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Experian Sold Consumer Data to ID Theft Service

krebsonsecurity.com

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Re: Experian Sold Consumer Data to ID Theft Service

#3

Sort of insinuates that ID theft is not meant to be a core focus of Experian.

> Sort of insinuates that ID theft is not meant to be a core focus of Experian.

The post is saying that a service that aids scammers purchased data from Experian.

Seeing the title, I initially thought it meant that Experian sold data to an ID Theft-prevention service, which would be less bad.

Re: Experian Sold Consumer Data to ID Theft Service

#4

Sort of insinuates that ID theft is not meant to be a core focus of Experian.

> Sort of insinuates that ID theft is not meant to be a core focus of Experian. The post is saying that a service that aids scammers purchased data from Experian. Seeing the title, I initially thought it meant that Experian sold data to an ID Theft-prevention service, which would be less bad.

I read it the same way, but that would have been pretty bad in and of itself. Why should an ID theft prevention service have data on me unless I have a business relationship with them?

Re: Experian Sold Consumer Data to ID Theft Service

#5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Sort of insinuates that ID theft is not meant to be a core focus of Experian. The post is saying that a service that aids scammers purchased data from Experian. Seeing the title, I initially thought it meant that Experian sold data to an ID Theft-prevention service, which would be less bad.

I read it the same way, but that would have been pretty bad in and of itself. Why should an ID theft prevention service have data on me unless I have a business relationship with them?

Going back a step, why should Experian have data on you?

Re: Experian Sold Consumer Data to ID Theft Service

#6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I read it the same way, but that would have been pretty bad in and of itself. Why should an ID theft prevention service have data on me unless I have a business relationship with them?

Going back a step, why should Experian have data on you?

... Because they are one of the three major credit-scoring agencies that maintain records on every person with a credit history?

Re: Experian Sold Consumer Data to ID Theft Service

#7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Sort of insinuates that ID theft is not meant to be a core focus of Experian. The post is saying that a service that aids scammers purchased data from Experian. Seeing the title, I initially thought it meant that Experian sold data to an ID Theft-prevention service, which would be less bad.

I read it the same way, but that would have been pretty bad in and of itself. Why should an ID theft prevention service have data on me unless I have a business relationship with them?

Experian is one of the big three credit reporting agencies; their databases are used to determine whether you qualify for a loan. They are your credit record...

So, yeah; this is pretty bad.

Re: Experian Sold Consumer Data to ID Theft Service

#8
Well, is it fair to say that the credit system in the US is fued up? Oligopoly of 3 agencies have pretty much entire control of your fate. Yes Fate. Purchasing power means cash and since credit = cash these companies control the cash that you have at disposal. Which means your FATE. Its insanely difficult to pierce oligopolistic structures and Cartels because of obvious reasons. But some day some startup needs to tackle this. The system works for most but doesn't work for many.

Re: Experian Sold Consumer Data to ID Theft Service

#9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Going back a step, why should Experian have data on you?

... Because they are one of the three major credit-scoring agencies that maintain records on every person with a credit history?

Well, sure, that's a description of what they do, but it doesn't explain why they should have access to this information. In a marketplace, perhaps there doesn't really need to be a "why". But the same "why" should apply to Experian as it would to an ID Theft-Prevention service (the hypothetical thing that we were discussing in this comment thread, and the reason I asked this question in the first place).

That is, Experian's longevity and importance makes them more reputable. Their function as a business, certainly, is to collect, analyze, and repackage this data. But these things should not give them a free pass on the "why" question that greenyoda posed, if the question is going to be asked at all.

Re: Experian Sold Consumer Data to ID Theft Service

#10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I read it the same way, but that would have been pretty bad in and of itself. Why should an ID theft prevention service have data on me unless I have a business relationship with them?

Going back a step, why should Experian have data on you?

And they can sell what they call the "header" of your credit report without regulation (such as the FCRA). This info includes your name, address, ssn and dob. Or at least it did when I bought it in the 90's to build a service to find dead-beat dads. I've heard they are more restrictive on the SSN, but I also would bet that's the #1 data element for the ID thefters.
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