I Cringley on ID Theft

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 12:20:40 -0500
From: John Lyon <jelyon () mac com>
Subject: I Cringley on ID Theft
To: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>

Might be of interest to IP:

http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20030911.html

Identity theft is not only incredibly easy to do, but our government seems 
to go out of its way to help the thieves. The government is making many 
Americans more vulnerable, not less. This is crime just waiting to happen 
on a massive scale, thanks to computer technology.

Identity theft is generally a pretty low-tech crime. The bad guys steal 
your mail or pilfer your trash, coming up with enough personal information 
to apply for bank accounts, credit cards and loans with your name and 
credit rating but with their address. They can even appropriate your 
existing accounts. All it takes is having your name, address, date of 
birth, and Social Security number. Before you know it the crooks have 
bought goods, bounced checks, and drained your bank accounts, leaving a 
world of heartbreak for the victims as they try to repair the damage.

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