ScamSafe

Senate approves identity theft bill [Wash, DC]

The U.S. Senate has passed a bill proposed by U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, to increase penalties for identity theft.

The Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act was passed unanimously Friday. The bill now awaits President Bush's signature.

from Austin Business Journal

Area woman accused of identity theft [Parkersburg,WV]

RIPLEY - One woman's shock and anger have given way to forgiveness in a Jackson County identity theft case.

Deputies arrested Michelle Spencer, 22, of 1511 1/2 Camden Ave., Parkersburg, Tuesday charging her with a felony count of identity theft and a misdemeanor count of telephone fraud. Together, the crimes carry a maximum six years in jail and $3,500 in fines. Spencer was transported to the South Central Regional Jail, where she remains held on $3,500 cash bond.
The alleged victim, Melissa Wilkinson, told the News Thursday she has forgiven Spencer, but still believes jail time is a good option.

from Parkersburg News

Phishing scams Jun 21-26

from Fraud Watch Int'l

US Bank phishing email - "U.S. Bank emergency Notice!"

US Bank phishing email - "U.S. Bank Fraud Verification Process"

US Bank phishing email - "U.S. Bank emergency Notice!"

eBay phishing email - "Important Information Pertaining To Your Ebay Account"

eBay phishing email - "Urgent Safeharbor Department Notice"

Citibank phishing email - "!Citibank's account "

US Bank phishing email - "Online banking issue"

eBay phishing email - "eBay.com Protection"

eBay phishing email - "Urgent Safeharbor Department Notice"

eBay phishing email - "eBay Safeharbour Department Notice"

Citibank phishing email - "Keep Your Identity To Yourself"

Citibank phishing email - "Citibank Secure Verification Process"

US Bank phishing email - "Notification of U.S. Bank Internet Banking Unauthorized Account Access"

eBay phishing email - "ebay account error"

eBay phishing email - "**Account Investigation Pre-Suspension Warning**"

eBay phishing email - "Immediate attention required.SECURE_ID: 98745856"

eBay phishing email - "TKO Notice: ***Urgent Safeharbor Department Notice***"

eBay phishing email - "Your eBay account needs attention. SECURE_ID: 30473232"

eBay phishing email - "Urgent Safeharbor Department Notice"

eBay phishing email - "Urgent Safeharbor Department Notice"

eBay phishing email - "eBay Safeharbour Department Notice"

US Bank phishing email - "U.S. Bank® Fraud Verification Process"

US Bank phishing email - "U.S. Bank Consumer Alert"

AOL phishing email - "Regarding your AOL account information"

eBay phishing email - "Your eBay account could be suspended"

PayPal phishing email - "Please Update Your PayPal Account"

eBay phishing email - "eBay Update Information"

eBay phishing email - "**Urgent Safeharbor Department Notice**"

US Bank phishing email - "U.S. Bank Online Access Blocked User Compromised"

US Bank phishing email - "Re-Submit: UsBank.com Urgent requirementpf"

Lloyds TSB Bank phishing email - "OfficiaI lnformation from LIoyds TSB"

US Bank phishing email - "Internet banking issue"

Citibank phishing email - "Your request for Express Transfer"

PayPal phishing email - "Verify your identity."

US Bank phishing email - "US Bank Account Verification"

eBay phishing email - "Confirmation - Security Measures"

eBay phishing email - "Credit/Debit card update"

eBay phishing email - "eBay Important Account Information"

eBay phishing email - "eBay: Restore Your Account!"

Citibank phishing email - "to users of Citibank"

AOL phishing email - "Activate your Account"

Fleet Bank phishing email - "!official Notice for all clients of FleetBank"

Phishing scams Jun 17-20

from Fraud Watch Int'l

US Bank phishing email - "U.S. Bank® Fraud Verification Process"

eBay phishing email - "Your eBay account could be suspended!"

eBay phishing email - "*Account Investigation Warning*"

Citibank phishing email - "Additional Protection of Your Account at no cost"

Citibank phishing email - "!official Notice for all users of Citibank"

Citibank phishing email - "Activate Bill Pay"

Citibank phishing email - "Warning all Citibank users."

Fleet Bank phishing email - "! FleetBank updates"

Fleet Bank phishing email - "! Regular FleetBank verification"

Fleet Bank phishing email - "0fficiaI Notice for aII clients of FleetBank!"

eBay phishing email - "eBay Safeharbour Department Notice"

eBay phishing email - "FPA NOTICE: eBay account suspension warning (Submit Only Once)"

eBay phishing email - "Billing Issues"

eBay phishing email - "FPA NOTICE: eBay Registration Suspension - Section 9"

eBay phishing email - "Security Test"

Citibank phishing email - "official Notice for all Citibank users"

Citibank phishing email - "! Citibank's officiaI notice"

Citibank phishing email - "Citibank!"

Citibank phishing email - "Please read this message"

Citibank phishing email - "ReguIar Citibank verification of the accounts"

Citibank phishing email - "official Notice for all Citibank users!"

Citibank phishing email - "Citibank reguIar verification of the accounts"

CompuServe phishing email - "Please confirm your CompuServe account"

US Bank phishing email - "U.S. Bank® Fraud Verification Process"

PayPal phishing email - "New email address added to your PayPal account"

eBay phishing email - "Urgent Safeharbor Department Notice"

eBay phishing email - "eBay Registration Suspended"

eBay phishing email - "Urgent Security Notice"

Citibank phishing email - "Citi ATM Card PIN Update"

The Royal Bank of Scotland phishing email - "0fficial Notice for all Royal Bank of Scotland users"

First Bank phishing email - "To all First Bank users! First Bank official notice"

US Bank phishing email - "Notification of U.S. Bank Internet Banking Unauthorized Account Access"

eBay phishing email - "RNO NOTICE: eBay Registration Reinstatement"

eBay phishing email - "eBay Safeharbour Department Notice"

Halifax Bank phishing email - "Halifax Internet banking official notice!"

Phishing scams Jun 14-16

See Fraud Watch Int'l

US Bank phishing email - "United States Bank - Customer Service - Verification Required"

US Bank phishing email - "NOTICE: U.S. Bank account updates (please read)"

eBay phishing email - "*****Urgent Notification*****"

eBay phishing email - "TKO NOTICE: eBay request, please read."

eBay phishing email - "eBay Billing Information"

eBay phishing email - "TKO Notice: ***Urgent Safeharbor Department Notice***"

eBay phishing email - "We Need to Update Your Information"

Citibank UK phishing email - "OfficiaI linformation from Citibank UK"

AOL phishing email - "AOL Verification Required"

AOL phishing email - "Your AOL Account information has been compromised"

Lloyds TSB Bank phishing email - "Wed, 16 Jun 2004 10:15:25 +0300"

Lloyds TSB Bank phishing email - "OfficiaI lnformation from LIoyds TSB"

VISA phishing email - "Protect your debit card against any unauthorised charges"

US Bank phishing email - "U.S. Bank® Fraud Verification Process"

US Bank phishing email - "U.S. Bank Fraud Verification"

US Bank phishing email - "U.S. Bank Customer Service - Verification Required"

US Bank phishing email - "Information - Urgent Usbank.com updaqn"

eBay phishing email - "Urgent Safeharbor Department Notice From: "eBay""

eBay phishing email - "24A FPQ NOTICE: possibble account access by a third part"

eBay phishing email - "*Urgent SafeHarbor Department Warning*"

Citibank phishing email - "to users of Citibank."

Citibank phishing email - "CitiBank Customer Service - Verification Required"

Nationwide Building Society phishing email - "!Nationwide Internet banking's account"

Fleet Bank phishing email - "Online Banking: Protect Yourself from Internet Fraud"

US Bank phishing email - "Re-Submit: UsBank.com Urgent requirementjf"

US Bank phishing email - "U.S. Bank Important Warning Message"

PayPal phishing email - "Your immediate attention is required."

eBay phishing email - "TKO NOTICE: Please verify your account"

eBay phishing email - "Your account will be suspended"

eBay phishing email - "TKO Notice: ***Urgent Safeharbor Department Notice***"

Citibank phishing email - "! 0fficiaI Notice for aII users of Citibank"

Citibank phishing email - "! your Citibank account"

Citibank phishing email - "!Citibank official updates"

AOL phishing email - "AOL Reminder-- You've Got Pictures! 7b2z0f"

HSBC Bank phishing email - "! officiaI Notice for aII users of HSBC Bank plc"

HSBC Bank phishing email - "! official Notice for all HSBC Bank plc customers"

Phishing scams Jun 11-13

See Fraud Watch Int'l

US Bank phishing email - "U.S. Bank® Fraud Verification Process"

PayPal phishing email - "PayPal Service Fraud Warning !"

PayPal phishing email - "Update your account records"

eBay phishing email - "Update your eBay contact information"

Citibank phishing email - "Protect yourself from Internet fraud"

eBay phishing email - "eBay Security Measures: Verify your identity"

Citibank phishing email - "Info Regarding Identity Fraud Targeting Citi"

PayPal phishing email - "Notification of PayPal Limited Account Access"

eBay phishing email - "eBay Safeharbour Department Notice"

eBay phishing email - "Account update"

eBay phishing email - "Update Your Account Urgently"

eBay phishing email - "24A FPQ NOTICE: possibble account access by a third part"

eBay phishing email - "TKO NOTICE:Update Your User Informationa"

Citibank phishing email - "Update your account information"

Check cashing scam has new domain name

Next Day Finance, one alias for the notorious work-at-home check cashing fraud ring, has set itself up on a new domain name for its web site: www.worldremittances.com. The are also advertising on the job web site dice.com.

For more information, check out Scam.com

Two suspects sought in identity-theft, fraud case [Portland,OR]

VANCOUVER -- Federal arrest warrants were issued this week for two former Vancouver residents suspected in a broad identity-theft operation that produced counterfeit money and fake Oregon driver's licenses and committed Internet, credit card and check fraud.

Arrest warrants were issued Tuesday for Keric Todd Davis, 33, and Michael Edward Bowman, 31, on accusations of mail theft, credit-card fraud, possession of counterfeit identification and securities fraud. It was unclear when they left Vancouver.

from Oregonian

Postal inspectors link nine women to identity theft ring [Columbus,OH]

A ring involving nine women used stolen bank statements to print counterfeit checks that were cashed or used to buy items and gift cards totaling $74,000, authorities said.

Three women have admitted to participating in the ring and six others should be charged within the next two months, including two former postal workers who took the statements while handling mail at a post office, Postal Inspector Kevin McCafferty said Thursday.

In all, the accounts of 38 women were used to write bogus checks, printed on a home computer, at stores in Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton from June 2001 to December 2002, he said. The victims have gotten their money back.

Two sisters, Nyteria Green, 24, and Paula Green, 30, pleaded guilty in federal court last year to a charge of conspiracy to steal mail.

from Ohio News Network

2 Arrested In Identity Theft Case [Salinas, CA]

Salinas police have arrested two people in connection with an alleged identity theft operation.

Recia Esteban, 32, and Manuel Simon Hernandez, 27, were arrested Tueday night.

from KSBW Channel.com

Update on work-at-home check cashing scam

This report from Dick Hambrice:

"All known 'Check Cashing Opportunity' websites are either shutdown or are non-functioning for [new] applications. The ONLY site still viewable is one called "ntt-body.com" but their signup page doesn't open. This site appears to be hosted by Verio-Hosting.com and contact there is [email protected]. The Russian webhost, GoldHost, recently suspended [the] purexian.biz site. We all need to be alert for any new names, ads or sites as these guys are relentless in their pursuit of innocent victims."

Identity-theft ring member gets 16 months [Escondido,CA]

SAN DIEGO - One of 21 people who participated in San Diego County's largest known identity theft ring was sentenced today to 16 months in state prison.

Cesar Villaroman, 50, pleaded guilty March 30 to three felony counts, including conspiracy, grand theft and passing checks with insufficient funds.

from North County Times

Dispatcher charged with identity theft [Belleville,IL]

VENICE - A Venice police dispatcher was charged with using her access to drivers' records to steal the identity of a Hawaii woman and charge $10,000 to fraudulent credit cards.

Madison County prosecutors on Thursday charged dispatcher Nancy E. Loston, 31, with official misconduct and two counts of financial identity theft.

Madison County Sheriff's Lt. John Lakin said Loston searched driver records through the department's Law Enforcement Agencies Data Systems (LEADS) terminal for women with her same maiden name, Nancy White, and her same date of birth. The LEADS system, which is a computerized databank of drivers nationwide, turned up a Nancy White in Honolulu.

from Belleville News-Democrat

Investigators Bust Identity Theft Ring [Winter Park,FL]

Dozens of victims of identity theft are celebrating news that the alleged thieves have been indicted.

Idel and Leonard Davy said they discovered someone had bought a new car last summer at a Winter Park dealership using Leonard Davy's stolen identity, WESH NewsChannel 2 reported.

from WESH.com

Restaurant owner arrested in ID theft probe [Appleton,WI]

GREEN BAY — Police and immigration agents arrested 14 people in a raid Tuesday of three local Julie’s Cafe restaurants.

Stephen Metzler, 45, New Franken, owner of the Julie’s Cafe chain as well as of the Stratosphere, was booked on charges of being party to a crime of identity theft and obstructing justice.

from Appleton Post Crescent

Official says identity theft tied in to terrorism threat

Patrick O'Carroll Jr., acting inspector general of the Social Security Administration, told the House Social Security subcommittee Tuesday that terrorists could obtain Social Security numbers by purchasing them, creating them, stealing them, using the number of a deceased individual or obtaining them from the Social Security Administration using fake documents.

As part of the Joint Terrorism Task Forces, O'Carroll said, the agency's New York field division investigated six men believed to have participated in an Al-Qaeda training camp and found that one of them had two Social Security cards.

from Palm Beach Post

Saugus Couple Indicted For Identity Theft [Boston, MA]

A Saugus husband and wife were arrested yesterday and charged in federal court with identity theft, bank fraud, credit card fraud and various other federal offenses.

ITZA RUIZ, a/k/a Itza Galvin Santos, age 39, and HERIBERTO RUIZ, age 47, of 226 Essex Street, Saugus, Massachusetts, were arrested on an indictment unsealed in federal court yesterday, charging them with identity theft, bank fraud, credit card fraud and making false statements in documents required by federal immigration law. The twenty-three count indictment also charges ITZA RUIZ with student financial aid fraud, making false statements in loan applications, making false statements and entries in an INS Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9, and misrepresentation of a social security account number. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of the couple's marital home.

from Yahoo!

NFL player victim of Identity theft [Contra Costa County,CA]

Brandon Whiting was at his parents' home in Vallejo when his agent called to ask if he was trying to buy two houses in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The 49ers defensive tackle was confused. He had played against Arizona State when he was at Cal and against the Arizona Cardinals while employed by the Philadelphia Eagles. Otherwise, he had only visited Arizona once and had never considered buying a home there, let alone two.

Whiting wasn't interested in desert real estate. An impersonator was using his name to commit fraud.

It was just another recent example of an NFL player victimized by identity theft.

from Contra Costa Times

OPP Charge Person With Identity Theft

OPP, with the assistance of Police, have arrested and charged one man with identity theft.

Hospital lab technician booked on charges of identity theft [Shreveport,LA]

A hospital laboratory technician is behind bars for allegedly taking personal information from patients' medical charts and using it to obtain credit and make thousands of dollars in unauthorized purchases.

Robbie Ragsdale of Mansfield was booked on three counts of identity theft. Authorities say Ragsdale, who works for Willis-Knighton Health Systems, took the social security numbers, birth dates and other data to make large purchases between $6,000 and $7,000.

from KTBS

Blood Donors Could Be Victims Of Identity Theft [LOS ANGELES, CA]

The University of California, Los Angeles Blood and Platelet Center has begun notifying about 145,000 donors they could be victims of identity theft because a laptop computer containing their personal data was stolen, it was reported Thursday.

The computer, taken from a locked UCLA van in November, contained the names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth and blood types of donors, the Los Angeles Times reported.

from NBC-TV4

How phone companies enable fraud

ScamSafe has been reporting on a work-at-home check cashing scam (operating under various names, i.e. Xian Energy, Nextdayfinance, PureXian.biz). In the past we commented on how job web sites post ads for these thieves and thus enable their crimes--even after being notified that these are illegal operations. Another culprit is the phone companies which provide the telephone and fax lines. Dick Hambrice, a victim of this crime ring, has been doggedly trying to shut them down by contacting job boards, web hosters and telephone companies.

Dick reports, "The Compton phones (for Nextdayfinance) belong to PacWest Telecom. I emailed them a couple of weeks ago letting them know about the criminal enterprise using them. Their reply was 'This information is being sent to our customer who the number is leased out to. They will investigate and take the appropriate actions. Thank you, Network Operations Security.'" Dick continues, "I called the numbers this morning and they are still working."

It appears that PacWest is asleep at the wheel, while thousands of consumers are being ripped off by this international crime ring. Shame on PacWest--and whichever company is leasing their lines.

Reporting check cashing & other Internet scams

ScamSafe has been contacted by a number of victims of the check cashing work-at-home scams asking what they should do. So we contacted the FBI and this is what we were told.

"Anyone who responded to these fraudulent schemes--whether you lost money or not--should file an online report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). Your report will be analyzed and disseminated to the appropriate federal, state and local law enforcement to help ensure a coordinated investigation. Anyone who lost money should also report the matter to law enforcement, whether it be the local FBI office* or Police Department."

Also, if you lost money, wired money or gave out your account number, you should contact the fraud department of your bank and probably close the account immediately. Although checking or savings accounts don't have the same protections against fraud as credit cards, your bank may provide recompense for lost funds--it's worth asking. And you'll need a police report to back up your claims.

* To find your local FBI field office go to www.fbi.gov.

Reporting check cashing & other Internet scams

ScamSafe has been contacted by a number of victims of the check cashing work-at-home scams asking what they should do. So we contacted the FBI and this is what we were told.

"Anyone who responded to these fraudulent schemes--whether you lost money or not--should file an online report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). Your report will be analyzed and disseminated to the appropriate federal, state and local law enforcement to help ensure a coordinated investigation. Anyone who lost money should also report the matter to law enforcement, whether it be the local FBI office* or Police Department."

Also, if you lost money, wired money or gave out your account number, you should contact the fraud department of your bank and probably close the account immediately. Although checking or savings accounts don't have the same protections against fraud as credit cards, your bank may provide recompense for lost funds--it's worth asking. And you'll need a police report to back up your claims.

Oklahoma Governor Signs Identity Theft Bill

Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry has signed Senate Bill 1164, a measure designed to help protect victims of identity theft.

According to the Senate Communications Office, State Sen. Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher, is principal author of the bill, which creates an "Identity Theft Passport" to protect innocent victims from arrest or other legal actions.

"While the digital age provides many benefits, it also has a dark side in the form of identity theft. Oklahoma is now one of the first states to address the nightmare identity theft victims go through when they're falsely accused," Johnson said.

FULL STORY from Insurance Journal [pop up]

Oklahoma Governor Signs Identity Theft Bill

Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry has signed Senate Bill 1164, a measure designed to help protect victims of identity theft.

According to the Senate Communications Office, State Sen. Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher, is principal author of the bill, which creates an "Identity Theft Passport" to protect innocent victims from arrest or other legal actions.

"While the digital age provides many benefits, it also has a dark side in the form of identity theft. Oklahoma is now one of the first states to address the nightmare identity theft victims go through when they're falsely accused," Johnson said.

from Insurance Journal

Drug ring indicted in odd identity theft case [Baltimore, MD]

Federal authorities said Tuesday they have cracked a twisted case of drug trafficking in the Baltimore-Washington area that reveals how organized crime rings can use identity theft to supplement income from other criminal sources. Among the allegations in the indictment: that dozens of conspirators got their victims hooked on cocaine, crack or heroin, then took out life insurance policies in their names and collected when the victims died.

According to the indictment, Paulette "Auntie" Martin, 57, of Takoma Park, Md. and 30 others sold drugs and took out life insurance policies dating back to 1995. A 20-month investigation called "Operation Encore" climaxed June 1, when federal agents simultaneously executed 30 search warrants, followed by 29 arrests.

Among those arrested: Richard Gunn, 52, an insurance agent who worked in Burtonsville, Md. The indictment says Gunn worked with Martin to take out 17 life insurance policies via identity theft, and collected on the policies as recently as March of this year. Pilfered Social Security numbers and other stolen personal information were used without the victim's knowledge to fill out the insurance paperwork, the government alleges. Martin and others paid for the life insurance polices with proceeds from drug sales.

from MSNBC

Drug ring indicted in odd identity theft case [Baltimore, MD]

Federal authorities said Tuesday they have cracked a twisted case of drug trafficking in the Baltimore-Washington area that reveals how organized crime rings can use identity theft to supplement income from other criminal sources. Among the allegations in the indictment: that dozens of conspirators got their victims hooked on cocaine, crack or heroin, then took out life insurance policies in their names and collected when the victims died.

According to the indictment, Paulette "Auntie" Martin, 57, of Takoma Park, Md. and 30 others sold drugs and took out life insurance policies dating back to 1995. A 20-month investigation called "Operation Encore" climaxed June 1, when federal agents simultaneously executed 30 search warrants, followed by 29 arrests.

Among those arrested: Richard Gunn, 52, an insurance agent who worked in Burtonsville, Md. The indictment says Gunn worked with Martin to take out 17 life insurance policies via identity theft, and collected on the policies as recently as March of this year. Pilfered Social Security numbers and other stolen personal information were used without the victim's knowledge to fill out the insurance paperwork, the government alleges. Martin and others paid for the life insurance polices with proceeds from drug sales.

from MSNBC

Vermont passes ID Theft crime bill

Colorado only remaining state without one

Identity theft is a growing problem in the United States, and soon, Vermont will have a law to protect consumers from losing money and their good credit.

Your personal information is everywhere -- in your mail, your wallet, and even on the Internet. If criminals get a hold of your private information, like your social security number or a credit card number, they can assume a your identity.

Currently identity theft is not a crime in Vermont.

FULL STORY from theChamplainChannel.com [pop up]

Vermont passes ID Theft crime bill

Colorado only remaining state without one

Identity theft is a growing problem in the United States, and soon, Vermont will have a law to protect consumers from losing money and their good credit.

Your personal information is everywhere -- in your mail, your wallet, and even on the Internet. If criminals get a hold of your private information, like your social security number or a credit card number, they can assume a your identity.

Currently identity theft is not a crime in Vermont.

from theChamplainChannel.com

Stolen Wallet Can Lead to Stolen Identity

As the summer vacation season approaches, a former master forger -- and leading fraud prevention expert -- warns the theft of your wallet or purse may be the first step in the theft of your identity.

"Pickpockets used to get their money by using stolen credit cards right away before a theft could be reported," Frank W. Abagnale, Jr. warned. "But now, some of these thieves are using a stolen wallet or purse as the first step in stealing someone's identity.

"Here's how the scam works: After stealing your wallet, a thief goes to a pay phone and calls your home to report finding your wallet and offers to return it shortly thereafter. While you wait, the thief uses information from your wallet and credit cards. You may get your wallet back, but the thief makes a lot more money by stealing your identity."

from Yahoo!

Stolen Wallet Can Lead to Stolen Identity

As the summer vacation season approaches, a former master forger -- and leading fraud prevention expert -- warns the theft of your wallet or purse may be the first step in the theft of your identity.

"Pickpockets used to get their money by using stolen credit cards right away before a theft could be reported," Frank W. Abagnale, Jr. warned. "But now, some of these thieves are using a stolen wallet or purse as the first step in stealing someone's identity.

"Here's how the scam works: After stealing your wallet, a thief goes to a pay phone and calls your home to report finding your wallet and offers to return it shortly thereafter. While you wait, the thief uses information from your wallet and credit cards. You may get your wallet back, but the thief makes a lot more money by stealing your identity."

from Yahoo!

Single-use credit-card numbers help fight identity theft

NEW YORK - Cyberspace shopper Roger So relies on a 16-digit tool to prevent his personal information from being stolen: a single-use credit-card number.

When shopping online, the 52-year-old information-technology consultant periodically uses this randomly generated number - provided by his credit-card issuer, Citigroup Inc. - in place of his actual account information because, he said, it "gives me one more line of security."

"I use it primarily with merchants that I'm dealing with for the first time," said So, a resident of Morristown, N.J.

FULL STORY from Tucson Citizen [pop up]

Single-use credit-card numbers help fight identity theft

NEW YORK - Cyberspace shopper Roger So relies on a 16-digit tool to prevent his personal information from being stolen: a single-use credit-card number.

When shopping online, the 52-year-old information-technology consultant periodically uses this randomly generated number - provided by his credit-card issuer, Citigroup Inc. - in place of his actual account information because, he said, it "gives me one more line of security."

"I use it primarily with merchants that I'm dealing with for the first time," said So, a resident of Morristown, N.J.

from Tucson Citizen

One year later, California identity theft law remains low-key

The regulation hasn't spurred predicted lawsuits but has increased awareness

Nearly a year after California's landmark SB 1386 identity theft law went into effect, there has been none of the troublesome litigation that had been predicted to come in its wake.
But the law has raised overall corporate awareness of the need to have strong privacy protections in place, legal experts said last week.

SB 1386, which went into effect July 1 last year, requires companies that do business with California residents to inform customers when their names, in combination with personally identifiable information, have been accessed by an unauthorized person (see story). Some legal experts had expected the law to open a floodgate of trouble, especially because of the ambiguous nature of some of its provisions.

For instance, the law calls for companies to encrypt data but doesn't specify what level of encryption is considered legally acceptable. Similarly, the law isn't specific about the obligations of the IT organization, mandating only that companies notify customers when "it is reasonably believed" that personal information has been compromised.

from COMPUTERWORLD

One year later, California identity theft law remains low-key

The regulation hasn't spurred predicted lawsuits but has increased awareness

Nearly a year after California's landmark SB 1386 identity theft law went into effect, there has been none of the troublesome litigation that had been predicted to come in its wake.
But the law has raised overall corporate awareness of the need to have strong privacy protections in place, legal experts said last week.

SB 1386, which went into effect July 1 last year, requires companies that do business with California residents to inform customers when their names, in combination with personally identifiable information, have been accessed by an unauthorized person (see story). Some legal experts had expected the law to open a floodgate of trouble, especially because of the ambiguous nature of some of its provisions.

For instance, the law calls for companies to encrypt data but doesn't specify what level of encryption is considered legally acceptable. Similarly, the law isn't specific about the obligations of the IT organization, mandating only that companies notify customers when "it is reasonably believed" that personal information has been compromised.

FULL STORY from COMPUTERWORLD [pop up]

New wrinkle in ID theft

Struggling with declining health and relying on an oxygen tank to breathe, 81-year-old John Braithwaite of Salt Lake City would like nothing better than to spend his late retirement years relaxing with his wife.

Instead, Braithwaite is consumed by a need to restore his once-perfect credit record after becoming a victim of a new kind of identity theft.

Most people think of identity theft as a crime that occurs when a crook steals a person's entire identity -- their name and Social Security number -- to make fraudulent purchases.

But Braithwaite is among a growing number of victims whose good credit is hijacked by thieves who use their own names with other people's Social Security numbers.

from Salt Lake Tribune

New wrinkle in ID theft

Struggling with declining health and relying on an oxygen tank to breathe, 81-year-old John Braithwaite of Salt Lake City would like nothing better than to spend his late retirement years relaxing with his wife.

Instead, Braithwaite is consumed by a need to restore his once-perfect credit record after becoming a victim of a new kind of identity theft.

Most people think of identity theft as a crime that occurs when a crook steals a person's entire identity -- their name and Social Security number -- to make fraudulent purchases.

But Braithwaite is among a growing number of victims whose good credit is hijacked by thieves who use their own names with other people's Social Security numbers.

from Salt Lake Tribune

Local Company's Employees Become Target of Identity Theft [Evansville,IN]

Several Tri-staters have learned someone has gained access to all of their personal information. Their names, social security numbers, mother's maiden names were all obtained. The Tri-staters all have one thing in common; they worked for Peabody Coal in Lynnville. But the problem doesn't stop there. Employees from other Peabody plants have been victimized as well.

"We have to prove he is who he says he is after 51 years. They had his name, social security number, birth date and salary history. And there's only one place all that can come from and that is Peabody Coal," says Barbara Southard referring to her husband.

from WFIE-TV

Local Company's Employees Become Target of Identity Theft [Evansville,IN]

Several Tri-staters have learned someone has gained access to all of their personal information. Their names, social security numbers, mother's maiden names were all obtained. The Tri-staters all have one thing in common; they worked for Peabody Coal in Lynnville. But the problem doesn't stop there. Employees from other Peabody plants have been victimized as well.

"We have to prove he is who he says he is after 51 years. They had his name, social security number, birth date and salary history. And there's only one place all that can come from and that is Peabody Coal," says Barbara Southard referring to her husband.

FULL STORY from WFIE-TV [pop up]

Lauderhill man charged with fraud involving identity theft [Fort Lauderdale,FL]

A Lauderhill man who tried to buy a house using the Social Security number of a South Carolina man with a similar name was arrested moments after he thought he'd sealed the deal, a Broward Sheriff's Office spokeswoman said Friday.

Michael Anthony Allen, 37, applied for an online mortgage using Michael Edwin Allen's personal information, Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Liz Calzadilla said. Michael Anthony Allen e-mailed and mailed fraudulent papers to the loan provider to support his stolen identity and secure a $175,000 loan to buy a house in Lauderdale Lakes, Calzadilla said.

from South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Lauderhill man charged with fraud involving identity theft [Fort Lauderdale,FL]

A Lauderhill man who tried to buy a house using the Social Security number of a South Carolina man with a similar name was arrested moments after he thought he'd sealed the deal, a Broward Sheriff's Office spokeswoman said Friday.

Michael Anthony Allen, 37, applied for an online mortgage using Michael Edwin Allen's personal information, Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Liz Calzadilla said. Michael Anthony Allen e-mailed and mailed fraudulent papers to the loan provider to support his stolen identity and secure a $175,000 loan to buy a house in Lauderdale Lakes, Calzadilla said.

FULL STORY from South Florida Sun-Sentinel [pop up]

Phishing scams Jun 10

Fleet Bank phishing email - "FleetBank warning message"
June 10 2004

Nationwide phishing email - "0fficial Notice for all Nationwide Internet banking users!"
June 10 2004

LLoyds TSB phishing email - "your account - Lloyds TSB"
June 10 2004

PayPal phishing email - "Notification of PayPal Limited Account Access"
June 10 2004

Citibank phishing email - "Update your credit/debit card"
June 10 2004

eBay phishing email - "Final notice - update your account to avoid service cancellation"
June 10 2004

Phishing scams Jun 10

See alert details from Fraud Watch Int'l [pop up]

Fleet Bank phishing email - "FleetBank warning message"
June 10 2004

Nationwide phishing email - "0fficial Notice for all Nationwide Internet banking users!"
June 10 2004

LLoyds TSB phishing email - "your account - Lloyds TSB"
June 10 2004

PayPal phishing email - "Notification of PayPal Limited Account Access"
June 10 2004

Citibank phishing email - "Update your credit/debit card"
June 10 2004

eBay phishing email - "Final notice - update your account to avoid service cancellation"
June 10 2004

Phishing scams Jun 7-9

from Fraud Watch Int'l

Citibank phishing email - "Urgent Info From Citi"
June 09 2004

Fleet Bank phishing email - "FleetBank warning message"
June 09 2004

Citibank phishing email - "Critical Changes to Citibank Online Account Access"
June 09 2004

eBay phishing email - "eBay Safeharbour Department Notice"
June 09 2004

eBay phishing email - "TKO Notice: Urgent Fraud Investigation"
June 09 2004

eBay phishing email - "eBay Account Verification"
June 09 2004

eBay phishing email - "eBay Account Confirmation"
June 09 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "USBANK.COM URGENT NOTIFICATIOen"
June 09 2004

eBay phishing email - "eBay Reminder : Email regarding pre-indefinitely suspended from eBay #1"
June 09 2004

Barclays Bank phishing email - "officiaI Notice for aII Barclays IBank users! [Wed, 09 Jun 2004 06:22:16 -0100]"
June 09 2004

eBay phishing email - "ebay account error"
June 09 2004

eBay phishing email - "Urgent SafeHarbor Department Warning [SHD10019]"
June 09 2004

eBay phishing email - "A27 FPA NOTICE: eBay Verify Informations - [your_email] Follow Instructions Immediately"
June 09 2004

Citibank phishing email - "!Citibank's account [Wed, 09 Jun 2004 01:05:52 -0400]"
June 09 2004

eBay phishing email - "eBay Fraud Verification"
June 09 2004

Citibank phishing email - "!0fficiaI Notice for aII users of Citibank"
June 09 2004

Halifax phishing email - "!Halifax Internet banking updates"
June 08 2004

National Westminster Bank phishing email - "0fficial Notice for all Natwest Bank users."
June 08 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "Urgent USBank Re-Submpg"
June 08 2004

Fleet Bank phishing email - "Your Fleet Account"
June 08 2004

PayPal phishing email - "PayPal Service Fraud Warning !"
June 08 2004

Citibank phishing email - "Citibank Account Protection"
June 08 2004

eBay phishing email - "Security Check."
June 08 2004

Citibank phishing email - "Activate Bill Pay"
June 08 2004

eBay phishing email - "[TKO] : your eBay account could be suspended "
June 08 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "Notification of U.S. Bank Internet Banking Unauthorized Account Access"
June 08 2004

eBay phishing email - "TKO Notice: Urgent Safeharbor Department Notice"
June 08 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "Please confirm your U.S. Bank Online Banking identity"
June 08 2004

Citibank phishing email - "! from Citibank"
June 08 2004

Citibank phishing email - "! Citibank official updates"
June 08 2004

Yahoo! phishing email - " Verify YAHOO! account"
June 07 2004

PayPal phishing email - "Update Your Account Urgently"
June 07 2004

Citibank phishing email - "Activate Bill Pay"
June 07 2004

eBay phishing email - "Urgent Safeharbor Department Notice"
June 07 2004

Lloyds Bank phishing email - "Important lnformation from LIoyds TSB"
June 07 2004

Lloyds Bank phishing email - "Lloyds TSB official notice."
June 07 2004

eBay phishing email - "Your eBay account could be suspended!"
June 07 2004

PayPal phishing email - "Your PayPal Have Limited Account Access"
June 07 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "Your US Bank Account"
June 07 2004

eBay phishing email - "*****URGENT eBay Account Security Measures*****"
June 07 2004

PayPal phishing email - "Verify Your PayPal Account!"
June 07 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "Internet banking issue"
June 07 2004

Citibank phishing email - "!your account - Citibank"
June 07 2004

eBay phishing email - "TKO Notice: eBay Account Verification"
June 07 2004

Phishing scams Jun 7-9

Citibank phishing email - "Urgent Info From Citi"
June 09 2004

Fleet Bank phishing email - "FleetBank warning message"
June 09 2004

Citibank phishing email - "Critical Changes to Citibank Online Account Access"
June 09 2004

eBay phishing email - "eBay Safeharbour Department Notice"
June 09 2004

eBay phishing email - "TKO Notice: Urgent Fraud Investigation"
June 09 2004

eBay phishing email - "eBay Account Verification"
June 09 2004

eBay phishing email - "eBay Account Confirmation"
June 09 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "USBANK.COM URGENT NOTIFICATIOen"
June 09 2004

eBay phishing email - "eBay Reminder : Email regarding pre-indefinitely suspended from eBay #1"
June 09 2004

Barclays Bank phishing email - "officiaI Notice for aII Barclays IBank users! [Wed, 09 Jun 2004 06:22:16 -0100]"
June 09 2004

eBay phishing email - "ebay account error"
June 09 2004

eBay phishing email - "Urgent SafeHarbor Department Warning [SHD10019]"
June 09 2004

eBay phishing email - "A27 FPA NOTICE: eBay Verify Informations - [your_email] Follow Instructions Immediately"
June 09 2004

Citibank phishing email - "!Citibank's account [Wed, 09 Jun 2004 01:05:52 -0400]"
June 09 2004

eBay phishing email - "eBay Fraud Verification"
June 09 2004

Citibank phishing email - "!0fficiaI Notice for aII users of Citibank"
June 09 2004

Halifax phishing email - "!Halifax Internet banking updates"
June 08 2004

National Westminster Bank phishing email - "0fficial Notice for all Natwest Bank users."
June 08 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "Urgent USBank Re-Submpg"
June 08 2004

Fleet Bank phishing email - "Your Fleet Account"
June 08 2004

PayPal phishing email - "PayPal Service Fraud Warning !"
June 08 2004

Citibank phishing email - "Citibank Account Protection"
June 08 2004

eBay phishing email - "Security Check."
June 08 2004

Citibank phishing email - "Activate Bill Pay"
June 08 2004

eBay phishing email - "[TKO] : your eBay account could be suspended "
June 08 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "Notification of U.S. Bank Internet Banking Unauthorized Account Access"
June 08 2004

eBay phishing email - "TKO Notice: Urgent Safeharbor Department Notice"
June 08 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "Please confirm your U.S. Bank Online Banking identity"
June 08 2004

Citibank phishing email - "! from Citibank"
June 08 2004

Citibank phishing email - "! Citibank official updates"
June 08 2004

Yahoo! phishing email - " Verify YAHOO! account"
June 07 2004

PayPal phishing email - "Update Your Account Urgently"
June 07 2004

Citibank phishing email - "Activate Bill Pay"
June 07 2004

eBay phishing email - "Urgent Safeharbor Department Notice"
June 07 2004

Lloyds Bank phishing email - "Important lnformation from LIoyds TSB"
June 07 2004

Lloyds Bank phishing email - "Lloyds TSB official notice."
June 07 2004

eBay phishing email - "Your eBay account could be suspended!"
June 07 2004

PayPal phishing email - "Your PayPal Have Limited Account Access"
June 07 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "Your US Bank Account"
June 07 2004

eBay phishing email - "*****URGENT eBay Account Security Measures*****"
June 07 2004

PayPal phishing email - "Verify Your PayPal Account!"
June 07 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "Internet banking issue"
June 07 2004

Citibank phishing email - "!your account - Citibank"
June 07 2004

eBay phishing email - "TKO Notice: eBay Account Verification"
June 07 2004

Check cashing scam: Nextdayfinance

Dick Hambrice, the intrepid scambuster, reports that the nextdayfinance.org website was shut down for a very short time while the hosting provider Hypermart performed an investigation. Unfortunately, the web site was back online yesterday. Quite strange, seeing how there is ample evidence that the site is part of a criminal enterprise.

And as Dick reports in a comment to this blog, "Our relentless CRIMINAL friends now have a nextdayfinance.us site under construction so while it appears their creativity is limited it is not waning."

ScamSafe urges Hypermart to wake up and realize their responsibilities and shut down nextdayfinance.org. These are criminals running an illegal work at home check cashing ring. Aiding and abetting these criminals, when you have been made aware of the crimes, can be construed to be a federal offense. And the FBI is aware of all the ISPs that are being complicit in these crimes.

Email [email protected] with your comments.

Check cashing scam: Nextdayfinance

Dick Hambrice, the intrepid scambuster, reports that the nextdayfinance.org website was shut down for a very short time while the hosting provider Hypermart performed an investigation. Unfortunately, the web site was back online yesterday. Quite strange, seeing how there is ample evidence that the site is part of a criminal enterprise.

And as Dick reports in a comment to this blog, "Our relentless CRIMINAL friends now have a nextdayfinance.us site under construction so while it appears their creativity is limited it is not waning."

ScamSafe urges Hypermart to wake up and realize their responsibilities and shut down nextdayfinance.org. These are criminals running an illegal work at home check cashing ring. Aiding and abetting these criminals, when you have been made aware of the crimes, can be construed to be a federal offense. And the FBI is aware of all the ISPs that are being complicit in these crimes.

Email [email protected] with your comments.

Phishing scams Jun 4-6

from Fraud Watch Int'l

eBay phishing email - "Urgent SafeHarbor Department Warning [SHD10015]"
June 06 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "Online banking issue"
June 06 2004

Citibank phishing email - "Citibank Secure Verification Process"
June 06 2004

Citibank phishing email - "Citibank updates"
June 06 2004

eBay phishing email - "TKO NOTICE: eBay request, please read."
June 06 2004

PayPal phishing email - "Update Information"
June 06 2004

eBay phishing email - "eBay Regular Maintenance"
June 06 2004

eBay phishing email - "TKO NOTICE: Update your credit card"
June 06 2004

PayPal phishing email - "PayPal security measures"
June 05 2004

AOL phishing email - "SPECIAL ANOUNCE"
June 05 2004

Barclays Bank phishing email - "OfficiaI information from BarcIays lBank"
June 05 2004

AOL phishing email - "Checking Account Payment Notification"
June 05 2004

TV Shop phishing email - "order ¹ 235"
June 05 2004

eBay phishing email - "**Urgent Fraud Prevention Group Notice**"
June 05 2004

Citibank phishing email - "Your request for Express Transfer - attn:your_email"
June 05 2004

Citibank phishing email - "!your account - Citibank"
June 05 2004

eBay phishing email - "A21 FPA NOTICE: possibble account access by a third part"
June 05 2004

Citibank phishing email - "your account in Citibank"
June 05 2004

Citibank phishing email - "Citibank Secure Verification Process"
June 05 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "Notice: US Bank Account Verification"
June 05 2004

PayPal phishing email - "[Your_email] - PayPal account Limited"
June 04 2004

eBay phishing email - "***Urgent Fraud Prevention Group Notice***"
June 04 2004

Barclays Bank phishing email - "your Barclays IBank account"
June 04 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "U.S. Bank Fraud Verification Process"
June 04 2004

Barclays Bank phishing email - "OfficiaI information from BarcIays lBank"
June 04 2004

PayPal phishing email - "[Your_Email Address] - Notification of PayPal Limited Account Access 06-04-2004"
June 04 2004

MSN & Hotmail phishing email - "***URGENT*** Update Billing Informations"
June 04 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "[First_Name], Your USBANK Account."
June 04 2004

Earthlink phishing email - "Important Information Regarding Your Account"
June 04 2004

eBay and Earthlink phishing email - "Important Notice"
June 04 2004

PayPal phishing email - "PayPal security measures"
June 04 2004

Citibank phishing email - "[ ISA - UMKC ] !0fficial Notice for all users of Citibank"
June 04 2004

PayPal phishing email - "Security test"
June 04 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "Online banking issue"
June 04 2004

Phishing scams Jun 4-6

See alert details from Fraud Watch Int'l [pop up]

eBay phishing email - "Urgent SafeHarbor Department Warning [SHD10015]"
June 06 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "Online banking issue"
June 06 2004

Citibank phishing email - "Citibank Secure Verification Process"
June 06 2004

Citibank phishing email - "Citibank updates"
June 06 2004

eBay phishing email - "TKO NOTICE: eBay request, please read."
June 06 2004

PayPal phishing email - "Update Information"
June 06 2004

eBay phishing email - "eBay Regular Maintenance"
June 06 2004

eBay phishing email - "TKO NOTICE: Update your credit card"
June 06 2004

PayPal phishing email - "PayPal security measures"
June 05 2004

AOL phishing email - "SPECIAL ANOUNCE"
June 05 2004

Barclays Bank phishing email - "OfficiaI information from BarcIays lBank"
June 05 2004

AOL phishing email - "Checking Account Payment Notification"
June 05 2004

TV Shop phishing email - "order ¹ 235"
June 05 2004

eBay phishing email - "**Urgent Fraud Prevention Group Notice**"
June 05 2004

Citibank phishing email - "Your request for Express Transfer - attn:your_email"
June 05 2004

Citibank phishing email - "!your account - Citibank"
June 05 2004

eBay phishing email - "A21 FPA NOTICE: possibble account access by a third part"
June 05 2004

Citibank phishing email - "your account in Citibank"
June 05 2004

Citibank phishing email - "Citibank Secure Verification Process"
June 05 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "Notice: US Bank Account Verification"
June 05 2004

PayPal phishing email - "[Your_email] - PayPal account Limited"
June 04 2004

eBay phishing email - "***Urgent Fraud Prevention Group Notice***"
June 04 2004

Barclays Bank phishing email - "your Barclays IBank account"
June 04 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "U.S. Bank Fraud Verification Process"
June 04 2004

Barclays Bank phishing email - "OfficiaI information from BarcIays lBank"
June 04 2004

PayPal phishing email - "[Your_Email Address] - Notification of PayPal Limited Account Access 06-04-2004"
June 04 2004

MSN & Hotmail phishing email - "***URGENT*** Update Billing Informations"
June 04 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "[First_Name], Your USBANK Account."
June 04 2004

Earthlink phishing email - "Important Information Regarding Your Account"
June 04 2004

eBay and Earthlink phishing email - "Important Notice"
June 04 2004

PayPal phishing email - "PayPal security measures"
June 04 2004

Citibank phishing email - "[ ISA - UMKC ] !0fficial Notice for all users of Citibank"
June 04 2004

PayPal phishing email - "Security test"
June 04 2004

U.S. Bank phishing email - "Online banking issue"
June 04 2004