In recent times it has become increasingly difficult to keep personal data safe from hackers. Now, to make matters worse, an incident has come to light where a former Verizon employee willingly handed over customer data for personal gain.
The man, identified as Daniel Eugene Traeger from Birmingham, Alabama, entered into an agreement with a private investigator to provide customer call records in exchange for money. Per the agreement, Traeger provided the details to the PI from 2009 to 2014, initially making $50 per month before going on to make over $750.
It is estimated that the ex-employee made more than $10,000 through the deal with the PI. He accessed Verizon"s MARS system to get the call records of customers demanded by the PI, which were compiled in spreadsheets and provided. The identity of the investigator hasn"t been revealed. Additionally, it isn"t known where the targeted customers were located.
Traeger has pleaded guilty to the charges and could be facing a maximum five year prison sentence after his court appearance next month.
Source: Ars Technica | Program code on monitor image, Crime scene image via Shutterstock