WBZ-TV Channel 38: Identity Thieves Use Cars, Fax Machines For Info
WBZ-TV Channel 38 in Boston has an interesting story about the personal data that can be gathered when an individual sells an old car or fax machine. I’ve discussed before the privacy problems that can occur because of unsecured office equipment, such as copy machines, that can store private data. Congressman Ed Markey (D-Mass.) sent a letter (pdf) to Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz urging the agency to investigate the storage of personal data on copy machines.
WBZ-TV reports:
Carol Adams never thought trading in her car could put her at risk until she drove off in her new car and realized all the previous owner’s contacts were still in the Bluetooth connection. [...]
“This is the mother load of personal privacy invasion,” said Brian Cooley of CNET. “Think about it. Here’s the car you traded in sitting on the used car lot. The garage door is programmed into the garage door opener and your home address can be programmed into the GPS system. That’s a perfect, pre-made kit for a garage burglary.” [...]
Few realize that a certain type [of fax machine] can supply identity thieves with enough information to ruin your finances. They are called thermal transfer fax machines. [...]
Thermal transfer fax machines are cheaper than inkjet or laser faxes, which make them perfect for home or small business use. They could be used by doctors, mortgage brokers and countless other businesses that handle confidential financial information.
If one of these machines ends up at a recycling plant like Metech, it’s recycled and all the personal information is shredded. But when they are just thrown away, it’s an identity thief’s dream.
The machine WBZ looked through at Metech was loaded with credit card numbers, health records and all kinds of other personal information. A purchase and sale agreement on a house was also found.
Possibly related posts: