Data Breach Updates for August 24, 2009
Personal Information Stolen From Radisson Hotel Guests
A limited number of guests of Radisson Hotels may have had their credit and debit card information stolen due to a breach of the computer system between November 2008 and May 2009. A Radisson Hotels spokesman reported, “At this time, we do not know how many properties and/or consumers/guests were affected.” The illegal conduct was discovered this spring at hotel locations in the United States and Canada. The disclosed data potentially included the guest’s name printed on a debit or credit card along with the card numbers and expiration dates.
Thousands Affected by Cornell University Data Breach
In June, Cornell University revealed to about 45,000 former and current members of the University community that their names and Social Security numbers were disclosed when a University-owned laptop was stolen earlier in the month. Illustrating one of the pitfalls of data security, the laptop which contained all of the unencrypted names and Social Security numbers had supposedly been left in an unsecured area by a university employee.
Professor's Laptop Stolen at University, Identity Theft Ensues
An incident occurred on July 5, 2009 at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs in which a laptop was stolen from a professor’s home. The laptop contained the information of 766 students and alumni which included names, student identification numbers, email addresses, graduating year, grade information, and 241 Social Security numbers. The data breach wasn’t reported until July 28, and the professor’s name and what subject taught remains confidential.
Double or Nothing: Two Companies Fall Victim to One Nigerian Scam Artist
Up to 40,000 people have been notified by companies Lexis Nexis and Investigative Professionals that “sensitive and personally identifiable” information may have been viewed by unintended outside sources and used to commit a crime. The data breach is connected to a Nigerian Scam artist who used the information to incur fraudulent charges on victims’ credit cards. It is said that of the 40,000 individuals whose personal information was stolen, up to 300 individuals fell victim to fraudulent credit card use. Lexis Nexis said the unauthorized access took place between June 14, 2004 and October 10, 2007 and exposed names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers.
Have You Been a Victim of a Data Breach?
If you've been victimized by a data breach, you may consider filing for bankruptcy to reorganize your finances.