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As if unemployed people don't have enough to worry about
By adamg on Tue, 05/17/2011 - 3:22pm
The state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reports a cyberbreach may have let somebody collect personal data on people receiving Massachusetts unemployment benefits:
EOLWD learned yesterday that the computer virus (W32.QAKBOT) was not remediated as originally believed and that the persistence of the virus resulted in a data breach. Once it was discovered, the system was shut down and the breach is no longer active. W32.QAKBOT may have impacted as many as 1500 computers housed in DUA and DCS including the computers at the One-Stop Career Centers.
There is a possibility that as a result of the infection, the virus collected confidential claimant or employer information. This information may include names, Social Security Numbers, Employer Identification Numbers, email addresses and residential or business addresses.
Anybody who filed a claim between April 19 and May 13 that required manual help from a state worker could be at risk, the office says.
Symantec says W32.QAKBOT is actually a worm, and is designed to steal data from infected computers:
It downloads additional files, steals information, and opens a back door on the compromised computer. The worm also contains rootkit functionality to allow it to hide its presence.
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Comments
Rewards?
So what, they're going to open credit cards with SS#s of people with no job and presumably bad credit?
Ok, but
Valid point. On the other hand, these might be people who are less active in protecting their finances, and less apt to suspect foul play when there is no money left in their bank account.
Unemployed does not equal
Unemployed does not equal "presumably bad credit", and Employed does not equal presumably good credit. Employment status does not reflect the skill of an individual when it comes to managing their finances.
Unemployment and credit
Speaking from personal experience, it is possible to have excellent credit and be unemployed.
Yup
Unemployed does not necessarily mean bad credit - especially if you live modestly and don't own a car and don't spend to the limits of your paycheck.
It also doesn't mean "single" or "spouse unemployed also". My husband was out of work for quite a while, but, since I had my job and benefits and we live modestly, it wasn't an issue. Our credit cards are all paid off, as is our car.
Or..
Or they can use the information to clean out bank accounts, or they can run up a credit card to the max on the unsuspecting victim.
Um, exactly that
Just because you have bad credit doesn't mean you can't find some shady credit card company to give you a card with a $5,000 limit and/or a HUGE APR and/or big fine structure. What does the thief care? He'll just take the highest limit and go to town. Even someone with crappy credit can get a credit card these days.
Most credit cards for people with bad credit are either secured (e.g. pay $100 in a refundable security deposit to get $3000 limit) or come with monthly/annual fees as a way of the bank negating the risk it takes by giving you credit. Again, what does the thief care if he's able to pay the security deposit with another card or some other source he's stolen? What does he care about fees when they're all going to be in your name anyways?