Personal Data Theft Tripled In 2007

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- A U.S. analysis of data loss from companies, government agencies, colleges and hospitals found theft of personal information more than tripled in 2007.

More than 162 million records have been reported lost or stolen so far this year, compared to 49.7 million in 2006, USA Today reported Monday.

A database at tech security Web site Attrition.org suggests that 98 companies, 85 schools, 80 government agencies and 39 hospitals have had data lost or stolen this year.

However, only 19 cases resulted in arrests or prosecution.

As companies and agencies "cram more and more data into a single place" thieves have more opportunities for a big score, says Benjamin Jun, vice president of technology at Cryptography Research.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_New..._in_2007/3732/

I find it interesting that all of this data is being stolen and people are concerned about it, yet only 19 cases resulted in arrest or prosecution.

You would think, with personal data being a huge issue right now that number would have been much, much higher.

Regards,

Lee