Drug Raid Reveals Police Identity Theft Too
Thirty six police offers were revealed to be
the victims of identity theft in Texas. It
seems during a recent drug raid documents
were recovered at the crime scene indicating
three dozen law enforcement officers had been
previously targeted by the perpetrators.
According to the report, one of the suspects
arrested evidently made unauthorized
copies of the officer's gym membership
slips where this identity thief worked.
Some of the highly sensitive personal data
the identity thief had access to on the
member slips were:
- Names
- Home Address
- Phone Number
- Next of Kin
Besides the obvious point that credit fraud and
identity theft could be committed against these
peace officers, just the fact that criminal drug
dealers knew where they lived and who
their family members were is even more
alarmingly - especially if there were any
undercover operatives.
So, our tip for today is for all those in law
enforcement. Guard your personal data just like
you do in guarding your life and the lives of those
civilians you serve on a daily basis.
Demand, as it's your right, to know how
sensitive personal information is
securely stored or better yet shredded
by the organizations, clubs, & any other
entities you have relationships with. Make
sure those organizations also understand you
are a law enforcement officer and that extra
special care should be provided to secure your
highly sensitive personal information from
unauthorized access.
Besides, not just for law enforcement, everyone living
in America is protected by the FACTA law which governs
the secure handling of your personal information.
Organizations which can not demonstrate
compliance with this federal law are liable
to penalties and fines for each incident.
posted by agent99 @ 12:01 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
If we can not be comfortable with the GYM keeping our information private, than where can we? It is pretty sad that all of our information at the gym can be so easily accessed by an employee.
When we fill out the million forms at the gym that expose our credit card number, ssn, address, marital status etc. they should still protect the files so they can only be accessed by upper management, not basic desk employees or personal trainers. Do we need to start worrying about our information at the library when we fill out a form for a library card?
It's amazing how accessible our personal information is. In fact, recent statistics are showing that the vast majority of Americans' information is already compromised.
So Agent99, do you think we can go on this way? I mean, can we continue to trust our doctors, gyms, and dentists etc. who all require personal information before they will give us access to their services? Or should laws be passed that make sure we can get service without providing social security numbers and other personal information?
Or is there some other solution to the problem of people having too much access to our information?
What do you think?
Jonathan
www.identitytheftsecrets.com
Hi, Jonathan and thank you very much for contacting us again.
To directly answer your questions:
Should we trust others to protect our social security numbers and other personal information.
Given the alarming rate of continued public disclosures of data mishandling this year coupled with the fact over 80 million Americans in the past 18 months have already been needlessly exposed to identity theft I would whole heartily support a big "no".
However, I believe there's a need, based on these statistics and more, to put in place a meaningful punitive measure for organizations to become more incentivized in instituting rigorous data security standards as well as being required to adopt consumer identification numbers or than the SSN.
http://www.idtheftsecrets.blogspot.com
"Quick Tips, Reviews, & Resources to aid busy consumers in protecting credit and personal information from identity theft fraud."
Post a Comment
<< Home