US man accused of stealing 130 million credit card numbers

US man accused of stealing 130 million credit card numbers

18 August 2009

Credit cards scammers and identity theft is on the rise with hackers and scammers using the latest sophisticated techniques in order to learn people's credit card and debit cards details. In one of the largest cases in US history, the US Justice Department has announced that they have arrested a man for allegedly completing the "largest alleged credit and debit card data breach ever charged in the United States."

Albert Gonzales, 28, of Miami, Florida, in addition with two unnamed co-conspirators, is accused of allegedly hacking into the computer and data network support systems for major American retail and financial organisations to steal over 130 million credit and debit card numbers. The US Justice Department claims that Gonzales allegedly hacked into these systems and dodged all firewalls and security systems in place to steal the information. Gonzales now faces up to 25 years in prison against charges of conspiracy and conspiracy to engage in wire fraud.

Cases such as these are becoming more frequent as law enforcement attempts to keep up and protect against the latest developments in the credit cards theft and scamming industry. Credit cards scammers are constantly updating and improving their methods of gaining peoples credit cards and debit cards details with extreme cases resulting in complete personal identity theft.

Credit card users are being urged to remain vigilant against scams and skimming techniques with several measures and new programs that will help protect against falling victim to such practices. These include:

• Use secure passwords
• Check ATMs for skimmers before using them
• Keeping your card on you at all times
• Destroy any PINs that you receive in the mail
• Check your credit file often
• Inform your provider immediately if any of your credit cards are lost or stolen
• Use up-to-date protection
  
• Don't share personal information

For more information on credit cards scammers and protection available in Australia, see Online Credit Cards and Banking Protection

OnlineCreditCards.com.au is an Australian owned information provider on Australian credit card products. Please use our Compare Credit Cards table to find the right credit card for your financial needs.

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