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Identity Theft and Data Breaches
What is a Data Breach?
A data breach is the unauthorized disclosure of information that compromises the security, confidentiality or integrity of personally identifiable information. Such information may include, but not be limited to, Social Security Numbers, names and addresses, date of births, health care records and bank account information. It’s important to remember that if this information is stolen, lost or misplaced, an organization is required by law to notify the affected consumers of the incident. Currently, these laws vary on a state-by-state basis.
A recent national survey conducted by Harris Interactive underscores growing concern about corporate data protection. The survey reveals that approximately 49 million American adults have been informed over the last three years that their personal information was lost, stolen, or improperly disclosed. The majority of these notifications came from government agencies and financial institutions.
While 80 percent of the respondents were not harmed as a result of the data breaches, the remaining 20 percent (about nine million people) believed they suffered harm. Some reported that thieves used their name and account information to make purchases, or some type of fraud was committed, damaging their credit or financial status.
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