Cell phones latest target of ID thieves

Cell phones come with features that allow them to be used for more than personal conversations, a fact that has made them attractive to thieves and hackers and makes their owners more vulnerable to identity theft.

"Cell phones are thought of as a convenience, not a point of vulnerability, but that is quickly changing," said Todd Davis, an identity theft expert.

Law enforcement authorities say identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States.

According to published reports by the Federal Trade Commission, there were 9.9 million victims of identity theft last year.

"A person is 25 times more likely to be a victim of identity theft than have their car stolen," Davis said.

According to Davis and the Better Business Bureau, there is a new wave of identity theft that targets cell phone users.

"Every day, there are hundreds of people who fall prey to identity theft," said Michelle McDaniel, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of North Alabama. "And now with the increase in cell phone technology, cell phones are becoming another tool for thieves to use to steal a person's identity."

Jennifer Kelley said all she was worried about when she had her cell phone stolen was the telephone numbers she had stored in the phone.

"I didn't realize just how much information I had stored there for whoever now has it," she said.

A report recently released by the BBB, indicated that there will be an estimated 600,000 cell phones either lost or stolen this year.

"We've been getting reports of cell phone thefts for years and it seems to increase constantly," said Russellville police investigator Lt. Scotty Lowery. "It's getting to be common to see a report of a cell phone stolen from a car, home or a purse."

Lowery said as cell phones become more sophisticated more personnel information is stored on them.

"That's where the problem comes in,'' he said. "Someone can hack into the phones and get the information just like they could a personal computer.''

McDaniel said cell phone technology allows consumers to use their phones just like they do a PC.

"A lot of the phones have e-mail capability and people do online banking from their cell phones," she said.

Lowery said that in some cases, thieves get information from cell phones to drive up telephone bills by making international calls or 900 calls, or even making purchases online "before the phones can be reported stolen or lost and the service disconnected."

"We've got a case right now, where someone purchased, on line, cell phones valued at $700-$800 in someone else's name," he said.

McDaniel said the phones don't have to be stolen or lost for hackers to get personal information from them.

"They can hack into the cell phones by just walking by," McDaniel said. "This allows them to listen in on calls or steal personal information. It can happen without you even knowing it."

She said this type of cell phone hacking is done by exploiting short-range Bluetooth wireless connections between cell phone and hands-free headsets for PCs.

"These hackers can use that Bluetooth to get on your cell phone, download all your personal information and be gone before you know they've been there," Davis said.

McDaniel said viruses can also be sent to the cell phones through text messages and e-mails.

"It's kind of scary when you think about it," Kelley said "Especially, with so many people using cell phones. It's something that everyone needs to be aware of."

Davis said people should be proactive in trying to protect their information.

"We want people to bank online, shop online, but we want to keep them from putting their personal information out for the criminal elements to grab," he said. "With our technology, you really can't hide, but you can prevent.

"We have to teach people to lock their personal information like they do their car or their homes."

McDaniel said technology has made great advancements in communications, "but unfortunately, those conveniences and advancements come with a risk.

"It's a shame that we have to think that way, but to be safe, we must."

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.