I refer to the letter all TD Ameritrade customers (including myself) received this week with the information about recent data breach at the company servers.
…we recently discovered and eliminated unauthorized code from our system. This code allowed certain client information stored in one of our databases, including email addresses, to be retrieved by an external source.
The problem was uncovered in the course of investigation triggered by complains from customers who were receiving spam to email addresses registered with their accounts at Ameritrade (more details from ComputerWorld).
There is one more fact which can be easily overlooked if you don’t read the letter to the end. Social Security Numbers are stored in the same database which means customers identity may be at risk. The company claims they hired an analyst who found no evidence of identity theft as a result of this data breach however I wouldn’t bet my identity on it. My friend recently told me about second mortgage magically appeared on his name and I will tell you — this is a problem you absolutely don’t want to have to deal with.
Coincidently I received another letter this week, this time from a law office that oversees a class action settlement with Equifax and myFICO (settlement details). The email says that since I ordered a myFICO product between November 19, 1999 and February 8, 2007 I qualify for a free score watch with two credit reports included (offer details). However according to the settlement details, this offer will not be available until December and meanwhile I consider another product, Equifax Credit Watch Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring.
My last option would probably be freezing my credit files which should eliminate any possibility of credit theft but would be related to certain inconveniences (like going through extra hassle when signing to all the credit card deals with fat bonuses). I am not ready to this yet but should any news surface about Ameritrade customer getting hit — I will not wait too long.
Have you or your friends had to deal with identity theft in the past? Please share your story.
Michelle’s purse was stolen from her car one night and LOTS of financial damage later (amazing what a thief can do in 6 or so hours) we had her accounts all locked down tight as nails.
Since then, both our credit files are locked and can only be authorized by us answering questions only we know the answers to.
Problem solved to my satisfaction.
The smart aleck in me says, if the thief is dumb enough to steal my identity… they deserve what they’re getting themselves into.
What the banks and credit repositories don’t want you to know: they won’t help you when someone uses your medical/driver/social security identities!
Watch Court TV tomorrow morning: “Justice for All…Accessing the Promise.”…it’s going to be an eye opener!