Stolen PC holds sensitive consumer data

Iria · Nov 9, 2005, 11:37 PM

A break-in and computer theft last month in an office of TransUnion credit monitoring service has left 3,600 consumers at risk of ID theft, the company said Tuesday.

The theft of the computer, from a California office of TransUnion, marks the latest case of consumer information being put at risk following the heist of a PC. The PC in this instance contained sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers.

Security experts warn that the type of information that can be extracted from such computers often is used as the "keys to the vault," which enable the thieves to engage in other illicit behavior.

A small TransUnion sales office in California was burglarized and a desktop computer was stolen in October, the company noted. Consumers whose information was contained in the computer were notified of the theft and given a year of complimentary credit monitoring by the service.
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Read More / Source: ZDNet

>GSXR<mrbusa · Nov 9, 2005, 11:44 PM

man this stuff is crazy.this is happening all the time even in the portland OR area.every week i hear about atleastne identity theft ring being closed down.i must be dumb because i cant see in todays day and age how this info could be valuble.and how all these credit cards are being issued to people that have all this illegal info.it has even happened within my family,not like my mom or someone like that but cousins and aunts.

Nov 9, 2005, 11:37 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	Stolen PC holds sensitive consumer data A break-in and computer theft last month in an office of TransUnion credit monitoring service has left 3,600 consumers at risk of ID theft, the company said Tuesday. The theft of the computer, from a California office of TransUnion, marks the latest case of consumer information being put at risk following the heist of a PC. The PC in this instance contained sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers. Security experts warn that the type of information that can be extracted from such computers often is used as the "keys to the vault," which enable the thieves to engage in other illicit behavior. A small TransUnion sales office in California was burglarized and a desktop computer was stolen in October, the company noted. Consumers whose information was contained in the computer were notified of the theft and given a year of complimentary credit monitoring by the service. ____________ Read More / Source: ZDNet

Nov 9, 2005, 11:44 PM	#2
>GSXR<mrbusa im a FREAK Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,107 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	man this stuff is crazy.this is happening all the time even in the portland OR area.every week i hear about atleastne identity theft ring being closed down.i must be dumb because i cant see in todays day and age how this info could be valuble.and how all these credit cards are being issued to people that have all this illegal info.it has even happened within my family,not like my mom or someone like that but cousins and aunts.