Data Breeches are costing millions each year. The HITECH Act has not changed data protection as first thought. Dr. Larry Ponemon from the Ponemon Institute (which conducts independent research on privacy, data protection and information security policy) has submitted a great blog on the statistics which is available at : http://www.ponemon.org/blog/post/poor-privacy-practice-is-ailing-healthcare-industry

It can happen to you. Worse it can happen to your children. Computer hackers. Taking control of you computer. Watching every move. The hacker used social networking sites to spread a virus and infect computers with malicious code, thus infect and take over more than 100 computers. This is more than just identity theft, it was for extortion and control. Read the following FBI press release and verify you have not had communications with the screen names or email addresses listed: http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2010/november/web-of-victims/web-of-victims

See Fox News clip on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz__DUISB6E&feature=player_embedded

There is a new search engine out there called ‘not your grandmothers phone book’….www.Spokeo.com. It will find pictures your friends and associates in your email lists, they may have posted on their sites, and their social networks. It is a reverse phone directory but with so much more. More of your privacy at risk!

Now that April 1 is here the Census forms are due. Remember, a few of the following guidelines:
The census people are NOT coming to your home until May 1 to July 1. Anyone knocking your door now is a potential scam artist. They will arrive if you have NOT filled out your census form and returned it; or have not filled it out correctly.
There are only 10 questions to answer.
They are not to ask for Social Security Numbers, or bank information.
Do not invite them into your home.
They will have a badge, and carry a black bag with US Census Bureau on it.
Check the web site for further details: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/index.php.
If you have NOT received your census form by April 12, call one of the toll free assistance lines:
* ENGLISH – 1-866-872-6868
* Chinese: 1-866-935-2010
* Korean: 1-866-955-2010
* Russian: 1-866-965-2010
* Spanish: 1-866-928-2010
* Vietnamese: 1-866-945-2010
* TDD (Telephone Display Device for the hearing impaired):
1-866-783-2010
* Puerto Rico (in English): 1-866-939-2010
* Puerto Rico (in Spanish): 1-866-929-2010

Census Bureau Call Center

General Telephone Lines: 1-800-923-8282

The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have set up one central website, toll-free telephone number, and mailing address through which you can order your free annual report. It is not necessary to contact the three nationwide consumer reporting companies individually. They are only providing free annual credit report through
www.Annualcreditreport.com;
or phone 877-322-8228;
or Complete the Annual Credit Report form and mail to:
Annual Credit Report
P.O. Box 105281,
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

Social Networking sites remain a true source of identity theft. What is a friend? Who is a friend? Someone you trust. Be careful who you accept as a ‘friend’ on any social networking site. Check out this article on PC World: http://www.pcworld.com/article/184522/facebook_still_a_hotbed_of_identity_theft_study_claims.html
and think about your next move….

The advent of Electronic Health Records may mean the rise of Medical Identity Theft and the fears attached such as credit misinformation; errors in health records including allergies, blood types; loss of lifetime coverage or even becoming uninsurable. Read the informative article at ihealthbeat and take note of how to reduce your risk.
http://www.ihealthbeat.org/articles/2009/11/30/growth-of-ehrs-could-lead-to-rise-in-medical-identity-theft.aspx