The Dangers of Identity Fraud Exposed by Digital Data Distributors

Rise of Online Data Brokers Makes Criminal Impersonation Easier. The identity thieves began their scam the old-fashioned way, stealing credit card statements, new bank checks and other documents from mailboxes. Using an America Online e-mail account and one of the stolen . . . Rise of Online Data Brokers Makes Criminal Impersonation Easier. The identity thieves began their scam the old-fashioned way, stealing credit card statements, new bank checks and other documents from mailboxes. Using an America Online e-mail account and one of the stolen credit card numbers, the thieves paid $25 to $280 for reports containing Social Security numbers, employment information and driving records via e-mail, according to documents and interviews. They used those details to order more credit cards, create a phony driver's license and begin plundering at least two bank accounts.

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