Identity Theft Protection Expert and One You Security: Research Reveals That Usability of Social Security Numbers Enables Mortgage Fraudsters

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(SARASOTA, Fla. – July 30, 2008 – One You Security) The results of a research investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation recently revealed an apparent, significant upward trend in the incidence of mortgage fraud. Furthermore, homeowners who have Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) are prime targets for financial fraud, suggested a related statement from the Identity Theft Assistance Center (ITAC). The best way to combat the threat is to transform Social Security numbers into something useless to thieves, who use these universal identifiers to obtain financial identities, said Robert Siciliano, widely televised and quoted identity theft protection expert and chief security analyst for One You Security, LLC.

"Social Security numbers’ de facto role as universal identifiers has fueled a massive increase in financial fraud—simply because these numbers allow criminals to assume others’ identities," said Siciliano. "Given the scope of financial fraud, which costs billions of dollars every year, consumers need a way to deprive thieves of the ability to gain access to someone else’s finances. They must implement measures that render those Social Security numbers useless to thieves."

Subscribers to One You Security 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.

Released in April of 2008, the FBI’s 2007 Mortgage Fraud Report found that "Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) from financial institutions indicated an increase in mortgage fraud reporting" in 2007. The year-over-year increase in SARs was 31 percent, according to the report, which went on to note that there is no central repository for mortgage fraud complaints in the U.S. Additionally, the report revealed that the total dollar impact of mortgage fraud is unknown, but that the losses associated with just 7 percent of SARs in 2007 was $813 million.

A July 8th news release from ITAC noted the FBI report’s attention to an emerging, related crime: home equity credit fraud. Consumers with HELOCs should regularly check them for suspicious activity and unaccountable discrepancies in balances, according to ITAC, whose announcement was reported in The New York Times on July 27.

"How do thieves obtain credit?" asked Chris Harris, president and CEO of One You Security. "They do so by assuming the identity of another person, and it’s largely the utility of Social Security numbers that allows them to do so. Financial fraud related to identity theft is in fact dependent on this, but the effect of One You’s service functionally strips Social Security numbers of this utility, leaving criminals with nothing but a bunch of nine-digit numbers that no longer give them access to would-be victims’ 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 provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. 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

Identity Theft Protection Expert and One You Security: Year-Over-Year Spike in Data Breaches Will Prompt Consumers to Protect Their Own Financial Identities

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(SARASOTA, Fla. – July 23, 2008 – One You Security) The first half of 2008 saw a more than two-thirds year-over-year increase in the number of data breaches, revealed research reported last week. More than ever, consumers need a way to protect themselves as more of their Social Security numbers seem to go missing with every new breach of data, according to Robert Siciliano, widely televised and quoted identity theft protection expert and chief security analyst for One You Security, LLC. The key, he said, is One You Security’s service, which helps to render these universal identifiers useless to the thieves who would otherwise use them to steal consumers’ financial identities.

"Smart consumers notice the data breaches," said Siciliano. "They also realize that every security breach runs the risk of leaking data likely to include Social Security numbers, maybe even theirs. And until the infrastructure in place for identifying people fundamentally changes, these smart consumers will clamor for ways to protect their financial identities themselves. With its capacity to strip thieves of the ability to use Social Security numbers as a way to obtain financial identities, One You’s service provides the very solution these consumers seek."

Subscribers to One You Security receive newsletters and special alerts from Siciliano. Through these, they get the latest data on 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.

Between Jan. 1 and June 27 of 2008, the number of data breaches recorded by the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) was 342, the nonprofit organization reported in a June 27th statement, which noted that this was more than 69 percent greater than the same time period in 2007.

Spikes in the business sector fueled the overall increase despite significant decreases in others, revealed the ITRC’s data, which also provided numbers for 2006. Whereas the ITRC found that data breaches were down since 2006 in the educational sector by 24 percent and in the government and military sector by 43 percent, data breaches jumped over the past two years by 75 percent in the business sector. Furthermore, since 2006 the number of data breaches has increased in the health and medical sector by 15 percent and in the banking, financial and credit sector by 25 percent.

"Given the entire identification system’s reliance on Social Security numbers," said Chris Harris, president and CEO of One You Security, "the most practical approach by far is to make those digits functionally useless to the thieves who obtain them. For a long time, the frequency of data breaches has left consumers in need of a quickly implementable solution that allows them to protect their financial identities. As much as a seventy-five percent increase in the number of data breaches over the past couple years only intensifies that need, which One You meets."

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 Newschannel,” 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 provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. 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

Identity Theft Protection Expert and One You Security: Privacy of Social Security Numbers Not the Key to Identity Theft Prevention

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(SARASOTA, Fla. – July 1, 2008 – One You Security) As word in late June revealed a debate over removing Social Security numbers from patients’ Medicare cards to protect their privacy, survey results reported elsewhere showed a high level of concern among consumers about identity theft. But the focus should be on protecting financial identities, not on attempting to keep Social Security numbers private, said Robert Siciliano, widely televised and quoted identity theft protection expert and chief security analyst for One You Security, LLC. Rather than trying to keep subscribers’ Social Security numbers private, the firm puts its efforts into rendering these digits useless to the thieves who would otherwise use them to steal financial identities.

"It’s futile to protect the privacy of Social Security numbers," said Siciliano. "Organizations that propose to do so mean well, but misunderstand the crime of identity theft and the extent to which Social Security numbers are already there for the taking. Any thief can obtain a Social Security number. It’s impossible to return to the days when Social Security numbers were largely unavailable to the public at large. Consumers now need services that allow them to protect their financial identities even when criminals have their Social Security numbers in hand."

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. Subscribers to One You Security receive newsletters and special alerts from Siciliano. Through these, they get the latest data on breaches and learn more about identity theft prevention.

On June 22, The New York Times reported on an apparent disagreement between Social Security officials and their Medicare counterparts over the use of Social Security numbers on patients’ cards. Social Security administrators called "for immediate action to remove Social Security numbers from the Medicare cards used by millions of Americans," reported the article, which went on to note that Medicare officials "resisted the proposal, saying it would be costly and impractical."

Meanwhile, consumers across the globe are expressing a high level of concern over identity theft and financial fraud, revealed the latest Unisys Security Index. Drawing on survey responses from 13,296 people, the twice-yearly inventory of consumers’ security concerns found that identity theft is the greatest area of consumer distress in 9 of 14 countries. Worries over financial fraud closely followed: "Concerns about misuse of credit or debit card details rank […] 1st or 2nd in 12 out of 14 countries," according to Unisys’ website.

"Trying to assuage consumers’ fears over the theft of their financial identities by promising to protect the privacy of their Social Security numbers is misleading," said Chris Harris, president and CEO of One You Security. "Long gone are the days when Social Security numbers were private. A thief can now obtain anyone’s Social Security number online for about fifty bucks, and this isn’t going to change. The far superior approach is to make that Social Security number useless to the criminal who wants to use it to steal a financial identity."

Consumers who choose One You Security do so in part because the company strives to transform their Social Security numbers into meaningless strings of numbers 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 thieves were able to crack the computers of Hannaford Bros., a grocery chain that operates 165 stores in the Northeast, to obtain the credit card and debit card numbers of millions of customers. 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 provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. 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

Identity Theft Expert and MyLaptopGPS: Stolen Laptop Computers Again Place Hundreds of Thousands of Unique Data Records in Peril

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(BOSTON, Mass. – June 12, 2008 – IDTheftSecurity.com) News in early June of another round of laptop thefts suggested that the personal data on at least 100,000 people possibly fell into the hands of thieves as a result: In some instances, the information was not encrypted, reports revealed. Laptop computers, an easy target for thieves, are also easy to secure, said Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert who pointed to affordable laptop tracking technology from MyLaptopGPS.

“Securing laptop computers against theft and loss is very easy and affordable,” said Siciliano. “Smart organizations understand this and do it. The alternative is to risk major financial loss, not to mention the damage to consumer or employee trust and loyalty, as well as a diminished brand reputation.”

CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report‘s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients through consumer education workshops that explore security solutions for businesses and individuals. A longtime identity theft speaker and author of “The Safety Minute: 01,” he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s “Today Show,” FOX Newschannel, and elsewhere.

Reports surfaced in early June of laptop computers gone missing from three different organizations, posing significant potential ramifications for people whose personal data was stored on the machines:

  • On June 9, Consumer Affairs added its reporting to the news that a laptop computer belonging to AT&T and containing “names, Social Security numbers, and salary information for an undisclosed number of workers” had been stolen from an employee’s vehicle in May. The next day, SecurityProPortal.com reported that AT&T had failed to encrypt the lost laptop’s data.
  • Widely reported news that ran in the San Francisco Chronicle on June 8 revealed the details of a laptop theft from Stanford University affecting 72,000 university employees past and present. The laptop contained “names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, business titles, work and home phone numbers, home addresses, salaries, and Stanford e-mail addresses and employee identification numbers” of employees hired before Sept. 28, 2007.
  • On June 4, the Winnipeg Free Press reported that a laptop computer belonging to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (a government agency) and containing social insurance numbers, bank account numbers and other data on about 32,000 Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) fell into thieves’ hands in March. The agency waited until late May to inform all those possibly affected, the article indicated.

“With the proper antitheft technology installed on laptop computers, laptop tracking is simple and affordable,” said MyLaptopGPS’ chief technology officer, Dan Yost, who directed readers to a log of high-profile laptop thefts that the company records at its website. “Furthermore, with MyLaptopGPS, encryption is less of a need because the rightful owners of the machines can retrieve and delete data from a remote location. Rather than wait months to inform constituencies that their information is in peril, an organization with laptop tracking technology just presses the button to deprive thieves of the data stored on that mobile device.”

MyLaptopGPS combines Internet-based GPS tracking — which, for tracking and retrieving stolen laptops, is more effective than other forms of GPS — with other functionalities to secure mobile computing devices. Users launch MyLaptopGPS’ features remotely, protecting data even while the machine is in a criminal’s hands. Once connected to the Internet, the software silently retrieves, and then deletes, files from machines as it tracks the stolen or missing hardware — at once returning the data to its rightful owner and removing it from the lost computer.

“Our laptop fleet was certainly worth protecting,” said Jim Sullivan, the network, systems and security administrator for FastForms, Inc. “We have procedures in place to help secure the machines, but we realized that we needed some key additional layers of security, such as covert tracking and remote-controlled data recovery and destruction. MyLaptopGPS’ solution is very easy to use, and we are quite satisfied. We would recommend MyLaptopGPS to any business seeking a simple solution to secure their laptops and data.”

Additionally, MyLaptopGPS offers SafeRegistry™, a comprehensive system for inventorying entire fleets of mobile computers, as well as a full line of highly renowned SafeTags™, which are police-traceable property tags designed to secure iPods, cell phones, BlackBerry devices, and other mobile property.

Readers may download a demo of MyLaptopGPS. A white paper is also available.

The YouTube video below shows Siciliano on “FOX Newschannel,” where he discusses this year’s data security breach at Hannaford Bros. and provides affected consumers with the tips they need to avoid paying for fraudulent charges to their bank accounts and credit accounts. To learn more about identity theft, a major concern for anyone who’s lost a laptop computer to thieves, readers may go to video of Siciliano at VideoJug.

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About MyLaptopGPS

Since 1984, Tri-8, Inc. (DBA MyLaptopGPS.com) has specialized in complete system integration. From real-time electronic payment processing software to renowned mid-market ERP implementations, the executive team at MyLaptopGPS has been serving leading enterprises and implementing world-class data systems that simply work. With MyLaptopGPS™, Tri-8, Inc. brings a level of expertise, dedication, knowledge and service that is unmatched. MyLaptopGPS™’s rock-solid performance, security, and reliability flow directly from the company’s commitment to top-notch software products and services for almost 25 years.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report‘s editorial board, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. A 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. 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:

John Dunivan
MyLaptopGPS Media Relations
PHONE: (405) 747-6654 (direct line)
jd@MyLaptopGPS.com
www.MyLaptopGPS.com

Robert Siciliano, Personal Security Expert
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
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://www.brentskinner.blogspot.com

Identity Theft Protection Expert from One You Security Provides Subscribers with the Latest Consumer Education on How to Protect Their Identities

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(SARASOTA, Fla. – June 10, 2008 – One You Security) The onslaught of breaches pummeling consumers’ identities has necessitated a diversified approach to identity theft protection, said the president and CEO of One You Security, LLC. The company therefore decided not only to help consumers make their Social Security numbers useless to thieves, but also to provide them with the latest in consumer education on the matter from the firm’s chief security analyst, Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted identity theft protection expert.

“Financial identities are under siege from all sides,” said Siciliano. “The dangers arise so quickly, that even the most vigilant among consumers need guidance to remain abreast of their financial identities’ many vulnerabilities. This only happens through ongoing, continually reinforcing identity theft education.”

Chief security analyst for One You Security and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report‘s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients through consumer education workshops that explore security solutions for business and individuals. A longtime identity theft protection speaker, he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s “Today Show,” FOX News Network, and elsewhere.

According to a May 19th report by the Associated Press, 38 individuals faced charges from authorities in Los Angeles, Calif., and New Haven, Conn., that they had stolen names, Social Security numbers, credit card data and other personal information from Internet users. Their members’ outposts stretched from Romania to the United States, Canada, Portugal and Pakistan, the article alleged.

“Organized crime rings work in concert to steal identities,” said Siciliano. “There’s big money to be had in identity theft, and savvy criminals who operate globally through their vast, organized networks understand this. The scenario seems daunting to consumers who just want to protect their information from the unscrupulous. Fortunately, with just a little bit of help, consumers can learn how to make their personal information increasingly impervious to thieves’ intrusions.”

Subscribers to One You Security benefit from identity theft education material such as newsletters and special alerts (including video) from Siciliano himself, who makes defining identity theft as a systematic flaw and providing a simple yet comprehensive solution to his goals. Siciliano’s alerts are designed to help consumers avoid scams and practices that make the identity thief’s job easy and to inform them of the latest data breaches. The firm backs all its offerings with a 100 percent service guarantee.

“One You’s service strives to render the subscriber’s Social Security number useless to thieves,” said Chris Harris, president and CEO of One You Security. “An integral part of this is in One You’s activation and management of subscribers’ fraud alerts with the major credit bureaus. But perhaps an even larger piece of the puzzle is the consumer education that One You provides with Robert Siciliano, whose experience in presenting workshops on identity theft prevention to audiences at Fortune 500 firms uniquely qualifies him to be a personal sherpa on identity theft protection to each and every One You subscriber.”

“Those who subscribe to One You’s service get automatically plugged into my personal e-mail network to receive regular alerts on identity theft prevention,” Siciliano added. “Each alert is a resource that helps consumers learn how to block the many points of entry available to thieves trying to gain law-abiding citizens’ identities. The idea is to help One You’s subscribers stay on top of what is new in identity theft prevention and ahead of what is next.”

The YouTube video below shows Siciliano on FOX News Network, where he explains how thieves were able to crack the computers of Hannaford Bros., a grocery chain that operates 165 stores in the Northeast, to obtain the credit card and debit card numbers millions of millions of customers. Video of Siciliano at VideoJug features him 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 provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. 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

Identity Theft Protection Expert from One You Security Scheduled to Appear on “The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet”

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(SARASOTA, Fla. – June 2, 2008 – One You Security) Robert Siciliano, an identity theft protection expert and chief security analyst for One You Security, LLC, is scheduled to appear on FOX News Network’s “Morning Show with Mike and Juliet” on Wednesday, June 4. Siciliano will explain the importance of making consumers’ Social Security numbers useless to thieves who try to use the numbers in order to steal financial identities.

“The scope of identity theft is overwhelming,” said Siciliano. “Furthermore, identity theft often takes place in the background, unseen until much too late. Consumers can benefit from a service that monitors that background for them and incapacitates thieves’ ability to use stolen Social Security numbers to steal financial identities.”

Chief security analyst for One You Security and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report‘s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients through consumer education workshops that explore security solutions for business and individuals. A longtime identity theft protection speaker, he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s “Today Show,” FOX News Network, and elsewhere.

Siciliano’s participation on “Mike and Juliet” is scheduled to coincide with the appearance of James Jackson, known to many as the “father of identity theft.” Having recently completed an eight-year sentence for crimes related to identity theft, Jackson claims to have compromised the personal data not only of Hollywood luminaries such as Steven Spielberg, David Letterman and others, but also of numerous former c-level executives at some of the most recognizable global corporations.

The website for “Mike and Juliet” lists broadcast times and television stations that carry the show. On air, Siciliano will explain how identity theft manifests in many forms and for many reasons:

  • For instance, around 17,000 military employees’ Social Security numbers fell prey to a contractor who allegedly sold the information to thieves after “exceeding authorized access to a computer,” according to U.S. Department of Justice indictments reported by PC World on May 2.
  • Also on May 2, KUSA TV’s “9 News” in Colorado aired a segment that illustrated links between drug trafficking and identity theft. Police there broke up an identity theft ring whose very purpose was to financially support the criminals’ addiction to methamphetamine, the news report revealed.

“Additionally, an underreported type of identity theft involves criminals who take advantage of their own names’ similarity to others’,” said Siciliano. “For instance, an enterprising criminal with a common surname will attempt to utilize this fact to steal the identity of someone else who not only has the same last name, but first name, too.”

“In the end, a great deal of the identity theft affecting consumers is related to their financial identities and spurred on by the theft of Social Security numbers,” said Chris Harris, president and CEO of One You Security. “One You helps to render the Social Security number a useless piece of information for the thief by providing the consumer with proactive protection measures designed to stop financial identity theft before it happens.”

One You Security wraps a security system around the consumer’s identity, shielding it from thieves and greatly reducing wrongdoers’ lines of attack. The firm backs up its offering with a 100 percent service guarantee. Subscribers to One You Security also benefit from identity theft education material such as newsletters and special alerts (including video) from Siciliano himself, all designed to help them avoid scams and practices that make the identity thief’s job easy and to inform them of the latest data breaches.

The video below is a previous episode of “The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet,” Siciliano explained how criminals use identifying information illegally to make purchases with law-abiding consumers’ credit cards. Those wishing to learn how to protect themselves against identity theft may view additional video of Siciliano at VideoJug.

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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 provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. 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

Identity Theft Expert: MyLaptopGPS Announces “Realtime Estimated Damage Index” (REDI) to Show Cost of Laptop Thefts in 2008 Surpassing $300 Million

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(BOSTON, Mass. – Feb. 21, 2008 – IDTheftSecurity.com) MyLaptopGPS™, provider of Internet-based GPS tracking software for stolen mobile computing equipment, today announced the Realtime Estimated Damage Index (REDI), visible at the company’s website. The REDI, a continually updating, cumulative total of high-profile laptop and desktop computer thefts and losses, has estimated the damage, or cost, of computer thefts in 2008 already to be $309,318,519. This number reflects the likelihood that identity theft and other crimes will occur when a laptop is lost, said widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert Robert Siciliano.

“The cost of laptop computer theft far exceeds the amount of money it takes to replace the lost hardware and software,” said Siciliano. “Many laptop computers store sensitive data that gives thieves who know what to do with it the ability to assume the computer owner’s identity and commit fraud in the victim’s name. This is where the real damage from laptop computer theft lies, and the cost is significant.”

CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report‘s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients in workshops that explore consumer education solutions for security issues. A longtime identity theft speaker and author of “The Safety Minute: 01,” he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s “Today Show,” FOX News, and elsewhere.

In 2002, a Computer Security Institute/FBI Computer Crime & Security Survey calculated the actual financial loss of a laptop theft to be $89,000. A 2003 Annual Computer Crime and Security Survey placed the average loss even higher, at $250,000. These numbers reflect a combination of factors such as legal follow-up and identity theft, either of which can lead to financial catastrophe. Drawing on the more conservative of these baselines, the REDI’s damage estimation for just two months’ worth of laptop thefts in 2008 dwarfed the cost of the $9.95 monthly subscription to MyLaptopGPS’s software, which also retrieves and deletes sensitive data from machines while they’re missing.

MyLaptopGPS combines Internet-based GPS tracking — which, for tracking and retrieving stolen laptops, is more effective than other forms of GPS — with other functionalities to secure mobile computing devices. Users launch MyLaptopGPS’ features remotely, protecting data even while the machine is in a criminal’s hands. Once connected to the Internet, the software silently retrieves, and then deletes, files from machines as it tracks the stolen or missing hardware — at once returning the data to its rightful owner and removing it from the lost computer.

“Being a Resources Management Company with traveling employees,” said Eric Ruis of Proximity W.L.L., “we needed a rock solid system that didn’t merely protect our company assets and data, but could also recover our assets and data if necessary. We needed multiple layers of security for our laptops, and that brought us to MyLaptopGPS. Their service has bent over backward to meet our needs and now we rest comfortably, knowing we have six full layers of effective protection and the ability to monitor and protect our laptops — from anywhere.”

MyLaptopGPS also offers SafeRegistry™, a comprehensive system for inventorying entire fleets of mobile computers, as well as a full line of highly renowned SafeTags™, which are police-traceable property tags designed to secure iPods, cell phones, BlackBerry devices, and other mobile property.

A downloadable demo of MyLaptopGPS is available. The October 2007 issue of Bank Fraud & IT Security Report, a newsletter published only in hard copy, ran “The Seven Layers of Laptop Security,” an article by Siciliano and Yost. A white paper adaptation of that article is available from MyLaptopGPS.

“The theft rate of unsecured laptops is twelve and a half percent,” said Dan Yost, chief technology officer at MyLaptopGPS, “whereas the theft rate of a MyLaptopGPS-equipped mobile computing device is less than half a percentage point. The product not only acts as a strong deterrent; the prospects are also strong for finding a MyLaptopGPS-secured machine.”

Readers may view YouTube video below of “NBC 7 Chicago” footage featuring Yost delivering comments for a televised news report that covered the April 2007 theft of two laptops that stored 40,000 Chicago Public School teachers’ Social Security numbers.

According to USA Today, theft of personal data more than tripled in 2007. Below, readers may view video of Siciliano discussing this news on the new “FOX Business” network. To learn more about identity theft, a major concern for anyone who’s lost a laptop computer to thieves, readers may go to video of Siciliano at VideoJug.

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About MyLaptopGPS

Since 1984, Tri-8, Inc. (DBA MyLaptopGPS.com) has specialized in complete system integration. From real-time electronic payment processing software to renowned mid-market ERP implementations, the executive team at MyLaptopGPS has been serving leading enterprises and implementing world-class data systems that simply work. With MyLaptopGPS™, Tri-8, Inc. brings a level of expertise, dedication, knowledge and service that is unmatched. MyLaptopGPS™’s rock-solid performance, security, and reliability flow directly from the company’s commitment to top-notch software products and services for almost 25 years.

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all, and Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report‘s editorial board, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. A 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.” The Privacy Learning Institute features him on its Website. Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft. 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:

John Dunivan
MyLaptopGPS Media Relations
PHONE: (405) 747-6654 (direct line)
jd@MyLaptopGPS.com
www.MyLaptopGPS.com

Robert Siciliano, Personal Security Expert
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
www.idtheftsecurity.com

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.biz
www.STETrevisions.biz

Identity Theft Expert and Speaker on Personal Security: Recent Data Breaches Affect a Total of Nearly One Million Consumers as Industry Fights Legislation

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(BOSTON, Mass. – Feb. 14, 2007 – IDTheftSecurity.com) Data records lost or compromised as the result of just four security breaches reported last month left nearly one million consumers possibly at risk of identity theft and related crimes. The scope, scale, and consequences of these data losses throw into question large companies’ parallel efforts to blunt the strength of proposed data breach–notification legislation, said Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert.

"January wasn’t the only month that saw hundreds of thousands of consumers’ sensitive information go missing to thieves," said Siciliano. "And apparent carelessness and lack of concern on the part of businesses everywhere is a major factor leading to these kinds of breaches. Furthermore, with the exception of token yearlong access to free credit report monitoring, consumers end up with the bill. For industry then to fight legislation aimed at protecting these same consumers is unconscionable."

CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report‘s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients in workshops that explore consumer education solutions for security issues. An experienced identity theft speaker and author of "The Safety Minute: 01," he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s "Today Show," on FOX News, and elsewhere.

Already, data breaches have plagued numerous organizations in 2008, which has seen 28 incidents since the beginning of January, according to sources cited in a Jan. 30th article by InformationWeek. Just four of the many breaches in January saw a total of nearly one million consumers’ data records go missing:

  • A Jan. 18th article in InformationWeek reported that a backup data tape had gone missing at an Iron Mountain Inc. storage facility in October. The tape contains identifying data on 650,000 customers of retailers such as J.C. Penney and around 100 others, the article said, and belongs to GE Money USA, the company that processes credit card purchases for the various merchants involved. About 150,000 Social Security numbers are among the data on the tapes, the InformationWeek article and a Jan. 28th write-up in Computerworld both noted.
  • A Jan. 30th report from InformationWeek indicated that "sophisticated network intrusion" had compromised a computer database belonging to Davidson Companies. The breach affected data records on 226,000 current and past clients of the Montana-based financial services holding company, the article said.
  • As noted by Computerworld on Jan. 29, earlier that month T. Rowe Price had begun to inform a number of current and former customers that a data breach had occurred involving their sensitive data. A computer belonging to CBIZ Benefits and Insurance Services Inc., a third-party tax-preparer, had gone missing to thieves, according to the Computerworld report, which went on to say the machine housed about 35,000 T. Rowe Price customers’ Social Security numbers and corresponding names.
  • On Jan. 24, the Fort Worth, TX–based Star-Telegram reported that an "international gang of cyber criminals [had] hacked into" the computers of that city’s OmniAmerican Bank. Fewer than 100 accounts were directly affected, according to a bank spokesperson quoted in the article, but the Star-Telegram went on to note that OmniAmerican had issued new debit cards to about 40,000 customers.

Various state legislatures, including California’s, have regrouped their efforts to fight the hemorrhaging of data by proposing tougher laws that govern "how businesses and government agencies should notify consumers when…personal data is stolen or exposed," a Feb. 4th article in InformationWeek notes. At the same time, according to a Feb. 5th blog posting on CNET.com, large industry players such as Microsoft, Verizon, and AT&T are working to block similar legislation under consideration in the Indiana State Senate.

"One million is a very large number," said Siciliano. "And, at this very early date in 2008, the total number of lost or missing data records is actually much higher. A smart organization recognizes the value of looking out for its customers’ best interests and of nurturing the perception that it in fact does so. But nobody wins when industry fights good-faith legislative efforts that endeavor to help customers who have no say over how large companies handle and secure data."

Readers may view YouTube video below of Siciliano on "FOX News," where he explains how the ubiquity of Social Security numbers as universal identifiers helps thieves online and off-line. Those wishing to learn how to protect themselves against identity theft, a major concern for anyone who has fallen prey to online scammers, may view video of Siciliano at VideoJug.

###

###

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all. Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report‘s editorial board, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients.

A 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." The Privacy Learning Institute features him on its Website. Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others.

Visit Siciliano’s Web site, www.IDTheftSecurity.com; blog, www.realtysecurity.com/blog; and YouTube page, http://youtube.com/stungundotcom.

The media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly:

Robert Siciliano, Personal Security Expert
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
www.idtheftsecurity.com

The media may also contact:

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.biz
www.STETrevisions.biz

Identity Theft Expert and Speaker on Personal Security: Illegal Immigration Possibly a Logical Catalyst of Identity Theft

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(BOSTON, Mass. – Jan. 9, 2007 – IDTheftSecurity.com) Recent news reports reinforced the notion that many suspect a link between the rise in identity theft and increases in illegal immigration. The correlation was logical, according to Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert who went on to say that stolen Social Security numbers, which help someone to establish credit, are sought-after commodities for the undocumented worker.

“So many of the security holes in this nation stem from seeming intransigence and incompetence within the government, itself responsible for the collective security of all,” said Siciliano. “But government must be the inspiration for proper security of all kinds. The much-needed template for security against those who would steal Americans’ identities to hide here must come from the public domain.”

CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report‘s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients in workshops that explore consumer education solutions for security issues. An experienced identity theft speaker and author of “The Safety Minute: 01,” he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s “Today Show,” on FOX News, and elsewhere.

Concerning the confluence of illegal immigration and identity theft, a Jan. 4th article from the Associated Press explored strong anecdotal evidence linking the two phenomena.

Three days later the Associated Press then reported that Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota’s Republican Governor, signed executive orders…to give state agents a role in enforcing immigration law and reviewing millions of driver’s license photos for possible fraud.” A related article, which ran in the West Central Tribune, noted that an effort to stem identity theft tied to illegal immigration fueled Pawlenty’s actions. His move was expected to encounter opposition from the state legislature, according to the AP report.

“The Social Security number is the key to the kingdom,” said Siciliano. “The issue of illegal immigration touches on this significantly. While their ‘undocumented worker’ status benefits them—and those who hire them—in ways, many illegal immigrants may strive to become faux legitimate through the use of stolen Social Security numbers. Given the preponderance of data breaches these past few years that placed literally millions of Social Security numbers in harm’s way, the logical conclusion is not too hard to make.”

Readers may view YouTube video below of Siciliano on “FOX News,” explaining how the ubiquity of Social Security numbers as universal identifiers helps thieves online and off-line. Those wishing to learn how to protect themselves against identity theft, a major concern for anyone who has fallen prey to online scammers, may view video of Siciliano at VideoJug.

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About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all. Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report‘s editorial board, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients.

A 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.” The Privacy Learning Institute features him on its Website. Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others.

Visit Siciliano’s Web site, www.IDTheftSecurity.com; blog, www.realtysecurity.com/blog; and YouTube page, http://youtube.com/stungundotcom.

The media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly:

Robert Siciliano, Personal Security Expert
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
www.idtheftsecurity.com

The media may also contact:

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.biz
www.STETrevisions.biz

Identity Theft Expert and Speaker on Personal Security: Save Money on Rising Costs of Data Breaches by Spending it on Better Security That Costs Less

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(BOSTON, Mass. – Dec. 19, 2007 – IDTheftSecurity.com) A national news organization’s analysis of the year’s data thefts has found that the number of these has tripled in 2007 over the previous year, and end-of-year research showed that the associated costs also rose. According to Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert, organizations could save money by spending it on security that costs less.

"Whenever data is stolen, an identity thief is not too far behind," said Siciliano. "With a threefold increase this year over the number of data breaches in 2006 — already a year rife with data thefts — industry leaders have an enormous problem on its hands. Security needs to improve, and quickly."

CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and a member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report‘s editorial board, Siciliano leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients in workshops that explore consumer education solutions for security issues. An experienced identity theft speaker and author of "The Safety Minute: 01," he has discussed data security and consumer protection on CNBC, on NBC’s "Today Show," on FOX News, and elsewhere.

On Dec. 9, USA Today presented its own analysis of the year’s data breaches, reporting a greater than 300 percent increase in the number of sensitive data records lost in 2007 vs. the previous year, from 49.7 gone missing in 2006 to more than 162 million in 2007. Furthermore, according to the Ponemon Institute’s "2007 Annual Study: Cost of a Data Breach," announced on Nov. 28, the cost per lost record for organizations that experience data breaches has risen by more than 8 percent, from $182 last year to $197 in 2007. Significantly affecting the increase, customers took their business elsewhere in greater numbers following data breaches this past year, the study found.

Concerns over widespread identity theft follow any large data breach. On Dec. 18, Vancouver, Canada’s "News 1130 All News Radio" reported that the Better Business Bureau named identity theft as one of the top ten scams of 2007. In a year replete with fraud and scams, news reports in December provided yet more anecdotal evidence to support this. For instance, on Dec. 3, vnunet.com reported that authorities had identified "more than 100 websites…selling account information for U.K. bank customers." The sites contained customers’ account details, PINs, and security codes.

"It is through data breaches that thieves acquire inventories of sensitive information such as bank account numbers and the associated PINs and security codes," said Siciliano. "This data is worth big bucks on the black market. Why else would data breaches be growing in their frequency? If more than 162 million unique data records have gone missing this past year, the only responsible thing to do is to conclude that 162 million unique data records are now in the hands of thieves all over the place."

Readers may view YouTube video below of Siciliano on "FOX News," explaining how the ubiquity of Social Security numbers as universal identifiers helps thieves online and off-line. Those wishing to learn how to protect themselves against identity theft, a major concern for anyone who has fallen prey to online scammers, may view video of Siciliano at VideoJug.

###

About IDTheftSecurity.com

Identity theft affects us all. Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com and member of the Bank Fraud & IT Security Report‘s editorial board, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients.

A 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." The Privacy Learning Institute features him on its Website. Numerous magazines, print news outlets, and wire services have turned to him, as well, for expert commentary on personal security and identity theft. These include Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, United Press International, Reuters, and others.

Visit Siciliano’s Web site, www.IDTheftSecurity.com; blog, www.realtysecurity.com/blog; and YouTube page, http://youtube.com/stungundotcom.

The media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly:

Robert Siciliano, Personal Security Expert
CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
www.idtheftsecurity.com

The media may also contact:

Brent W. Skinner
President & CEO of STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.biz
www.STETrevisions.biz