"Identity thieves couldn't ask for a better opportunity," said Robert Siciliano, a nationally televised identity theft and personal security expert. Siciliano is author of "The Safety Minute: 01" and an upcoming book, "Identity Theft Pandemic: Curing the Identity Theft Virus."
On Sept. 6, an Associated Press report by Jennifer Kerr focused on the pervasiveness of floating debris that litters the Hurricane-afflicted region. Much of this debris displays personal, financial, and other identifying information. A Sept. 9 story that ran in All Headline News reinforced the reality that victims of this hurricane are now highly susceptible to identity theft and fraud.
"We've heard on the news that the Gulf Coast has been through two disasters in just two weeks," said Siciliano. "First, the storm hit. Then, we all witnessed a painfully slow response to the unfolding danger in New Orleans. Let's make sure we stop a third disaster, the possible flood of identity theft in Hurricane Katrina's wake, before it strikes us out."
"It's just as important as finding shelter," Siciliano added. "Public records, personal financial information, and other important documents are strewn across an area the size of Great Britain for everyone to see. There's no telling how many of Katrina evacuees will find that their identities have been compromised by thieves."
Those who have tried to help with their money are also encountering scams. A Sept. 8 New York Times article by Tom Zeller Jr. explored the wide variety of online con jobs masquerading as legitimate hurricane relief sites. Many sprouted almost immediately following the disaster.
"The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is starting to look a lot like what happened after the Tsunami earlier this year," Siciliano concluded. "It's a shame that we have to think about thieves at times like these. It's also the reality." [For more information and articles about Identity Theft go to: Online Credit Card Fraud Prevention]
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