ID theft cases surging among Americans in U.K.

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ID theft cases surging among Americans in U.K.
By Geoff Ziezulewicz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Tuesday, November 18, 2008

RAF MILDENHALL, England — The number of U.S. military members in England who have had their identity stolen this year continues to rise, the Air Force said last week.

And even though some bases released the number of ID theft cases earlier this year, Air Force Office of Special Investigations officials would not say last week how many cases have occurred since then, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

In August, officials said about 150 identity theft cases totaling $70,000 were reported during the previous month in the U.K., largely involving peoples’ bank accounts being hacked to withdraw funds or make fraudulent charges.

But OSI Special Agent Terry Bullard said last week that releasing the number of cases reported or amounts involved now may tip off the perpetrators to the extent of cases being reported.

Bullard would only say that the number of cases reported and the dollar amounts involved continue to increase.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=58877