Browse Identity Theft

"Out of how many customer-service desks, out of how many registers she could have gone to, and she had to come to me?" It almost sounds like a take off of the Humphrey Bogart line from the movie Casablanca. It isn't. For Michelle McCambridge, the situation was all too real. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that last year 8.4 million people were the victims of identity theft. The good news is that is a decline from previous years where the numbers hovered close to the 10

When it comes to identity theft, not all thieves are ditching their tried and true methods of obtaining information in favor of the digital age. While some thieves may find it easier to steal information via the Internet, many are quite content to use the same methods that they have used for years. Mailboxes are the most common non-technological means for identity theft, and with the majority of mailboxes not being equipped with mailbox locks, this presents an ample opportuni

By all accounts consumers are doing a much better job of detecting and reporting identity theft. In fact the number of incidents had been in decline for a number of years. "Had been" is the key phrase. According to Javelin Strategy and Research, identity theft increased by twenty two percent in 2008. While the numbers for this year are not yet available, high profile cases like the one in Miami where Albert Gonzalez is accused of stealing over 40 million debit and credit card

It is probably no surprise to most adults that identity theft is one of the fastest growing types of fraud. But what may be more alarming is that people in the 18 to 29 age range are the fastest growing group of victims. One need not look too far to figure out why. Today’s young people ...

I have written many articles and blogs warning about the cost to a company from a security breach. Ben Worthen, a staff reporter in The Wall Street journal’s San Francisco bureau, wrote a great article “What to Do if You’ve Been Hacked” on September 26, 2011, where he has highlighted some key things to do. All the points are excellent but the #1 “to do” is to not ignore the attack and hope it goes away. It won’t! Here is some advice if your company network has been hacked:r

During the past year, I suffered two Windows system crashes and found myself combating numerous viruses and PC attacks. No matter what I did, or how often I updated my virus protection software and made sure my firewalls were intact, I woke up many mornings to find that yet another virus had invaded my computer.n nWhen my last crash occurred, I nearly lost it! It happened on a busy work day and left me feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed. I knew that 1) it was going to cost me

Identity Theft is a relatively new phenomenon. Unfortunately, this new phenomenon is also highly misunderstood by the general public. In Part One of our series on Identity Theft Protection, you learned some high level facts about Identity Theft and some various precautions you can take to guard your Identity. While Part One gives some practical tips to reduce your exposure to Identity Theft, you must first gain a better understanding of what Identity Theft actually entails. I

It has been reported that Paul Ducklin, Head of Technology for Sophos, referred to the Lulz Security (LulzSec) hackers as “schoolboys.” He added that most of the break-ins were “languorously orchestrated, using nothing more sophisticated than entry-level automatic web database bug-finding tools, available for free online.” So are schoolboys hacking sites designed by preschoolers?

How To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft As you were holiday shopping at full bore and you were searching online or in the store for the perfect gift, someone else may be seeking to steal your good name and credit. Identity theft can be as primitive as "ghosting" - taking a dead person's name and making a fake Social Security card with a scanner, a color copier, and light-blue marbled paper from an art supply store. Or it can involve sophisticated cybercrime forums such as

Every person who is working or surfing online can always be prone to spywares and other malicious threats on the web. They are like invisible parasites that attack your computers without you knowing it. When you are too engrossed surfing the net, you may not notice that you have already clicked on the wrong web site. Then, in such cases spywares will attack your unit without your knowledge until your computer begins to slow down. That is one manifestation of the effect of spy

A disaster can never be predicted. The consequences and damages of a natural or technological disaster can be very dreadful. Floods, earthquakes, accidents, fires or explosion can cause severe damage to your property. This puts you in a bad financial state. So we should always prepare to face these circumstances. Having property insurance before hand is the wisest decision to overcome these situations. Property threats like fire, flood, theft, earthquake, explosion and other

While computers and the internet have come to be an accepted part of our daily lives there are still many people who want no parts of them. There are several complaints to go along with this. The perceived lack of privacy in the form of having to provide personal information and then believing rightly or not that their information is now ready to broadcast across the world wide web. Or just that Big Brother is watching you from the other side of your monitor has many people s

The simple answer? It won’t. To paraphrase Willie Sutton, bank robber, “That’s where the money is.” PBS, Sony, Lockheed, Amazon, IMF, US Senate, etc., all announced in 2011 that their systems were hacked. Security specialists are now calling 2011 the year of the hacker. Weak SecureID tokens, malware, password attacks, etc., have all been used. Foreign governments, terrorists and a “hacking collective” called LulzSec have been accused. Recently, the DOD announced that cyber attacks can now be regarded as a military attack with the recourse being military ordnance.

Across America, identity theft is an increasingly common issue. The rapid growth of the internet and the easy and instant way that data can now be shared across the world has made this problem worse. Anyone could be at risk of identity theft, and the longer your identity is misused, the more problematic the situation becomes. Fortunately, doing a social security number search allows you to see how your number is being used and lets you act quickly to limit any damage. rnHow I

McAfee recently revealed that 72 different organizations around the world have been victims of cyber-spying. With attacks likely to increase, it is important to note that strengthening your access controls ensures that you have a higher level of security for all those who are attempting to access the network.

Facebook privacy appears to be the latest demand for every user now, as almost all net savvy individuals are addicted to Facebook and its attractive features. Every day, millions of users sign onto the site to communicate easily and interact with friends and colleagues. As such, you really need to know about Facebook’s privacy settings; if you are having problems with your privacy settings, you can fix it all by yourself. It is up to you how you manage your settings and kee

If you’ve been the victim of a hacked email, Facebook or Twitter account, you may be in for more than some simple annoyances and spam. Hacked emails could mean that the hackers have more personal information than you realize — including your online bills, shopping sites and banking information. (If you haven’t changed your Facebook, Twitter or email password in a while, let this article be the stimulus you need.) Luckily there are a few steps you can take in order to put a st

On a daily basis, consumers are barraged by offerings from companies claiming they can turn their dismal credit histories around and help them achieve higher credit scores. For a fee, they promise to clean up a consumer’s credit report so they can obtain a car loan, a home mortgage or ...

With the eco-chic move to a paperless society, and the convenience factor of receiving bills and paying bills online, millions of people are banking online these days. When you see headlines such as “University of Florida Breach Exposes Nearly 100,000” or “Missing Arkansas Background Records Raise Concerns,” you start to wonder how safe online transactions really are. It seems that an advanced society like ours has a lock-down on our personal banking information. Our

Ominous headlines continue to enlighten, inform and alert us to the ever growing presence of data breaches, which can bring an identity theft into our lives at any time. As criminals continue to find ingenious ways to steal from us whatever they can, including the thing we most take for granted- our own identities–it becomes ever more apparent that our best defense is knowledge and awareness. Whether you are an employee or the owner of a business that stores sensitive i

When you hear about some fairly new identity theft scam like the pay at the pump con or the parking violation scam that was unveiled in Iowa not too long ago, other forms of theft like phishing seem almost ancient in comparison. But it still works. How effectively? In the two years this specific international scam was unveiled identity thieves have stolen close to two million dollars from Wells Fargo and Bank Of America customers. That came to an end recently when a joint sti

If you are one of the many consumers in the United States, than you are probably well aware of how important it is to protect your identity. Unfortunately, the system used by the United States and countries all over the world to differentiate consumers is also the system used by many con artists to steal from and harm consumers as well. There are a few pieces of your personal information that I'm sure the majority of con artists would love to have! This leads us to how these

There is something galling about seeing a person that has worked hard their entire life having to in essence sleep with one eye open because they have reached a certain age that makes them particularly vulnerable to the predators of our society. Of course there is no perfect world and all of us regardless of age have to be vigilante. But this watchfulness goes double for senior citizens especially when it comes to something like identity theft. What happened recently in Virgi

There are so many people out there that trumpet the benefits of Big Data (including, admittedly, yours truly), that it's easy to overlook one very frightening implication. Big Data means increased information delivered easier and faster, but a lot of that information is about flesh and blood people who may not take too kindly to having all of their stats and habits collected, processed, disseminated, and analyzed by strangers. Yes, in a world where anything you say online run

Prior to you buying any sort of auto accident insurance online car insurance coverage, make sure you study your other auto insurance policies which means you don't wind up paying for something you do not need. Easy and simple system to get a wide variety of prices for car insurance is online quotes. You'll find that the prices will range between much like the absurd. Insurance is pricey so that you will definitely must look around. If you're able to EVER learn the secret to h

It would be appropriate to say that upon birth, your social security number is equally important with your other vital records like the birth certificate. As early as you were born, your parent can already get your own social security number. It is within this level of importance that every transaction you will make while at the country, you will need to present your social security number and card as a form of identification.nnThat is why bank account and health information,

Home computers contain a great deal of personal information about those that use them, and even if you do not use your computer online it is still important to protect this information against fraudsters.nnHome SecuritynMake sure your home is secure at all times, and keep the windows and doors locked when you go out to prevent thieves stealing any of your valuables, including your computer. Always password protect important files, and use separate computer logins for all memb

I’ve got a scary number for you: Security experts estimate that as many as ten million personal computers are infected with viruses designed to steal your personal information. nnIf that doesn’t make your hair stand on end, then listen to this: Panda Security found that at least one percent of the 67 million people who utilized their free Active Scan to test their computers last year were infected with malicious Trojan software programs. That’s 670,000 computers. They e

Today's generation has been defined with the latest technology and constantly evolving. mainly due to the development of technological development in the PC and, therefore, the global Internet, there are several users have access to the Web, and rarely transactions via the Internet. not to mention the quick access to references and resources through the use of PC and network, a network of online business is based on essentially the same. Because online businesses are growing

Basically, the theft of sensitive information from companies can happen in two ways: physical data breaches or online breaches of security. Physical identity theft refers to cases where the identity thief needs to get in close to their targets or to the information they are trying to obtain. These sorts of identity theft efforts include dumpster diving to search for documents which contain information such as account numbers, social security card or credit card numbers, addresses and like.

Anytime someone is victimized by identity theft and fraud it is a scary proposition. You get a phone call from a collection service that demands payment for a product you never heard of made in a store you have never been to in a state you have never visited. Explaining this basic truth to the person on the other end does not seem to do any good. Pay it or else and they do mean or else. There is also the criminal identity theft. Law enforcement officials show up at your place

Many large corporations and government agencies have found the cost savings, security and employee convenience very compelling to integrate logical access into the employee badge. However, the two biggest barriers in getting small to medium size businesses, clinics and agencies to follow suit have been: Awareness and Cost. Awareness:

Cleaning up the mess left behind by crooks and fraudsters can be costly, time consuming and enormously frustrating. nnSo what is the secret to avoiding an identity theft? It’s simple: plan for one!nnIt’s important to heed the danger warnings for identity theft. It has become increasingly difficult to avoid predator scams and data breaches. Here in a coastal state of Florida during hurricane season we are accustomed to heeding danger warnings and taking precautionary steps

It’s that time of year again. It’s tax time! Though many taxpayers may dread filing a return, and many of us would gladly welcome a refund, there are others ready to take advantage of this time of year: identity thieves. Especially now, you have to keep a tight grip on your personal information, or you could find yourself up against the IRS.nnWe are all much more vulnerable to identity theft during tax season. Scammers know that by late January and early February, valuabl

Fox News reported on 1/8/11 that ” Obama Administration Reportedly Plans to Create Internet ID for All Americans“. Obama wants the Commerce Department to create Internet ID for all Americans.

Almost every week you can read a story about someone learning about the debt he never used or authorities busting gangs of identity thieves who spent hundred or thousands and sometimes millions of dollars stolen from unaware citizens. Naturally you can follow tabloid media desire, get paranoid and watch more news TV waiting for more stolen identity drama. Don't get me wrong, just like most of you I feel deeply sorry for the victims and very angry at the bad guys but at the sa

Identity Theft is a very real threat in our society. Undoubtedly, you have read the staggering statistics regarding Identity Theft. If those facts do not make you step back a assess your current Insurance Program, I don't know what will. As I have spoken to countless people about the threat of Identity Theft, I have been amazed at the common attitude that exists. Everyone believes that it can not happen to them. My intent in writing this series on Identity Theft was to show t

About a year ago, I said the exact same statement, "Help me fix my computer for free." While I would have normally be willing to pay just to have my computer fixed, the problem was I was heavily cash strapped and I really did not have any budget for my computer. So I told that same phrase to a friend of mine. While he did not personally come over to my place and fixed my computer, he did however offer some tips and suggestions. Now if you are just about to shout to anyone, "H

We've seen it on a daily basis. Someone that is overloaded with luggage or has one shopping bag to many tries to hail a cab. Then you watch them get inside which may be a production unto itself. After arriving at their destination exiting the cab can also be a study in comedy. But at least they get where they are going. However you do not need to be overloaded with baggage to realize that you left something inside the taxi. It can be anything from keys to wallets or cell phon

The competition among the numerous companies that make up the notch of every business endeavor calls for a mechanism that will protect the interests of the company from predators that are out to steal valuable information from their rivals. There should be as a matter of fact the availability of an email security software using advanced threat defense to secure the fortunes of the business away from phishing attacks. Prevention is the best mode of defense. We shall look at wh

By all accounts it was a pretty good turnout. The Safety and Wellness Festival in La Vista Nebraska drew a huge crowd over the weekend and many brought their trash with them which was okay with Festival officials. Why? Because there was a shredding party going on. To be more specific personal information like medical bills and financial statements were brought by residents to be destroyed. The point of course was to remove as much personal information as possible so identity

Affinity fraud is a common form of investment fraud. It almost always involves either a fake investment or one where the scammer lies about the critical details, such as the risk of losing money, past investment results, or information about the people running the scheme. Unfortunately, many Albertans are approached with fraudulent investment opportunities through friends and family who are considered trusted sources. While sometimes these sources are fully aware of their int

Dark shadowy cloaked individuals tend to be the clichéd notion of most folks once the term phantom pops up. However phantoms who take your identity for his or her own gain can resemble anyone that you pass on the streets. But no, it's not a scary movie or a nightmare that vanishes but inescapable fact that exists at present times. Over 11 million Americans become victim to identity theft each year. Phantoms that steal somebody's identity can lead to massive debt on the part

We as Americans tend to have generous hearts and give freely when called upon during times of trouble. Many people donate money to charities online to help needy people with illnesses, animal activists and more. If you're one of those people, good for you! It 'an incredible thing that you can give to someone who is in need,or for disease research,in hopes of finding a cure. It's also a great thing to help those who protect animals and their rights as well. If you do give to c

Whenever I log onto my computer, visit a subscriber web sites or check my emails I always get the screen “Please enter your User Name and Password”. To manage this authentication barrage I might use the same logon information for all my sites, make the passwords simply to remember and keep the same password for years. Now my company’s IT department has decided to increase security by making me change my logon password every 60 days, make it more than 8 characters long and it has to contain both numeric or special characters. Security is a necessary burden.

Just like the normal safes, fireproof safes are good safes with the difference being that. They are likely going to endure hot temperatures if your home or office happens to catch fire while you are on vacation or away for one reason or another. You will most likely want to ensure that the most valuable and irreplaceable things are in the fireproof safe. With an original safe, you are assured that your things are safe, but in case of a fire, they will not be safe. When you pu

What is a data breach? A data breach occurs when customer information held by a company, business or institution is accessed, used, collected, retained or disclosed in a manner which is not in accordance with the applicable privacy laws and regulations and/or the company's own policies regarding customer information and privacy.

Identification theft is a rising drawback all through the United States and the world. As many as nine million people in this country could have their identities stolen every year. One source of id theft, although not the one one, is the follow of illegal staff utilizing someone else's Social Security Quantity to acquire work and housing. Typically, the identities used are of youngsters or the very aged, as a result of these people aren't more likely to notice that their iden

Identity theft is a term that means different things to different people. What one person calls identity theft is often different from another person's definition of the word. The meaning of the word "idiot," for instance, is different from a person who uses this term to describe someone else. The term "identity theft" is one that encompasses several behaviors and is very much used by those whose credit or debit cards have been used fraudulently. One point that is very import