Posts tagged identity theft
A Modern-Day Beethoven and Government Impersonation Scams

Beginning in the late 20th century, the musical world was captivated by Mamoru Samuragochi, a deaf man who, like Beethoven, composed classical music. Audiences from Japan to New York celebrated his soulful music and flamboyant style. His music was so spectacular that he was celebrated as “Japan’s Beethoven.” 

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Low-Tech Data Protection is Important Too!

Recently, a Canadian Court awarded aspiring professional clarinetist Eric Abramovitz a six-figure judgment in an identity theft lawsuit he brought against his ex-girlfriend, after she accessed his e-mail and turned down a coveted scholarship on his behalf. While much of the recent news has been dominated by tales of sophisticated cyber attacks, this anecdote shows that low-tech approaches can be just as damaging. A good data protection plan will evaluate risks specific to the business and establish protocols designed to minimize data compromise and loss, including loss from human error and environmental factors.

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Cybersecurity and Identity Theft–Sometimes it Really Is a Stradivari Violin

Huguette Clark died at the age of 104 in a hospital under a pseudonym, divorced, childless, and a recluse, belying her background. Three years after her death. While cleaning out a closet in one of Huguette’s New York City apartments, someone found a violin bearing the Stradivari label tucked away, untouched for more than 25 years. Reading about Huguette and the one-in-a-million real Strad, I recalled a recent experience in my own life. I received a telephone message no one wants–my bank manager was calling. She said it was important and I should call her as soon as possible.

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Identity Theft in Violins and Tax Scams

My violin was made in 1962 by a luthier named Umberto Lanaro, but it bears the label of Eligio Puccini and says it was made in 1947. Although it is a mystery why Lanaro used Puccini’s “identity” when he made labeled my violin, money and theft were clearly the motives when, two years ago, an unknown person used my name and social security number to file an income tax return seeking a hefty tax refund.

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