Press release
Identity Theft Expert Points to Organized Crime and Warns that Identity Thieves Target All Demographics
(BOSTON, Mass. - Aug. 24, 2007 - IDTheftSecurity.com) According to various reports, last week authorities arrested members of an identity theft ring that was targeting members of the Forbes 400 list. Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert, said the superrich aren't the only targets of identity theft, often the work of organized criminals."Organized crime rings, both international and domestic, have shown an affinity for identity theft," said Siciliano. "This is nothing new. It's also why a robust, flexible federal policy to counter identity theft is so important."
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report's editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients in workshops that explore consumer education solutions for security issues. A longtime identity theft speaker and author of "The Safety Minute: 01," he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC's "Today Show," FOX News, and elsewhere.
On Aug. 16, Reuters and others reported that U.S. authorities had "crack[ed] an identity theft ring…whose targets included billionaires from the Forbes magazine ranking of the richest 400 Americans." Research has established that identity thieves target not only high-income bracket earners (i.e., those whose annual earnings exceed $75,000), but also households headed by people ages 18 to 24, regardless of income. U.S. Bureau of Justice statistics from 2004 revealed that these two demographic groups were the most likely to experience identity theft.
The ringleader behind the theft of financial information from those listed on Forbes 400 reportedly gained access to the data via his Internet connection overseas. According to Siciliano, the group's methods and hierarchy resembled organized crime's telltale modus operandi. He further noted that Nigerian criminals were found to be behind the socially engineered breach of data at ChoicePoint Inc. over two years ago, and that reports have documented organized crime's suspected involvement in data security breaches since.
"Anyone, at any income level, is a potential target of identity thieves," said Siciliano, "In fact, often an identity thief or identity theft ring will steal literally thousands of people's identifying information to fake several identities, engaging in subsequently fraudulent activities under many names, an approach that can frustrate law enforcement's efforts and may be easier to pull off under the auspices of organized frameworks involving many criminals, not just one."
Readers may view YouTube video of Siciliano on MSNBC discussing an elaborate, organized crime ring that involved restaurant workers using card-skimming devices to commit systematic fraud with patrons' credit card numbers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPg-vyBHgPs
Readers may learn how to protect themselves against identity theft, a major concern for anyone whose electronic communication devices have been hacked, by viewing video of Siciliano at VideoJug:
http://www.videojug.com/search?keywords=siciliano
###
The media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly:
Robert Siciliano
Personal Security Expert
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
www.idtheftsecurity.com
The media may also contact:
Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.biz
www.STETrevisions.biz
About IDTheftSecurity.com
Identity theft affects us all. Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report's editorial board, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients.
A leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." The Privacy Learning Institute features him on its Website. Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others.
Visit Siciliano's Web site, http://www.IDTheftSecurity.com; blog, http://www.realtysecurity.com/blog; and YouTube page, http://www.youtube.com/stungundotcom.
This release was published on openPR.
Permanent link to this press release:
Copy
Please set a link in the press area of your homepage to this press release on openPR. openPR disclaims liability for any content contained in this release.
You can edit or delete your press release Identity Theft Expert Points to Organized Crime and Warns that Identity Thieves Target All Demographics here
News-ID: 26608 • Views: …
More Releases from IDTheftSecurity.com
Identity Theft Expert - SafeTags™ and SafeRegistry™ Can Prevent Loss of Mobi …
(BOSTON, Mass. - April 17, 2008 - IDTheftSecurity.com) Late last month, reports revealed the loss of laptop computers from various U.S. and U.K. government agencies over years of time. Any organization with a sprawling inventory of mobile computing equipment must secure the gear with high-tech, said Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert. He pointed leaders in business and elsewhere to MyLaptopGPS™, whose technology…
News Media Chronicles Identity Theft Expert’s Disagreement with Policymakers o …
(BOSTON, Mass. - April 16, 2008 - IDTheftSecurity.com) Even as news that data breaches from just the first quarter of 2008 compromised the security of more than 8 million unique data, policymakers in Washington, D.C. continued to resist efforts to implement the REAL ID Act, which aims to synchronize major forms of identification with a national ID. Politicians of any ideological stripe who oppose the legislation are doing a disservice…
Identity Theft Expert Stresses the Likelihood That Laptop Computer Thieves Will …
(BOSTON, Mass. - Aug. 23, 2007 - IDTheftSecurity.com) Recent news reports have tied laptop computer theft to identity fraud and related crimes. According to Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert, credit card fraud and other financial data–related offenses are clear and present dangers for anyone whose sensitive, personal information is on a stolen laptop computer. He said businesses and other organizations are especially…
Identity Theft Expert and Speaker on Personal Security Says Laptop Computers Nee …
(BOSTON, Mass. - July 23, 2007 - IDTheftSecurity.com) Recent news has highlighted the security capabilities built into a popular handheld computing device. According to Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert, laptop computers need similar functionality. He urged organizations to close the gap by equipping their mobile computers with MyLaptopGPS™.
\"Any mobile device poses a major security risk,\" said Siciliano. \"And yet the security functionality…
More Releases for Siciliano
Oros: A sonic opera composed by Sir Louis Siciliano featuring Mary Zygouri, unve …
The sonic opera OROS by the composer Sir Louis Siciliano, featuring narration by Mary Zygouri, will be globally released on all digital platforms via MUMEx Records. The release coincides with the inauguration of the newly revitalized Monte Echia Elevator Station in Naples, part of the Euploia Project, curated by Maria D'Ambrosio and Carla Langella. The event will celebrate Naples' ancient origins through public art, performances, and installations, blending history with…
Identity Theft Expert Robert Siciliano Shares His Expertise Online With Video Ju …
(BOSTON, Mass. - June 13, 2007 - IDTheftSecurity.com) This week Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert, announced the availability of videos featuring him sharing his expertise at VideoJug America, Inc.
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report\'s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients in workshops that explore consumer education solutions for security issues.…
Identity Theft: Expert Lauds Massachusetts' New Credit Freeze Law - Identity The …
(BOSTON, Mass. - May 19, 2007 - IDTheftSecurity.com) Both houses of the Massachusetts legislature recently passed versions of a bill that grants residents of the state the right to freeze access to their credit reports. Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert, said consumers' access to the credit freeze is an indispensable component of any identity theft–fighting strategy.
"The credit freeze is a basic right…
Personal Security and Identity Theft Expert Says Laptops Are the Weak Link in Da …
(BOSTON, Mass. – Sept. 11, 2006 - IDTheftSecurity.com) New research has found that the frequency of laptop theft in the workplace is high. The findings mirrored those from last year, which indicated a similar lack of security surrounding the use of portable computers. This apparent trend in laptop theft underscores the need for companies to guard laptops—and the information allowed to be stored on these devices—with more vigor, said Robert…
Personal Security and Identity Theft Expert Says Regulators Are Right in Wanting …
(BOSTON, Mass. – July 26, 2006 - IDTheftSecurity.com) The FDIC, along with a number of other federal agencies, proposed new requirements last week for banks’ handling of identity theft. The rules, according to a joint press release from these agencies, aim to provide consumers with identity theft protection heretofore nonexistent. Robert Siciliano, personal security and identity theft expert, predicted that the measures, if implemented, would precipitate a rebound in consumers’…
Personal Security and Identity Theft Expert Offers Advice and Solutions to Comba …
(BOSTON, Mass. – May 23, 2006 - IDTheftSecurity.com) This week’s laptop theft of 26.5 million U.S. veterans’ personal information may have endangered not only individuals’ bank accounts, but also national security. Robert Siciliano, personal security and identity theft expert, said a service available to everyday consumers can mitigate the aftermath they might otherwise have to endure. Also president of IDTheftSecurity.com, Siciliano added that a simple fix available from a major…