New Study Shows Identity Theft Rising

Some customers are asking questions but aren’t getting answers about their bank accounts being compromised by thieves who got their information, so Call 4 Action reporter Aaron Saykin did some digging.

Identity theft is the nation’s fastest-growing crime. Some studies show 19 people per minute are victimized.

Ruth Yahr’s recently received a new credit card from National City Bank, along with a letter stating her old card might have been compromised.

“I became very worried, because my sister-in-law recently had a similar problem, and it has been a nightmare for her,” said Yahr.

Her sister had a problem with identity theft, which now happens to an estimated 10 million Americans per year.

A new report from a leading computer security software company found more and more compromised information is being bought and sold in a black market online.

The report said identity thieves could purchase credit card numbers from secret networks for just $1 to $6.

More detailed information like Social Security numbers can be purchased for $14 to $18.

Yahr said it is her second scare this year.

She said she’s a frequent customer of Marshalls and TJ Maxx, which in January reported a massive breech of customer personal information.

“It just causes hours and hours of time being spent trying to establish a good name and good credit that I’ve worked years to establish on my own,” said Yahr.

In this case, National City said only a small percentage of cardholders were affected, and that it would cover any fraudulent charges.

But the bank, which called this a precaution, would not reveal how or where the accounts were compromised, saying it’s against policy.

“They told me it was merchant privacy, but what about my privacy?” said Yahr. “I mean, I think I have a right to know what’s happened to my name and my account.”

In fact, when your information is compromised, state law requires only that the bank or the merchant notify you and offer a general explanation.

For more information, visit AttorneyGeneral.gov, IdTheftCenter.org or Symantec.com.

florida shredding