Game On -- Identity Theft in the 21st Century

The Game" is far more insidious than the amateur thief who steals a credit card statement out of your mailbox. According to Ron Hemphill, former identity thief, the big haul is found by mining data from inside businesses.

(PRWEB) August 31, 2005 -- It was very easy for me to recruit employees that worked inside of corporations; banks, credit reporting agencies, medical facilities, insurance agencies, mortgage companies." Armed with credit scores, birthdates and social security numbers, Hemphill estimates his 20 year 'take from The Game was in the range of 30-40 million dollars. Now out of prison and working to educate consumers about the perils of identity theft, Hemphill has joined forces with independent security consultant and privacy expert Johnny May.

As part of Identity Theft Week on Leisure Talk Radio Network, Hempill and May will be guests on The Curious Mind.

Citing a Federal Trade Commission survey, May says, The crime of identity theft has reached epidemic proportions ... a whopping 27.3 million victims over the past five years. People need to treat their personal information like gold."

While utilizing a locking mailbox or a crosscut shredder can reduce your risk at home, both Hemphill and May agree that until corporations take the necessary steps to protect sensitive data, identity theft will continue to rise. Recent data compromises at Choice Point, Citifinancial, DSW Shoe Warehouse and others highlight a consumers vulnerability.

Both May and Hemphill have put their expertise into print. Mays book Johnny Mays Guide to Preventing Identity Theft, provides simple steps to secure your identity, reveals how thieves steal your personal information and offers step-by-step instructions should you become a victim. Hemphills new book, Rollin: True Confessions of a Former Identity Thief, reveals how an identity theft ring operates, why information security breaches are happening so regularly and what you can do to protect yourself and your business from identity theft.

A graduate of the Univ. of Detroit-Mercy, May earned his B.S. in Criminal Justice and his Masters in Security Administration. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Detroit-Mercy, Madonna University and Henry Ford Community College. He has appeared on NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, A&E Open Book, Comcast Newsmakers and scores of other television and radio shows. He has also been featured in publications such as Consumers Digest, Entrepreneur magazine and The Robb Report.

Hemphill brings two decades worth of identity theft experience from an insiders perspective and now works as part of the Identity Theft Help and Information Network.

The Curious Mind is geared to examining thought-provoking topics. Leisure Talk Radio Network is an Internet radio station streaming audio 24/7 at www.leisuretalk.net and offering podcast download of online content.

Johnny May & Ron Hemphills interview will air for two weeks (August 29th through September 11th) on Mon/Wed & Fri at 12, 4 & 8 a.m. and p.m. (EDT) Further information may be found at Leisure Talks home page.

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