Reward Offered in Huge Theft of Identity Data

From: Otis Willie <moderating.staff@verizon.net>
Date: 1/1/2003 4:54:32 PM
Subject: [vetissues] Reward Offered in Huge Theft of Identity Data

(EXCERPT) Stolen computers had names, Social Security numbers of 500,000 military families. Authorities fear financial fraud., by Tom Gorman Times Staff Writer

A $100,000 reward was offered Tuesday to help solve the theft of a database containing the names and Social Security numbers of 500,000 military personnel and their dependents.

Authorities fear criminals could use the information to create false identities and then fraudulently apply for credit cards and bank loans.

The data were contained in computer equipment stolen from TriWest Healthcare Alliance, a Phoenix-based company that operates the Tricare managed-care program in 16 states for the Pentagon. Californians were not affected.

Investigators don't know the motive behind the Dec. 14 break-in, and so far there is no evidence that thieves have used the information in the computers.

Betsy Broder, an attorney for the Federal Trade Commission

specializing in stolen identity issues, said the theft of personal

data for half a million people may be unprecedented.

Identity theft was far and away the largest consumer fraud complaint in 2001, according to the FTC, accounting for 42% of all complaints.

It can be perpetrated by the theft of computers, electronically

hacking into computer systems or stealing personal documents from the

In New York, authorities in November charged three men with stealing financial information on...

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