Largest Identity Theft ever! 130 million Card numbers stolen!

[Gerry]

Just heard on the news that the Justice Department has confirmed that 130 million credit card numbers have been stolen from Heartland, the company that handles places like 7-11 stores, etc.

This is just now being reported on the news wires. Basically, it is half the population of the US. Heartland processes the cards for a number of companies and it was their files that were hacked.

 

[draggar]

I'm glad I only have my debt / check card now and not much in there to steal.

 

[Gerry]

I'm glad I only have my debt / check card now and not much in there to steal.

I am watching CNN right now and IT DOES INCLUDE DEBIT CARDS!

I just looked at Heartland's site and there is no mention of this.
That pisses me off because this is NOT the first time they have been hacked.
And if the news is coming out now, there should be something on their (and others) sites.

To put this into scope, there have been 130 million breaches and yet there are only 180 million cards registered in the US.

Three men in New Jersey have been arrested.

 

[tonyfloyd]

I am watching CNN right now and IT DOES INCLUDE DEBIT CARDS!

I just looked at Heartland's site and there is no mention of this.
That pisses me off because this is NOT the first time they have been hacked.
And if the news is coming out now, there should be something on their (and others) sites.

To put this into scope, there have been 130 million breaches and yet there are only 180 million cards registered in the US.

Three men in New Jersey have been arrested.

You sure you not watching a yr old repeat???.....

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/credit/2009-01-20-heartland-credit-card-security-breach_N.htm

 

[Gerry]

You sure you not watching a yr old repeat???.....

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/credit/2009-01-20-heartland-credit-card-security-breach_N.htm

Nope, and that is what pisses me off.

What and how in the hell is this happening again and why are they not telling people and alerting the consumers?

Also, switch over to fox news on the television

Three Indicted in Largest Corporate Identity Theft Case in History

DEVELOPING:

Three men have been indicted in New Jersey in an identity theft case that the Justice Department is labeling as the largest in history.

Authorities say more than 130 million credit and debit card numbers were stolen in a corporate data breach involving five different companies.

 

[Seraphim]

Damn, the IRS is out of control!

 

[Gerry]

Damn, the IRS is out of control!

...its called diversification. :smilewinkgrin:

 

[tonyfloyd]

First Bernie.....now this....I can only imagine what else is lurking out there.....

 

[Gerry]

First Bernie.....now this....I can only imagine what else is lurking out there.....

One person has been named and in custody. The other two are Russian, whereabouts unknown? thought to be in the Miami area.

 

[copper]

IRS :?:

Btw, Heartland had same problem few months ago, no?

 

[fab]

Well, just more reason why people have to always check their credit bills carefully. MY CC company blocks my card almost every month for security reasons.

130 million, omg, I'm not the only one with so many cards!

 

[draggar]

I am watching CNN right now and IT DOES INCLUDE DEBIT CARDS!

And the second half of my statement - NOT MUCH IN THERE TO STEAL.

I check my accounts at least twice a week and if I see anything odd, I'm on the phone w/ the bank. Within a few hours I'll have a full credit and if needed, a new card in 2 days.

 

[Gerry]

And the second half of my statement - NOT MUCH IN THERE TO STEAL.

I check my accounts at least twice a week and if I see anything odd, I'm on the phone w/ the bank. Within a few hours I'll have a full credit and if needed, a new card in 2 days.

Gotcha.

I do not carry a debit card. It is my understanding that these are attached to checking accounts (normally). Many merchants do not require a pin (as credit cards). The worst thing possible happened to a buddy of mine. Someone stole his wallet when he was at work. They were able to not only drain all the funds in his account but also able to tap into his overdraft protection to the tune of $1,000.00. While most credit cards have a limit, a debit card does not - it is only limited to what you have in the account and what your overdraft amount is.

 

[fab]

They were able to not only drain all the funds in his account but also able to tap into his overdraft protection to the tune of $1,000.00. While most credit cards have a limit, a debit card does not - it is only limited to what you have in the account and what your overdraft amount is.

Yes, I have one as well, and this is correct! I never have too much money in their though anyways.

 

[draggar]

Yep, my wife had her purse stolen and even after the card was dead and the account was closed they still able to steal $4500 from us. We had to fight with the bank to get that money back yet they locked us out of our accounts and allowed the thieves full access.

We're no longer with that bank.

 

[Gerry]

Yep, my wife had her purse stolen and even after the card was dead and the account was closed they still able to steal $4500 from us. We had to fight with the bank to get that money back yet they locked us out of our accounts and allowed the thieves full access.

We're no longer with that bank.

That is what I understood this friend went through. Seems it is much easier to contest charges on a credit card than it is a debit card. Rather than assume he was telling the truth, he had to prove that each charge was not his or a family member or a friend.

I guess a debit card is instant transactions and cash gone.

The biggest concern with these numbers is that they are sold on the internet.

There is never a theft of a physical product, meaning you don't have to have the actual credit card stolen.

 

[draggar]

That was with our old bank, whom we left because of that fiasco.

The bank we're with now gives us a credit the next day while they do their investigation.

But - none of that will take the place of some (cash) stashes we have around our home incase of an emergency.