"Bank robbers are a dying breed.
Only 2% of mounting bank crime
losses are now from physical
robberies. Today's crooks now
hide far away while they commit
their crimes. There is strong
evidence that the proceeds often
go to fund terrorism."
In this article about the theft of
information from banks, one can
easily imagine the consequences of
information theft from many other
types of businesses also.
Realize: "Information = Cash"
Bankers are dismayed at the amount
of fraudulent financial wire transfers,
the depositing of fraudulent "convenience
checks", counterfeit cashier's checks,
and the skimming of ATM card numbers
right from the machines.
Many times the fraud begins with a
simple phone call for information. From
there, the information can be used for
anything from simple credit card fraud,
to full-blown identity theft or stalking.
In any business, you need to train your
employees how to handle inquiries from
smooth fast-talking operators to those
who try to bluster their way to the
information by rattling the employee. You
don't have to be a bank to be in possession
of critical personal information about
people.
Earlier this year a criminal set up a fake
website for one of America's largest banks,
and proceeded to steal customer information.
This was a big "wake-up call" for the bank
involved.
The article closes by pointing out that even
though the theft of information can seem
like a "victimless crime, the ultimate
consequences are severe --- its about
terrorism, stalking, and murder now."
