Post - StolenID Search - New identity-theft search service launched

-HAL- · January 24th, 2007

Quote:

A start-up has launched a service that lets people check whether their personal data is being traded online by criminals, but critics say it could be a boon for those same crooks.

The service, dubbed StolenID Search, lets anyone with an Internet connection search a database of more than 2 million credit card and Social Security numbers found in the recesses of the Internet, Redwood City, Calif.-based TrustedID, said Tuesday.

"This is an opportunity for any consumer to find out whether or not their credit card number or Social Security number has been compromised," said Scott Mitic, TrustedID's chief executive. "In many cases, absent this service, there is no way for consumers to find out if their data has been compromised until it is too late."

Using StolenID Search is counterintuitive. Running a search requires the entry of the credit card or Social Security number that is to be checked against the database. This requires trust in TrustedID, a 2-year-old company backed by venture capitalists that is building a business out of identity protection services.

Playing into the hands of criminals
Done right, experts see value in the new service. However, the way StolenID Search is set up now, it could play into the hands of criminals, they said.

http://news.com.com/Start-up+launche...l?tag=nefd.top

https://www.stolenidsearch.com/

Could be a useful service, but checked social security and credit card numbers are stored in their database when you search so I really hope they have a secure place to store those data...