Lexis-Nexis consumer info robbed

[Rudey]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/09/te...0cnd-data.html

I recommend they implement the death penalty since the information is so sensitive.

LexisNexis Says Thieves May Have Taken Data on Consumers
By TOM ZELLER Jr.

Published: March 9, 2005


In yet another apparent theft of consumers' personal data, the LexisNexis Group, a major compiler of legal and consumer information, said today that about 30,000 of its records - including names, addresses and Social Security numbers of individuals - may have fallen into the hands of thieves.

The announcement follows the recent disclosure several other cases of the loss or theft of consumer data. ChoicePoint, another leading data broker, said last month that it had inadvertently sold the records of more than 140,000 individuals to con artists. And Bank of America said more recently that backup computer tapes containing information on more than a million of its customers had been lost.

-Rudey

[RUgreek]

I used to work for the U.S. Attorney's office, and the access we had on lexis-nexis was "complete." This is really, really bad. Hopefully it is just limited to consumer info. and not actual federal databases that were breached.

[Kevin]

The death penalty hasn't been shown to prevent murder. But yeah, it certainly would make me feel better in this case.

These companies need to be fined out of existance for this -- or be held liable for any damage caused by the release of these people's information. This is complete BS.

I did hear the legislature was considering a bill that would finally place some restrictions upon the customer information-sharing business. Anyone know where that's at?

[moe.ron]

That is very scary. Imagine, somebody using your name to commit crimes. Then you have your credit rating shot to hell.

[texas*princess]

I saw this on the news yesterday... apparently DSW (popular shoe store here in the metroplex) and another chain were also targets of the hackers.