(IDTheftSecurity.com) This month the U.S. Federal Trade Commission reported that identity theft complaints comprised 36 percent of all those filed with the agency in 2006. Pointing out that laptop thefts often lead to concerns over identity theft, Robert Siciliano, a widely televised and quoted personal security and identity theft expert, encouraged consumers to equip their mobile computing devices with security technology, such as GPS tracking, that thwarts identity thieves.
"Consumers typically file complaints with third parties when they have no other recourse," said Siciliano. "But when they can protect themselves and investments such as laptop computers with the proper security, consumers can fend for themselves—the goal of personal security."
Siciliano, president of IDTheftSecurity.com, leads Fortune 500 companies and their clients in workshops that teach consumers strategies to combat data security problems. The Privacy Learning Institute has featured Siciliano, a longtime speaker on identity theft. Author of "The Safety Minute: 01," Siciliano has discussed identity theft and data security on CNBC, on NBC's "Today Show," FOX News, and elsewhere.
In April of 2006, a ConsumerAffairs.com article titled "Little Laptops, Big Problems" linked the theft of laptop computers to the theft of identities. Earlier this month, InfoWorld and others reported that last year grievances related to identity theft continued to constitute more than 35 percent of the total volume of complaints filed with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
Symantec has estimated that a laptop computer is stolen every 53 seconds, with just 3 percent of these ever being recovered. Research from Gartner Group has shown that the cost of laptop computer theft can exceed $6,000 for even just one machine, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has reported that losses due to laptop theft totaled more than $6.7 million dollars in 2005; on Feb. 13, in fact, The Washington Post reported that the FBI itself lost 160 laptop computers—at least 10 that stored sensitive information—between February 2002 and September 2005.
Earlier, on Feb. 8, news outlets reported that St. Mary's Hospital in Leonardtown, Md. lost to thieves a laptop computer containing an untold number of patients' names, Social Security numbers, and birthdates. The same day, the Poughkeepsie Journal ran an article suggesting that a stolen laptop computer belonging to that city's Vassar Brothers Medical Center may have compromised the identities of as many 257,800 patients.
"You can become a victim of identity theft and file a complaint destined to become nothing more than a statistic," said Siciliano. "Or, by securing your property with proper, useful security technology ahead of time, you can defend yourself and customers' against the high probability of identity theft."
Siciliano directed consumers to
MyLaptopGPS™. Recently mentioned on Law.com and ConsumerAffairs.com, this product from the company of the same name combines Internet-based GPS tracking, which is more affordable and user-friendly than other types of GPS tracking, with encryption and additional technologies to put laptop owners' minds at ease when theft occurs.
"Our Internet-based GPS tracking system works in concert with encryption and deletion–recovery technology for data," said Dan Yost, chief technology officer at MyLaptopGPS, "Users not only get their stolen property back—they rest assured that no personal or financial information on the machine ever found its way into the hands of an identity thief."
MyLaptopGPS's software silently retrieves, and then deletes, files from machines as it tracks the hardware—at once returning the data to its rightful owner and removing it from the stolen computer. Users can call on all MyLaptopGPS's functions remotely.
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About IDTheftSecurity.comIdentity theft affects us all, which is why Robert Siciliano, president of IDTheftSecurity.com, makes it his mission to provide consumer education solutions on identity theft to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. A leader of personal safety and security seminars nationwide, Siciliano has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, "The Suze Orman Show," "ABC News with Sam Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael," and "The Howard Stern Show." Visit Siciliano's Web site, www.IDTheftSecurity.com, or his blog, www.IDTheftSecurity.blogspot.com.
About MyLaptopGPSSince 1984, the minds behind AIT Solutions, LLC (DBA MyLaptopGPS.com) have specialized in complete system integration. From real-time electronic payment processing software to renowned mid-market ERP implementations, the executive team at MyLaptopGPS has been servicing leading enterprises and implementing world-class data systems. With MyLaptopGPS™, AIT Solutions, LLC brings a level of expertise, dedication, knowledge and service that is unmatched. MyLaptopGPS™'s rock-solid performance, security, and reliability flow directly from the company's commitment to top-notch software products and services.
The media are encouraged to get in touch directly with the following individuals:
Robert Siciliano
Personal Security Expert
PHONE: 888-SICILIANO (742-4542)
FAX: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@IDTheftSecurity.com
www.idtheftsecurity.com
John Dunivan
MyLaptopGPS Media Relations
PHONE: (405) 747-6654 (direct line)
jd@MyLaptopGPS.com
www.MyLaptopGPS.com
The media may also contact:
Brent W. Skinner, President
STETrevisions
PHONE: 617-875-4859
FAX: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.biz
www.STETrevisions.biz
