Largest Identity Theft Ring in US Busted
The largest identity theft ring in the United States history acquired more than 130 million credit and debit cards used at 7-Eleven stores, Hannaford Brother grocery stores and Heartland Payment Systems (credit card processor). The Justice department said this case represents the largest credit and debit card breach in the US.
A government informant, Albert Gonzales was working for the US Secret Service and at the same time working with criminals. His goal was to sell the stolen information to his Russian partners. Gonazalez and his two Russian co-conspirators would hack into corporate computer networks and place “malware,” or malicious software, that would allow them backdoor access to their networks to steal the data.
They used a technique called “wardriving,” which involves driving through different areas with a laptop computer and looking for accessible Internet wireless signals. Once they located an open network, they installed so-called “sniffer programs” that captured credit and debit card numbers.
It is important for you to review your credit card statements and debit card charges regularly to spot illegal use of your credit or debit card and call immediatly to report any irregular activity.
AmeriPlan USA is launching a new program September 14th called SecureNet and a component of that program offers identity theft monitoring, restoration, legal services and more to protect your identity. This program also provides credit repair and debt relief programs as well as other services.
Debbi Carroll, Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist
