Identity Thieves Not Big On Technology

alphadogg sends us to Network World, as is his wont, for a summary of a new study of identity theft based on the outcomes of more than 500 Secret Service cases from 2000 to 2006. Here is the study report (PDF). The AP has coverage emphasizing other slants on the findings. Among the surprises: just 51% of convicted ID thieves were sent to prison. Only 20% of the cases involved use of the Internet, and such cases may be on the decline. More perpetrators used good old-fashioned dumpster diving and stealing stuff out of mailboxes.

Comments

Re:You're making a poor assumption

[KudyardRipling]

Considering that the Secret Service only gets involved in certain cases of identity theft... If it is a poor schmuck who got screwed out of college by reason of the economic polices of Reagan and his successors, why should the (Waffen) SS get involved? Poor schmucks are of no consequence; they are either cannon fodder or prison fodder (remember Bernie S?). Now let the same situation befall anyone who 'made something of themselves'. One would think that the (Waffen) SS is out to save the world from Megaton BinLaden.

One of the leading causes of identity theft is when people leave their computer at the curbside for pickup with the hard drive unwiped. Not only does that broadcast to all who see the box on the curbside "COME AND GET IT!", but there is the (Oh my Gaia!) greater offense of POLLUTION!

#! No rules are allowed.