Can You Say Identity Theft

If you've ever talked with someone who has experienced it, it isn't a joke. I know someone who went through it, only to find out years later it was someone with whom they had gone to high school several years before.

Marriott International Inc.'s time-share division said yesterday that it is missing backup computer tapes containing credit card account information and the Social Security numbers of about 206,000 time-share owners and customers, as well as employees of the company.

Officials at Marriott Vacation Club International said it is not clear whether the tapes, missing since mid-November, were stolen from the company's Orlando headquarters or whether they were simply lost.

An internal investigation produced no clear answer. The company notified the Secret Service over the past two weeks, and has also told credit card companies and other financial institutions about the loss of the tapes.

Comments

[Judy]

You ain't whistling Dixie! Dan, remember Jeannie Astbury? Well, she decided to be me back in the early 90's -- before identity theft became newsworthy. We'd gone to elementary school together and shared the same date of birth. I was fortunate that the damage to my credit was minimal -- but there was very little help available. I found out from my credit report. Soooo.... check your credit reports, and take the time to check your social security records as well -- she'd had mine changed back to my maiden name! Can you say "low-life"?

[Dan]

remember Jeannie Astbury?

lol Um, that's who I was referring to in my example. whoosh!!