—Location serves as third call center for fully U.S.-based workforce— Temecula, California, April 26, 2022 – IDIQ, an industry leader in identity theft protection and credit monitoring, announced today the opening of its new office in Tampa, Florida, to serve as a strategic hub for call center operations. The new space, located on Eisenhower Boulevard, [...]
— Seasoned Business Leader Joins IDIQ to Scale Explosive Growth — Temecula, California, April 5, 2022 – IDIQ, an industry leader in identity theft protection and credit monitoring, announces the appointment of Bryan Sullivan to the company’s top operating and financial role. Sullivan officially joined the company this past May, and brings more than [...]
Times of tragedy often bring out acts of charity. But unfortunately, they also bring out scammers hell-bent on exploiting the situation. And the Russian-Ukraine War is no different. As Russia continues to invade Ukraine, more and more Ukrainians are getting displaced, and millions are fleeing the country. So, it makes sense for people to want [...]
A boss scam is a phishing (email) or smishing (text messages) scam used by hackers. Hackers send fraudulent emails or texts in the boss scam, impersonating your boss or another executive. Information gathered through such scams can then be used for illegal activities and identity theft. The Better Business Bureau has warned the public to [...]
SIM swapping, also called SIM splitting or hijacking, is a technique employed by online fraudsters to gain access to, seize and control a victim's phone number and SIM information. They gain access to the victim’s identity and information through their phone company and use the information to conduct theft and other fraudulent activities online. Recently, [...]
—Company adds credit reporting of rental payment history to suite of services— Temecula, California, February 15, 2022 – IDIQ, an industry leader in identity theft and credit report monitoring, today announces its acquisition of Resident-Link™, a service for the rental community to allow consumers access to help build and establish their credit. IDIQ has acquired [...]
As annoying as software updates are on your phone, they are necessary to help protect you. With every update that you get, your phone's performance can improve. On the other hand, ignoring these updates can make your phone slow, hang frequently and be incompatible with different apps and software. It can also make your phone [...]
The Federal Trade Commission is commemorating Identity Theft Awareness Week with a series of free events focused on raising awareness and educating consumers about the growing risk of identity theft. The online events also offer advice on recovering and repairing your personal information after Identity Theft occurs. Of course, using an identity theft protection service that [...]
Tax season is here, and it’s essential to watch out for common tax scams. The IRS reports that in the last nine years tax scams have cost victims more than $23 million. Here are two scams to be aware of and a few tips for how you can help avoid them. Phone Scams A phone [...]
The Omicron variant has led to a major resurgence of COVID-19 cases nationwide, and with more people rushing to get tested, fraudulent testing sites are popping up everywhere, experts warn. Here’s how to spot the scammers. Most recently, the Better Business Bureau warned that these fake websites and pop-up testing sites would collect your personal information, [...]
In its recent annual Data Breach Industry Forecast, credit reporting agency Experian made five predictions for cybercrime and data breach trends to expect this year. The report based their findings on new and emerging trends in finance and technology, continued disruption caused by the pandemic, increased global connectivity and other factors. Here are five data [...]
If you have browsed the internet recently, you know about the cookie notifications that websites are now required to show. These notifications show up due to the General Data Protection Regulation, which was passed as part of the European Data Protection and Privacy Law. With the increased number of websites showing these notifications, you may [...]
The past year was packed with major events that affected the nation’s economy, from the earnings of the largest companies down to the wallets of individual consumers. Supply chain issues, inflation, a red-hot housing market, labor shortages and data breaches are just a few of the topics that affected our credit and personal finances. As [...]
The risk of identity theft is a concept that most of us are probably familiar with given the rise of cybercrime and data breaches. Yet a new report by Identity Theft Resource Center and DIG. Works has revealed that most employees do little to protect themselves when they learn their personal information has been exposed [...]
Your driver’s license has your personal information. So, that means it can be the perfect tool for identity thieves. The Identity Theft Resource Center states that the driver’s licenses of more than 150 million U.S. citizens have been compromised in the last four years. Unfortunately, the threat of identity fraud through your driver’s license is [...]
Have you ever received a call to update your car warranty, but you have no car? Did the message sound like a recording? Well, that’s a robocall or an automated call. A robocall is a pre-recorded message delivered by a computerized dialer. These calls are often associated with telemarketing companies and political parties. But, scammers [...]
—Technology is central to company growth and product roadmap— Temecula, California, Dec. 8, 2021 – IDIQ, an industry leader in credit report and identity theft monitoring, has selected Patrick Glennon to lead technology and security at the company. Recent growth and an aggressive product roadmap accelerated the need for a chief technology officer. IDIQ [...]
It may be true when they say “no good deed goes unpunished” as new adopted regulations meant to protect consumers may have the opposite consequence if you aren’t careful! The new rules on debt collection practices recently adopted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau can leave consumers more vulnerable to online scams. Here’s what’s new [...]
Americans are expected to spend $1.2 trillion this holiday season, with the majority of shoppers planning to buy most of their gifts online. Unfortunately, all that online spending is a huge motivator for scammers. Cyber-criminals set up fake shopping websites with the aim of selling consumers knockoff goods, stealing their information, or just taking their money. [...]
Gift cards can make for great gifts. They show your loved ones that you know their interests and give them the option to pick something of their own choice. They're an ideal gift for the upcoming holiday celebrations because they're an excellent way to work around product shortages and shipping delays. Problems with the supply [...]
Thinking about credit monitoring shouldn’t stop at protecting your own personal financials. To help keep your family safe, credit and identity theft monitoring should extend to your entire family, and here’s why: people want to protect their loved ones, from infants to aging parents, but simply can’t be everywhere at once. And trusting financial service [...]
The company’s recent growth necessitates new roles and responsibilities for leadership Temecula, California, Nov. 16, 2021 – IDIQ, an industry leader in identity theft and credit report monitoring, has named Damian Bushnell the company’s new chief product officer. Bushnell first joined IDIQ in 2012 as the senior vice president for product, project and development. [...]
Would you believe that incidents of identity fraud increased by more than 40% from 2019 to 2020? A report created by GIACT titled U.S. Identity Theft: The Stark Reality found financial loss related to identity theft rose by approximately 42% in 2020. With that huge increase, how can you protect yourself? The answer is education [...]
A hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts, disclosed an email hack of its employee email system, which may have exposed the personal information of thousands of patients. Earlier this month, UMass Memorial Health alerted patients who were affected by the hospital data breach. In a notice to affected patients, the hospital disclosed that an unauthorized person accessed [...]
If you thought fake check scams were a thing of the past, think again. It’s true that many people no longer write checks or do so infrequently. However, that hasn’t stopped criminals from using fake checks to separate victims from their hard-earned money. According to a recent Better Business Bureau report, the average loss in [...]
Private companies and large government agencies aren’t the only organizations that need to prioritize cybersecurity. Kindergarten through 12th-grade schools are also targeted by cybercriminals with hacks, ransomware, phishing scams, data breaches and more. According to the K-12 Security Information Exchange, last year set a record of cyber incidents in schools, with 408 disclosed incidents. These [...]
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and the theme for 2021 is “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.” There’s never been a better time than right now to review the processes you have in place to avoid the latest cybersecurity risks lurking in the corners of our everyday digital lives. The top cybersecurity concerns for consumers regarding their [...]
With the increased global use of social media, there are more opportunities than ever for scammers to steal identities or perpetrate fraud online. It can even put your family at physical risk. For example, did you know that your status updates posted on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and many other social media sites can be used [...]
If you’re a sole proprietor or independent contractor, there’s a good chance you’ve used your Social Security number (SSN) to conduct business. Whether you’re filing taxes, applying for a business credit card or other general business activities, sole proprietors often have to use a SSN when there isn’t an alternative. Unfortunately, using your SSN to [...]
T-Mobile’s massive data breach has affected 54 million customers. The breach, in many but not all cases, includes names, driver's license numbers, Social Security numbers (SSNs), and device identification (IMEI and IMSI) numbers for subscribers, former customers and prospective customers who may have been interested in T-Mobile service at one point. This most recent T-Mobile [...]
As U.S. university and college students look to return back to campus this fall, chances are they have plenty on their mind going into the first post-pandemic semester. And perhaps one thing that is way down on their to-do list is to consider how vulnerable their identity is to cybercriminals. Truth be told: cybercrimes against [...]
Temecula, California; August 17, 2021 – IDIQ®, a leader in the identity theft and credit monitoring industry and producer of IdentityIQ® and MyScoreIQ® brands, announced today it achieved the rank of No. 722 on the 2021 Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America. This is the second consecutive year IDIQ has been recognized [...]
Cloudstar, one of the title industry's primary cloud providers, remains compromised after a recent ransomware attack disrupted its services. The company also provides services to real estate, legal, insurance, financial services, petrochemical and the oil and gas industries. The Victim of a Ransomware Attack Here’s what happened, according to a notice on the Cloudstar website. [...]
With cybercrime on the rise, your personal information is at risk now more than ever. One of your best lines of defense is monitoring your credit report. You’re able to check your free credit report annually from the three major credit bureaus. And there’s nothing wrong with using this free service to review your credit [...]
Just about any type of payment you make can be done without paper checks these days. You can pay your bills through online portals, shop with credit cards or mobile payment apps and send money to your friends and family with Venmo or Zelle. But many people and businesses still rely on paper checks in [...]
If you are planning on closing on a home today, that may be difficult as a result of the latest ransomware attack. Its victim: Cloudstar, one of the title industry's primary cloud providers. The company also provides services to real estate, legal, insurance, financial services, petrochemical and oil and gas industries. Here’s What Happened On [...]
This month, qualifying Americans are starting to receive monthly payments as part of an advance on the expanded 2021 child tax credit. This economic stimulus is intended to help families and the economy rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. But millions of direct IRS payments can mean opportunities for scammers. Criminals are looking [...]
The shift to remote work during the pandemic brought with it a more relaxed approach to how employers view the idea of employees using their own devices. It is likely that as workers begin returning to the workplace, they may be able to keep using their own devices. While there are certainly some pros to [...]
As vaccination rates rise, travel plans are starting to take hold again. Unfortunately, cybercriminals remain at the ready to ruin your good time. Whether it’s promising discounted trips or posting phony rental listings, scammers are working to get a cut of your hard-earned travel money. Whether you’re planning a trip to the beach or an [...]
Volkswagen Group of America has revealed a data breach impacting more than 3.3 million customers after a vendor exposed unsecured data online, according to NBC News. The automaker said an unauthorized third party obtained personal information about customers and interested buyers from a vendor used for digital sales and marketing by its Audi Volkswagen brands [...]
Although the pace of layoffs and new applications for unemployment benefits has slowed, fraud attempts have not. Scammers continue to use the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to file fraudulent unemployment claims, often using someone else’s identity. These schemes are widespread and affect most states. Last year, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received more than [...]
Temecula, California, April 20, 2021 – IDIQ, an industry leader in credit report and identity theft monitoring, has named John Bauer to the role of president and chief revenue officer. In his new role, Bauer is responsible for managing the inorganic and organic revenue growth for the company, including reaching competitive markets within the financial [...]
Shoulder surfing is a type of identity theft practice where someone tries to steal confidential information by spying over their target's shoulder. The objective of shoulder surfing is to steal sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers or personal identification numbers (PINs) that can later be used to access accounts for financial gain.
Check scams are staging a comeback as criminals continue to seize on the confusion the COVID-19 pandemic has created in people’s lives and finances. Recently, Wells Fargo sent a message to bank customers warning them to be on the lookout for check scammers. One age group in particular – the 18 to 24 group – [...]
This past year, most Americans were focused on the pandemic and dealing with the economic impact and disruptions to their daily life. At the same time, criminals took advantage of new economic programs, a distracted public and an increase in online activity to commit fraud in record numbers. The information released in the FBI 2020 [...]
COVID-19 brought on many unexpected consequences, including what some are calling the cyber pandemic. Cybersecurity threats soared to all new highs last year and continue to increase as many professionals move to remote work and Americans increase their online presence in an attempt to social distance. A New Threat Now, cybercriminals have their eye on [...]
You may have noticed that nestled in with baby announcements, social-distancing birthday photos and dog snaps, social media posts are now also featuring people celebrating getting their COVID-19 vaccinations. It’s natural that after a year of living under pandemic restrictions people are eager to share their experiences with the shot. One thing you should avoid [...]
Every year, tax season presents a seasonal opportunity for criminals seeking monetary gain from identity theft. There are many ways that scammers may try to obtain personal information, but the end goal is to file a falsified tax return in the taxpayer’s name and claim a tax refund. The scheme may not be discovered until [...]
News agencies are reporting a possible second data breach using flaws in the SolarWinds software, this time with suspected Chinese hackers infiltrating U.S. payroll agency systems. Sources have disclosed another cybersecurity breach in the SolarWinds software that took place last year, affecting the National Finance Center, a federal payroll agency. Officials fear the breach might [...]
Life is hectic and it’s easy to miss details sometimes, even when that detail happens to be a bill coming due. Making your payments on time can be tough when you’re having financial troubles or simply juggling a lot of responsibilities. It’s important to pay your bills on time to protect your credit health. Late [...]
During the coronavirus pandemic, there’s been a direct correlation with the rise of online activity, data breaches and identity theft. As many Americans' personally identifiable information goes digital, it’s becoming increasingly vulnerable to hacks and theft by cybercriminals who profit from access to online accounts. This past year, in particular, internet services have experienced anywhere [...]
The news cycle has been dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the presidential election, nationwide protests and a whole lot more. With all that transpired over the last few months, and even with the SolarWinds cyberattack making headlines, it might be easy to forget that data breaches and hacks continue to expose the personal information of [...]
Identity theft has been around for a long time, and it continues to evolve and adapt with the times. With the variety of scams out there, it’s easy to get bogged down in rumors and half-truths. When it comes to identity theft, you need to avoid believing misinformation and spreading it to others. Here are [...]
This past year has been unlike any other. As we start a hopefully better 2021, we are taking a look back at the most searched and visited topics on the IdentityIQ blog during 2020. This list clearly shows that consumers are concerned about protecting their identity; paying down debt; learning how credit card debt impacts [...]
Cybersecurity experts are still trying to determine the scale of damage wrought by a recent cyberattack using SolarWinds software on the U.S. government and Fortune 500 companies. The attack aimed at the U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments as well as international companies continued for months until it was discovered by FireEye, a cybersecurity company that [...]
Investment to Accelerate Growth of Leading Identity Theft and Credit Protection Company New York – December 16, 2020 – Corsair Capital LLC (“Corsair”), one of the longest-standing private equity firms focused on business and financial services, today announced that it has acquired a majority stake in IDIQ®, a tech-enabled leader in credit report and [...]
The FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are investigating a cyberattack by Russian-linked hackers that have infiltrated the U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments. The cyberespionage campaign is being described at one of the largest hacks against U.S. government agencies in the last five years. Sources close to the investigation are reporting Russia is behind [...]
Home Depot officials have agreed to a $17.5 million settlement for a 2014 data breach that exposed the information of 40 million customers. The home improvement company reached the agreement with the attorney generals of 46 states and the District of Columbia. The settlement stems from a 2014 data breach where hackers were able to [...]
As unemployment numbers continue to climb, so do fake employer scams that are preying on those searching for work. In fact, there have been triple-digit increases in fake employer scams that aim to gain access to personal and financial information during the COVID-19 pandemic. Online human resources schemes where criminals pose as potential employers have [...]
Credit card fraud and identity theft are exploding as thieves prey on consumers’ COVID-19 pandemic spending habits and desire for contactless shopping. With the holidays approaching, you need to be extra vigilant. According to the Federal Trade Commission, credit card fraud has been one of the fastest-growing forms of identity theft. Reports of credit card [...]
Work-from-home jobs have always been a target of scammers. Now, amid the COVID-19 crisis, these jobs have become even larger targets. Complaints about scams for certain business and job-related opportunities have spiked this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau (BBB). This uptick comes as the United States [...]
According to the Federal Reserve, synthetic identity theft is one of the fastest growing forms of identity theft in the country. Synthetic identity theft occurs when a criminal uses a combination of real and falsified data to create a fictional identity for financial gain and other fraud. Children are particularly appealing victims for synthetic identity [...]
A malware attack is suspected in a recent Barnes & Noble data breach that exposed customer information. The attack also led to some customers not being able to access their e-reader Nook libraries and the temporary shutdown of cash registers at the bookstores’ physical locations. Barnes & Noble officials said the cyberattack took place earlier [...]
No one is completely safe from identity theft – not even after they die. In a form of identity theft known as “ghosting”, criminals can use a deceased person’s personal information to file false tax returns, claim Social Security benefits, open fraudulent loans and credit cards and more. Millions of deceased Americans have their identity [...]
A recent report by cybersecurity company GreatHorn found that companies experience an average of 1,185 phishing attacks every month. Even though the success rate of these phishing attacks is at a deceivingly low 6%, it means 71 of those are still successful and in need of remediation. The report found that 15% of organizations are [...]
E-commerce company Shopify recently disclosed the discovery of a data breach that affected customer data and transaction details for fewer than 200 merchants who use their platform. Shopify has reported the data breach to law enforcement including the FBI and other international agencies. According to the statement, two rogue employees on the customer support team [...]
Every day we use our personal information for access to online accounts, smart devices and other resources. This happens so frequently that the sensitivity of credential information can be taken for granted. A recent study by password management company LastPass found that a staggering 61 percent of business users reuse the same passwords for multiple [...]
Rise of the Gaming Industry and the Free-to-Play Model Over the past decade, the gaming industry has seen the rise of a new trend: the free-to-play (F2P) business model. While games released under this model require no upfront cost to play, game developers are making money by giving gamers the option of making in-game purchases [...]
A ransomware attack has exposed the commercial and personal employee data of Artech Information Systems, one of the largest IT staffing agencies in the nation. The data breach occurred Jan. 5 – 8 after a bad actor gained access to company servers through an employee user account, according to Bleeping Computer. Company officials said Social [...]
A former Uber executive has been charged with covering up a data breach affecting 57 million app users and drivers. Joe Sullivan, Uber’s former chief security officer, is facing obstruction of justice and other charges stemming from a 2016 data breach. The breach occurred when two men hacked a third-party server to steal the personal [...]
Medical records are a prime target for cybercriminals, and data breaches are a frequent occurrence in the health care industry. These records are valuable because they may contain a large variety of personal information, including your name, address, insurance information, Social Security number (SSN) and medical history. Medical records can be used to commit many [...]
IDIQ®, an industry leader in credit report and identity theft monitoring, has earned a coveted spot on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing companies in the nation. IDIQ received the rank of No. 94 in the Consumer Products & Services category and No. 1,079 overall on the Inc. magazine list with [...]
Across the country, states have implemented contact tracing programs to help track the spread of the coronavirus. Contact tracing is the process of finding individuals who have come in contact with a person who has COVID-19, learning about their movements and asking them to quarantine or monitor their symptoms. Contact tracers are hired by their [...]
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act temporarily placed federal student loans in forbearance, pausing payments and interest accrual through Sept. 30 of this year. Without further federal intervention, payments resume in a few short months. While the forbearance might be extended, borrowers should start preparing to resume payments this October. If you’ve temporarily [...]
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently issued a warning on a popular new cryptocurrency scam that tricks victims into sending money. The FTC warning comes after high-profile celebrities’ and national leaders’ Twitter accounts were hacked earlier this month with scammers sending out fake tweets telling followers to send money using the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Victims ranged [...]
An MGM Resorts data breach that exposed the personal information of hotel guests, including high-profile celebrities and business leaders, has affected millions more guests than originally thought, according to new reports. The MGM Resorts data breach was first reported early last year with more than 10.6 million guests affected. However, this month, a hacker placed [...]
As headlines focus on coronavirus-related scams, the related healthcare industry also continues to be a top target for cybercriminals. This year alone more than 3 million patient records have been exposed, according to Health It Security. Top 5 Healthcare Data Breaches This Year 1. Health Share of Oregon More than 654,000 patients had their records [...]
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, a record 32 million adult Americans lived with their parents or grandparents as of April. The pandemic is one likely culprit, but other factors – including housing costs and high student debt – have contributed to this phenomenon for years. Moving back in with your parents may [...]
Temecula, California, July 1, 2020 – IDIQ®, the company behind the credit report and identity theft monitoring IdentityIQ® brand, announced today an offer of three months at no cost and then 50% off each following month of its industry-leading services to those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Scott Hermann, IDIQ CEO, said the three-months-free and [...]
How expensive is a data breach for a big company? A recent report by Audit Analytics provides insight to this question in a study that sampled 639 cybersecurity breach incidents at public companies in the last nine years. The report, “Trends in Cybersecurity Breach Disclosures,” found the cost of a data breach directly relates to the life cycle of an incident and on the sensitivity of the compromised customer information. According to the study, the longer the life [...]
The coronavirus pandemic has canceled travel plans across the globe, and it’s likely to disrupt normal travel for some time. For the time being, there’s a good chance your vacation plans are canceled, and you’ll be stuck at home instead. If you have a travel rewards credit card, you may be wondering how to get [...]
The coronavirus continues to upset the economy, and the housing market is no exception. As of last month, around 4 million homeowners have already requested mortgage forbearance with their lenders through the CARES Act forbearance program. Mortgage lenders are responding to the economic uncertainty by tightening credit requirements and making borrowers jump through more hoops [...]
As social life continues to move into the online sphere, it becomes increasingly important to monitor your personal information. The average consumer has more than 27 online accounts and that number approaches 100 for millennials with only a handful of passwords being shared throughout all of them. Given that passwords are the first line of defense to protect personally identifiable [...]
Whether you’re giving money to help those in need during the coronavirus pandemic or supporting political activism, donating to charity is a worthy endeavor. If you’re donating to charity for the first time or you’ve been supporting your favorite causes for years, it’s a good idea to ensure your donation is safe and the charity [...]
Business clients applying for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans with Bank of America may have had their personal and business information exposed in a data breach, according to a letter the bank sent to affected customers. The data breach occurred on April 22 as Bank of America uploaded customers’ PPP loan applications to the Small [...]
The hacktivist group Anonymous has taken credit for a cyberattack that took down the Minneapolis Police Department website to protest the death of George Floyd while in police custody. Before the cyberattack, hacktivist group members allegedly released a video on Facebook saying they were targeting the police department in order to seek justice for Floyd. [...]
The coronavirus pandemic has created astonishing unemployment numbers, with nearly 39 million Americans applying for unemployment benefits since mid-March. States have struggled to keep up with the demand for unemployment benefits, resulting in glitches and long wait times to process applications and receive benefits. This dramatic increase in activity has provided scammers an opportunity to [...]
This Memorial Day we celebrate active duty and veteran military members for the sacrifices they’ve made for our country with 25% off credit and identity theft protection. These services are especially important as active duty and veteran military members are a group at highest risk for identity theft. Because of long deployments and the lower [...]
Illinois residents filing for coronavirus-related unemployment using the state’s new online system might have had their personal information exposed. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, D, announced the Illinois Department of Employment Security experienced a system “glitch” after launching this week. The system, a new online portal, has been set up for contractors and self-employed residents filing for [...]
The FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have issued a warning that China is attempting to hack the networks of U.S. organizations, pharmaceutical companies and health care professionals working on coronavirus vaccines and research. The federal agencies called research institutions, companies and others working on the COVID-19 response “prime targets” for Chinese cyberattacks. Federal [...]
Protecting your identity is an essential aspect of maintaining healthy credit and financial security. This is especially true in the age of COVID-19 scams, data breaches, cybersecurity threats and identity theft, when becoming a victim of fraud can do lasting damage to your credit and finances. The longer that identity theft continues unnoticed, the greater [...]
Temecula, California, May 12, 2020 – IDIQ, the company behind the credit and identity theft monitoring IdentityIQ® brand, today launched DataBreachIQ® services to help businesses prepare and manage data security breaches. The new service comes at a time when businesses are experiencing an unprecedented number of data breaches, including at the Small Business Administration during [...]
Zoom has acquired Keybase, a social networking service startup with encryption expertise, as part of the videoconferencing service’s plan to increase security during the coronavirus pandemic. Zoom CEO Eric Yuan recently announced the acquisition, calling it “another milestone in Zoom’s 90-day plan to further strengthen the security of our video communications platform.” Zoom did not [...]
Many Americans are depending on stimulus check payments to help them through unemployment, decreased hours and other financial hardships during the coronavirus pandemic. While the IRS has begun distributing stimulus check payments, there are still about 60 million people who are eligible for stimulus payments who have yet to receive their checks. What can you [...]
A data breach in the Small Business Association (SBA) loan application portal may have exposed the personal information of thousands of businesses last month as they submitted emergency loan applications during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Washington Post. The SBA has seen a large influx of applications from struggling businesses seeking emergency loans due [...]
With hackers and scammers going to unprecedented lengths to steal information during the coronavirus pandemic, it’s important to know about tools you can use to help make it more difficult for criminals to access your information. While data security and identity theft are complicated issues, taking steps to reduce your exposure doesn’t have to be. [...]
From fake coronavirus vaccines to scammers targeting stimulus checks and small businesses seeking financial assistance, fraud involving COVID-19 fears is rampant. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported from January to April 15 it has received more than 18,000 complaints regarding coronavirus-related scams with about $9 million in losses. The complaints include sellers claiming to have [...]
Scammers are preying on small business owners looking for financial assistance to help survive the shutdowns during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Office of Inspector General has reported an increase in grant and loan frauds and phishing email scams falsely claiming to be a part of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) economic stimulus programs. [...]
As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us, having an emergency savings fund is important for handling unexpected expenses. From job loss to reduced income to other unplanned issues, it is important to save up a few months’ worth of expenses to weather financial storms. Building a strong emergency savings fund takes more than slipping a [...]
The federal government has approved stimulus checks as the country deals with the devastating fallout from the coronavirus (COVID-19). However, these relief checks are giving scammers another avenue to try to steal your money and your personal information. For the stimulus package, relief checks for $1,200 are being sent to tax filers with an income [...]
