Wow - totally unacceptable - stock manipulation by spamming investors with seemingly legit and yet fake emails obtained by hacking into and sending from supposedly secure databases that contain very private info. (unbelievable that this is even possible - TD Ameritrade should be shut down for allowing this to happen - TD Ameritrade should be sued by anyone who sold their shares in the past few days). Amazing how far greed will go! I am glad I have held onto all my shares! This sort of hacker-email-scam would only be perpetrated in situations where amazing news is just around the corner...
Kim Hillyer, Manager Tim Nowell, Director
Communications Investor Relations
(402) 827-8654 (402) 597-8440
kim.hillyer@tdameritrade.com timothy.nowell@tdameritrade.com
TD AMERITRADE RELEASES RESULTS OF CLIENT SPAM INVESTIGATION
Assets Remain Secure
No Evidence of Identity Theft
Omaha, Neb., September 14, 2007 – TD AMERITRADE Holding Corporation (NASDAQ:
AMTD) has discovered and eliminated unauthorized code from its systems that allowed access
to an internal database. The discovery was made as the result of an internal investigation of
stock-related SPAM.
The Company commissioned forensic data experts to assist in its investigation of this issue.
Results of their combined efforts reveal the following:
• Client assets held in accounts with the Company remain secure as UserIDs, personal
identification numbers and passwords were not stored in this particular database.
• Information such as email addresses, names, addresses and phone numbers was retrieved
from this database and affects TD AMERITRADE retail and institutional clients.
• While more sensitive information like account numbers, date of birth and Social Security
Numbers is stored in this database, there is no evidence that it was taken.
“While the financial assets our clients hold with us were never touched, and there is no evidence
that our clients’ Social Security Numbers were taken, we understand that this issue has increased
unwanted SPAM, which is annoying and inconvenient for them,” said Joe Moglia, chief
executive officer. “We sincerely apologize for that and any added concern this may have
caused.”
The Company has hired a third party, ID Analytics, Inc., to investigate and monitor for potential
identity theft. ID Analytics provides identity risk services to many of the country’s largest banks
and telecommunications companies, as well as government agencies. Following its initial
evaluation, ID Analytics found no evidence of identity theft as a result of this issue.
“Following our thorough analysis, we found no evidence of identity theft related to
TD AMERITRADE clients as a result of this issue,” said Mike Cook, chief operating officer of
ID Analytics, Inc. “In our opinion, TD AMERITRADE is applying proven measures and
technologies to help protect its clients from identity theft.”
TD AMERITRADE will retain ID Analytics’ services on an ongoing basis to support its client
accounts by continuing to monitor for evidence of identity theft.
The Company is confident that it has identified the way in which this information was taken and
has taken the appropriate steps to prevent it from recurring.
“This issue is not unique to TD AMERITRADE. It’s something that all companies involved in
e-commerce should be aware of and prepared to address,” Moglia continued. “We participate in
industry peer groups to share information on these types of threats in the interest of protecting all
clients.”
TD AMERITRADE wants its clients to know that no special actions are required of them with
regard to their accounts, other than to continue remaining alert in guarding their personal
information. Their account assets are still protected by the Company’s Asset Protection
Guarantee.
For more information on this issue and the Asset Protection Guarantee, please visit the
Company’s special client information center at www.amtd.com.
AMTD-G
About TD AMERITRADE Holding Corporation
TD AMERITRADE Holding Corporation, through its brokerage subsidiaries1 provides a
dynamic balance of investment products and services that further the Independent Spirit of
individual investors. Listed by Barron’s as the #1 Web browser-based online broker and Forbes
as one of America's best big companies, the Company’s full spectrum of services include a
leading active trader program and long-term investor solutions, including a national branch
system, as well as relationships with one of the largest networks of independent registered
investment advisors.2 The Company’s common stock trades under the ticker symbol AMTD.
For more information, please visit www.amtd.com.
1TD AMERITRADE, Inc., member FINRA (www.finra.org) /SIPC (www.SIPC.org), receives clearing and custodial services
from TD AMERITRADE Clearing, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. TD AMERITRADE and TD AMERITRADE Clearing, Inc. are
subsidiaries of TD AMERITRADE Holding Corporation.
“The Best Web Browser-Based Online Broker” by Barron's, 3/5/2007 based on Trade Experience, Trading Technology,
Usability, Range of Offerings, Research Amenities, Portfolio Analysis & Reports, Customer Service & Access, and Costs.
Barron's is a registered trademark of Jones, L.P. More info on the Forbes award is available at www.forbes.com/platinum.
