The Canadian Privacy Law Blog: Developments in privacy law and writings of a Canadian privacy lawyer, containing information related to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (aka PIPEDA) and other Canadian and international laws.
The author of this blog, David T.S. Fraser, is a Canadian privacy lawyer who practices with the firm of McInnes Cooper. He is the author of the Physicians' Privacy Manual. He has a national and international practice advising corporations and individuals on matters related to Canadian privacy laws.
For full contact information and a brief bio, please see David's profile.
Please note that I am only able to provide legal advice to clients. I am not able to provide free legal advice. Any unsolicited information sent to David Fraser cannot be considered to be solicitor-client privileged.
The views expressed herein are solely the author's and should not be attributed to his employer or clients. Any postings on legal issues are provided as a public service, and do not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained herein or linked to. Nothing herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent counsel.
This web site is presented for informational purposes only. These materials do not constitute legal advice and do not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and David T.S. Fraser. If you are seeking specific advice related to Canadian privacy law or PIPEDA, contact the author, David T.S. Fraser.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
The New York Daily News is running an overview of the growing crime of "identity theft." Not too much is news, but it does provide a good summary of how it happens and what sort of effect it can have on those whose information is compromised. Some stats:
New York Daily News - Home - I want my name back!:"BOOMING BIZ IN CRIME
- Annual ID theft cost: $48 billion
- Number of U.S. victims per year: 9.9 million
- Number of New York state ID theft complaints in 2003: 663,300
- Average thieves' profit setting up new accounts in a victim's name: $10,200
- Number of new accounts set up in the last year: 3.23 million
- Average thieves' profit using existing credit cards: $2,100
- Average time thieves use victims' ID: 3.2 months
- Average out-of-pocket expense per victim: $500
- Average loss to businesses per victim: $4,800
BUSY BEAVERS
Identities reported compromised by hackers or other unauthorized use of data banks in recent weeks:
- LexisNexis/Seisint ................................... 310,000 people
- DSW Shoe Warehouse .................... 1.4 million customers
- ChoicePoint Inc. ...................................... 145,000 people
- Polo Ralph Lauren ............................ 180,000+ customers "
Labels: choicepoint, identity theft, information breaches
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