Playing Catch-Up!

Wow! I can't believe it's been over 2 weeks since I have had the time to post an article. I've been busy assisting clients due to the FTC's Red Flags Rule and been out of town in more training. Anyway, here are a few things that happened in the last few weeks.

TJX settles over breach with 41 states for $9.75 million
In a move to close the door on the largest reported retail data breach in history, TJX announced Tuesday that it has settled with 41 states who were probing the discount merchant's data security practices.

TJX, which operates more than 2,500 outlets nationwide, agreed to pay $9.75 million to settle investigations by 41 state attorneys general, who were looking into the monster breach, announced in January 2007, that exposed as many as 94 million credit and debit card numbers.

Under the agreement, TJX will pay $5.5 million in settlement fees, plus $1.75 million to cover the cost of the states' investigations. In addition, the company will provide $2.5 million to establish a new Data Security Fund that states will use for a number of data security initiatives, including researching the benefits of technology, developing best practices or model laws, and establishing consumer outreach programs. (Full story at scmagazineus.com)

Customs and Border Protection agents have discovered more than 500 cases of potential identity theft since January of this year, authorities said.According to a CBP news release, officers encounter "numerous cases of identity theft on a daily basis," usually through stolen or fabricated documents."Because our officers are in a position to uncover attempts at entering the U.S. by utilizing someone else's identity, we take the responsibility seriously and work with the U.S. attorney's office to seek prosecution on all cases we encounter," said Director of Field Operations David Higgerson.

To learn more about Identity Theft and what to do if you are a victim, visit www.StopIdTheftCrime.com and subscribe to the newsletter to obtain your free 46 page eBook "Fighting Back Against Identity Theft".

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