Choicepoint settles security breach cases

ChoicePoint Incorporated has reached a settlement with 43 states and the District of Columbia over a 2005 database breach. The Alpharetta-based company collects personal and financial information on millions of consumers. In February 2005, identity thieves accessed data on 163,000 Americans. Under the settlement, Choicepoint agreed to adopt stronger security measures, conduct periodic audits, and pay a total of a half million dollars to the states for public education campaigns about identity theft.