FC: Marine Corps memo on identity theft, SSNs on the web

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

> SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE MARINE CORPS
> MEMORANDUM
>
> 23 December 1999
>
> SGTMAJMARCOR MEMO 03-00
>
> To:    All Marines
>
> Subj:  IDENTITY THEFT
>
> Purpose.  To provide information on the recent theft and fraudulent
> use of social security numbers (SSN's).
>
> Background
>
> 1.  Based on complaints by service members of fraudulent use of credit
> cards issued in their names, Army CID, NCIS, and the U.S. Secret
> Service recently opened a fraud investigation.
>
> 2.  Investigators have learned that a person living in Pennsylvania
> has posted on the Internet, the names and SSN's of 4,800 officers
> (majors and above, from all services).  This information was taken
> from the Congressional Record in 1997, which used to publish SSN's
> along with Senate action on promotions. The Congressional Record no
> longer publishes SSN's, but many other sources still do.  You can
> view the web site at the following URL: http://www.glr.com/govtssn.html
>
> 3.  Criminals' posing as the officers have used the SSN's to obtain
> credit cards in the officers' names.  The criminals then use the cards
> to make fraudulent purchases and to receive cash advances.  To date,
> there have been approximately 40 Marine Corps general and Navy flag
> officers whose names and SSN's have been taken from the site and used
> fraudulently.
>
> 4.  Despite a request from the U.S. Secret Service, the individual
> responsible for posting the names and SSN's refuses to remove the
> information from the web page.  In addition, the cognizant U.S.
> Attorney has declined to initiate legal action against the individual
> citing First Amendment grounds, i.e., because the information was in
> the public domain as a result of being published in the Congressional
> Record.
>
> 5.  First USA Bank in Wilmington, DE has been the principal bank
> defrauded in this scheme due to its issuance of credit cards and is
> keenly aware of the problem.  The bank has completely waived the
> normal $50 limit on fraudulent charges for victims of these crimes.
>
> Immediate action
>
> 1.  If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft, you
> should take the following action:
>
> Subj: IDENTITY THEFT
>
>    a.  Contact the fraud department of each of the three credit
> bureaus listed below. Tell the representative you speak with to flag
> your file with a Fraud Alert/Victim Impact statement, which is a note
> that tells creditors they should call you for permission before they
> open any new accounts in your name.
>
>    b.  Report any accounts that have been tampered with or opened
> without your knowledge to the security or fraud department of the
> cognizant creditor.  Follow up your call in writing, in accordance
> with Federal law on resolving errors (including fraud) on credit
> billing statements.
>
>    c.  Contact your local NCIS office.  If you have questions
> regarding identity theft issues, the point of contact at NCIS
> Headquarters is Ms. Anna Keip (202) 433-9226, or email 
> AkeipSncis.navy.mil.
>
>    d.  Contact the Social Security Administration's Fraud Hotline at
> 1-800-269-0271.
>
> 2.  Even if you do not believe you are a victim of fraud, you should
> contact your SJA for detailed advice, and take the following action:
>
>    a.  Contact one of the listed credit bureaus and request a credit
> check. There is normally a small fee charged for credit checks.  Tell
> the representative you speak with that you may be a victim of
> identity theft and request that the fee be waived.  The company may
> honor your request.
>
>    b.  Remove your SSN from all your bank or credit union checks.
>
>    c.  If your driver license number is the same as your SSN, contact
> your state Department of Motor Vehicles to request a new license number
> that is unrelated to your SSN.
>
> d. Continue to check your credit every 6 months after the first check.
>
> 3.  Credit bureau telephone numbers are provided below.
>
> Credit Bureau  Report Fraud  Order Credit Report
>
> Equifax   800-525-6285  800-685-1111
>
> Experian  888-397-3742  888-397-3742
> (Option 2)  (Option 3 or 4)
>
> Trans Union  800-680-7289  800-916-8800
>
>
>
>                                      A. L. McMICHAEL



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