9 replies to this topic

[Rogerdodger]

It seems like it's inevitable...



TD Ameritrade says contact info stolen
Fri Sep 14, 6:59 PM ET OMAHA, Neb. - Online brokerage TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. said Friday one of its databases was hacked and contact information for its more than 6.3 million customers was stolen. A spokeswoman for the Omaha-based company said more sensitive information in the same database, including Social Security numbers and account numbers, does not appear to have been taken.


The company would not share many details of its investigation, including when the hack took place, because it is still looking into the theft and cooperating with investigators from the FBI, Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and local authorities.

But Ameritrade has known about the problem at least since late May when two of its customers sued the brokerage in federal court because they were receiving unwanted e-mail ads on accounts used only for Ameritrade.

[Sentient Being]

Sounds like a good time for ameri traders to log in and change their password, maybe their user name as well, if that can be done.

Edited by Sentient Being, 14 September 2007 - 09:36 PM.

[Rogerdodger]

I had my identity stolen after getting a new American Express card. I still think it was an "inside job" since the crook was in Fort Lauderdale, where the AMEX cards are processed.

[Sentient Being]

I had my identity stolen after getting a new American Express card.
I still think it was an "inside job" since the crook was in Fort Lauderdale, where the AMEX cards are processed.

Any major companies security is only as sound as the lowest paid, disgruntled employee. I may have read that here, I totally agree with it.

I noticed that in the run on that British mortage lender that announced it was running out of cash, not only did people line up at the doors, their web site was slammed with people trying to get their money out electronically.

The modern bank run, you get in line with thousands of others on the Internet trying to get money out of your bank.

[johngeorge]

My account is with TD Ameritrade. Got an email today saying pretty much what you posted RD. Like SB says:

Any major companies security is only as sound as the lowest paid, disgruntled employee.

So far it appears the hacker(s) got email addresses only, but, will only know in the fulness of time.
Best to you

[pdx5]

May be I should strive to lower my credit score drastically, so that my identity, if stolen would be totally useless to the thieves

[Rogerdodger]

If you are a customer, I'd be on the lookout for "male enhancement" promotions.

[Russ]

Interactive Brokers uses a handheld number generator device that generates a number for you before you can get into your account, its a bit of a pain to use all the time but seems to be the only way to maintain your security.

[Sentient Being]

Interactive Brokers uses a handheld number generator device that generates a number for you before you can get into your account, its a bit of a pain to use all the time but seems to be the only way to maintain your security.

That sounds similar to a security system my company uses for accessing our network. Let me think, cryptocard I believe is what it's called. The computer in the company can issue you a "challenge". It knows, based on that random challenge, what numbers your personal electronic card (device) will generate in response. The only way to get the challenge right in the alloted number of times is to have the crypto-card in your posession.

That's pretty cool but users think it's a pain. But still they use it so they can work at home in their off hours and on vacations. My my such dedication, the really motivated ones you can sqeeze many more hours of free work from home across the year by simply handing them a laptop and home access. You don't have to ask them to put in the hours from home...they just do it!

Edited by Sentient Being, 15 September 2007 - 09:35 AM.

[cgnx]

This stuff is being stolen from everywhere. It's a joke. Privacy is no longer.