USLegal Reporter » Identity Theft http://reporter.uslegal.com Just another USLegal Blogs weblog Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:14:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 en hourly 1 VA Settles Data Theft Class Action for $20 Million http://reporter.uslegal.com/2009/02/03/va-settles-data-theft-class-action-for-20-million/ http://reporter.uslegal.com/2009/02/03/va-settles-data-theft-class-action-for-20-million/#comments Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:57:26 +0000 Dana Altman http://reporter.uslegal.com/?p=748 In 2006, a Veterans Affairs Department data analyst lost a laptop containing names, Social Security numbers, and birthdates of up to 26.5 million veterans and active-duty members. The data analyst had taken the laptop home without authorization, and it was later stolen when the house was burglarized. Although it was later retrieved intact, the data analyst and his supervisors were found at fault by the VA inspector general. Those whose information was put at risk were not notified for almost three weeks after the data analyst notified supervisors of the laptop’s theft.

The Veterans Affairs Department settled a case for invasion of privacy originally filed by five veterans groups, agreeing to pay $20 million to veterans for exposing them to possible identity theft by losing their sensitive personal information. The money, which will come from the U.S. Treasury, will be distributed among veterans who can prove they suffered actual harm, such as physical symptoms of emotional distress or costs incurred for credit monitoring.

 

Source: http://www.breakinglegalnews.com/entry/VA-agrees-to-settle-for-20M-for-data-theft

]]> http://reporter.uslegal.com/2009/02/03/va-settles-data-theft-class-action-for-20-million/feed/ 0 Feds Indict 11 in Massive Identity Theft Case http://reporter.uslegal.com/2008/08/05/feds-indict-11-in-massive-identity-theft-case/ http://reporter.uslegal.com/2008/08/05/feds-indict-11-in-massive-identity-theft-case/#comments Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:48:42 +0000 carrie http://reporter.uslegal.com/2008/08/05/feds-indict-11-in-massive-identity-theft-case/ Eleven suspects are facing charges in what is being called by federal prosecutors the largest identity theft case that has ever been seen in the United States. The indictments were handed down today.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) says the suspects are part of a ring which is believed to have stolen more than 40 million credit and debit card numbers.

The numbers were stolen from shoppers at major US retailers including Boston Market, TJX Companies, Office Max, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Barnes & Noble Inc. and Sports Authority.

The suspects have been charged with fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy.

Sources: http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2008/August/08-ag-689.html

http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=5520147&page=1

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