identity theft News

Shopping, Banking from Car Dashboards Opens Door to Identity Theft

Hackers can already take control of a car. And as vehicles become rolling shopping malls, cybercriminals will have an opportunity to snatch your identity, too. Eager for a cut of drivers’ purchases of fast food, gas and more, automakers have …

U.S. Issues Tougher Rules for South Florida Check-Cashing Facilities

Federal authorities have issued tough new rules on check-cashing businesses in South Florida as part of the ongoing fight against rampant identity theft and tax fraud. The Treasury Department’s order applies to federal tax refund checks over $1,000 in Miami-Dade …

Florida Bail Bondsman Pleads Guilty to Selling 500 People’s Personal Info

A former Bartow, Fla., bail bondsman pleaded guilty to federal charges of selling the personal information of 500 people with the intent of stealing their income tax refunds. The Ledger of Lakeland reports 59-year-old Ronald Reed faces a mandatory two-year …

Alabama Man Steals 39 Patient Identities, Buys 14 Cars

Police say an Irondale, Ala., man stole the identities of dozens of patients at a Birmingham doctor’s office and used their credit to buy 14 automobiles worth an estimated half million dollars. Multiple news outlets report 20-year-old Charles Cheeks was …

2 California Men Nabbed for $1.4M Mobile Phone Insurance Scam

Jason Kwon, 32, of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., and David Chang, 32, of Burbank face 41 felony counts of insurance fraud, grand theft and identity theft for allegedly submitting fraudulent claims totaling $1.3 million to obtain low cost replacement mobile …

Florida Officials Find 103 Card Skimmers at Gas Stations Statewide

Officials with Florida’s Department of Agriculture say 103 skimmer devices that are used for identity theft have been discovered at more than 7,500 gas stations it inspected. The agency announced its findings this week. The report comes after three months …

Feds Charge 42 in Florida With $21M in Identity Theft Fraud Losses

Federal investigators say 42 people in South Florida have been charged with identity theft and fraud that involved intended losses of $21 million. Miami U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer said Thursday the suspects were indicted in 25 separate cases. Most were …

Former California Agent Convicted of Stealing School Employee Identities

Magaly Morales, 51, a former life insurance agent, has been sentenced to three years and four months in state prison for stealing information from school district employees in 13 California counties. Morales last week plead guilty to forgery, identity theft …

Hanover Offers Insurance Advice for Parents Sending Kids to College

The Hanover Insurance Group advises that as new high school graduates get ready to head off to college, parents would be wise to prepare for potential risks and liabilities, and to consider the insurance implications. “Be proud of your child’s …

Security Expert Practices ‘Cyber-Hygiene’ to Guard Against ID Theft

You won’t find security expert Michael Chertoff doing silly everyday things like using public WiFi, logging in with the same password on every site he uses, clicking on dubious links or falling for a phishing scam. Chertoff, former secretary of …