Weekend Identity Theft Blotter

This week's identity theft related stories:

• Include actress Nia Long and recording star Ashanti Douglas as I.D. theft victims (see Henrietta couple charged with identity theft),
• I.D. theft victim wrongfully framed as having drunk driving and drug convictions; discovered in background check in connection with job application (see Identity theft branded woman a criminal),
• Soc. Sec. numbers and other personal info on nearly 80 patients posted on medical center's radiology dept. Web site, possibly for as long as two years (see UPMC mailing exposes patients to identity theft risk),
• Bank computer system hacked; access gained to customers' names and Social Security numbers, affects all cutomers who have online banking (see Columbia Bank hacked, notifies users of ID theft),
• Alleged I.D. theft ring targeted homes by stealing mail (see Six arrested, jailed in Boulder in alleged identity theft ring)
• More on "jury duty" I.D. theft scam (see New 'jury duty scam' is identity theft with a twist),
• 77 year old victim’s identity allegdly stolen by her former health aide (see Kingston woman faces identity theft charge),
• Alleged I.D. theft ring used inexpensive scanning device to encode stolen personal information onto their own credit cards (see Investigation leads to 11 arrests in credit card scam),
• Auto dealer finance manager held on suspicion of I.D. theft and possessing forged I.D. cards, police determining how many may have had credit info compromised (see Police: Identity theft fed rich taste - Auto dealer finance official arrested after buying jewelry, car),
• County computer laptop with personal I.D. of up to 7,000 local residents stolen (see Laptop with Personal Information Stolen; County Warns of Identity Theft Risk),
• Texas AG discovers Check 'n Go stores across Texas exposed customer's personal I.D. info by discarding business records in easily accessible trash cans behind the stores (see Attny. General goes after finance firms; allegedly exposed customer data) or watch TV video report),
• A Popeye's restaurant accused of violating Federal law; allegedly printed customer's entire 16-digit credit card number & expiration date on receipt (see Possibility for identity theft leaves fast food chain under fire, or watch TV report),
• Substitute teacher charged with grand theft, forgery, and credit card fraud regarding theft of another teacher's I.D.; victim believes her personal info was taken right off her desk in her classroom (see Substitute Teacher Charged With Identity Theft, or watch TV news report),
• Nursing assitant at nursing home charged with stealing I.D. of disabled resident (Two Certified Nursing Assistants Arrested for Elder Abuse, Exploitation),
• Wife of Minnesota soldier in Iraq charged with stealing husband's identity; racks up credit card charges (see Wife Accused Of ID Theft While Husband Is In Iraq),
• 400,000 Children Have Personal Information Stolen Each Year (see New Targets For ID Theft: Your Children).