Identity Theft, Fraud Growing at Alarming Rate
A leading expert on white-collar crime, Henry Pontell can comment on the growing problems of identity theft and fraud, computer crimes and hacking. He is currently involved with a large project investigating identity fraud in Australia, where it is estimated to be a $4 billion-a-year problem. Pontell, professor and past chair of the Department of Criminology, Law and Society, is – co-author of the recently released “Looting America: Greed, Corruption, Villains and Victims,” which traces the historical roots of scandals infecting our economy today. Pontell argues that white collar crime is the most destructive crime problem in America with financial, physical and social costs dwarfing those of street crime. To interview Pontell, contact him at (949) 824-6153 or hnpontel@uci.edu.

Pontell on identity theft and fraud: “There are kids out there today who can steal your identity, destroy your credit and empty out your bank account without ever leaving their keyboards. And they can do it as fast as unwrapping their birthday presents.”

Computer Security and Privacy at Risk
Gene Tsudik, an expert in computer and network security and applied cryptography, is available to discuss Internet, cell phone and wireless networking security and privacy issues, including e-mail, spam, anonymity, computer “worms” and viruses. He can also comment on protection and monitoring technologies. Tsudik has authored more than 70 journal and conference papers about security and cryptography and holds seven U.S. patents. The associate dean of research and graduate studies and associate professor in the School of Information and Computer Science, Tsudik is currently leading several research projects that will increase privacy for Internet users and consumers in general. Among them, developing novel techniques to secure tele- and video-conferencing over the Internet and providing privacy for outsourced databases and other sensitive information. To interview Tsudik, contact Michelle Williams, (949) 824-1562, or micwilli@uci.edu.

Tsudik on security and privacy on the Internet: “Beware of unsolicited e-mail (even from friends), instant security experts and snake-oil, cure-all security products.”

Employee E-mail, Web Snooping on the Rise
Calvin Morrill, professor and chair of the Sociology Department, can comment on the organizational practice of monitoring employees’ web browsing and e-mails, particularly when it causes conflict within the organization. Morrill’s research is focused on social conflict as it manifests itself in people’s daily routines and broader institutional structures, such as the workplace. His book, The Executive Way: Conflict Management in Corporations, was selected as a 1995 Best Nonfiction Book by the Chicago Tribune. Contact Morrill at (949) 824 9322 or calvin@uci.edu.

Morrill on surveillance of employees: “The surveillance of employees is a hot button issue that goes to the heart of employee legal rights and obligations with respect to privacy and authority.”