ID Assist E-News January 2008

Happy New Year from ID Theft Assist!  There's much to look forward to in 2008 and unfortunately much to keep safe... most especially your identity. As each year goes by, identity thieves are getting craftier about how they go about taking the most important thing from you, your good name. Skimming is one of the newest way thieves are getting a hold of your precious financial information.

Skimming is a hi-tech method by which thieves capture your personal or account information from your credit card, driver's license, or even passport. An electronic device used to capture this information is called a "skimmer," and can be purchased online for under $50.00. Your card is swiped through the skimmer and the information contained in the magnetic strip on the card is then read into and stored on the device or an attached computer.

Furthermore, Skimming is predominantly a tactic used to perpetuate credit card fraud--but is also a tactic that is gaining in popularity amongst identity thieves. Skimming is a problem, not just in the U.S, but globally. As the use of smart card technology grows, as evident with its integration with driver's licenses and passports, it is likely that skimming will continue to grow as a popular tactic of identity thieves.

Fortunately, as a member of ID Theft Assist, we'll work all year long to insure that if you experience a compromise or become a victim of identity theft through skimming or any other method, we'll be there to pick up the pieces and restore your good name.

From all of us at ID Theft Assist, we wish you and your family a safe and protected new year.

MOST RECENT COMPROMISES

Nov. 30, 2007 Prescription Advantage- Massachusetts
The state of Massachusetts is warning 150,000 members of its Prescription Advantage insurance program that their personal information may have been snatched by an identity thief. Local authorities arrested a lone identity thief who had been using information taken from the program in an attempted identity theft scheme.

Dec. 5, 2007 Memorial Blood Centers- Duluth, MN
A laptop computer holding donor information was stolen. About 268,000 donor records on this laptop computer contain a donor name in combination with the donor's Social Security number.

Dec. 10, 2007 Iowa Department of Natural Resources- Des Moines, IA
A contractor working for the DNR revealed that a computer jump drive containing the names and Social Security numbers for 7000 people is missing. The contractor believes the jump drive fell off of his desk and into a garbage can.