallace.
About ITAC
ITAC, the Identity Theft Assistance Center (www.identitytheftassistance.org), is the national advocate for identity theft victims and a leading voice on identity policy. Millions of consumers have access to the ITAC victim assistance service through our members - the financial services companies who support ITAC and offer it as a free service for their customers. ITAC is dedicated to protecting all consumers through education, research and the criminal prosecution of identity crime. Through our partnership with Intersections Inc., ITAC's world-class victim assistance and identity management service is available to everyone through ITAC Sentinel® (www.itacsentinel.com).
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For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/10/prweb8891850.htm
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/10/20/prweb8891850.DTL#ixzz1bpTL8eV6
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