Highlands County S.A.L.T Council 424 Fernleaf Ave. Sebring, Florida 33870 Tel: 863-385-0024

IDENTITY THEFT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU!

20 March 2008
Attorney General McCollum Urges Consumers to Monitor Credit and Debit Activity ~Sweetbay Supermarket breach highlights growing problem of data theft~

TALLAHASSEE - Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued a consumer alert following the recent theft of data from the Tampa-based Sweetbay Supermarket chain and its sister company, Maine-based Hannaford Brothers. At least 1,800 customers have reported being the victims of fraud as a result of the data breach. Consumers who used credit or debit cards at the 106 Sweetbay stores in Florida between December 2007 and March 10, 2008 should closely review their accounts for unauthorized charges and monitor their bank and credit card statements, McCollum cautioned.

"The large number of fraud reports related to this data breach emphasizes that real people are being harmed," McCollum said. "I encourage all Floridians to be aware and active in protecting themselves against fraud and identity theft and to recognize that data breaches of this magnitude are becoming more common."

Sweetbay and Hannaford Brothers, both owned by Belgium-based Delhaize Group, S.A., reported Monday that their computer systems were hacked in December 2007. Credit card and debit card account numbers were stolen in connection with 4.2 million customer purchases.

Company officials believe hackers broke into the systems and captured data during part of the payment process at check-out.
Although company officials say customer name and address information was not part of the stolen data, Attorney General McCollum cautions that consumers should not let their guard down as the investigation continues. While the number of Florida consumers potentially affected is unconfirmed, some reports indicate 1.6 million Sweetbay transactions are at issue. Most Sweetbay stores are in the greater Tampa Bay area with stores extending to Naples, Lakeland and Crystal River.

All Sweetbay customers should promptly review statements and transactions during the four-month period in question to check for unusual activity and report fraudulent charges to banks or credit card issuers for investigation, reversal, or card reissuance. Company officials are expected to prominently display in-store notices of the breach, and the Attorney General's Office is monitoring compliance.

Affected consumers may call Sweetbay's toll-free special assistance number, 1-866-591-4580, or visit the company's website at http://www.sweetbaysupermarket.com/Contents/News_Events/News/News.shtml

Consumers who believe they may have been a victim of identity theft related to this or any other data breach are encouraged to contact the Attorney General's Fraud Hotline at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226). Other steps to take include contacting police, and requesting that the national credit bureaus place a fraud alert on your credit report. Notify banks and creditors involved of questionable charges or accounts, keep records of all telephone calls and follow up in writing with credit bureaus, banks and creditors.

For additional tips on combating identity theft, log onto the Attorney General's website at http://myfloridalegal.com.

Did you know that by learning just one fact about you a criminal can alter your credit history and affect your future?

On July 31st, 2005 the Parade section of The Tampa Tribune had an article on how to guard your identity and pointed this out to its' readers.

Did you know that the one fact can be found in your garbage if you do not shred or tear up your old papers and you just crumple them up and throw them away? A close friend of the writer had his identity stolen by someone who obtained information from his garbage. It was a nightmare and it took him over two years to straighten his credit history out.

The Tampa Tribune article points out that "an identity thief doesn't just steal your credit card and go on a spending spree. He gets new cards, opens new accounts and takes out new loans, leaving a trail of unpaid bills in your name." This article also points out that all a thief needs is your Social Security number. Think of the number of agencies and companies that have your social security number and the number of employees that they have that have access to your records. It's scary!

HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS TO HELP PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY.

Remember if it sounds too good to be true--it probably isn't true!

Some of the information used in this article was taken from the Parade section of the July 31, 2005 edition of the Tampa Tribune.