Two for the Show - Identity Theft at Shell
Back in Time - to 2006
A few years ago, Shell employees made headlines as an identity theft scam was uncovered in Forest Hill TX. Erica Washington was employed at a Shell station there, and realized she could make a nice side business out of selling customer credit card information off of in-store generated manger reports.
Erica sold off credit card numbers and expiration date information to a couple from Ft Worth, who subsequently used the numbers to make multiple purchases online. The items purchased included shoes, clothing, DVDs and other items that were shipped to Melvin Jones and Jenifer Perkins - and their family members - as gifts or merchandise to be pawned for cash.
Melvin, Jennifer and Erica were all busted. Now, three years later, Shell is facing another identity theft scandal - only this time the employees are the victims, not the perpetrators!
Company Faces Second Identity Theft Crisis
An unnamed third party IT firm had been hired by Shell to work on data indexing - and their employees had access to the database containing the Social Security numbers and personal information belonging to many Shell employees. Some of these were unpleasantly surprised to find out that they had apparently applied for unemployment benefits!
The Texas Workforce Commission had received applications for unemployment compensation with the socials listed for four Shell employees. Shell, after discovering the fraud, escorted the IT off of their premises and terminated their contract with the firm, but many Shell workers are disturbed at the ease of which the crime was committed.
Insurance Fraud - the Worst Type of Identity Theft
This type of identity theft is particularly bad, as the consequences are harder to undo. Any time any type of insurance payment is fraudulently claimed, a C.L.U.E report is filed - which could make it difficult to get a job, obtain insurance of any kind, or qualify for benefits in the future.
Fortunately one of the four affected Shell employees blew the whistle, and the Houston based company has been warning employees of the breach in security. Many people feel that Shell should do more to safeguard both customers’ and employees’ confidential information, however, such as paying for fraud coverage.
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