A very interesting blog by Identity Theft Expert Robert Siciliano adds a new phrase to the growing lexicon surrounding identity theft – “Insider Identity Theft.”

According to Siciliano, who likens Insider Identity Theft to “a classic case of the fox watching the henhouse” in which “people with access to sensitive personal data are most likely to commit identity theft,” up to 70% of all identity theft is committed by “insiders” – those with inside access to organizations including corporations, banks, or government agencies – or people with existing relationships with the identity theft victims.

As an example of Insider Identity Theft, Siciliano uses a story about a 27-year-old computer technician working for Bank of New York Mellon who was charged with identity theft and other crimes after being accused of stealing the identities of more than 150 of his fellow employees and – over the course of eight years, from 2001 to 2009 – using those identities to commit over $1 million in identity theft against charities, non-profits, and other institutions.

To avoid suffering from Insider Identity Theft, Siciliano suggests that organizations – along with limiting access to a few trusted sources, increased supervision and auditing, and prosecuting the guilty – include background checks from information brokers as part of due diligence in the information age. “Not doing a background check increases your liability,” warns Siciliano. “A person previously convicted of a crime just might do it again.”

To help organizations avoid Insider Identity Theft that could lead to identity theft, Pre-Employ.com – a leading provider of background checks and employment services – offers a suite of customizable background check solutions to help ensure the safety and security of employees, employers, and the public. For more information on background checks, visit www.pre-employ.com, email info@pre-employ.com, or call 1-800-300-1821. Follow Pre-Employ.com on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PreEmploy.

tahearn@pre-employ.com

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