MyCRA Specialist Credit Repair Lawyers

Tag: identity thieves

  • Don’t launch a cyber-assault on Australian businesses – just look in their rubbish bins.

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    dumpster divingMedia Release

    Don’t launch a cyber-assault on Australian businesses – just look in their rubbish bins.

    21 February 2013

    The identities of thousands of Australian consumers could be at risk every day through simply having their personal information dumped into the rubbish bins of Australian businesses, and a consumer advocate for accurate credit reporting says this practice is an appalling oversight when personal information has become so valuable to fraudsters.

    The National Association of Information Destruction (NAID-ANZ), which is the peak body for the secure destruction industry, recently hired a detective agency to find out what customer information was being thrown away unsecured in business rubbish bins.[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” flex_grow=”0″ top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” width=”” alignment=”center” border_size=”” sep_color=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” /][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible” type=”flex”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none” align_self=”flex-start” border_sizes_undefined=”” first=”true” last=”true” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all”][fusion_text][i]

    The investigator went through the contents of publicly accessible waste bins used by 80 Sydney businesses that have an established responsibility to client data, with the aim of discovering the relative percentage of confidential waste that might be available on a given day.

    They found 11 per cent of those businesses contained crucial personal information readily accessible to passers-by and identity thieves.

    “Some sectors did better than others,” said NAID CEO Robert Johnson. “For instance, of the nine randomly sampled trash bins serving government offices, no confidential information was found. On the other hand, bank branches fared less well with 40 percent found to be casually discarding confidential financial information.”

    The study involved someone ‘casually’ looking at a bin, rather than dissecting it in an overly-thorough manner.

    CEO of MyCRA Credit Rating Repair, Graham Doessel says “dumpster diving”– a practice of looking through rubbish bins for personally identifiable information is well used amongst fraudsters – and unlike many other forms of attempted identity theft, can be easily prevented through careful destruction of personal information.

    “It is best practice in my organisation and I am sure in many others, to cross-shred every piece of personal information that is no longer required. If it is good enough for small business, it should be good enough for bigger business such as banks to properly dispose of this information,” he says.

    On Monday new Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus QC warned that Australian businesses were increasingly being targeted for cyber-assaults.

    “Cyber attacks have shifted from being indiscriminate and random to being more coordinated and targeted for financial gain. Most attacks occur from outside the business, although it appears internal risks are also significant,” Mr Dreyfus said.[ii]

    Mr Doessel says whilst cyber crime is becoming increasingly prevalent, basic data destruction is still a pressing topic.

    “We can’t forget about educating Australian businesses on data destruction and this simple way they can prevent their clients’ personal information from being stolen by identity thieves,” he says.

    He says consumers should feel unnerved that it was so easy for the investigators to come across personal information in rubbish bins.

    “Pieces of personal information are basically the building blocks of identity theft. Crucial details such as full names, addresses and dates of birth can all be used to build a profile on the victim which can then be used to assume their identity and even take out credit in their name. Often victims don’t know about it right away – and that’s where their credit file can be compromised,” Mr Doessel says.

    He says once the victim’s credit rating is damaged due to defaults from this ‘stolen’ credit, they are facing some difficult times repairing their credit rating in order to get their life back on track.

    “These victims often can’t even get a mobile phone in their name. It need not be large-scale fraud to be a massive detriment to their financial future – defaults for as little as $100 will stop someone from getting a home loan for the five year term,” he says.

    He says what is not widely known is how difficult credit repair can be – even if the individual has been the victim of identity theft.

    “There is no certainty that defaults can be removed from a victim’s credit file. The onus is on them to prove their case and provide copious amounts of documentary evidence,” he says.

    /ENDS.

    Please contact:

    Lisa Brewster – Media Relations media@mycra.com.au

    Graham Doessel – CEO pH 3124 7133

    Ph 07 3124 7133 www.mycra.com.au www.mycra.com.au/blog

    MyCRA Credit Repair 246 Stafford Rd, STAFFORD Qld

    MyCRA is Australia’s number one in credit rating repairs. We permanently remove defaults from credit files.

    ——————————————————————————–

    [i] http://www.brokernews.com.au/news/breaking-news/brokers-trump-banks-in-protecting-client-info-148810.aspx

    [ii] http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/First%20quarter/18February2013-CyberattacksonAustralianbusinessmoretargetedandcoordinated.aspx

    Image: Naypong/ www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • Telstra’s at it again. And this time it may affect YOU.

    Your credit file could be affected by errors in the telecommunications industry…here is a media release we sent out last month about a significant data breach which occured with Telstra’s customer files. We are eager to see what the Privacy Commissioner’s findings will be on this incident.

    Media Release

    12 December 2011

    A massive data breach of Telstra’s customer database has potentially put around 800,000 of its customers at grave risk of having their passwords stolen and their personal information pilfered by identity thieves.

    The data breach which occurred last Friday, saw detailed personal information which was supposed to be available to Telstra customer service agents only, exposed and openly accessible on the internet.

    The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Friday a user of the Whirlpool forum stumbled upon the “Telstra bundles request search” page after doing a Google search for a Telstra customer support phone number they were told to contact.[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][i]

    SMH reported the information of any Telstra customer was searchable even by last name, bringing up the customer’s account number, what broadband plan they were on, what other Telstra services they were signed up to and notes associated with the customers’ accounts including in many cases their usernames and passwords.

    There were also other details about technician visits, SMS messages sent to private mobile numbers and credit check details.

    Telstra has reportedly reset approximately 60,000 customer passwords as a precaution.[ii]

    Telstra bundle customer, Graham Doessel is one of those potentially at risk.

    He also happens to be the CEO of a company dealing in credit repair for people who have been unlawfully blacklisted from borrowing facilities. He says as much as 50% of his clientele who present with credit file errors and inconsistencies are Telco customers, and many of those are Telstra customers.

    “This data breach is a crucial example of how errors occur so easily in the Telco industry. Unfortunately they have the potential to severely damage someone’s financial future.”

    “Every day we deal with customers who can’t get a home loan, because their credit rating is damaged by improper execution of policies and procedures in the Telco industry,” Mr Doessel, of MyCRA Credit Repairs says.

    Mr Doessel is concerned he is amongst those Telstra customers whose personally identifiable information may have been viewed, and copied for purposes of fraud during the time the information was readily available on the internet.

    “The issue is about both our possible stolen passwords, and our possible stolen personal details – a huge commodity for fraudsters. What’s to say fraudsters haven’t jumped on the internet while this information has been available and copied it?”

    “Personal details are the building blocks for constructing a fake identity. Once someone has fake ID documents, they can take out significant amounts of credit in the victim’s name. Often people don’t find out about it straight away and that can result in defaults from creditors and massive long term credit issues,” he says.

    Mr Doessel recommends anyone who feels they may be at risk by this data breach take a few precautionary steps to ensure their credit file is protected:

    1. Change passwords. Even if Telstra hasn’t advised you otherwise, go in and change your password. If you have that same password for unrelated accounts, change that as well.

    2. Contact creditors and advise them you may be at risk of identity theft. This will allow them to ‘flag’ your accounts and halt any suspicious activity.

    3. Check your credit file. Obtain a free copy of your credit file and check there is nothing suspicious already present on your credit file.

    4. Alert credit reporting agencies. They can put an alert on your credit file which informs you of any changes to contact details, or suspicious credit enquiries you may not have initiated.

    The Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim made a statement yesterday:

    “I have opened a formal investigation into the Telstra data breach. At a briefing today Telstra has assured our office that the immediate problem has been rectified and that personal data is no longer accessible.

    I have asked that Telstra also provide me with a detailed written report on the incident, including how it occurred, what information, if any, was compromised and what steps they have taken to prevent a reoccurrence. I will consider all the information provided by Telstra and hope to be in a position to issue an investigation report in late January 2012,” Mr Pilgrim says.

    It is uncertain exactly what and or how much the Privacy Commissioner could determine Telstra would be liable for.

    A recent decision handed down by the Privacy Commissioner only last week, saw one individual complainant awarded $7500 in compensation after a Leagues Club was found to have breached their privacy.[iii]

    This is not the first time a major data breach has occurred with Telstra. In October 2010, a mailing error saw around 60,000 letters containing personal customer information sent to other customers.

    The Privacy Commissioner found the privacy of Telstra customers was only breached in 2010 due to human error, and did not occur due to any systemic failure of Telstra’s processes or procedures, therefore they were not required to pay damages in this instance.[iv]

    /ENDS.

    Please contact:

    Lisa Brewster – Media Relations media@mycra.com.au

    Graham Doessel – Director info@mycra.com.au

    http://www.mycra.com.au/ 246 Stafford Road, STAFFORD QLD. Ph: 07 3124 7133 www.fixmybadcredit.com.au

    MyCRA Credit Repairs is Australia’s leader in credit rating repairs. We permanently remove defaults from credit files.

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  • Government warning about Facebook scams

    It was only going to be a matter of time before identity thieves would target their victims through scams on social networking site Facebook.

    South Australian Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gail Gago has issued a warning statement for people about new methods of scams which she says are very advanced.

    “Social media has played a role in enabling scammers to disguise themselves as legitimate companies or individuals to persuade victims to hand over money or personal details…With more consumers purchasing goods online, there now is a greater risk that a consumer could become a victim of identity theft. Scammers use this as an opportunity to offer non-existent goods ranging from puppy dogs to motor vehicles to con unsuspecting customers,” she says.

    The Federal Government’s Stay Smart Online explains how scams are perpetrated on Facebook. They say when data is shared between people who know each other, there is a higher level of trust and fraudsters are taking advantage of this. They try and get victims to click on links or give over information. Ultimately the purpose is to generate revenue for the fraudsters; they may use a number of techniques including using malicious software to take control over your computer, and/or steal people’s information.

    Not widely known, is just how far fraudsters may be able to go with the information they receive from their unsuspecting victims. Bank account or credit card details, when received in conjunction with the other information displayed on social networking sites like Facebook can end up being a recipe for disaster for people’s credit ratings.

    Fraudsters may be able to use those details to take out credit in the victim’s name. Identity fraud can often go undetected, until the victim applies for credit and is refused due to defaults they had no idea about.

    Credit rating defaults stick for 5 years, and for anyone who has lived with a black mark on their credit file, they are virtually banned from most credit for 5 years. This includes major credit through to mobile phone plans.

    Just because someone claims to be a victim of identity theft, it doesn’t automatically guarantee they will have their good name restored. Lengthy negotiation with creditors often ensues, with the victim requiring copious amounts of evidence and usually police reports to prove the case of identity theft.

    So it is important to heed the almost daily warnings of scams we hear about, in order to stay one step ahead of what can be a very damaging crime.

    The Premier’s office cites these top five scams reported in South Australia for the last financial year:

    • Computer (PC) virus checks: An individual phones, claiming they are a certified computer engineer and convinces the consumer their computer has a virus. The consumer allows the scammer access to their hard-drive leaving personal details exposed.

    • “Nigerian” and similar scams: Consumers are promised huge rewards if they help someone to transfer money out of their country by paying fees or releasing their bank account details.

    • Overseas lotteries: Consumers receive a letter from an overseas lottery or sweepstakes company claiming the consumer has won money or prizes, and then asks the consumer to pay a fee to release the winnings, or to provide personal details.

    • False billing (blowing): Targets small businesses who receive a bogus bill for a listing or advertisement of their business in a publication they never appeared in.

    • Employment scams: Consumers are offered employment in non-existent markets. Scammers claim CVs will be considered upon payment of a fee to process the application, with the consumer usually not receiving a response and being left out of pocket.

    Consumers are urged to report any suspected scam to the ACCC via the SCAMwatch website www.scamwatch.gov.au or call the information line on 1300 302 502.

    We recommend all internet users subscribe to the government’s Stay Smart Online alerts for advice on new scams and viruses which may affect their computer and threaten their good name.

    If people have already been a victim of a scam, and they want help with credit repair, contact MyCRA Credit Repairs. We permanently remove defaults from credit files.

    Image: Master isolated / FreeDigitalPhotos.net