Entry 1

Hacking


Buffalo.http://news.com.com/2100-1047_3-6157109.htmlID THEFT REMAINS TOP CONCERN FOR CONSUMERSIdentity theft complaints, which include credit card fraud,bank fraud, as well as phone and utilities fraud, accountedfor 36 percent of the total 674,354 complaints submitted tothe FTC and its external data contributors last year. Theresults come at a time when ID theft is a major concernamong consumers and

This is an interesting article about ID fraud which states:

"The overall number of fraud complaints was down slightly from 2005, but the FTC noted that one major data contributor did not properly catalog many of its complaints, so comparisons with previous years are difficult."

So, essentially the FTC's report says that fewer fraud reports were filed than in years past, but more money was fraudulently stolen, but also that their data was incomplete and thus makes it less reliable than years past. Obviously, when billions of dollars are being fraudulently taken each year, it should be a major concern for consumers. However, if they are careful with all personal information, especially social security number, consumers can make ID theft considerably less likely.

When a company like TJX loses that information, however, there is little liability on the part of the corporation and innocent customers are bilked out of more money by identity theives, little will likely be done. Perhaps, then, the lesson here is to be more cautious, fearful, and protective in an increasingly insecure and surveillance-happy world. I mean, at least to some extent. Paranoia may be excessive.