| The identity thieves began their scam the old-fashioned way, stealing credit card statements, new bank checks and other documents from mailboxes in a
neighborhood just south of Portland, Ore.
But their operation took a high-tech turn that confirmed what law enforcement authorities and privacy specialists have long suspected: Criminal groups, like
legitimate businesses, are using commercial online data brokers, which collect and sell personal information.
Using an America Online e-mail account and one of the stolen credit card numbers, the thieves paid $25 to $280 for reports containing Social Security numbers,
employment information and driving records via e-mail, according to documents and interviews. They used those details to order more credit cards, create a phony
driver's license and begin plundering at least two bank accounts. |