Kids charged with ID theft for taking computers

**JPete** · 06-12-2012, 01:16 PM

Men Caught Stealing Computers From Recycling Center May Have Been Data Mining, Cops Say - Wyckoff, NJ Patch

I wonder what the story is behind this. Sounds like they needed quick cash and broke into the center to take what they could. Cops caught them and they said it was for ID theft? Doesn't sound right, but what do I know.

Anyone here ever been approached for ID theft due to e-waste?

**Destructo_d** · 06-12-2012, 03:21 PM

I'd buy that reason.... Think about it this way.. Yout computer dies.... You decide to get a laptop or even hold off for a while... you can't format your hard drive and drop off at a recycle center... You private info can potentially be on on hard drive still.... Which is why any time a computer is given to me, the hd gets smashed to make sure no data can be stolen

**easyrecycle** · 06-12-2012, 03:43 PM

In my book....theft is theft. It should not matter if they where doing it for the info on them or not.

One thing tho...if they try to get them on the ID theft...it wont hold up in court and will get tossed out. They have NO proof that they where taking the computers for that use so they cant charge them for that unless one of them said that's what they where going to do with them.

So I see this as a simple theft case. Maybe a reporter who trying to make a story bigger than it really is?

Theft is...well theft.
two guys stealing computers to take people id to sell on the black market to make a killing on....better new line

**JPete** · 06-12-2012, 04:02 PM

My thought is that they did it for scrap and the police upped the charges to give it more bite. $5K bail is pretty high. I hate the thought of garbage picking someone's PC at the curb and then the police claiming I did it for ID theft. That is a scary thought.

**joebob49** · 06-12-2012, 06:08 PM

When I find pcs on the curb. Usually I remove the hard drive and knock on the door. Some people are greatfull to know that someone is honest and willing to inform them how identity theft can work. More offten then not they say whatever just take it. Even a few have told me to take their id could only help it lol. I went to high school with a known hacker. He doesnt need your HDD to steal your id. All he needs is an open port and he is in. Although he is now in the buisness of helping make security better. After a stent in jail. Moral of my story is sometimes if you take a little of your time and explain to someone. Well it tends to get your phones ringing more. Infact a gentlman from several months ago called me yesterday I have 3 towers a tv and a dvd player to pick up thursday.