Don't learn about ID theft the hard way says Barry (From Echo)

Don't learn about ID theft the hard way says Barry

12:00am Saturday 6th September 2008 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(6)

BARRY Stoll made a shocking discovery when he came by some computer equipment discarded when its owner upgraded her system.

He found the hard drive still contained vast amounts of personal information about the owner.

He found bank details, the woman’s address and phone number and a lot of information about her family – just the kind of data which is a gift to criminals intent on identity theft.

Just last week, the Echo reported on the alert sparked when a computer containing a huge amount of bank data was taken from Shoebury storage company, MailSource and sold on the internet auction site, Ebay.

“The hard drive was still in it and to my horror, it contained all sorts of information about the lady who had got rid of it.”

Computer buff Barry Stoll

The server contained account numbers and other details of millions of customers with some of the UK’s biggest banks.

On a smaller scale, countless people are putting themselves at risk, by getting rid of computers without realising their data can still be retrieved by crooks.

Mr Stoll said: “I play around with computers and wanted this one as a back-up.

“The hard drive was still in it and to my horror, it contained all sorts of information about the lady who had got rid of it.”

Mr Stoll learned the owner had asked her son to transfer her information to a new computer. He did so, but never wiped the old one.

Mr Stoll said: “I told her there were enough details on there to steal her identity.

“She was absolutely mortified, because she thought all the data had been deleted.

“This happens more and more, apparently, but there are all sorts of things you can do to protect yourself.”

Mr Stoll said deleting the information from a hard drive was not enough, because it could still be recovered. Even battering the drive casing with a hammer might not be enough.

He says owners should use an eraser programme to completely wipe the drive. He uses a programme called Eraser, which can be downloaded completely free by clicking the link below.

Essex Police offers similar advice. Spokesman Donna Veasey said: “We suggest anyone planning on disposing of their personal computer to destroy the hard drive.

“If you are unable to destroy it, we would recommend using a programme to wipe the hard drive or remove it completely.

“The computer can still be sold without a hard drive, as drives can be bought separately.”