| New allegations against Rep. Wright
WILMINGTON -- There is a new allegation against state Rep. Thomas Wright concerning missing money. NewsChannel 3 obtained a search warrant and SBI affidavit. The State Bureau of Investigation used it to seize bank records related to a 2001 loan involving Wright and the New Hanover Community Health Foundation. The Wilmington democrat is chairman of the foundation's board of directors. The SBI contends Wright took out a loan in the name of the health foundation, but never deposited the money in the foundation account. Wright's personal and campaign finances are the targets of an ongoing criminal investigation, including accusations of perjury and fraud. Through it all he has refused to step down. .
Learn how you can protect yourself from identity theft
A first-ever review of Secret Service files has found that only half of the cases of identity theft involved technological devices, such as computers, scanners and digital cameras, and only 10 percent were done exclusively through the Internet. In a fifth of the other cases, thieves stole personal data the old-fashioned way. Low-tech tactics included rerouting mail by sending change of address requests to institutions handling credit card and bank accounts, swiping items right from residents' mailboxes, and "Dumpster diving" -- going through trash for information used to produce counterfeit documents and to open credit accounts. Researchers from Utica College's Center for Identity Management and Information Protection in New York analyzed 517 closed Secret Service cases of ID theft from 2000 to 2006.
Report: Bank employee may have released customer information
Commerce Bancorp Inc. said Tuesday that an employee may have given out confidential customer information, according to a report. According to Philadelphia television station NBC-10, Commerce sent a letter to customers warning them that the employee had access to such personal information as names, addresses, social security numbers and account numbers. A spokesman for the Cherry Hill, N.J.-based bank said only a small segment of its 3 million customers were affected. The bank said it has taken immediate actions to address the matter, including an extensive internal investigation by Commerce's corporate security team and notification to federal and state law enforcement officials. Customers with the greatest potential of being impacted have been offered 12 months of credit monitoring service at Commerce's expense.
Security firm urges caution when donating online
Internet users are being urged to exercise caution when making online donations to charitable causes, such as today's Children in Need appeal. Security firm Webroot Software warned that users must be extra vigilant to avoid exposing personal information to cyber-criminals.Webroot stressed that it does not want to discourage people from donating to worthy causes, but to make sure that the donation reaches the intended recipient."We are seeing increases in spoofing and typo-squatting around events driving traffic on the web," said Nick Banks, managing director in EMEA for Webroot. "Internet users need to think about protection and good habits when surfing online for information or donating."Cyber-criminals are targeting heavily trafficked websites, and donors seeking to contribute to worthy causes must use caution when visiting these sites."Children in Need fundraising activities have been taking place throughout the year, but the televised events today will prompt many people to visit related websites with the intention of donating.Webroot said that a potential spike in system monitors and key-loggers allows hackers to obtain personal information such as credit card or bank account numbers.The company also recommends that users ensure that security software is up to date, look for the padlock symbol on the browser when entering private information, and check bank accounts regularly for unexpected transactions.
Business: Bank secures major account
A SWEDISH bank which has just opened its doors for business in Coventry city centre has secured the business of one of the area's most successful local house builders. Handelsbanken, which moved into its new Coventry office at 6 The Quadrant, beat off competition from the major banks to win the account of rapidly expanding Ian Neale Homes Ltd. The management team at Handelsbanken's Coventry office have excellent career track records with the UK's major banks but believe Handelsbanken with its emphasis on building personal relationships with its customers, will offer a different perspective in commercial banking to the local business community. The Swedish bank already has more than 600 branches worldwide and more than 40 in Britain. Ian Neale will be a customer of the new Handelsbanken Coventry branch.
|
