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 [...]
The recent Federal Bureau of Investigations Internet Crime Report shows that cybercrime has spiked, leaving hundreds of thousands of victims and costing more than $4 billion. The FBI received a record number of reports last year totaling 791,790, a 69% growth from 2019. Moreover, losses due to internet crime increased by $700 million, growing from [...]
The deep web and dark web both aren't listed by search engines such as Google and Yahoo, but the dark web can contain illegal activity.
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 [...]
On average there are three data breaches a day, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. So, that means your personal information might be at risk. If you’ve been notified you have been compromised in a data breach or suspect your personal information has been exposed, here are some concrete steps you can take to [...]
When an identity thief has purchased your personal information from a data breach, they can use it for all manner of malicious purposes. One common use is tax fraud. This means a criminal might have purchased your bank account details and tax documents online and then have authenticated access to your bank account. Then the [...]
If you’re still under the impression that hacking is restricted to hoodie-wearing individuals in darkened rooms, then you might be vastly underestimating the scale of the data breach problem. Last year alone more than 300 million consumers were impacted by data breaches, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. Let’s break down how cybercriminals [...]
Identity theft insurance is a type of insurance policy that can help victims recover from losses caused by identity theft. It may be offered as a standalone policy, or as a benefit with other types of insurance or identity protection plans. Not all identity theft insurance policies offer the same level of coverage. If you’re [...]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are trying online dating for the first time. Unfortunately, scammers are looking to take advantage of that. Especially during Valentine’s Day and the season of love, singles looking to make that special love connection via an online dating app need to be particularly aware of online romance scams. MatchGroup, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
As the COVID-19 vaccine continues to become available to more people, be aware of potential scams related to the vaccine. It’s important to stay vigilant to certain warning signs that can help you avoid being scammed. Two vaccines to prevent coronavirus infections have now been granted authorization for emergency use. Every day thousands of more [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
The holidays no doubt can offer many of us some respite from this chaotic year. However, the season also creates an opportunistic time for cybercriminals to take advantage of your good cheer and deliver some real damage to your personal finance credentials. Pandemic shopping habits mean more of us are going to be online during [...]
Anyone can fall victim to credit card fraud. Take television personality Sharon Osborne, for instance. “The Talk” host recently shared with viewers she and rocker husband Ozzy were credit card fraud victims. Osbourne revealed, “Someone rang up charges and maxed out Ozzy's card and my card. I called through to the credit card company, and [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Scammers are now targeting Google and Amazon customers the most frequently with brand phishing attacks, according to a new report. A recent study by security company Check Point found that Google and Amazon customers tie for the most phishing attempts aiming to steal their personal information at 13% of total attacks during the second quarter [...]
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 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 [...]
As social life continues to move into the online sphere, it becomes increasingly important to monitor and protect our online data. 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 [...]
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 [...]
Scammers have been registering coronavirus-related domain website names daily in order to commit fraud, according to new reports. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, cybercriminals have been registering malicious sites with names that include “coronavirus” and “COVID-19”. They also are using combinations of the pandemic names and the word “vaccine”. Reports are showing malicious [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
As many of us are working from home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, now is the time to be especially vigilant when it comes to protecting personal and business data online. Here are three tips to help secure your data. 1. Use a virtual private network (VPN). Securing employee access with a VPN can give [...]
As the COVID-19 pandemic has many people quarantined in their homes and worried about stretching their finances during this difficult time, some scammers are using coronavirus fears to take advantage of others. Here are 4 helpful tips on spotting scams capitalizing on the coronavirus, so you can avoid becoming a scam victim. 1. Be on [...]
Even a savvy millionaire can fall victim to a phishing email scam as “Shark Tank” judge Barbara Corcoran recently discovered. Corcoran, who has made millions investing, including in real estate, recently said she was the victim of a phishing email scam when her bookkeeper wired $388,700 to a fraudulent bank account in China. She said [...]
Hackers are launching email and web-based cyberattacks using the growing fears of the coronavirus as clickbait. Security experts have discovered new malware campaigns that are offering the promise of everything from educational content on the coronavirus to conspiracy-theory cures that instead infect devices with the goal of causing damage or stealing data. The campaigns are [...]
Tax season can sometimes be stressful — even when things go according to plan — but what happens when you are the victim of tax identity theft? Unfortunately, if your identity is stolen and used for tax-related fraud, you might never receive that tax refund. If someone used your personal information to file a fraudulent [...]
Tax season is officially here with Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week, Feb. 3 – 7. While it’s important to be on high alert and protect your identity all year long, tax season is an especially vulnerable time. Every tax season, identity thieves run a variety of scams to get their hands on taxpayers’ personal information. [...]
This holiday season alone, retail industry professionals expect Americans to spend more than $1 trillion. Criminals see this increased spending as an opportunity to rip off consumers, steal their money, and obtain their personal data to commit fraud and identity theft. It pays to be vigilant. Here are four types of scams to watch out [...]
The head of cybersecurity at Capital One has been removed following this summer’s data breach that exposed the personal information of more than 100 million customers. Michael Johnson has transitioned from Capital One’s chief information security officer to a new role as senior vice president and special advisor for cybersecurity, according to the company. The [...]
With all the recent data breaches involving smartphone apps, here is a compilation of breaches that might have put your personally identifiable information at risk: A white-hat ethical hacker reported an Instagram vulnerability in the login form and Sync Contacts feature that puts user accounts at risk. The flaw allowed a hacker to create fraudulent [...]
Top U.S. government officials living abroad have recently been targeted by hackers through Facebook’s WhatsApp messaging application. An internal investigation by WhatsApp found numerous U.S. officials in at least 20 countries have become victims of data breaches through hacking software through the app. The hackers allegedly took control of users’ smartphones in order to access [...]
The 7-Eleven Fuel app suffered a data breach in Australia last week that exposed users’ personal details. The app uses customer location and pricing data to help drivers find the best gas prices at local 7-Elevens, and lock in the low prices by prepaying. A customer reported the breach to 7-Eleven when he discovered he [...]
Two hackers have pled guilty to stealing 57 million files containing customer and driver personal information from Uber, which company officials failed to report to police for almost a year. Hackers Brandon Glover and Vasile Mereacre recently plead guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion charges for their roles in a 2016 data breach affecting Uber [...]
Protect yourself and your family Identity thieves and fraudsters consistently innovate and adapt to new security measures when it comes to their crimes. One of the more modern cons, known as synthetic identity theft, is high on the list of concerns for legislators and financial institutions alike. Any demographic could be vulnerable to this form [...]
A new zombie attack is preying on Windows users in an attempt to take over their machines, according to researchers. Microsoft security researchers recently reported a new malware campaign, called Nodersok, that aims to disable Windows Updates and Windows Defender and turn the victimized device into a “zombie” proxy. The Nodersok infection begins with a [...]
Anyone who uses a work email address needs to be wary of email phishing scams, a common tool used by cybercriminals to prey on businesses, government entities, and other employers. Phishing emails are a common form of social engineering used to impersonate the email of a legitimate sender – such as a company or colleague [...]
A new Social Security scam is using scare tactics and prepaid cards to steal victims’ money. The new scam involves phone calls from criminals claiming to be from the Social Security Administration and reporting there has been suspicious activity involving the potential victim’s Social Security number (SSN), according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. The [...]
A SIM swap scam occurs when thieves have gained enough of your personal information to convince a wireless provider to transfer your phone number to a new SIM card that is in their control. Once they have your phone number, they will try to access your accounts, including email, banking and even social media, and [...]
When people hear the term “spoof” they often think of a humorous parody of a song, movie, or real situation. It’s all about imitation — just like it is in the context of cybersecurity. But when it comes to cybersecurity, the imitation isn’t about humor or entertainment. In this context, spoofing refers to the malicious [...]
As the dark web has become a more common topic of discussion, the term "deep web" is often used synonymously with dark web — but there is a significant difference between the two. Read on to learn about the difference between the deep web and the dark web: What is the deep web? Deep web [...]
Email and phone phishing scams are commonplace in the modern age. Their goal is to trick you into providing personal information, such as bank account numbers or personally identifying data, that can be used to commit fraud or identify theft. But thanks to spam filters and call screening, many phishing scams now go ignored. However, [...]
September is National Preparedness Month, so now is the time to create a plan to keep your personal information safe in case of a disaster. When a hurricane, wildfire, or tornado hit, you will need to make sure you have access to your personal identifiable information (PII) as well as other important documents to help [...]
Hurricane Dorian left damage along the east coast from North Carolina to the Bahamas. While residents work to clean up the affected areas, they face a new threat after the storm – identity theft. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), fraud spikes after a natural disaster with identity thieves and other scammers targeting [...]
An energy firm is out almost $250,000 from a high-tech phone scam that used artificial intelligence to mimic the boss’s voice. The CEO of the unnamed company, based in the United Kingdom, thought he was on the phone with his boss from the company’s German headquarters and following directions when he transferred about $243,000 to [...]
Scammers make up more than half of login attempts on social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, according to a new report. A new fraud and abuse report by Arkose Labs found that 53% of logins along with 25% of new account signups on social media are by scammers. Most of the fraudulent [...]
A new phishing scam is using false two-factor authentication to take over Instagram accounts. The scam, recently discovered by researchers, starts with emails stating the recipients have had a login attempt into their Instagram accounts. The email states if the recipients did not attempt to log into their accounts they need to log in and [...]
Five men have been charged with stealing millions of dollars from military members and veterans as part of an international identity theft and fraud ring that used stolen personal information to gain access to Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs benefit sites. The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Frederick Brown, Robert Wayne Boling Jr., [...]
When it comes to consumer protection and security, not all credit cards are created equal. While all credit cards do offer basic security features, some cards go above and beyond to protect cardholders. If you’re looking for a new credit card, you should make sure the credit card issuer is prepared to provide protection. Here [...]
Identity thieves use stolen personal information to open fraudulent accounts, empty bank accounts, and wreak havoc on their victims’ credit and finances. If you become a victim of identity theft, it’s important to catch it early. The sooner you find out your identity has been stolen, the sooner you can take action and prevent any [...]
There is a lot of coordination that goes into planning a vacation – you’ve got to arrange travel, lodging, logistics, food, and more – and that’s all while you figure out how to pay for your trip! But if you’re planning on booking a rental property for your vacation, you also need to look out [...]
There are many travel scams that target tourists with the aim of separating them from their money or committing identity theft. Some scams, such as phony travel offers and fake rental listings, may occur before you even disembark on your trip. But assuming your travel arrangements are legitimate, you still need to be careful once [...]
Did you know that how you dispute fraudulent charges on a debit card is different than on a credit card? Consumer protection laws differ in each case and knowing the differences can help to keep your accounts safe from identity theft. Mainly, if you need to dispute a fraudulent debit card charge, the funds [...]
Graduation season is here and that means many young people will be heading out on their own for the first time. However, with that new-found freedom comes an increased risk for fraud and identity theft. Did you know that young people fall victim to fraud and identity theft at a higher rate than older adults? [...]
Identity Theft Recovery Plan: Start with Your Credit Report If your personal information has been compromised, maybe by a data breach or stolen credit card, check your bank accounts for fraudulent activity immediately. You may be a victim of id theft. If you see fraudulent charges, you may feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or even lost. [...]
Cybercriminals are incredibly adaptable. They learn new security measures quickly and find new ways to steal sensitive information—often preying on individuals who aren’t familiar with the signs of common scams. One of the most common techniques used to exploit web-users is the phishing scam. This article will cover what phishing is, the different phishing approaches [...]
Child identity theft is becoming a serious and costly problem that can affect families long after their children become adults. In fact, more than a million children were affected by identity fraud and it cost families more than $540 million out of pocket in 2017 alone. Do you feel confident spotting the signs of child [...]
Protecting your finances and identity is a year-round endeavor, and you should always be diligent to guard yourself against identity theft. But identity theft and fraud are especially prevalent during the holiday season. According to credit bureau Experian, fraud attempts spike during the holidays, especially on Thanksgiving and the days leading up to Christmas. What [...]
For many charities, the holiday season is the biggest time of the year for charitable donations. People are in a giving mood, the deadline for making this year’s tax-deductible donations is approaching, and mission-based organizations are making their final push to solicit donors. But this spike in giving can put donors at risk of fraud, [...]
We’ve previously recommended two-factor authentication (2FA) as a useful tool for protecting your online accounts on this very blog. When enabled, 2FA requires a second verification after you enter your username and password, and it helps prevent anyone who has stolen your login credentials from gaining access to your accounts. Many organizations including banks, credit [...]
Social media networks are a great way to connect with friends and family online, but they’re also a breeding ground for scams and criminal activity. And while you may picture hackers trying to break into your account, thieves can just as easily use the information you volunteer to share publicly. It pays to be careful [...]
When it comes to protecting your online accounts, passwords are one of the most important lines of defense. Your finances, credit score, and identity are all protected by the passwords you keep. Unfortunately, many people practice poor password security, which can leave them vulnerable. While passwords aren’t foolproof against thieves and hackers, using good practices [...]
People take vacations to explore new places, get away from the daily grind, or just plain relax. But even when relaxation is your goal, you need to be vigilant against identity theft. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, over 17 million people fell victim to identity theft in 2014 alone, and thieves won’t take [...]
Your credit card is one of the most valuable items in your wallet, and you rightfully might feel frantic if it’s been lost or stolen. But unlike some other pieces of property, federal law protects your credit card. Replacing it might be a pain, but if you act fast you can limit the damage done. [...]
Each year, millions of Americans fall victim to identity theft. It’s a serious threat, as thieves can use your personal information to open new accounts, claim tax refunds, file fraudulent Medicare claims, and more. Even if your identity isn’t stolen, thieves may try to use your personal information to gain access to your bank account [...]
Debit cards are one of the worst ways to use your money if you want your ID protected. Because it’s linked directly to your bank account, anyone with your card information can instantly withdraw all the money from your account. If that doesn’t scare you enough, there’s the fact that debit cards don’t have near [...]
Despite an increasing focus on the importance of cybersecurity, organizations continue to lose consumer data to hackers and data breaches on a regular basis. It’s a widespread problem that will likely continue to grow and leave you vulnerable to fraud and identity theft. While you may know the basics of keeping yourself protected (not sharing [...]
Data breaches are just about a daily occurrence. Whether it’s at a hospital, business school, energy provider or any other business with personal data on file, hackers are finding more ways to steal information and possibly later use it for fraud. Checking a credit report each month to make sure thieves haven’t opened accounts in [...]
Each year in the United States, tax season provides con artists an opportunity to scam taxpayers out of their hard-earned money. It’s a serious problem that is only on the rise: according to the IRS, the number of potential victims for one common scam has skyrocketed from hundreds to several thousands in a matter of [...]
