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The Macomb Daily
August 7, 2008 |
Editorial
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Congress should OK bill to protect citizens against identity theft |
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Although seemingly unrelated, legislation cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Sander Levin and the announcement this week of the largest identity theft ever points out the dangers facing American consumers.
The crooks are finding new ways to get at our hard-earned money.
The U.S. Justice Department said Tuesday that 11 people have been charged in connection with the hacking of nine major retailers and the theft and sale of more than 41 million credit and debit card numbers.
The indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Boston claims that the suspects hacked into the wireless computer networks of retailers including TJX Cos., BJ’s Wholesale Club, OfficeMax, Boston Market, Barnes & Noble, Sports Authority, Forever 21 and DSW and set up programs that captured card numbers, passwords and account information.
“They used sophisticated computer hacking techniques that would allow them to breach security systems and install programs that gathered enormous quantities of personal financial data, which they then allegedly either sold to others or used themselves,” Attorney General Michael Mukasey said.
“And in total, they caused widespread losses by bank, retailers and consumers.”
Even more surprising was the fact that it was a worldwide operation. Computer servers storing the information were in Ukraine and Latvia. Three of the 11 charged are U.S. citizens, while the others are from Estonia, Ukraine, Belarus and China. The thefts are so great that the dollar amount is “impossible to quantify at this point.” Most of the victims are in the United States, according to U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan. “I suspect that a lot of people are unaware that their identifying information has been compromised,” Sullivan said.
The enormity of this particular case only serves to justify the importance of H.R. 6600, a bill cosponsored by Levin, which would require Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to phase out the display of Medicare beneficiaries’ Social Security numbers on Medicare cards to reduce the likelihood that patients’ numbers can be obtained for use in identity theft crimes. “Identity theft is a large and growing problem and its effects can be very onerous for the elderly and disabled citizens on Medicare to resolve,” Levin said in a press release from his office before the Justice Department filed charges this week. “We should take every step available to protect privacy and curb these insidious crimes.” Levin, a Democrat who represents most of Macomb County, also noted that the Social Security Administration urges citizens to avoid carrying their Social Security cards with them. “Meanwhile, another government agency is printing Social Security numbers on cards intended to be carried,” Levin said. For the safety of Americans, the identity theft bill should be quickly approved by Congress.
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To Contact Congressman Levin: -
Email Congressman Levin In Michigan: 27085 Gratiot Ave, Roseville, MI 48066 | (586) 498-7122 | (248) 968-2025
In Washington: 1236 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 | (202) 225-4961
