Credit Card Fraud News....
Hotel Operator Warns of Data Breach
HEI Hospitality announced that credit card data belonging to about 3,400 people who stayed at several of its hotels may have been compromised in a data breach earlier this year. According to HEI, hackers may have accessed credit card data—including credit card numbers, expiration dates, and security codes—by breaching the point-of-sale systems at Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, and other hotels in March and April. In addition, the data may have been accessed by hackers who breached the property management system at New York City's Algonquin Hotel. News of the breach comes as the PCI Security Standards Council is growing increasingly concerned about attacks on point-of-sale systems. Earlier this year, the council began requiring payment card device vendors to implement a variety of security measures on POS card readers. Among them is a feature that would allow cards to be securely read and their data encrypted at the location where the card is swiped.
From "Hotel Operator Warns of Data Breach"
Computerworld (09/09/10) Vijayan, Jaikumar; McMillan, Robert
From CBS News
Cyber Criminals Inventing New Ways to Spy
Researchers Say Criminals Are Attacking The Edges Of Secure Internet Traffic
(AP) Researchers have uncovered new ways that criminals can spy on Internet users even if they're using secure connections to banks, online retailers or other sensitive Web sites.
The attacks demonstrated at the Black Hat conference here show how determined hackers can sniff around the edges of encrypted Internet traffic to pick up clues about what their targets are up to.
It's like tapping a telephone conversation and hearing muffled voices that hint at the tone of the conversation.
The problem lies in the way Web browsers handle Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL, encryption technology, according to Robert Hansen and Josh Sokol, who spoke to a packed room of several hundred security experts.
Encryption forms a kind of tunnel between a browser and a website's servers. It scrambles data so it's indecipherable to prying eyes.
SSL is widely used on sites trafficking in sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, and its presence is shown as a padlock in the browser's address bar.
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ID Theft Puts An Ugly Face On Your Good Name
A con artist who knows your Social Security number, bank account information or other personal details can temporarily become you in order to commit fraud. Fixing the damage could take years. Here's how to reduce your risk click here
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'Innocents' help commit credit card fraud
July 23, 2010
AN ORGANIZED crime ring is recruiting unwitting Victorians to commit credit card fraud, police say.
The ring advertises on legitimate job sites, offering large sums of money for people willing to work as ''dispatch managers''.
Detective Senior Constable Tim Johns said the ring used stolen credit card numbers to buy items over... for more of the story click here
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Police bust massive global credit card fraud ring
Police in 12 countries have arrested 178 individuals linked to an international credit card fraud ring.
According to a statement from the Spanish Interior Ministry, the arrests were the result of a two-year investigation that included 84 raids carried out in France, Italy, Germany, Ireland, Romania, Australia, Sweden, Greece, Finland, Hungary and the United States.
The gang used stolen bank card numbers to create counterfeit cards and make ATM withdrawals and retail purchases, officials said. Police raids yielded more than 5,000 counterfeit cards and 120,000 stolen card numbers. Additionally, authorities found 11 laboratories where members of the group produced the fraudulent cards
For more information and the rest of the story click here
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Reader's Interests
Bank says it lost millions to fraud
Ronald Campbell Register Writer
Published: Dec. 11, 2010 12:00 a.m.
A Los Angeles County businessman is accused in a lawsuit of stealing at least $3.5 million in a high-tech skimming operation at an Orange County bank seized last month by federal regulators.
The failure of Westminster-based First Vietnamese American Bank cost the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. $9.6 million.
Some 300 businesses and nonprofits have sued the bank and Chatsworth businessman Masih Madani, arguing that Madani stole their money under the bank's nose. First Vietnamese in turn has sued Madani and a second failed institution, Oakland-based Innovative Bank.
The cases shed light on the vast but little-known Automated Clearing House, which handled nearly $20 trillion in 2009 alone. Operating through the Federal Reserve Board, banks and “third-party processors” such as Madani's company, Opus Ventures, individuals and companies make billions of payments each year.
For the rest of the story click here
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/madani-99521-ocprint-bank-first.html
Inmates claim cash reimbursement system shortchanging them
POSTED: 02:10 PM Thursday, November 18, 2010
BY: Richard A. Webster, Staff Writer
If you are arrested and sent to Orleans Parish Prison with cash in your pocket, don't expect to get all of your money back. Prisoners complain that a debit card system installed at OPP three years ago conspires to rob them blind through hidden fines and fees. "They made me pay them to get my own money ...
For the rest of the story click here
TAGS: ATM fees, Derwyn Bunton, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, Orleans Parish Prison, Palm Desert National Bank, Transysa, Masih Madani, Debit Cards, stored value cards
Masih Madani Court Case C20099068 Arizona Superior Court
PCI DSS Compliance
From the PCI Security Standards Council
"The PCI DSS, a set of comprehensive requirements for enhancing payment account data security, was developed by the founding payment brands of the PCI Security Standards Council, including American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB International, MasterCard Worldwide and Visa Inc. Inc. International, to help facilitate the broad adoption of consistent data security measures on a global basis.”
For more information click here....
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Centurion Payment Systems
Centurion Payment Systems
UPS CENTER- Box 210 1 Rockefeller Plz
New York New York 10020
U.S.A.
Phone: 800-591-5136
Category: Bad Check Writers
Submitted: Monday, March 02, 2009
Posted: Monday, March 02, 2009
They provided a check that bounced at my bank causing additional loss of funds to my account. This after waiting 6 weeks for the check to arrive, Ive now been asking for payment from (sportsbook.com ) to make good. They were the company responsible. They in turn have been putting me off for 5 weeks now saying they have not heard back from the payment group. I have recieved other checks from them that were ok some in fact just prior to and just after this one in particular which was for $1200 USD. If anyone out there is or will be filing a suit against them please drop me a line as not only have they cause the 1200 loss or delay but this ha cost me out of pocket also. I am/ was an affiliate of Sportsbook and i have taken down my banners i will not even play there until this is settled i will not send anyone there probably ever again. I still have money in that account which i will not play and dont know how to withdraw.
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Report: Neville Group
Reported By: (Santa Monica California)
Neville Group - Steve Marmott - Stephen L. Marmott National Debit Ripoff National Company engages in illegal practices to extort money from identy theft/fraud victims. New York New York
Neville Group - National Debit Corp
21 Tenn Plaza, Suite 1006
New York New York 10001
U.S.A.
Phone: 800-237-8139
Category: Credit Card Fraud
In March of 2005, I found fraudulent charges on my credit card. Having been the victim of identity theft/fraud on average of two to three times per year since 1999, I know the drill. I reported them to my credit card company, who sent me out affadavits to sign and notarize (which I did). At the beginning of August, I received a threatening letter from a company calling itself The Neville Group, Inc., stating that they had conducted an investigation and that they had verified the charge was legitimate -- and that they expected me to pay the charge as well as a penalty fee. I REFUSE TO SUBMIT TO EXTORTION.
They gave me the "option" of filling out an affadavit and sending it to me if I felt this was not a true charge (which I did, along with ALL the documentation from my credit card company, stating, among other things, that they had cleared me of the fraudulent charges). I sent the letter certified mail, return receipt requested (as I do for all identity theft/fraud matters) and on August 22nd, received it back from the post office as undeliverable. I did a search on "The Nevill Group" and "New York" in Google and found that I was not the only victim of this obvious scam. I found company information and company names associated with this scam and have reported it here, to the RIP-OFF REPORT in hopes that someone else who was a victim of this scam will find this posting and realize that he/she is not alone.
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From the PCI Compliance Guide
Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance is a complex and ever evolving subject affecting millions of businesses – acquiring banks, Independent Sales Organizations (ISOs), processors, hosts, shopping carts, e-commerce and retail merchants and other merchant services providers. The PCI Compliance Guide, powered by ControlScan, is one of the leading educational Websites available focused exclusively on PCI compliance. Beyond the expertise we bring to the PCI Compliance Guide, we work with many of the most renowned subject matter experts in the industry to deliver the latest information about PCI compliance guidelines, trends, best practices and practical tips to help educate the entire PCI compliance food chain"
For more information click here
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Advance Fee Loan Scams
Where to Complain
If you think you’ve had an experience with an advance-fee loan scam, report it to the FTC.
The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. Watch a new video, How to File a Complaint, at ftc.gov/video to learn more. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
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Neville Group, Panama
This entity was formed in March or April of 2005 and is believed to have been resident in Vanuatu. There were three partners in this entity. Officially the President was Orlando Garcia, the Secretary is Jose A. Vargas Pineda and the Treasurer is Nelva Vargas.
This entity operated what appeared to be a call center from the 7th Floor of the Banco de Boston Building on Via Espania in Panama City. The Company maintained an account at Credicorp Bank Calle. The offices of Neville Group in Panama and TRANSYSA were one in the same. It appears that the legal name of Transysa was Transactional Services, S.A. for some purposes. This entity was formed on 14 April 2005 and the Registered Agent was the Panamanian law firm of Molino y Mulino. This law firm is the same firm that represented Neville Group and Monier.
The Neville Group and Transysa which claimed to be a transaction processing operation and had a web site of www.transya.com, shared the same telephone number. This group also claimed that their facility is approved by Master Card and VISA.
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Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 10:17am
Someone over at 2+2 emailed MyWebATM with some questions, especially about all the personal info they request, and got this reply:
We surely understand your apprehension about giving your personal information.
mywebATM is simply a private labeled debit card. The company that issues the card is Transactional Services S.A of Panama. The TransysaR Card Services program offers financial institutions a turnkey card issuing and maintenance program, including card and mailer personalization, custom material creation, complete mailing capabilities, card activation services, and inventory and management control.
Transysa Card Services employs the most technologically advanced hardware and software in a facility fully certified by both VisaR and MasterCardR. As the leading electronic payments network, Transysa is recognized for developing and supporting effective, customer-friendly electronic banking programs. Use our strength to build a better EFT program.
We required the amount of personal information for both our safeties. This ensures that we can continue to offer a quality product at a reasonable price without having to pass on the cost of fraud.
mywebATM Customer Support
Panama City, Panama
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May 5th, 2007 in reply to Jos (5/5/2007 12:52am)
1 866 746 7246 or i got this one from full tilt 1 818 742 2120
May 6th, 2007 in reply to tess (5/6/2007 12:55pm)
Go to the fulltilt forums and you'll see that many of us are having the same problem. I have $800 locked in my mywebatm account that I can not access. FullTilt has replied to my emails saying to be patient, it's been over a week now, and that they're working with MyWebATM. I don't believe that seeing how you can't get a hold of ANYONE at mywebatm. I have sent a report to the FBI's division for internet crime, http://www.ic3.gov/ and I'm still waiting for a reply. Hopefully this gets worked out. Go post on the fulltilt forums, spread the word.
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Section 1: Contact Information. Tell us IMMEDIATELY if your card has been lost or stolen. If you believe your Card has been lost or stolen or that someone has accessed or may access money from your Card Account without your permission, call or write us at the telephone number or address listed below. Call us toll free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-866 9XMOOLA®.
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| EBSG brand card issued through Innovative Bank. |
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Masih Madani, Transysa, Opus, Oncaldera, Indam, Darius, EBSG, HMSBlue
Over the past three years MSRN has received a number of inquiries about different merchant service providers, processors, and banks. We try to respond to every post and question. If the poster leaves their contact information we answer to them directly. Since switching to a .com domain this past year, we have received a number of tips and inquiries about Masih Madani and Transysa/Opus/Oncaldera/HMSBlue/Transactional Systems/Inadam/Darius etc. One recent anonymous commentator asked the following questions that due to their anonymous status must be answered in a published post rather than email.
"When we first began this extensive diligence, we got advise of counsel and these questions were brought up prior to posting this and confirming our discoveries."
1) Why is MasterCard doing business with Transysa/Mr. Madani if “cardtransystems.wordpress” is correct in their (sic) posting?
MSRN: It is not clear from your question to what posting you refer, however MSRN does not publish cardtransystems.wordpress.
Mastercard sponsorship is offered by member banks. It is the banks who determine who they will sponsor and who they "vouch" for as program managers and card programs. The losses incurred by Madani's stored value card holders were on EBSG cards offered by Innovative Bank, they did not have either MasterCard or Visa sponsorship; they are otherwise known as unbranded cards. Madani is currently offering his ebsg cards through Storedvalueplus among other entities.
MSRN has worked hard to bring attention to the riskier practices of banks with regards to their sponsorship and use of the Visa and MasterCard brands. Many banks need to enhance their revenues due to losses from bad mortgages, and card sponsorship is a relatively fast and safe way to do that. Unfortunately the less than healthy banks can make less than prudent choices in card sponsorships.
2) Why would Visa put Transysa (Mr. Madani Principal) on their CPI/DSS compliant service provider list? (Search Google keywords “Visa Transysa”)
MSRN: We assume you mean PCI/DSS compliance. According to Visa, "PCI DSS assessments represent only a "snapshot" of security in place at the time of the review, and do not guarantee that those security controls remain in place after the review is complete. These reviews did not cover proprietary software solutions that may be used or sold by these service providers."
"Visa has no duty to clients, merchants, processors or other third parties to obtain or review reports from any party required to submit a report. Visa is not responsible to any party for the timeliness, accuracy or completeness of any report. Inclusion on this list indicates only that the service provider successfully validated PCI DSS compliance, based on the report of an independent Qualified Security Assessor (QSA)."
"Visa does not endorse the service providers or their business processes or practices. Visa has sole discretion to include or exclude entities on this list."
3) Why would U.S. and International banks be integrating with Transysa as the platform / processor?
MSRN: We have no information as to the accuracy of that statement. If readers have any information on banks and processors that are currently integrating with Transysa, please advise.
Anonymous Commentator: Quite frankly if all of the above major corporations, banks, networks and state/ government agencies are willing to do business with Transysa and Mr. Madani, why would any other company not?
MSRN: We do not endorse or promote any service providers. We do advise our readers in every case and every company; buyer beware.
Anonymous Commentator: The internet and irresponsible postings by bloggers and individuals with personal issues can cause serious damage to a credible company.
MSRN: You are correct, there is much on the internet that is untrue, reckless, or otherwise untrustworthy. An excellent example of the sort of manipulation of the internet that takes place is found the following email exchange between Mr. Madani and Jeff Bazan regarding Transysa sent to MSRN:
I had put on YAHOO ANSWERS a Q & A for someone to give me feed back from Transysa.
We had someone go on the site and ANSWERED a POSTIVE reference for Transysa.
Within 1 hour….someone went on the Question/Answer and ALSO ANSWERED THE QUESTION ABOUT TRANSYSA WITH a NEGATIVE RESPONSE.
I DELETED THE QUESTION…OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE COME OUT ON FIRST PAGE RESULTS OF GOOGLE FOR “TRANSYSA.”
Anonymous Commentator: We can tell you that after exhibiting twice at the Prepaid Expo in Vegas and Orlando and worked, dealt, met with all of the major players in this space; our determination and due diligence brought nothing but stellar response from the entities above such as banks, MasterCard, Visa, Trustware and many others regarding Transysa, Inc. and Mr. Masih Madani.
MSRN: Please have them contact MSRN, we work in and are in contact with many in the industry, and always strive to present both sides to every issue.
Anonymous Commentator: We would hope that readers can see beyond a posting with not sufficient information to accurately make an assessment.
MSRN: Agreed. It is incumbant on banks and processors to do their due diligence and only sponsor and grant access to those service providers who are professional and trustworthy. The security of the networks is dependent on each provider's security and honesty.
Reader's must assess the trustworthiness of their information providers as well.....Click here for the rest of the comments
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Report: HMS BLUE Hmsblue.com VOIPTalk Direct One
My report is the same as all the others posted on this site about these thieves. Somehow they obtain your credit card number and begin charging every month. In my case it was 48.95/mo. I caught it after only three charges and had the credit card company reverse the charges. I went through the same thing last summer when they were charging my account 68.20/mo.
I did some research on these crooks and found out they have been doing this to several other people.
Here is some info I found that might be helpful in anyone wanting to contact them.
The Company Owner is Masih Madani and he is as big of a snake as they come from my understanding.
Some info on the site and his personal email...
Registrant:
HMSBLUE.COM (22711965O)
15385 OXNARD ST
2ND FL
VAN NUYS, CA 91411
US
Phone: 818 442 6000 Fax: 818-994-1440
Domain Name: HMSBLUE.COM
Administrative Contact , Technical Contact : Madani, Masih ** (OWNER) masih@hmsblue.com
15385 Oxnard Street, Fl. 2
Van Nuys, CA 91411
US
Phone: 818-442-6000 Fax: 818-994-1440
I have notified the fbi regarding these charges and hope these people get stoped. FILE A COMPLAINT IMMEDIATELY AND CONTINUE TO DO SO UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THESE SHARKS!!!!!!!
Thank you,
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German and French banks unite to fight against Visa and MasterCard
According to the recent statement of Hermann-Josef Lamberti, CEO of Deutsche Bank, their bank in cooperation with a French giant Societe Generale SA is going to create a group to push ahead with plans for a debit-card system to challenge Visa Inc. and MasterCard Inc., reported Bloomberg.
Comments on German and French banks unite to fight against Visa and MasterCard; ebsg "e-business secured and guaranteed " card platform
Submitted by Anonymous on July 15, 2009 - 12:56pm.
Very nice initiative for these banks but why "re-invent the wheel. When is already here!" : If anybody can compete NOW with "the association" regarding costs for electronic payments , debit cards , money transfers and e-commerce is the "ebsg" e-business secured and guaranteed platform owned by OPUS Financials and licensed for Europe to TRANSACTIONAL SYSTEMS SRL ROMANIA. This platform with "real time access" and management for 100.000.000 millions accounts for one BIN with ZERO COSTS for electronic transfer - "IS THE DREAM COME TRUE !" this mean USING EBSG CARDS the platform can transfer 1 cent !! - yes my friends.
Based on this platform, FLORIN SUCIU with TRANSACTIONAL SYSTEMS developed for Romanian Government a couple of projects, parts of the eRomania Project ( www.idcard.ro- electronic -id-card since 2005 , www.imobank.ro - the future internet mobile bank) witch can solve the BIG 4 PROBLEMS: Reveal THE GREY ECONOMY ( more than 30% in Europe and more than 40% in Romania ) to WHITE ECONOMY ( THIS IS THE MAIN AND MAYBE THE ONLY REAL SOLUTION FOR ACTUAL CRISIS IN ROMANIA, EUROPE and the world - but this is just me...). this will be the real source to cover the loses of 6 to 8% till now; a presentation of how "ebsg" platform can transform eGovernment in something real and useful ( www.ebsg.ro
The cheapest and full guaranteed "TURN KEY " solution for any G2P,P2G,B2B and B2G payments - using the future european-electronic-id- card with the income tax account attached for all European citizens and companies. The future "ebsg" cards will use the Magne Print technology - the most advanced solution for anti-fraud for cards.
Reduced the costs until ZERO for implementation - the solution work with any equipment installed already and there are developed proprietary financial equipments like kiosks, to be used as "virtual bank branches" .
UNIVERSALITY - it can be access by internet cardholder terminal from any computer, anywhere,from cell phones and the "ebsg" cards can be used at almost any ATM IN THE WORLD where the common cards are used. This plaform using the "cd-cards" solution can be the fastest and chipest abd secured way for e-voting which will give to the european citizens the real accest to goverment for a better and strong Europe! We invite anybody and everybody to start believing in a better and strong economy using "ebsg" ! The trade winds of tommorow , are here...www.transysa.com FLORIN SUCIU CEO , Transactional Systems SRL Romania
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Masih Madani Chairman, CEO and Founder Mr. Madani is also the founder, President and CEO of Oncaldera, a wholly owned subsidiary of OPUS.
Mr. Joseph F. Malato, Board Member, Bank of Napa
Employment History
• Vice President and Regional Credit Manager Marine Midland Bank
• President and Chief Financial Officer Opus Financials Corporation
• Vice President and Manager of the Commercial Lending Department Opus Financials Corporation
• President and Chief Financial Officer EBSG
• Vice President and Manager of the Commercial Lending Department EBSG
• President and Chief Executive Officer
• Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Innovative Bank
• Chief Financial Officer Innovative Bank , Bank of Oakland
Opus Financials Corporation
P.O.Box 3665
Chatsworth, California 91313
United States
Description: Born in January 1996, OPUS Financials is a technology-driven, Business to Business-focused provider of comprehensive authorization, settlement and accounting systems as well as a broad range of Point-of-Sale products and services. Our solutions provide processing services for both physical and Internet-based Issuers and Acquirers. OPUS Financials assists Issuing Banks, Acquiring Banks, Merchant Service Providers (MSPs), and Merchants who provide products and services to businesses and consumers around the world. OPUS Financials continues to develop cutting-edge products that help our clients grow their business. OPUS Financials patented platform EBSG® is built on the principles of flexibility and security. The principles are exemplified by providing a flexible and secure, customized global payment platform for a wide-array of applications. With a solid team of professionals in the financial services, technologies and electronic funds industry, the OPUS management team with more than 100 years of combined experienced is dedicated to becoming an industry leader. Masih Madani , Chairman, CEO and Founder Mr. Madani is also the founder, President and CEO of Oncaldera, a wholly owned subsidiary of OPUS. In January 1999, Mr. Madani accepted the position of Chief Technology Officer & Chief Information Officer at iPayment, Inc. (NASDAQ: IPMT) as a result of iPayment purchasing vIstore and other e-commerce intellectual property from vIstore corporation (a wholly owned corporation of Mr. Madani founded in 1996.). At iPayment, Mr. Madani was responsible for the design and implementation of iPayment's Transaction Processing Gateway (TPG), iPayment's secure Internet gateway that interfaces with the merchant's web site to process credit card transactions, Ka-Chingg, web-based, low cost alternative designed to provide small merchants with a simple and more efficient way to enter and authorize credit card transactions in real-time without using a physical Point of Sale (POS) device, and VERIFY-MY-ID risk / fraud authentication software that can identify a credit card holder and their corresponding social security number. Prior to iPayment's, Mr. Madani served as Chief Technical Officer of Opus Global, Inc., a custom software Application Developer. During his office tenures, Mr. Madani was a business automation consultant and network specialist. Projects included, completing work on a pure Java based digital asset management system called Cylo and vIstore, which is a comprehensive e-commerce solution designed for small to mid size merchants doing business on the Internet. In 1997, he designed a web based multimedia content management system for Northrop Grumman. In 1996, Mr. Madani designed a web based asset management system for Sony Pictures Entertainment in Culver City and MediaCenter International, Inc. in West Hollywood. In 1993, Mr. Madani was contracted by The Library of Congress to design a system that digitized, cataloged and stored several thousand videos in MPEG format. This resulted in the creation of the National Digital initiative at the Library of Congress. Mr. Madani also holds financials services industry patents.
Joseph F. Malato , President and CFO Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Malato was the President and CEO of Innovative Bank which was successfully sold to an investor group. Mr. Malato began his working career in 1965 for Sears, Roebuck & Co in the Management Training program. Upon completion he became a department manager of the Office Equipment Dept. and latter promoted to manager of the Electrical Dept. In 1967 Mr. Malato began his banking career with Crocker National Bank as a collector of consumer auto loans and in 1969 he was placed in the Management Training Program for consumer credits and branch management. During this program, Mr. Malato trained in all bank positions including bank operations, back room operations, deposit products and loan under writing. During 1970 Mr. Malato was given special projects including credit review and various management assignments. In 1971 Mr. Malato was promoted to Assistant Vice President. From 1973 to 1977 Mr. Malato made a career change and became the Vice President in an auto dealership where he ran the daily business operations. In 1977 Mr. Malato returned to Crocker National Bank as an AVP in the Commercial Services & Business Banking Divisions. He performed credit underwriting for large equipment loans, lease financing and account receivable lines of credit. During the seven years spent with these divisions, Mr. Malato held the position of Vice President with Senior Credit Officer lending authority. From 1984 to 1986 Mr. Malato was promoted to Vice President & Manager of the Bank's commercial lending department for auto dealers with Senior Credit Officer lending authority. In May 1986, Crocker Bank was merged with Wells Fargo and Mr. Malato, like many senior management of Crocker, was out placed. In 1987 Mr. Malato became Vice President and Regional Credit Manager for Marine Midland Bank. Duties included over view of all commercial, lease and retail lending functions in Northern California. In 1988 Marine Midland moved their west coast office back to Buffalo New York and Mr. Malato declined the offer to move with the operation. From 1989 to the present, Mr. Malato has been the CFO for Innovative Bank, formally Bank of Oakland. His duties have included management of bank operations, compliance officer and financial administration. Mr. Malato is a member of the Bank's Loan Committee and ALCO Committee and attends all Board of Directors meetings. Mr. Malato has also served as a member of the Audit Committee of the Western Independent Bankers Association, a peer group leader during many conferences and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Bankers Executive Association. Mr. Malato also spent over 26 years in the California Army National Guard and retired with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer.
Koney Delong , VP Operations, Before Joining OPUS, Ms. Delong was the operations officer for Innovative bank in Oakland California. Ms. Delong spend 18 years in various positions at Innovative bank and is intimately involved and familiar with all aspect of day to day operations.
Seva Starizny , VP Engineering With over 17 years in the programming field, Mr. Starizny has in depth knowledge and vast experience in all phases of the software development life cycle. He has an astounding track record of taking projects from original concept to successful completion on schedule. "Seva" possesses an excellent working knowledge of diverse and complex systems, and has extensive hands-on experience in major operating systems, databases, communication protocols and modern technologies. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Starizny held the position of Senior Software Engineer at iPayment, Inc., a $226 million dollar per year payment card processor. While at iPayment, Mr. Starizny was a key member of the team that built TPG (Transaction Processor Gateway) and KaChingg (a virtual terminal). Mr. Starizny completed his graduate work in Computer Science, majoring in Automation Control Systems at Minsk University, School of Engineering and Computer Science, Minsk, USSR.
Juan N. Mariñas R.- V.P. Engineering Manager for TRANSYSA. Prior to joining TRANSYSA, Mr. Mariñas held the position for twelve years of Operations Network Manager of the only automated teller machine (ATM) and Debit POS network in Panama, Telered,S .A. (Sistema CLAVE). While at Telered, Mr. Mariñas was responsible for providing assistance and support to the General Manager and to make decisions related to technical, operative, administrative and security topics for the operations of the SISTEMA Clave Network. The tasks included developing administrative operations, human resources, technical operations, and security functions. He also acted as primary contact between the management and technical bodies, as well as between the operative and administrative levels of the bank members. He was the primary intermediary between the network and other entities, local and foreign providers. He acted as a technical representative with MasterCard International and VISA International to coordinate design, development, testing, implementation and monitoring of new network projects. He also coordinated the development of the Technical and Operative Committees. Other responsibilities held by Mr. Mariñas have included acting as Telered's representative at Technical and Operative Committees and....
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eBusiness Secure and Guaranteed; ebsg, ONCALDERA CORP.
Say you've been doing some online shopping at a particular merchant's Web site. You decide to make a purchase, so you proceed to checkout to pay. Instead of choosing a regular credit card like Visa or MasterCard as your method of payment, where you'll be required to enter personal information such as full name, billing address, account number and expiration date, you select the EBSG option, the one where you insert your credit card or ATM/debit card into your CD-ROM. The only personal information you are required to enter is a PIN. The rest is sent to the merchant directly from your bank. This new type of payment technology, called eBusiness Secure & Guaranteed (EBSG), could revolutionize online payments. EBSG, a product of Oncaldera Corp., allows online shoppers to make secure Internet credit or debit card purchases at any participating merchant's Web site, without sharing their personal financial information with online merchants. Shoppers initiate transactions through their own banks, which then deliver guaranteed payments to merchants.
Shoppers are consumers, government entities or corporations, and merchants are retail merchants, billers, government entities or corporations. Here's how it works: The EBSG-backed card is designed to fit into a CD-ROM, but it also can be used as a credit or debit card for face-to-face transactions. The card has a magnetic stripe for swiping and is accepted at 16 million POS locations and 680,000 ATMs worldwide. You insert your bank-issued card into the CD-ROM and enter your PIN. A separate, secure link is made between you and your bank, instead of sending financial data to the merchant. Transaction information such as dollar amount, remittance information and merchant account numbers are transmitted to your bank. Using the secure link previously established, the bank authenticates that it's really you, based on the PIN you entered. The bank then verifies the account balance and initiates a guaranteed payment authorization to the merchant. The transaction is complete in less than 30 seconds, about the same amount of time it takes to pay with a regular credit card.
According to Oncaldera, the EBSG technology is more secure than using a regular credit card for online purchases. Data is encrypted and transmitted through two different connections, so the possibility of hacking is greatly minimized. An added security benefit is that none of your card information is transmitted to the merchant. Instead, it is sent directly to your financial institution, thereby preventing any fraudulent or erroneous misuse of your financial data by the merchant.
Oncaldera's technology is available for private labeling.
Oncaldera Corp
15385 Oxnard Street, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 91411
818-442-6080
www.oncaldera.com
October 30, 2002 Immediate Use
Secure and Guaranteed Payment Processing Online Los Angeles- based, Oncaldera Corporation, is redefining the world of online payment processing with their new e-Business Secure & Guaranteed ? (EBSG) technology. Utilizing the latest in PIN-based know-how, EBSG provides secure transactions for online shoppers and guaranteed payments to online merchants. According to Jupiter Media, online purchasing increased from 45 billion in 2000 to 75 billion in 2002. This surge was accompanied with increased frustration regarding online security. Visa studies show that online security is the #1 reason online users do not shop online. Furthermore, Price Waterhouse Coopers states that 79% of consumers claim that security concerns are the primary reason they haven`t shopped online. With this in mind, Oncaldera developed EBSG, a payment product where buyers initiate transactions through their own banks, which then deliver guaranteed payments to merchants.
SecureClick Disposes Of Online Security Fears
CLEARCOMMERCE LAUNCHES MULTI-MERCHANT VERSION OF...
MAGAZINE_ISSUE_August2003
Oncaldera’s EBSG technology ensures security and guaranteed payments because it is the only solution on the market that allows consumers to initiate transactions directly with their own trusted banks rather then sharing personal financial information with merchants. With EBSG a consumer‚s personal financial information is never shared with the merchant, thereby eliminating erroneous transactions and fraud due to hacking. This eradicates consumer fraud and virtually eliminates merchant chargebacks. Moreover, EBSG is easy to deploy for both merchants and banks because its runs on currently used and highly recognizable platforms and does not require the cardholder to purchase or install any software or hardware. The main component of the EBSG solution is the CD-ROM Card, which can be used exactly like a credit or debit card at ATM locations and for Point Of Sale (POS) purchases. It can also be used through consumers‚ CD-ROM for online purchases. The CD-ROM Card is a revolutionary new payment card that offers unmatched security against theft and fraud for online transactions. Using the CD-ROM Card, purchases can be made over the Internet by placing it into the CD-ROM drive and entering your PIN when prompted. Rather than sending financial data to the seller, a secure link is made directly to the cardholder`s banking institution and then an authorization is sent to the seller to approve the transaction. EBSG is accepted at all participating locations which currently includes 16 million POS locations worldwide and more than 680,000 ATMs worldwide.
About Oncaldera
Oncaldera, a privately held corporation based in Los Angeles since 1996, has been providing customers the comprehensive service offerings needed to create enterprise-scale e-business solutions from strategy through implementation and ongoing management. With the goal of minimizing the risk associated with deploying Internet technologies, Oncaldera has developed a coordinated series of e-business offerings and clearly defined set of customizable solutions that effectively address business goals while leveraging existing I/T investments.
EBSG is an extension of Oncaldera’s overall business goals
For further information, please contact:
Oncaldera Corporation-
(818) 442-6082 15385
Oxnard St 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 91411
SECUREBUXX
Securebuxx.com
Let me introduce myself. My name is Anthony A Varvaro and I am the majority owner of securebuxx.com. I am a chartered accountant by profession, having worked many years at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Montreal in the Audit division. I have about two years of experience in the online gaming market on a financial consulting basis. My clients have included some of the best known names in the industry.
SecureBuxx.com is funded by several Canadian businessmen. securebuxx.com is in the process of initiating an IPO with one of Canada's premier brokerage companies. Details of the IPO will be released as soon as we can
SecureBuxx.com is a company that prepares monthly audited financial statements and has a top rate advisory board including bankers, lawyers, and "The Major". For disclosure purposes, The Major does earn a nominal fee for his participation, advice, and advertising. SecureBuxx.com is located in Montreal, Canada. Our banking is conducted through the Bank of Montreal. We also maintain an offsite back-up facility. If anyone requires any further information, feel free to call me during regular business hours at our office at 1-800-228-8638 or on my cell phone at 514-973-3279. If I can't answer, simply leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Thank you, Anthony A Varvaro
____________________________
FVAB vs. Opus/Oncaldera/Darius/Madani Court Case
Opus Ventures, Inc. ("Opus") is a Nevada corporation doing business as Opus Financials. FVABank is informed and believes and thereon alleges that Opus is owned and operated by Madani, and that Madani is its Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer.
Opus was a processor of Automated Clearing House funds for its merchant-clients. At relevant times, Opus did business at 9623 Canoga Avenue, Chatsworth, Los Angeles County, California.
Oncaldera Corporation ("Oncaldera") is a California corporation.
FVABank is informed and believes and thereon alleges that Oncaldera is owned and operated by Madani, and that Madani is its Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer. Oncaldera was a processor of Stored-Value Cards.
At relevant times, Oncaldera did business at 9623 Canoga Avenue, Chatsworth, Los Angeles County, California. Darius Enterprises, LLC ("Darius'; is a California limited liability company doing business in the State of California.
FVABank is informed and believes that Darius is owned and operated by Madani, and that Madani is a Member and Manager of Darius.
FVABank is informed and believes that Darius was organized to acquire title to and hold certain commercial real property.
At relevant times, Darius did business at 9623 Canoga Avenue, Chatsworth, Los Angeles County, California.
FVABank refers to Opus, Oncaldera, and Darius collectively as the "Madani Entities".
The Stored-Value Card shenanigans were just more of the same: Madani and the Madani Entities had stolen from the Stored-Value Card Programs by skimming money from the flow of cash while those Stored-Value Card Programs were at Innovative Bank, and Innovative Bank needed to be able to take the next cash in to make up the thefts while passing the liability on to FVABank before the music stopped and someone was left standing to face the customers whose money was stolen.
Innovative Bank, wanting to ensure that it was not the one left with the losses when the music stopped, concocted a scheme with Madani and the Madani Entities and Star to transfer the Stored-Value Card Programs and the attendant losses and liabilities to unsuspecting FVABank.
This is done without FVABank's knowledge or authorization, and was orchestrated by Madani and the Madani Entities, Innovative Bank, and Star.
It was not until FVABank stopped processing ACH transactions for Opus did FVABank become aware that it was involved in the processing of Stored-Value Card transactions as well.
Indeed, Madani confessed to stealing between $150,000 to $300,000 from the flow of cash from Stored-Value Card transactions while those Stored-Value Card Programs were handled at Innovative Bank and confessed that processing of the Stored-Value Card transactions was subsequently done by FVABank without FVABank's knowledge, consent, or authorization.
MADANI, THE MADANI ENTITIES, AND INNOVATIVE BANK
At all relevant times alleged herein, and as referred to in detail in this Complaint, key Madani Entities personnel included: Masih Madani Owner/President and Chief Executive Officer of Opus; Owner/President and Chief Executive Officer of Oncaldera; and Owner/Member and Manager of Darius Joseph Malato President of Opus (former President/Chief Executive Officer of Innovative Bank) Madani, on behalf of himself and the Madani Entities, visited FVABank headquarters in Westminster, California to engage in the acts alleged herein beginning in or about September 2005.
FVABank entered into Deposit and Loan Agreements with Madani and the Madani Entities commencing as early as November 2, 2005.
Madani promised he would move the Madani Entities' Stored-Value Card business, which was also at Innovative Bank, and which Madani stated was where the "big money" was, to FVABank when FVABank was ready to handle it.
FVABank, at the time a newly formed bank, expressed interest in this new line of business. As a result of learning that Madani and the Madani Entities had stolen ACH money and admitted their guilt, FVABank immediately acted to permanently close all ACH accounts related to Madani.
Among the transactions stopped were AmeriNet's ACH debits and credits. Kerlin heard Madani's admissions and did not in any way dispute the thefts by Madani and the Madani Entities.
When FVABank asked Madani and Kerlin how anyone would be able to sort out which merchants' ACH funds were stolen, Kerlin admitted that he and AmeriNet had "lumped" all the funds "in a bucket".
By commingling all the funds, Kerlin had made it nearly impossible to trace which merchants' funds were in the ACH funds that Madani stole.
The records of Madani's ACH activities at FVABank show that Opus and AmeriNet commingled the ACH funds of various customers that had been the subject of ACH files sent by FVABank to the Federal Reserve.
Even as Kerlin heard Madani's confession, after the June 4, 2008 meeting Kerlin tried to persuade FVABank to continue providing ODFI services to Opus.
Kerlin stated that he had personally known Madani for a long time and had done business with Madani for many years, and that Madani had simply made a mistake.
Kerlin stated that FVABank could probably recover a substantial portion of the money stolen by Madani and the Madani Entities, which Kerlin represented that Madani had told him was used to buy real property and real property improvements in Chatsworth, California.
Kerlin stated that if FVABank stopped the processing, merchants would sue AmeriNet and FVABank.
Kerlin stated that if FVABank continued the processing for Opus, no merchant whose funds were stolen would ever find out about it because new cash coming in would replace old cash that had been skimmed.
FVABank rejected this plea by Kerlin on behalf of AmeriNet.
In asking FVABank to continue with the scheme to protect AmeriNet’s own interest, Kerlin wanted FVABank to be complicit in hiding the thefts from the true victims.
FVABank would not participate in the perpetuation of this scheme.
Rather, it froze Madani and the Madani Entities' accounts, fixing the losses - at least $3.5 million according to Madani and at least $3.7 million according to Kerlin and Roddy - in place.
In or about May 2007, after the ACH relationship had been established between FVABank and Opus, Madani approached FVABank about the possibility of entering into a Stored-Value Card Program relationship.
Madani suggested that FVABank sponsor three brand new Stored-Value Card Programs for Stored-Value Cards that would be issued by FVABank in FVABank's name.
Madani represented that he had a lot of experience in Stored-Value Card Programs because he maintained several Stored-Value Card Programs of his own at Innovative Bank, and that those cards were issued by Innovative Bank.
Madani represented that Oncaldera, one of his companies, could handle the processing of Stored-Value Card transactions for FVABank.
Oncaldera, at that time, was the third-party processor of FVABank's debit cards.
Small banks, such as FVABank, typically use a third-party processor for its debit cards.
FVABank, on the representation of Madani, agreed to pursue the creation of FVABank-branded Stored-Value Card Programs.
FVABank was interested in branding Stored-Value Cards that would be targeted to the local Vietnamese-American community, which made up the majority of FVABank's customers.
However, besides preliminary discussions, no further steps were taken to create and issue FVABank- branded Stored-Value Cards, and none was ever created or issued.
On or about June 4, 2008, in the meeting with FVABank's directors, officers, and counsel, and also before Kerlin, FVABank asked Madani if he and the Madani Entities had stolen anything in addition to the $3.5 million that Madani and the Madani Entities admitted to stealing from the flow of ACH funds.
Madani confessed that he and the Madani Entities had stolen between $150,000 and $300,000 more from Stored-Value Card transactions.
Madani informed FVABank that the thefts of Stored-Value Card funds by him and the Madani Entities occurred through accounts at Innovative Bank and cards issued by Innovative Bank, but that he and the Madani Entities may have processed some of the Stored-Value Cards through FVABank.
Star has provided no proof that Innovative Bank consented to the transfer of Innovative Bank's accounts to FVABank, and Star's own official records show that on June 6, 2008, Innovative Bank's routing transit number was attached to the three accounts in question.
In addition, Star's Senior Account Executive, Mr. Valladares, has confirmed that FVABank is not associated with any of the Stored-Value Card Programs at issue.
Documentation provided by Star containing e-mails written by Ms. Dowling, the Star employee in charge of setting up and transferring the Stored-Value Card Programs at issue, repeatedly requested and did not receive any card proofs from FVABank - which Ms. Dowling stated were required as part of Star's internal protocol and procedure - because none was ever created.
These e-mails and other documents also show that it was Madani who paid the fees charged by Star to move the accounts to FVABank.
Moreover, Star has stated that it sent settlement debits relating to the three Stored-Value Card Programs to FVABank starting October 22, 2007, and that FVABank processed them.
Yet, the documents allegedly signed by Mr. Katchmar making FVABank the new sponsor of these existing accounts are dated December 10, 26, 2007, well after October 22, 2007.
While FVABank may have unknowingly processed some of these Stored-Value Card transactions, these activities were nominal in size and FVABank alleges on information and belief that all funds received by FVABank in its activities with Star were paid out by FVABank
Within the information and data provided by Madani to FVABank, it was not possible to detect or determine sources and disbursements of any Star activities in Opus' accounts.
Subsequent to the dispute with Star, Star sent numerous settlement debits to Opus' account at FVABank to settle the Stored-Value Card transactions that were rejected by FVABank due to non-sufficient funds in the Opus account.
Star received notice that the settlement debits were rejected due to non-sufficient funds.
However, Star continued to push the already-rejected settlement debits for payment, in violation of federal banking regulations, even after it received notice that the settlement debits were sent back for non-sufficient funds and later, due to closure of the Opus account.
FVABank is informed and believes that this conspiracy was formed and operated in or around May 2007 and continued until at least June 5, 2008 when Star terminated the Stored-Value Card Programs.
Having joined this conspiracy, none of the Defendants withdrew from the conspiracy.
THE ALTER EGO ALLEGATIONS
FVABank is informed and believes, and thereon alleges, that there exists, and at all times herein mentioned there existed, a unity of interests and/or ownership between Madani and the Madani Entities, such that any individuality and separateness between Madani and the Madani Entities never existed or has ceased to exist, and the Madani Entities are in each instance the alter ego of Madani, who controls each entity, in that Madani has used assets of the entities for his personal use, has caused assets of the entities to be transferred without adequate consideration, and has deposited to and withdrawn funds from entity bank accounts and other sources for uses other than purposes of the entities.
Madani has completely controlled, dominated, managed, and operated the entities of which he is an agent. Madani has intermingled the assets of each entity to suit his convenience by placing assets of the entities in the names of each other in order to facilitate transactions and perpetrate frauds.
FVABank is informed and believes that: A. Madani, Opus, and Oncaldera commingled the funds and other assets.
This belief is based on the facts that: (1) Madani processed the Stored-Value Card Program transactions in Oncaldera's name at FVABank by putting Oncaldera Stored-Value Card monies in and taking Oncaldera Stored-Value Card monies out of an account in the name of Opus at FVABank, which Opus account was to be used strictly for ACH transactions in which Opus was the Third-Party Sender/Service Provider; and (2) Madani authorized Star to send Stored-Value Card settlement debits and fees related to the Oncaldera Stored-Value Card Programs to an account in the name of Opus at FVABank, which Opus account was to be used strictly for ACH transactions in which Opus was the Third-Party Sender/Service Provider. B. Madani, Opus, Oncaldera, and Darius each held themselves out as being liable for the debts of the others.
This belief is based on the facts that: (1) Darius applied for and received a business loan from FVABank, which it used to purchase an office building located at 9621-9623 Canoga Avenue, Chatsworth, Los Angeles County, California, which was the location from which Madani, Opus, Oncaldera, and Darius each purported to conduct business; (2) Opus is a guarantor in unlimited amounts of the loan to buy commercial real property received by Darius from FVABank; (3) Madani individually is a guarantor in unlimited amounts on the above-described Darius loan; (4) Madani pledged a Certificate of Deposit from his individual account to FV ABank as security for the above-described Darius loan; (5) in support of the Darius loan application, Madani submitted to FVABank the income statements, balance sheets, and financial statements of Opus; and (6) in support of the Darius loan application, Madani submitted to FVABank the income statements and balance sheets of Oncaldera.
Opus, Oncaldera, and Darius have identical equitable ownership.
This belief is based on the fact that Madani is the founder, owner, and operator of each of these entities.
Opus, Oncaldera, and Darius used the same offices and employees.
This belief is based on the facts that: (1) Opus, Oncaldera, and Darius each used the same P.O. Box and street address in Chatsworth, California; and (2) Madani is the President and Chief Executive Officer of each of Opus and Oncaldera, and the Member and Manager of Darius.
Madani, Opus, Oncaldera, and Darius used Darius as a mere shell or conduit for the affairs of the others. This belief is based on the fact that: (1) Darius was organized by Madani solely for the purpose of purchasing commercial real property that would be used by Madani, Opus, and Oncaldera for their business.
To adhere to the fiction of the separate existence of the Madani Entities as separate and distinct from Madani, who is identified with them and owning and controlling them, would permit an abuse of the corporate and other entity privileges, would sanction fraud, and would promote injustice
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| Information sought about this site First Vietnamese American Bank aka FVAB |
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Your good name and reputation are among your most valuable assets. Unfortunately, criminals know the value of a good name and reputation, too. That's why increasing numbers of con artists are "stealing" identities. These robbers typically start by using theft or deception to learn a person's Social Security number, date of birth or other personal information. Armed with those details, the perpetrators can open credit card accounts, make purchases, take out loans, or make counterfeit checks and ATM cards in your name. In effect, the crook becomes you in order to commit fraud or theft.
Federal and state laws plus banking industry practices may limit your losses from ID theft. For example, under the Truth in Lending Act, if a crook opened a credit card account in your name and ran up thousands of dollars in charges, the most you'd owe is $50—and many creditors will agree to excuse you of all liability. Still, innocent victims are likely to face long hours (and sometimes years) closing tarnished accounts and opening new ones, fixing credit records, and otherwise cleaning up the damage. They also may find themselves being denied loans, jobs and other opportunities because an identity theft ruined their reputation and credit rating.
Consider these examples cited by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in congressional testimony and elsewhere:
•A NASA engineer was refused a loan by his bank of 11 years and had to use his retirement funds to finance his son's education. •A consumer spent three years trying to repair her damaged credit rating and was deprived of the chance to buy what she described as her dream home.
•A department store clerk whose identity had been assumed by a shoplifter spent years unsuccessfully seeking employment in the retail industry.
"The problem with identity theft is that it can happen to you before you know it, and it can take a long time to correct," adds John Kotsiras, an FDIC consumer affairs specialist in Washington. FDIC Consumer News has warned readers about identity theft before. We are highlighting ID theft again because the problem appears to be getting more common—largely because the Internet and other forms of electronic commerce have made it easier for sophisticated crooks to access Social Security numbers and other personal information. "Like any other crime or risk, identity theft is not totally preventable," says FDIC Washington-based fraud investigator Vincent Filippini. "But, there are some things a consumer can do to help prevent ID theft or make it difficult to happen." For more information click here
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