US First Lady's Finance Details Leak on Internet

US First Lady Michelle Obama

 First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden are the latest public figures who appear to have had their private financial information posted on a website.

The FBI and Secret Service are investigating the site, which has credit details on at least 18 US government officials and entertainment stars, reports Sky News.

Mel Gibson, Jay-Z and his wife Beyonce, Kim Kardashian and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger are among those whose personal information has been posted.

The site includes Social Security numbers, credit reports, addresses and phone numbers.

It bears an internet suffix which was originally assigned to the Soviet Union, and many of the pages feature unflattering pictures or taunting messages of the person featured.

Others whose information has been posted include Britney Spears, US Attorney General Eric Holder and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said he had "no assessments to offer" on the situation and referred questions to the Secret Service, which would not provide any further details.

The site grew from 11 names to 18 in the first 24 hours since it became public, with its operator adding additional features to count the number of visitors and a link to a Twitter account.

It offers no explanation about why the targets were selected or how the information was obtained. The Twitter account includes an anti-police message in Russian.

Social Security numbers are not public records, although they used to be included in some court filings. Many courts require the information be redacted from filings since the numbers can be used to steal a person's identity.

The Los Angeles Police Department is also trying to determine how the information was obtained, including the address and credit report of Police Chief Charlie Beck.

Commander Andrew Smith said confidential information on top police officials had been posted online at least twice before.

He said: "People get mad at us, go on the internet and try to find information about us, and post it all on one site.

"The best word I can use to describe it is 'creepy'. It's a creepy thing to do."

The site's page on Chief Beck includes a reference to former officer Christopher Dorner, who apparently committed suicide after he killed four people during a multi-day rampage.



-- SKY NEWS