 |
An Identity Theft Court Case ?Though not specifically an identity theft court case, this example does highlight the sort of underhand things that can and unforunately, do go on. Benjamin Pell was convicted in November 1999 of stealing waste from a London law firm that specialises in helping high profile clients. The waste was in the form of rubbish bags which he took after dark from outside the firm's offices. The firm, it seems, did not shred or dispose carefully of their confidential memos and letters to famous clients. When arrested, police confiscated a cheque for £2,500 which suggested that he was selling these secrets on to tabloid newspapers. Though there was no identity theft involved in this court case, I am sure that you can see the similarities between this and other subjects on this site. Mr Pell later became known as 'Benji the binman'. The high profile individuals which it is thought he dealt in documents relating to included Jonathan Aitken and James Hewitt. Whist you may not be a high profile individual, this is the 'old fashioned' way of finding out about someone. Documentaries on the subject show just how much can be learnt from sifting through our bags of rubbish. The best way to protect yourself from becoming involved in an identity theft court case such as this is to ensure that you dispose of your confidential documents carefully and thoughtfully. For most of us, this means investing in a paper shredder, preferaby a cross cut paper shredder. Click here to go back to identity theft basics
|