We’re only into week six of 2006 and already we’ve seen reports of almost 300,000 credit cards exposed. And then there’s the 600,000 Social Security Numbers and over 50,000 records with enough data to enable full-blown ID theft.Granted, some of these numbers overlap. A hotel in the Bahamas exposed card numbers, names and addresses, and Social security numbers. That information gets listed in my database three times; cards, SSN, and ID Theft.
What’s even more horrific than the numbers, although they’re scary, is the totally careless ways that companies are handling the data. In my humble opinion (but I’d bet a few others would agree) these companies’ IT people are not much more than brainless idiots.
’Ä¢ Ameriprise Financial exposes 226,0000 Social security numbers because someone stores them on a laptop in the trunk of his car where someone can (and does) help themselves to the laptop.
’Ä¢ Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina prints Social Security numbers on mailing labels and tosses over 600 of them in the mail.
’Ä¢ Not to be outdone, The Boston Globe and Worcester Telegram & Gazette wrap 240,000 bundles of newspapers with IT department printouts – complete with Social Security Numbers – and distribute them for all to see.
’Ä¢ And let’s not forget over 360,000 records – 250,000 of them with Social Security numbers – on backup tapes stored in the trunk of some IT guy’s car. And guess what – that’s their STANDARD procedure! Beside the obvious security risk that a chimpanzee could figure out (that would be the guy that stole the laptop) the trunk of a car is about the most unfriendly place you could store a data tape.
Just what are they thinking???
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I don’t believe they are going to start thinking until they are held accountable. They are careless and the merchants are forced to pick up the tab.
Merchants are to be united and together fight the fraudsters. Sharing information and common databases is the only means… We should not expect any assistance from government/VISA/whoever. Actually, we are the power and we are to set rules in this game.