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>>The gist of the article is some miscreant can create a video, post it to a major service and claim it's you, while using your legitimate e-mail address. In this case Vimeo fixed the hole that allowed it but it won't be the last time this happens. How many unsophisticated users will be so shocked or upset that they'll do whatever the poster wants?
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>That's certainly a good point.
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>Semi-related, you might have heard about the IRS scams the last few years. People (mainly from overseas) figure out how to spoof the IRS telephone numbers, and call people here and demand payment. They have just enough information on the person and they even threaten to send law enforcement. It has worked - a number of people have reportedly given their credit card number over the phone.
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>Same issue - a poor soul who isn't aware that the IRS rarely, rarely, rarely calls.
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>One of these scam units recently got busted overseas. I hope they are severely punished.
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>Obviously very different than a moron who engages in "adult" acts on a webcam.

The same scam has been active here (in Canada, with the CRA) just after income tax season. They typically demand payment in gift cards (iTunes or other).

As far as I know we haven't had bulk illicit access to taxpayer information like the IRS has: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/02/27/now_its_700000_irs_records_illegally_accessed/