According to statistics compiled by PC World, the minimum cost of obtaining an e-mail address for marketing purposes is one cent. Furthermore, some 9 million pieces of junk e-mail are delivered each day on America Online alone. It's another matter, however, when the information falls into criminal hands. With as little information as a Social Security number and date of birth, a criminal can assume another person's identity and rack up thousands of dollars worth of debt. The result may be a ruined credit record that can take years, perhaps even a lifetime, to amend.
Security experts warn consumers to be especially cautious when they purchase merchandise online.
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