Identity Theft News

IT executive allegedly stole customer account information

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

A vice president of a Canadian direct marketing firm was recently accused of stealing a computer backup tape containing information on approximately 3.2 million customers.

The information allegedly taken by Nick Belmonte from C-W Agencies may be worth $10 million and also includes personal financial information on about 800,000 customers, the Vancouver Sun reports. Though the information is encrypted, the backup tape contained programs that a "knowledgeable user" could use to decrypt the data.

In an affidavit filed in British Columbia Supreme Court, chief executive of C-W Gloria Evans said if the data was sold, it could have a devastating effect on the company's business and on its clients, according to the article.

Evans responded to requests by the Sun with an email stating: "I can confirm C-W Agencies Inc. experienced a theft of data from its premises. We immediately launched a civil action and the matter has also been reported to the Vancouver police."

C-W CEO Brian Page's affidavit described Belmonte as a "problem employee" with irregular attendance and who charged lunches with friends to the company, the Sun reports. Belmonte had also apparently told employees he would be leaving soon.ADNFCR-1765-ID-18908081-ADNFCR

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