| USA TODAY - 25 Nov 2002 - Federal authorities broke up what they called the biggest Identity Theft case in U.S. history and charged three men Monday with stealing credit information from more than 30,000 people, draining victimsâ bank accounts and ruining their credit. U.S. Attorney James Comey said the losses were calculated so far at $2.7 million but would balloon to many more millions and affect consumers in every state. He called the case "every Americanâs worst
financial nightmare multiplied tens of thousands of times."
"With a few keystrokes, these men essentially picked the pockets of tens of thousands of Americans and, in the process, took their identities, stole their money and swiped their security." the prosecutor said.
Authorities said the scheme began about three years ago when Philip Cummings, a help-desk worker at Teledata Communications, a Long Island software company, sold an unidentified person passwords and codes for downloading consumer credit reports.
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10 Tips to reduce your risks for Identity Theft!
- Get and review your personal credit history report
once a year. You can get a FREE report here
http://www.wmce.net/idtheft/freereport.html.
- Take out your Wallet or Purse and get the FREE wallet exam at
http://www.wmce.net/wallet/exam.html
- Spend $15 and buy a paper shredder. Use it on all financial data, cancelled checks, bank and investment account information and health billing statements which contain your social security number.
- Contact the credit bureaus at 1-888-5-OPTOUT (888-567-8688) to stop pre-screened credit card offers being sent to your home.
- Spend $50 and buy a lockable fire-safe and store your current financial records under lock and key.
- Review your monthly charge card, utility and bank statements. Call immediately if something is wrong or the statement is missing.
- Talk to all members of your household about Identity Theft. Remind them to NOT give out any financial data on the telephone - ever.
- If you use the Internet, get virus detection and firewall software for your computer - keep it updated and use it regularly.
- Change the Password on your Internet mail account every 6 months.
- Get more informed about Identity Theft and Credit Fraud prevention. Free 8 session course "Credit Alert Tips" at
http://credit-alert.wmce.net
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