Posted on 08/25/2008 3:07:41 PM PDT by xcamel
Up to eight million people are at risk of ID fraud after a hacker breached the security system of the world's largest hotel chain.
An Indian hacker broke into the IT system of Best Western Hotel Group and stole personal details of everyone who has stayed there in the past 12 months.
The details, which included home addresses, phone numbers, place of employment and credit card details, were sold on through an underground network controlled by the Russian Mafia.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Where?
I went thru this with TJ Maxx/DSW about three years ago. It was havock on my accounts. Just now is the FBI attempting to investigate it. Until Best Western et al can be sued by the customers for allowing the theft of data, it’s just going to get worse. On their part there is no incentive to do much about it.
I’m not clear about who would be at risk? Was this database just people who have traveled to BW overseas? What do I need to be concerned about or watch for?
susie
It sounds like it is just Europe.
I have made it our practice to CHANGE Credit Card Accounts on an annual basis by asking for a new number - or simply switch to different card issuers.....
More frequently - if I suspect a problem or see a charge that neither I or my wife can “remember”......
Canceled account numbers are worthless to hackers....
Thanks. We did stay at some BWs this summer.
susie
Does that affect your credit rating?
susie
From what I read, it was BW Europe. Also, I read this update from BW, earlier (sorry for the ad):
http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/08/second_update_b.html
There is a system proposed out there that stops all this crap. Your credit card number is a constantly changing algorythm which is never the same number. It changes once every second. To authenticate the card use you must enter a PIN which changes every week. The card issuer computer then reviews the data string, sourcing it back to the account number, not the card number. The charges are immediately emailed or texted to you. If you don’t respond in a predetermined timeframe, the charges to your account are denied. It’s like a digi-key pass used on non-secure computer connections for authentication.
“Here we go again...”
“Where?”
Well, not to a Best Western, that’s for sure.
Not when YOU are simply requesting an account number change, or when YOU initiate the action to cancel the account....
Might have been just one hotel in Germany (13 guests involved).
BW statement in this story:
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/08/25/daily4.html
I was reading recently that some of the worst virus/trojan horse and related criminal activity comes out of Russia and that the Russian govt. is protecting the organized crime network(s) behind it all. Don’t know any details but apparently it is difficult or impossible for western LE to get any cooperation from Putin’s scumbags.
Just cut off Russia's connection to the 'Net.
A few years ago, China realized they had to clean up their act after a lot of system administrators started blacklisting Chinese IPs.
It's a lot harder to do now, as everyone would have to cooperate. Otherwise, they'll just set up a proxy in a "friendly" country. With the rise of 'botnets', you have to completely cut off their command/control link, or at least induce them to move out of Russia and into someplace within reach of law enforcement.
So, it’s not like opening a new account? I just wondered, because some things that seem pretty benign (like when someone else accesses your credit history or if you have several charge cards that you don’t even use) your credit rating falls.
susie
All I can say is — we do this annually.
We typically only keep two credit cards active.
We pay our bill in full each month....
We have never been denied a card with a high credit limit authorized — which we want because we use our credit cards for EVERYTHING... I carry very little cash, and do almost no cash purchases.
We are buried in applications from Credit Card companies - so I doubt our credit has been damaged...
BUT — I should add that since we are retired and living off pensions and investments we really don’t care much about our credit ratings....we are debt free and I doubt we would need to borrow money... So the rating is of little consequence to us...
I’m sure a discussion with your Credit Card issuer can give you a more informed answer...and relieve you of any concern.
I’m not concerned, since my husband is in the financial industry and he takes care of all of that. I do think tho, that if someone reads this and wants to take your advice (which may be very good advice) they should go into it with their eyes open. I personally had no idea all of the things that could change your credit rating, for the worse. And, btw, getting lots of apps from credit card companies doesn’t mean your credit limit is particularly good. (not that I think yours isn’t!)
susie
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