Top U.S. officials Google Gmail Hacked Through Massive Phishing Attack

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Caption: Top U.S. officials phished through Gmail.

Numerous government-associated Gmail accounts, including some belonging to senior U.S. officials, have been hit by a far-reaching phishing scheme, according to CNN Money.

The sophisticated scam has many across the globe worried about protecting themselves from identity theft. While Gmail’s security systems were reportedly untouched, the company thinks the password-stealing malware that caused the event may have originated in Jinan, China. Several Asian countries, including China and South Korea, were also targeted by hackers.

In a statement released on Google’s blog, company officials explained that most phishing scams are not directed at particular individuals but instead aimed at a wider population in order to track the identities and financial information for as many people as possible. Google advises users to be mindful of security precautions and reminds them that it would never request an account password via email.

The International Business Times has also offered some tips for using the Web safely. The news source suggests double checking a Web address before submitting login information in order to avoid falling prey to hacker-made imitation websites.


 

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California police uncover large identity theft ring

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Caption: A California woman was recently arrested and charged with identity theft.

A woman was recently arrested in Hayward, California, for allegedly leading an identity theft ring that may have affected thousands.

Mishel Caviness-Williams, 40, was charged with 20 counts of identity theft, and is currently held on $400,000 bail, according to the Oakland Tribune. She was arrested by Oakland police after an investigation lasting five months.

Police found card printers and laptops in her apartment, as well as more than 900 blank cards that could be made into fake credit, debit, ATM or gift cards, according to the news source. In addition, a large book of checks with no bank or person’s names on them was also discovered.

The police inquiry began after an employee at the city of Oakland found someone was using her account information on a check, the news source said. Other checks cashed in the area that were found to be similar.

The investigation was led by Sergeant Barry Donelan and Officer Ryan Goodfellow, with the help of the U.S. Secret Service, the report added.

Consumers should be cautious with their information, and report any suspicious account activity to their bank, and to authorities.


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Hawaii Man Charged with 78 Counts of Identity Theft & Credit Card Fraud

May 20, 2011

  Caption: A Hawaii man was recently charged with leading an identity theft ring. A Hawaiian man was recently indicted after being accused of leading an extensive identity theft ring. Pyong Pak was recently charged with 78 counts of identity theft and related charges, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The crimes are thought to have [...]

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Former Miss USA Pageant Winner Charged with Identity Theft

May 19, 2011

  A woman from Wisconsin was recently charged with identity theft. A Madison, Wisconsin, woman who currently holds the state’s Miss USA title, was recently indicted for identity theft. Shaletta Porterfield, 26, is accused of misappropriating identity information to obtain money, according to WISC-TV. She entered a not guilty plea. Authorities allege while working for [...]

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Prevent identity theft through shredding

May 17, 2011

Document Shredding is an Essential Weapon Against ID Theft A New York event recently occurred to promote identity theft awareness. The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection, in concert with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and other organizations, held a document shredding event in order to promote identity theft [...]

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Delaware Woman Arrested for Home Improvement Identity Theft Fraud

May 13, 2011

  An identity theft scheme involving home repairs took thousands of dollars. A woman from Millsboro, Delaware, was recently arrested for 12 charges of identity theft, criminal impersonation and home improvement fraud. Lana Preston, 53, allegedly took part in a home improvement scam focusing on older homeowners, according to WDEL. She allegedly told victims that [...]

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Poll: Young people are more susceptible to identity theft

May 12, 2011

Young people are at a higher risk for identity theft. A recent poll by PEMCO Insurance found that younger consumers do not do enough to protect themselves from identity theft. The survey found 55 percent of respondents 35 and younger have enrolled in the government’s “do not call” list, compared with 85 percent of individuals [...]

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Online Holiday Shoppers Spooked by Cyber Scams & Identity Theft

December 11, 2010

Tis The Season to Be Very Careful of Online Shopping Scams and Identity Theft According to a survey by the non-profit National Cyber Security Alliance a substantial number of American consumers may not be rushing to shop online this holiday season due to the alarming rate of identity theft and credit card fraud. Christmas is that [...]

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Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Pathetic Quote on How Our Government is at Fighting Security & Privacy Issues

November 30, 2010

We think this is just plain old unacceptable & irresponsible. What do you think? Robert Gibbs At the White House, press secretary Robert Gibbs said the government is “desperately” trying to balance security and privacy and will take the public’s concerns and complaints into account as it evaluates the new, more stringent boarding checks View [...]

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Identity Theft OR Identity Crisis?

November 7, 2010

A Little Sunday Identity Humor We cant always look at the dark side of privacy and identity theft issues. So heres a little Sunday humor from a funny post aptly called  “My Son is Gay” on the Nerdy Apple Bottom Blog . Looks more like an identity crisis to me.

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