Identity Theft Protection Expert and One You Security: Research Shows that Consumers’ Information is Probably Already in Thieves’ Hands

(SARASOTA, Fla. – Oct. 24, 2008 – One You Security) Research announced earlier this month suggested that most consumers’ should assume that their sensitive, identifying information is already in the hands of thieves. When organizations charged with the safekeeping of consumers’ financial data at once lose it and offer individuals little control over it, the only recourse is to empower these consumers to become their own "last line of defense," said Robert Siciliano, widely televised and quoted identity theft protection expert and chief security analyst for One You Security, LLC. One You Security continually searches the Internet for illegal use of its subscribers’ identifying information and does everything it can to render their Social Security numbers useless to thieves who would otherwise use them to commit financial fraud.

"It’s pretty safe to say that most consumers’ data is in the hands — or about to be in the hands — of criminals," said Siciliano. "The assumption is so outrageous that some discount the possibility. And, yet, it’s the reality, and consumers need to provide the last line of defense for themselves. What is that last line of defense? Consumers need a way to make their Social Security numbers of no use to thieves, and they need a way to scan the Internet on a regular basis for potentially illegal use of their identifying information. If they can do these two things, they’ve provided an effective last line of defense, and One You’s service focuses on these two very activities."

One You Security is a service that transforms Social Security numbers into something functionally useless to financial fraudsters. Additionally, One You PowerScan scours more than 150 million websites, 80 million blogs, 90,000 message boards and chat rooms, and billions of spam e-mails for potentially illegal use of its subscribers’ identifying information. These subscribers to One You Security also receive newsletters and special alerts from Siciliano. Through these, they get the latest information on data breaches and learn more about identity theft prevention. Chief security analyst for One You Security and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report‘s editorial board, Siciliano regularly discusses data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s "Today Show," FOX News Network and elsewhere.

Negligent company insiders cause 75 percent of all breaches in the U.S., revealed the 2008 Study on the Uncertainty of Data Breach Detection, joint research announced on Oct. 13 by Compuware Corporation and Ponemon Institute©. Additionally, their study of more than 1,100 U.S. companies found not only that 26 percent of breaches occur at the hands of "malicious" company insiders, but also that 79 percent of respondents had experienced at least one data breach — thus strongly suggesting that consumers should assume that their data is already in thieves’ hands.

"The consumer is the last line of defense against identity theft," said Chris Harris, president and CEO of One You Security. "It’s a job they did not ask for, but one foisted upon them by ineffective security policies industry-wide. Fortunately, the option is in fact a sound one; consumers can be a very effective bulwark against financial fraudsters. All a concerned consumer needs to do is invest in a subscription to a service like One You, whose affordable cost is paltry compared to the financial hemorrhage and grief caused by thieves who obtain and use others’ financial identities."

Consumers who choose One You Security do so in part because the company strives to transform their Social Security numbers into meaningless strings of digits of no use to thieves. The firm backs all its offerings with a 100 percent service guarantee.

The YouTube video below shows Siciliano on FOX News Network, where he explains how the ubiquity of Social Security numbers as universal identifiers helps thieves online and off-line. A collection of videos at VideoJug features Siciliano sharing advice on how consumers can protect themselves from identity theft and fraud.

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About One You Security, LLC

Sarasota, Fla.-based One You Security‘s mission is to eliminate the threat and consequences of identity theft. For just $10 per month, anyone can sign up for One You Security’s identity theft protection service, a proactive, preventative approach whereby the company activates and manages its customers’ fraud alerts with major credit bureaus. Subscribers also receive full access to ongoing education from identity theft protection expert Robert Siciliano, chief security analyst for One You Security, which backs up its promise to protect clients’ financial identities with a 100 percent service guarantee. To sign up for One You Security, dial 1-800-434-2010.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com, chief security analyst for One You Security, and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report‘s editorial board, makes it his mission to educate Fortune 500 companies and their clients on the dangers of identity theft. Author of "The Safety Minute: 01" and leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, "FOX News," "The Suze Orman Show," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," "The Howard Stern Show," and "Inside Edition." Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft protection. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others. For more information, visit Siciliano’s Web site, blog, and YouTube page.

The media are encouraged to get in touch with any of the following individuals:

Chris Harris
President & CEO of One You Security
PHONE: 941-342-0500 (x231)
chris@oneyou.com
http://www.oneyou.com

Robert Siciliano
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
Chief Security Analyst for One You Security
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
http://www.idtheftsecurity.com

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
http://www.STETrevisions.com
http://brentskinner.blogspot.com