The Choice Point Data Breach
September 3, 2008 – 4:52 pmMany corporations handle massive databases of information worth millions of dollars to identity thieves. The majority of these companies have security measures in place to prevent identity thieves from breaking in forcefully. One ring of identity thieves found a way around security altogether and gained control of the identities of over 145,000 individuals. Around 750 individual cases of identity theft have been reported in direct connection with this data breach.
Choice Point is a company that provides consumer data services to other businesses. It had enough personal data at its disposal to successfully commit identity theft on a very wide scale. The criminal ring used stolen identities and detailed fraudulent information to pose as legitimate businesses. They opened up over 50 accounts with Choice Point, and used them to request information they claimed would be used to run routine background checks.
When Choice Point learned about this massive data breach and the related incidents of identity theft, they began to implement tighter security measures to check up on all new customers. They also notified the 145,000 affected individuals that their identities had been stolen. Unfortunately it was too late for many customers. Over 750 separate incidents of identity theft were reported. No mention was made of any provision for identity theft protection for the victims.
For anyone whose personal information may be compromised, it is a good idea to subscribe to an identity theft protection program. LifeLock works to protect your assets from identity theft even after your personal information has been exposed. The Life Lock guarantee backs your finances up to a million dollars* so you don’t have to worry. With the LifeLock Promotion Code Defense, you can get the best available discount for the services at LifeLock.com.
*Guarantee applies only if you become an id theft victim because of a failure in our service. Other restrictions apply. See LifeLock.com for details.
Tags: Data Breach, identity theft protection, Large Scale Identity Theft, Life Lock, LifeLock, LifeLock Promotion Code
