USPS Probes Possible Mass Security Breach

[RamboLiberal]

Source: CBS News

(CBS) CBS News has learned of another data breach potentially compromising the personal information of thousands of people. Companies Lexis Nexis and Investigative Professionals have sent up to 40,000 letters to customers whose “sensitive and personally identifiable” information may have been viewed by individuals who should not have had access.

The United States Postal Inspection Service is investigating a data breach at both companies that resulted in sensitive information being used in a crime. Those individuals have been notified. Sources tell CBS News that the data breach is linked to a Nigerian Scam artist who used the information to incur fraudulent charges on victims’ credit cards.

The letters caution customers to review their credit reports for any inaccuracies, to report any errors or suspicious activity to creditors as soon as possible, and to contact the United States Postal Service if they believe their personal information may have been compromised.


Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/01/cbsnews_investigates/main4982989.shtml?tag=topHome;topStories

[havocmom]

1. beginning to wonder if these breaches are by the folks making $$ on credit reports

Yeah, I AM that cynical anymore. Seems there are no inhibitions on schemes to con people into paying for what shouldn't be necessary in the first place.

[Jackpine Radical]

2. Nah. It wouldn't be them. You can tell it's not because

if they wanted to do something like that, first they would get their tame legislators to pass laws making it legal.

QED.

[Jefferson23]

3. LOL, true enough.

[RantinRavin]

4. except you are allowed to get your report free

once a year, and also if you file a free credit fraud alert.

[havocmom]

5. Yes but people have to leave credit card info with some of them & find they get charged for reports

People can get one free a year, but lots of ads for credit reports so people can 'monitor' their standing -very misleading and people are signing up for 'free credit reports dot com' scams when they are not free beyond the first one.

Yes, people need to pay attention to details, but frankly, businesses are working just barely within laws and misleading people. They are charging monthly fees after all the marketing about FREE and people are naively getting suckered in.

The guy singing the jingle is cute and all, but the ad campaign, like many other marketing ploys preys on the trusting and those who just don't do the fine print. It is not necessary and it is a hustle. Ditto those robo calls that tell people THIS IS YOUR LAST NOTICE. YOU MUST TAKE CARE OF.... I wonder how many elders who might be getting foggy in their last years, are intimidated into going along with things done in such authoritarian voices. It galls me no end.