Personal Security and Identity Theft Expert Offers Advice and Solutions to Combat This Week's Laptop Burglary That Put Millions of U.S. Veterans' Identities at Risk
Robert Siciliano Recommends Using MyPublicInfo's Identity Protection Service, IdentitySweep
BOSTON, MA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 05/24/06 -- This week's laptop theft of 26.5 million U.S. veterans' personal information has put their identities at risk of being abused. Robert Siciliano, personal security and identity theft expert, said a service available to everyday consumers can mitigate the aftermath veterans might otherwise have to endure. Also president of IDTheftSecurity.com, Siciliano added that a simple fix available from a major office supplies retailer could have helped to ensure the security of the stolen laptop in the first place.
Siciliano has advice for companies and other large organizations that store sensitive information on laptops, machines prone to theft: Make sure the machines are fully secure with functionalities designed to ward off thieves. He suggested the use of Staples® WordLock(TM) for laptop computers, a simple and inexpensive product from Staples® that allows users to employ a letter password, which they can reset at any time, to lock their laptop computers.
"Laptops are the last place any organization should be storing the personal identifying information of 26.5 million people," says Siciliano, who presents workshops to Fortune 500 companies nationwide. "I urge the veterans affected by the theft to treat this very real threat to their identities like the emergency it is -- luckily, one they can manage."
Siciliano encouraged all those on the list of 26.5 million affected by this week's laptop theft to immediately enroll in MyPublicInfo's IdentitySweep, a service that manages subscribers' public records while monitoring their credit card information and Social Security numbers. Veterans can go to www.identitysweep.com/vet and receive a full year's subscription for the discounted rate of $18.
"We are proud to do our part for those who serve our country," says Dr. Harold Kraft, CEO of MyPublicInfo. "By facilitating the access to IdentitySweep for veterans, we hope to reduce the anxiety they might feel knowing their personal information has been stolen."
"The Social Security number is the key to the kingdom," Siciliano concludes. "A service like IdentitySweep will help a veteran keep track of what's being done with his or her most valuable piece of personal identifying information."
About Robert Siciliano
Identity 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. Author of "The Safety Minute: 01," Siciliano provides consumer education solutions to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. As 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."
About MyPublicInfo
MyPublicInfo, Inc. (MPI) was founded in Arlington, Virginia in 2004 and is the leading provider of consumer identity and public records management services. MPI sells the most comprehensive consumer products available through www.IdentitySweep.com and www.MyPublicInfo.com, partner web sites, and other marketing channels. For more information or orders, please go to www.IdentitySweep.com.
