A DEMONSTRATION WITH AN UNEXPECTED RESULT – SSN HIJACKING

We had a visit this week from a database sales representative of a great data supplier who is an expert in searching their system. The rep was demonstrating their new system and using his own Social Security Number (SSN) to show the new features of their new system release. The rep gives this demo very frequently, but this time the result was different. Someone else showed up as using his SSN!

“What should I do he asked?” One of our team immediately responded with the procedure to determine if the SSN use constituted a threat, and if so how deep and dangerous was the attack. Within few moments, we had uncovered these facts.

The person using the SSN was using many others at the same time.
The person using the SSN lived at an address in a high crime area frequented by criminals.
The person using the SSN had a criminal history and had been convicted of crimes typical of identity thieves.
The person using the SSN lived in a household where other convicted criminals lived.

In addition we uncovered additional information which allowed us to inform the rep that they were at an extremely high risk of having a serious and immediate identity theft attack. A few moments later we had produced a risk reduction strategy and the rep left the office with the confidence that he knew the depth, seriousness, and potential direction of the attack.

The rep is a very good one, and her company outstanding. We were pleased to be able to help.