Verizon Files Suit in Data Theft Case

Verizon Wireless announced on Wednesday that it had filed a lawsuit against a Florida-based private investigative firm over what it said were attempts to fraudulently access confidential information about Verizon Wireless customers.

According to the carrier, Global Information Group (GIG) made "thousands of attempts" by impersonating Verizon Wireless employees or customers. On Monday, Hillsborough County, FL officials seized information that GIG had gathered.

"We simply will not tolerate fraudulent schemes that prey on our company and our customers," Verizon general counsel Steven Zipperstein said in a statement.

Verizon has taken legal action against other companies to protect its customers, including a court order to halt a Tennesee company from obtaining and selling consumer telephone information, and injunctions against telemarketing firms in Florida and California to stop sales calls.