Top US credit bureau reportedly sold social security numbers to Vietnamese*scammer

[aGameOfThrones]

One of the top US credit bureaus was scammed into selling social security numbers to a Vietnamese hacker for months, according to*a report from Krebs on Security. Experian — one of the three national US credit bureaus — reportedly sold SSNs through its subsidiary, Court Ventures, to Hieu Minh Ngo, who allegedly operated an identity theft service called*SuperGet.info. The site also sold drivers license, bank account, and credit card numbers along with other personal data, though it's not clear how much of it came from Experian. Ngo has*since been indicted in New Hampshire following his entry into the US.

THE ALLEGED FRAUDSTER POSED AS A PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR

Though Experian holds highly personal information so that it can issue credit reports, it may at times sell that information to other ostensibly discreet parties that offer services such as fraud prevention. By posing as a US-based private investigator in need of such information, Ngo was able to gain access to Experian's data through Court Ventures, reports Krebs. But while Court Ventures only discovered the mishap after it was alerted by the US Secret Service, Krebs writes that the company didn't catch odd inconsistencies with Ngo's story, such as his monthly payments coming through wire transfers from Singapore.


http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/21/4861620/experian-court-ventures-reportedly-sold-ssn-superget-identity-theft

[phill4paul]

Will Experian be held liable? Will they have to give "Life Lock" to everyone that was compromised? Will they have to make restitution? I'm doubtful. They may have to pay some fed gov fine though. Even that is in doubt.

[enhanced_deficit]

Yes, they should not be allowed to profit from this horrible breach (if confirmed) by promoting "Life Lock".

Some business models are strange, like anti virus companies make more money if more people have PCs being infected with viruses.
Some goes for "security consultants" or "war experts" or MIC. Too much peace means they starve or have to find a new career.

[Anti Federalist]

Will Experian be held liable? Will they have to give "Life Lock" to everyone that was compromised? Will they have to make restitution? I'm doubtful. They may have to pay some fed gov fine though. Even that is in doubt.

About as likely as Miriam Carey's killers being brought to Just Us.