Criminals selling your personal information online; Here's how to protect your identity
One dollar.
That's where the prices start in online marketplaces to buy a Social Security number.
Consumer Investigator Justin Gray found out that may be all it takes to steal your identity.
On Channel 11 Morning News at 6:45 a.m., how criminals are getting your information, and how to protect yourself.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
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Los Angeles Times
3 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
ICE didn't raid Disneyland but federal agents arrested a man at a nearby park
Amid President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, rumors spread wildly through social media and even Ring app alerts about Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arriving at Disneyland on Wednesday to question workers and guests. While Disney and Anaheim officials disputed the viral claim as unfounded, the city acknowledged cellphone videos of an SUV pursuing a man two miles down the street at Pearson Park the following morning was credible evidence of federal immigration enforcement. The contrast between Orange County's largest employer and a public park surrounded by a Latino neighborhood illustrates how ICE raids have sown fear, confusion and vigilance in the community. Anaheim Councilmember Natalie Rubalcava saw the Pearson Park video on Instagram, got dressed and headed out to vet the claim. She spoke to a young Latino who recounted how federal agents dressed in black with their faces covered approached him and another man at the park. 'They asked him for identification,' Rubalcava said. 'When he told them he was born in the U.S., they told him 'prove it.'' He gave agents his Social Security number when the other man fled on foot. Agents driving an SUV gave chase, apprehended the man and left by the time Rubalcava arrived. 'We're being told that the police are only [going after] people with criminal records and warrants,' she said. 'That doesn't appear to be the case. The person I spoke to, he was asked if he had documentation. That makes me feel like racial profiling is happening. That is really disheartening and worrisome.' ICE did not return a TimesOC request for comment on any Disneyland or Pearson Park enforcement actions by press time. Since protests erupted in Los Angeles on June 6 in response to ICE raids, the Orange County Rapid Response Network's hotline has been flooded with similar tips about immigration enforcement closer to home. Sandra De Anda, the group's network coordinator, emphasizes a 'salute' method for its team of volunteer ICE watchers to assess the 'size, action, location, uniform, time and equipment' details of a raid in confirming it. None of the social media posts about Disneyland reviewed by TimesOC on Wednesday afternoon had photo or video evidence of ICE agents pulling over workers driving out of employee parking lots, questioning guests exiting the parks or boarding buses along Harbor Boulevard in the Disneyland Resort, as claimed. But that didn't stop them from going viral — or being untrue. By Wednesday evening, the Rapid Response Network posted on social media that its team was in direct contact with Disney officials and confirmed no ICE presence at the resort though multiple reports surfaced throughout the day. The group's own ICE watchers had no independent photo or video of any alleged immigration enforcement action. As of Thursday, it had not received any recent tips about ICE sightings at hotels and restaurants surrounding the Disneyland Resort, either. 'The verification process takes time,' De Anda said. 'We have to confirm with officials like city managers and police chiefs. There has to be several levels of verification before the information goes out into the community, otherwise it will just scare the community.' By then, social media spread the word about Disneyland far and wide. The Rapid Response Network's own post did not go as viral. Mike Lyster, an Anaheim spokesperson, has responded to several reports across the city on a daily basis since June 6. Alongside another city official, he drove to Disney's Harbor Boulevard entrance on Wednesday. Lyster did not witness any ICE agents on site nor when he canvassed the area by car. Disney officials and Anaheim police also had nothing to report. 'We can say with a high degree of confidence that there was no activity there,' Lyster said. Following a Thursday morning interview with TimesOC, Lyster received another report about potential ICE activity two miles north of Disneyland at Pearson Park and drove there. An hour later, Lyster told TimesOC that the incident was believed to be a federal immigration enforcement action, but the city didn't know who exactly carried it out. Despite unverified claims on social media about ICE activity at major commercial hubs in Orange County like Disneyland, the MainPlace Mall, South Coast Plaza, Irvine Spectrum and the Market Place, the Rapid Response Network has more readily confirmed raids at small businesses like car washes. De Anda said ICE is to blame for creating a climate of chaos and misinformation as she has recently come face to face with agents in her activism. 'Only one time did they produce a warrant from the Department of Homeland Security,' she said. 'When my team was doing this under the Biden Administration, they would produce a warrant, even if it was an administrative warrant. Now these agents are not identifying themselves. The tactics have changed dramatically.' After finishing her interview, De Anda headed to Irvine to investigate new reports of ICE activity.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
2 men charged with kidnapping person, demanding ransom from family in Pittsburgh
New details are emerging in a kidnapping and ransom case that ended at Frick Park, one of the city's busiest public spaces. Police say the suspects demanded a $150,000 ransom drop at the park's bleachers, where the victim's family ultimately delivered $22,000 in cash inside a Giant Eagle bag. Pittsburgh police have charged Donald Wilson, 36, of Pittsburgh and Anthony Bailey, 45, of Pittsburgh, with kidnapping, among other serious offenses. According to investigators, the crime began around 1 a.m. last Wednesday, when the suspects broke into a Pittsburgh home. They allegedly entered a bedroom, held the victim at gunpoint while they were asleep, and demanded drugs and money. Court documents reveal the suspects tied the victim's hands and feet, ordering them to keep their eyes closed or risk being killed. One suspect allegedly threatened, 'I've killed people for free, and I cut off toes for fun.' The suspects then forced the victim into a car and drove to the East Exit Motel in Monroeville, where they continued to demand ransom money from the victim's family. Park visitors who frequent the area say they were stunned to learn what happened. 'This is my sacred place to walk,' said Tonya Magwood, a local resident. 'It's serene, peaceful. To hear about a ransom drop—I was shocked.' John Cornack, who runs a children's camp at Frick Park every summer, called the situation 'concerning.' 'We'll be keeping an extra eye out,' Cornack said. 'We want to make sure people feel safe on these courts and on these bleachers. This is such a beautiful place.' Police were able to identify and locate the suspects through surveillance footage from the motel, where Bailey checked in using his real ID, and ride-share records from Lyft. The ride history helped investigators track movements to and from the motel while the victim was being held. One suspect was later arrested after a SWAT standoff at a residence in Pittsburgh. Before releasing the victim on a nearby street, the suspects reportedly took their cell phone and other personal belongings. The victim was able to get help from a family member and is now safe, according to police. Pittsburgh police have not released the name or gender of the victim in order to protect their identity. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Experts Issue Urgent Warning After Massive AT&T Data Leak Resurfaces
AT&T customers are being warned to act fast after a trove of stolen data, containing up to 86 million customer records, resurfaced on cybercrime forums this week. According to McAfee security experts, the leak includes personal details that could easily lead to identity theft. The database was originally stolen in a 2024 breach but had not been widely published until now. Researchers say Russian hackers appear to be selling the data on underground forums, and cybercriminals now have access to email addresses, phone numbers, and, most alarmingly, nearly 44 million Social Security numbers. 'If you're an AT&T customer, now's the time to take action,' warned Jasdev Dhaliwal of McAfee. 'This data is already circulating, and it contains everything criminals need to impersonate you—your SSN, name, phone number, and more.' Newsweek reported that cybersecurity expert Steve Weisman echoed that concern, adding that once your Social Security number is out, the best defense is to get an IRS-issued PIN to prevent fraudulent tax filings. AT&T responded by saying this is not a new breach. "After analysis by our internal teams as well as external data consultants, we are confident this is repackaged data previously released on the dark web in March 2024," the company said in a statement. AT&T added that all affected customers had already been notified last year and that law enforcement is involved in the latest development. But with the data making headlines again, and being actively sold, experts urge customers not to assume they're safe. They recommend checking your credit reports, freezing your credit if needed, and updating your AT&T account password. The exposed data could be used in phishing scams, loan fraud, or even to file false tax returns. Bottom line: even if this isn't a brand-new breach, the damage is far from over. And if your identity is part of the leak, ignoring it now could cost you Issue Urgent Warning After Massive AT&T Data Leak Resurfaces first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 12, 2025
