This is getting really bad that our identity can be easily obtained by these cyber-crooks. The feds charge 11 people for stealing over 41 million credit and debt card numbers from nine major retailers.
Who can you trust these days? No one! It’s a free-for-all in the online crime that keeps growing each day.
The data breach is believed to be the largest hacking and identity theft case ever prosecuted by the Department of Justice, which said the suspects were charged with conspiracy, computer intrusion, fraud and identity theft.
Three of those charged are U.S. citizens while the others are from places such as Estonia, Ukraine, Belarus and China.
The indictment returned Tuesday by a federal grand jury in Boston alleges that the suspects hacked into the wireless computer networks of retailers including TJX Cos., BJ’s Wholesale Club, OfficeMax, Boston Market, Barnes & Noble, Sports Authority, Forever 21 and DSW and set up programs that captured card numbers, passwords and account information.
“They used sophisticated computer hacking techniques that would allow them to breach security systems and install programs that gathered enormous quantities of personal financial data, which they then allegedly either sold to others or used themselves,” Attorney General Michael Mukasey said at a news conference. “And in total, they caused widespread losses by banks, retailers, and consumers.”
The Secret Service DID NOT commit any crimes, this was done by private individuals with access to retail ‘point-of-sale’ terminals. If you’re going to accuse the Secret Service of this, you’d better provide a link to your sources.
It was more of a trickery in the title, but see my edits.