Maryland has updated its web site to provide breach notifications that it has received since its last update. The newly posted notifications are for the period ending December 31, 2009, so there will likely be more to come for 2010. Some of the breaches described in the notifications were reported in the media at the…
Category: Miscellaneous
Nl: Data on hundreds of politicians leaked
Karin Spaink provides an English summary of a recent breach reported in Dutch media: The addresses, telephone numbers, mobile phone numbers, home e-mail addresses and work e-mail addresses of hundreds of politicians (all members of the PvdA, the Dutch social democrats) and a number of their sponsors are out in the open. Although the list…
UK: Alzheimer’s Society improves data security after staff details are stolen
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is reminding charities that personal information must be handled securely after finding the Alzheimer’s Society in breach of the Data Protection Act. The Alzheimer’s Society reported three separate breaches involving personal information to the ICO during 2009. Several unencrypted laptops were stolen during a burglary at their office in Cardiff…
Hackers Try to Steal $150,000 from United Way
Brian Krebs writes: Hackers broke into computer systems at a Massachusetts chapter of the United Way last month and attempted to make off with more than $150,000 from one of the nation’s largest charities. Patricia Latimore, chief financial officer at the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimac Valley, said unknown attackers tried to initiate…
Bronx man found guilty in million-dollar ID theft and tax fraud
Felix Nkansah, 28, was found guilty of participating in an identity theft ring and defrauding the United States Treasury. His conviction followed a one-week trial in Manhattan federal court. According to the Superseding Indictment and evidence presented at trial: Beginning in 2007, Nkansah participated in an identity theft ring whose purpose was to file, via…
Strangers Lose Personal Information in Non-Profit Mix-Up
Emily Rittman reports: A mistake by a not-for-profit group may put more than 200 landlords at risk for identity theft. The mistake sent tax forms and social security numbers to strangers. More than 500 landlords work with OACAC, the Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation. On January 28, 2010, half of those landlords didn’t receive tax…