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Karin Malchow
Scam ExaminerGullible suburban mother of four regularly duped in her half-century life. Exploring hoaxes and schemes as the ExSCAMiner, she attempts answering the nagging question: Should I have fallen for that? Got scam tips, email Karin at ScamExaminer@gmail.com.
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Showing entries for Category: data-breach
Identity in a box
3 comments
by Karin Malchow, Scam Examiner
Recently a family member located in another state received a letter from the Bank of New York Mellon Shareowner Services about a breach of personal information security. The company regretfully reported an archive storage service transporting data backup tapes lost a box. BNY Mellon determined her account and Social Security number resided in the missing box.
BNY Mellon offered free credit monitoring for a year, then gave advice on protecting identity.
Many of us have received a somebody-hacked-the-system letter or phone call. Companies use e-mail alerts less frequently due to spamming and phishing. Still, it's best to ask: Was the message articulate? Did the caller provide a call-back number? Were you directed to a recognizable website? Did someone ask for lots of information they should already know?
Two weeks later, a BNY Mellon letter arrived at the Scam Examiner homestead. Yes, you guessed it (except the offer increased to two years free credit monitoring.) The suspicion alarm sounded. While data doesn't take much space, what are the odds relatives with different last names were in the same box?
Internet research eliminated the coincidence factor. BNY Mellons's forensic investigation increased the one-box 270,000 people and 400 institutions estimate to over 4 million shareholders and 700 institutions potentially compromised. Lots of us must be related. Oh, and there was at least another box.
Thanks for the advice on how to protect identities, anyway, Shareowner Services. Now you do your part encrypting information, monitoring contractors, and providing secure storage.
Here's some FAQ if you are one of the four million, even if you're not related to the Scam Examiner.
Topics: Identity Theft , BNY Mellon , data breach
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