There may be some relief on the way for consumers on credit card late fees..getty
Credit cards are not easy for visually impaired people to use because they can’t always see the terminal to know where to insert their card. But the main challenge for blind people is that they can’t confirm whether the price the retailer keys in is accurate. To alleviate that problem, French tech firm Thales has developed a credit card that talks.
This credit card doesn’t only contain a payment chip but another piece of electronics that enables you to connect it to the user’s cellphone. This connection enables the reception via Bluetooth of all the information that is displayed on the card payment terminal. The smartphone then vocalizes that transaction through a speaker or headphones in French, English or a number of other languages. [Marketplace]
What Fed Rate Increases Mean for Mortgages, Credit Cards and More
As the Federal Reserve has lifted its key interest rate several times over the past year, Americans have seen the effects on both sides of the household ledger: Savers benefit from higher yields, but borrowers pay more.
Credit card rates are closely linked to the Fed’s actions, so consumers with revolving debt can expect to see those rates rise, usually within one or two billing cycles. The average credit card rate was 19.9% as of Jan. 25, according to Bankrate.com, up from around 16% in March last year, when the Fed began its series of rate increases. [The New York Times]
Credit Card Debt Rose Hand in Hand with Inflation Last Year
In the last quarter of 2022, the average credit card debt per borrower increased to $5,804, compared to around $5,100 for the same period in 2021 and 2020. Overall, collective credit card balances reached about $930 billion in the last quarter of 2022, an 18.5% jump and new record high, TransUnion says.
That tracks with previous third-quarter data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which found credit card balances increased to $930 billion, a 15% year-over-year uptick. [Money]
85% of Consumers Feel More Secure in Life with a Healthy Credit Score
Of U.S. consumers, 85% say they feel more secure in the rest of their lives when their credit score is healthy, according to a national survey released by FICO last week. It also found that about one-third of Americans feel financially insecure, and 43% say the unstable economy is a barrier towards achieving financial goals. The survey results suggest that even during periods of economic uncertainty, good credit helps people feel more in control. [The Motley Fool]
Record $3.8 Billion Stolen in Crypto Hacks Last Year
A record $3.8 billion worth of cryptocurrency was stolen from various services last year, with much of those thefts driven by North Korean-linked hackers, according to a new report. The increase in crypto heists, from $3.3 billion in 2021, came as the overall market for cryptocurrencies suffered significant declines.
The value of Bitcoin, for example, fell by more than 60% last year. North Korea was a key driver for the surge in thefts, according to the report. Hackers linked to the country stole an estimated $1.7 billion worth of cryptocurrency through various hacks in 2022, up from $429 million in the prior year. [CNN]
It’s Live! Delta’s New Credit Card Benefit for 15% Off Award Flights
Delta and American Express officially launched TakeOff 15, a splashy benefit for both new and existing Delta SkyMiles American Express credit cardholders that gets you at least a 15% discount on SkyMiles award tickets booked through Delta.
TakeOff 15 is a new benefit for Delta SkyMiles American Express cardholders that provides at least a 15% mileage discount when redeeming SkyMiles for Delta-operated award flights. It’s available on both consumer and business versions of the Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, and Reserve credit cards. [Thrifty Traveler]
Beyoncé Is Going on Tour, and a Citi Card Can Help You Get a Ticket
The demand for Beyoncé’s latest tour is sure to be astronomical for this global icon who hasn’t toured since 2018. If you’re hoping to catch one of Beyoncé’s U.S. concerts, your Citi card could help you score these coveted tickets. All Citi cards that have the Visa or Mastercard logo and Citi debit cards with the Mastercard logo are eligible.
Before registering for the Citi presale of your choice, you’ll first need to add your qualifying Citi card as a payment option in your Ticketmaster account. After adding the card to your Ticketmaster account, you’ll then have to complete the Verified Fan registration to access the presale. [NerdWallet]
American Express Launches Financial Management Tools for Small Businesses
American Express has launched a new service for small businesses that provides a way to manage their finances from a single point, a service which they call American Express Business Blueprint. Built on the Kabbage platform, which American Express acquired in 2020, Business Blueprint features cash flow insights and a way to buy digital financial products, such as a line of credit, from American Express. [Forbes]
Mastercard, Binance to Launch Their Second Prepaid Crypto Card in Latin America
Credit card giant Mastercard has teamed up with the world’s largest crypto exchange to launch another prepaid crypto card in Latin America. On Monday, Binance announced the launch of the Binance Card in Brazil. The new card is issued by Dock, a payment institution regulated by Banco Central do Brasil, Brazil’s central bank.
The new card will allow new and existing Binance users in the country with valid national IDs to make purchases and pay bills with crypto assets. The card is in a beta testing phase and will be widely available in the coming weeks. Brazil is the second country where Binance has launched the product, following Argentina in August. [Coin Telegraph]
Will Digital Wallets Kill Credit Cards?
Digital wallets, also called mobile wallets, are gaining popularity for their convenience and ease of use. Despite their growing popularity, digital wallets are still quite a way from cornering the payment market, in part because merchants are slow to adopt new payments processing technology.
While mobile wallets probably won’t be the default anytime soon, it’s not out of the realm of possibility to think we’ll do away with plastic credit cards in favor of digital versions sometime in the next few decades. [The Motley Fool]
The Capital One Venture X Business Card Will Launch Next Week
Last year, Capital One quietly launched a small-business rewards card available exclusively to clients with a Capital One Relationship Manager. The Capital One Spark Travel Elite card was noticeably similar to the issuer’s premium credit card, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, with parallel earning rates, travel benefits, and annual fees. Now the cards are even more aligned.
The Capital One Spark Travel Elite card will rebrand next week as the new Capital One Venture X Business Card. The Venture X Business Card won’t be available to just anyone. As with its previous incarnation, you’ll need to apply for the card through your Capital One Relationship Manager. They’re like a liaison between business owners and the bank who help arrange accounts, loans, and other credit. [Business Insider]
Photo illustration by Natalie Matthews-Ramo/Slate. Photo by Utkarxh Rathore/Unsplash.
One day, B.J. Mendelson was playing Roblox with his school-aged nieces when suddenly, he heard a stranger’s voice come out of one of their iPads. A longtime digital security buff, he was pretty creeped out. He knew how to keep himself secure online, but the incident brought home just how many opportunities for privacy breaches there are lurking in everyday devices. Most people, including his own brother and sister-in-law, operate them without a playbook.
That’s why this fall, he decided to start a podcast miniseries with the goal of making digital privacy more accessible. Sexy, even. The result is Stupid Sexy Privacy, a show in which he and co-host Rosie Tran give listeners bite-size, actionable tips on dealing with basic tech stuff like password management, not letting your car harvest your data, and whatever Elon Musk is doing to Twitter. Mendelson was kind enough to share some of these pearls of privacy wisdom with Slate, though you should probably get a VPN before you read them.
This interview has been condensed and edited from two conversations for clarity.
Heather Schwedel: Let’s consider the hypothetical person who knows absolutely nothing about privacy—what are some things they can do to improve their security, like, right this second?
B.J. Mendelson: Use the right browser and get a forwarding email address. I use DuckDuckGo and an @duck email address. These days, most marketing emails have trackers in them that collect data about you. The @duck forwarding address strips away the tracker and forwards it to your real email so you can get messages without companies collecting your information.
You can also use ClamAV to look for malicious software, and use Signal for messaging. Signal is great—it’s not sophisticated, it has a lot of fun features, there’s a group chat option, and it lets you chat securely with your friends and family without worrying whether someone can access your messages. If I can get people reading this to just switch to Signal, I’ve already done a large part of my job.
Also, get a VPN (virtual private network.) It disguises your web activity and limits the data your internet service provider can collect about you.
I thought a VPN was for like, watching streaming services from other countries and buying dark-web drugs. Do I, an average person, really need one?
If you’re at home, then you don’t have to worry about it. But if you’re out and using public Wi-Fi, you absolutely do. Something like 90 percent of Gen Z and millennials own a smartphone. [Actually, it’s roughly 98 percent for Gen Z and 94 percent for millennials.] We’re all out and about using and connecting to different Wi-Fis that are probably not secure. That’s a serious thing. That’s why I use tools like Proton VPN, which has an app. You fire it up, and then off you go.
If you’re going through a breakup, and you’ve shared your device with that partner, you absolutely need a new device. It’s the only way to guarantee that there’s not a keylogger—which lets the person who installed it monitor every single thing you enter on your keyboard, including passwords, emails, etc.—or some other kind of spyware that they’ve put on there.
When I heard that tip, I balked at the idea that it was easy. First of all, you recommend getting a new Mac, which is expensive!
You’re right, it is expensive. And it sucks. And I wish that there was an alternative. But for most people, that is the easiest, most basic way for them to protect themselves.
It also struck me as a little extreme to get a new computer every time you go through a breakup. In a lot of cases, you were with a decent person and it just didn’t work out—should you really be afraid of them?
That’s always the question, right? In the privacy space, they talk about threat vectors, which is really just a nice way of asking what the probability is that someone’s going to do something shitty to you. But, it’s easy to be evil today. Revenge porn is unfortunately a huge thing. That’s why we talk about this stuff.
But you’re right. I have a couple of ex-girlfriends who’ve had access to my stuff. Am I concerned that they’re spying on me? No. But is the possibility there? The possibility is always there.
These costs must start to add up. How much money do you personally spend on privacy stuff annually?
Signal is free. DuckDuckGo is free. The DuckDuckGo forwarding email address is free. ClamAV is free. Proton VPN is one regular expense, which is about $100 a year. Again, the nice thing about privacy is that a lot of this stuff is open-source , which means it’s freely available, and the incentive is usually to protect users rather than turn a profit. There are services like 1Password that I also pay for.
DeleteMe, the other service that I think everyone needs, is also unfortunately expensive. It’s a tool that removes personal data captured by data brokers. If you’ve got two weeks’ worth of free time, you can go to all 600 of those data brokers yourself and fill out a form on their individual websites, which is often buried under a bunch of legalese. In doing so, you might even create more data that then go back to them. So what DeleteMe does is constantly look for your information and then scrub it again, which saves you time. I paid about $250 for it.
All told, I spend about $300 or $350 a year on privacy stuff. And I want to be clear: That sucks. I should not have to pay for this. Something like DeleteMe should be something that’s government-funded so that everyone can use it.
What’s the dumbest infosec mistake you see people make?
Clicking on suspicious links in emails and texts. We all fall for it. I’ve fallen for it. My dad recently fell for it. Just understand that not everything you get is safe, especially in email. There’s a company that I do some work with, and we constantly get phishing emails that look like they’re from the CEO. Everything looks so legit and sophisticated that people click on it. And so that’s been the most common thing.
People need to look for typos and spelling errors in these emails. And to check if the domain from the sender was correct. What does the website look like when you do click through? And if you do click, please, for the love of God, do it using Tor. Any time that you’re suspicious of a link, if you’re on a desktop, you can just download Tor and then pop the link in there. That’s a secure way to look at a link without having to worry about it hijacking your system.
Your first book about privacy came out a few years ago, and you’re working on a new one now. What would you say have been the biggest changes in this landscape since the last book came out?
Definitely this thing that’s going on with Twitter. But before that, it was the scope and scale of Russia’s hacking of the DNC [Democratic National Committee]. We didn’t know how deep it was. But I think the level of sophistication is something that people should be aware of.
Here’s the scary thing: The tools and tactics that Russia used have now been co-opted by Republican operatives, fascists, and other weirdos to harass people, dox them, and spread misinformation. Things like trying to smear people with old tweets or things that have been taken out of context have also become so much more common and aggressive for the day-to-day person. When I first wrote the book, we were talking about governments, journalists, and big organizations being hit with these attacks, but now we’re all dealing with it.
I definitely want to talk about Twitter. What should people do about Twitter right now?
If you’re going to stay, the first thing you want to do is protect your tweets by going into your settings, then the Privacy and Safety tab, then clicking Audience and Tagging. That makes them private, so only the people who follow you can see them. This matters, because what’s going to happen when Musk rolls out the new Twitter Blue? If you look at the ad for Twitter Blue, it says, “Rocket straight to the top of @-messages and DMs.” If I were a bad actor, I could purchase Twitter Blue and just start harassing people in a way that’s harder to ignore. Protecting your tweets can help.
The second thing is to use a YubiKey, Google Authenticator, or Authy. Google Authenticator and Authy are two-factor authentication apps that are more secure than SMS. But the most secure option is a YubiKey, which is a physical key that plugs into your USB drive or phone that you need to have with you to log in to Twitter.
The third thing, and this gets into legal territory, is to delete your DMs in case someone breaks into your account. The response that I’ve gotten to this is, “Well, that doesn’t delete them from Twitter servers.” Two things to say about that: First, you should delete all your past and future Twitter DMs just in case someone breaks into your account and finds information that could be used to break into your other accounts.
Secondly, if Twitter employees access your DMs, the company is liable under the Stored Communications Act. Corporate employees of companies like Facebook and Google can face criminal charges for accessing this sort of private information and using it in certain ways.
I think there is a real risk that if you’re the average person using Twitter, you can still be hacked. Plus, privacy is a thing that we need to do together. Not only are you protecting yourself, but you’re also protecting other people whom you’ve had conversations with.
Another idea I’ve always been suspicious of is that I need to put a sticker on my laptop camera.
Again, it’s a crime of opportunity. Let’s say you’re at work, and there’s a breach in the company server. If that happens, people can find a way to get on to your laptop, and it’s entirely possible they could activate your microphone and your video camera without you knowing. For a long time, I was telling people to just put a Post-it note over the camera. I know it sounds silly, but it’s a legit concern.
Just talking about hidden cameras for a second, that’s a global epidemic around the world that adversely affects women. And so, getting an RF detector—a small device that detects hidden cameras—can go a long way to keeping yourself and your privacy secure. You can also get a mic blocker to disable mic access so no apps on your phone can listen to you.
OK, one more question. What is the sexiest thing about privacy?
There’s nothing sexier than being able to share images and videos with your partner, especially during times like a pandemic, and not having to worry about, “Oh my God, this is gonna wind up on some guy’s hard drive or website?”
I think intimacy with the knowledge of security is very sexy.
There are more and more remote workers in the modern age. Companies are realizing how effective it can be to have their staff based at home and opening up the possibilities of employing people without having to worry too much about where they are based. Generally, most of the consequences that happen after your identity is stolen have some sort of financial gain for the criminal.
As a remote worker, it could be that someone is looking to steal your data to gain access to the company you work for. Organizations need to be especially careful. As an employee, this doesn’t fall solely on you, but it is important that you consider the best practices for keeping data safe.
How to Prevent Identity Theft
If you’ve found this article in advance of having to deal with the consequences of identity theft then there is still a lot you can do to hopefully ensure you never have to deal with it happening to you. If you are working for a large company or your data is particularly sensitive, it makes sense to outsource all of your online security. There are organizations that know exactly how to keep your ID safe and secure and can help both individuals and organizations, even large organizations might find that they are lacking in precautions.
The best thing to do for peace of mind is to work with the professionals and make sure that identity theft doesn’t become a big hassle for you in the future. Now, this might be a different story for business owners who work remotely. Many remote business owners get targeted for online identity theft. This can prove deadly for the business; many businesses fail right after they get their online security breaches.
It is essential for every company on the internet to implement security measures for it to succeed. This could be achieved either by outsourcing your identity security or, you can do it yourself. Even though it is advised to leave it to the professionals, you can still tackle this problem and be safe on the internet:The most important thing you should do is doing your research thoroughly regarding this issue.
It is essential because it not only involves buying software or implementing new technology. It also requires education and hours of reading and watching videos. Hence, it is more complicated than you think. You may find more information here.
There are some basic things you can do: Change passwords regularly and generate them rather than just use your cat’s name! People will find a way to get through basic and simple passwords so they should use a lot of different characters. Never automatically trust a link that is sent to you. Check if the website is secure and don’t put any details in on a site that you have even one doubt about. Things like online banking are prime examples.
Always visit their sites through your browser rather than just clicking on a link in an email. This is prime for someone to take advantage of phishing. Have a high-quality anti-virus on your computer. If you are running a big company then you should definitely ensure you have access to this for all of your staff. Don’t mix work and personal life. A working computer should be for work and your personal devices should be for your own accounts on things. If you log into work emails on a laptop that is yours, and you don’t take the right precautions, you could be accountable if anything happens.
How to Tackle Identity Theft When it Happens
If the worst does happen and you find yourself a victim of identity theft, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to try and minimize the damage. If you want to, you can contact the specialists. Again, there are specific companies who can deal with identity theft and help you to ensure that you deal with everything in the correct manner, rather than making mistakes along the way. You should look to get a fraud alert put on your credit report, this can limit the damage of any credit taken out fraudulently in your name.
Report to the FTC. This is one of the first steps you can take. There is a simple form that you can fill in on an FTC site, IdentityTheft.gov or you can call to speak to a member of staff. Try to gain as much evidence as you can when you are talking to them, ready to show exactly what is happening to your accounts. Go to your local police. Different police forces deal with the issues in different ways and the location where the offense happened might play a part, but authorities should be alerted straight away. Freeze credit cards and bank accounts. Stop anything negative from happening while you wait to establish what steps you are going to take.
Freezing lines of credit can allow you to ensure that you do not run up further debts without spending anything! Your credit card might be being used on the other side of the world. Change all of your passwords. One breach is enough to ensure that you should get new passwords for every account you have including social media. Alert your work if using a work laptop or if the ID theft is in any way linked. If you fear that these details could lead to issues for your workplace then there is no way you should keep it from them. If you need to, you can still contact specialists in identity theft who can walk you through all of the steps required to try to get your life back on track.
Conclusion
There is no denying that identity theft can have a huge negative impact on your life, and even on those close to you. If it isn’t properly dealt with then it could keep having an effect decades into the future. If you haven’t suffered from ID theft yet then you can take steps to ensure your security. If you are working with a company and are worried about their data then this is another reason to take security seriously.
Just a few simple precautions can make all the difference, and you need to know what techniques and tactics current fraudsters are using to try and steal your information.
“Over The Shoulder” techniques. Someone can watch your input data. It’s as simple as that. If you are in a co-working space, for instance, you might be targeted by someone looking to steal your data.
“Over The Shoulder” techniques. Someone can watch your input data. It’s as simple as that. If you are in a co-working space, for instance, you might be targeted by someone looking to steal your data.
You need to have your guard up. Identity theft is becoming more sophisticated and people will always look for new ways to get your personal information. For a criminal, it can be very lucrative.
What Happens When Your Identity is Stolen?
Identity theft can lead to your data being sold. People sell it on the dark web, and this means that people all over the world could be using your data to borrow money, make applications, and even commit other crimes. Generally, most of the consequences that happen after your identity is stolen have some sort of financial gain for the criminal.
As a remote worker, it could be that someone is looking to steal your data to gain access to the company you work for. Organizations need to be especially careful. As an employee, this doesn’t fall solely on you, but it is important that you consider the best practices for keeping data safe.
How to Prevent Identity Theft
If you’ve found this article in advance of having to deal with the consequences of identity theft then there is still a lot you can do to hopefully ensure you never have to deal with it happening to you. If you are working for a large company or your data is particularly sensitive, it makes sense to outsource all of your online security. There are organizations that know exactly how to keep your ID safe and secure and can help both individuals and organizations, even large organizations might find that they are lacking in precautions.
The best thing to do for peace of mind is to work with the professionals and make sure that identity theft doesn’t become a big hassle for you in the future. Now, this might be a different story for business owners who work remotely. Many remote business owners get targeted for online identity theft. This can prove deadly for the business; many businesses fail right after they get their online security breaches.
It is essential for every company on the internet to implement security measures for it to succeed. This could be achieved either by outsourcing your identity security or, you can do it yourself. Even though it is advised to leave it to the professionals, you can still tackle this problem and be safe on the internet:The most important thing you should do is doing your research thoroughly regarding this issue.
It is essential because it not only involves buying software or implementing new technology. It also requires education and hours of reading and watching videos. Hence, it is more complicated than you think. You may find more information here.
There are some basic things you can do: Change passwords regularly and generate them rather than just use your cat’s name! People will find a way to get through basic and simple passwords so they should use a lot of different characters. Never automatically trust a link that is sent to you. Check if the website is secure and don’t put any details in on a site that you have even one doubt about. Things like online banking are prime examples.
Always visit their sites through your browser rather than just clicking on a link in an email. This is prime for someone to take advantage of phishing. Have a high-quality anti-virus on your computer. If you are running a big company then you should definitely ensure you have access to this for all of your staff. Don’t mix work and personal life. A working computer should be for work and your personal devices should be for your own accounts on things. If you log into work emails on a laptop that is yours, and you don’t take the right precautions, you could be accountable if anything happens.
How to Tackle Identity Theft When it Happens
If the worst does happen and you find yourself a victim of identity theft, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to try and minimize the damage. If you want to, you can contact the specialists. Again, there are specific companies who can deal with identity theft and help you to ensure that you deal with everything in the correct manner, rather than making mistakes along the way. You should look to get a fraud alert put on your credit report, this can limit the damage of any credit taken out fraudulently in your name.
Report to the FTC. This is one of the first steps you can take. There is a simple form that you can fill in on an FTC site, IdentityTheft.gov or you can call to speak to a member of staff. Try to gain as much evidence as you can when you are talking to them, ready to show exactly what is happening to your accounts. Go to your local police. Different police forces deal with the issues in different ways and the location where the offense happened might play a part, but authorities should be alerted straight away. Freeze credit cards and bank accounts. Stop anything negative from happening while you wait to establish what steps you are going to take.
Freezing lines of credit can allow you to ensure that you do not run up further debts without spending anything! Your credit card might be being used on the other side of the world. Change all of your passwords. One breach is enough to ensure that you should get new passwords for every account you have including social media. Alert your work if using a work laptop or if the ID theft is in any way linked. If you fear that these details could lead to issues for your workplace then there is no way you should keep it from them. If you need to, you can still contact specialists in identity theft who can walk you through all of the steps required to try to get your life back on track.
Conclusion
There is no denying that identity theft can have a huge negative impact on your life, and even on those close to you. If it isn’t properly dealt with then it could keep having an effect decades into the future. If you haven’t suffered from ID theft yet then you can take steps to ensure your security. If you are working with a company and are worried about their data then this is another reason to take security seriously.
Just a few simple precautions can make all the difference, and you need to know what techniques and tactics current fraudsters are using to try and steal your information.
“Over The Shoulder” techniques. Someone can watch your input data. It’s as simple as that. If you are in a co-working space, for instance, you might be targeted by someone looking to steal your data.
How Does Identity Theft Happen?
It is easy to assume that you have done the right things and won’t be a victim. Just changing your password from time to time isn’t necessarily enough. There are lots of ways in which people can steal your ID details online.
“Over The Shoulder” techniques. Someone can watch your input data. It’s as simple as that. If you are in a co-working space, for instance, you might be targeted by someone looking to steal your data.
You need to have your guard up. Identity theft is becoming more sophisticated and people will always look for new ways to get your personal information. For a criminal, it can be very lucrative.
What Happens When Your Identity is Stolen?
Identity theft can lead to your data being sold. People sell it on the dark web, and this means that people all over the world could be using your data to borrow money, make applications, and even commit other crimes. Generally, most of the consequences that happen after your identity is stolen have some sort of financial gain for the criminal.
As a remote worker, it could be that someone is looking to steal your data to gain access to the company you work for. Organizations need to be especially careful. As an employee, this doesn’t fall solely on you, but it is important that you consider the best practices for keeping data safe.
How to Prevent Identity Theft
If you’ve found this article in advance of having to deal with the consequences of identity theft then there is still a lot you can do to hopefully ensure you never have to deal with it happening to you. If you are working for a large company or your data is particularly sensitive, it makes sense to outsource all of your online security. There are organizations that know exactly how to keep your ID safe and secure and can help both individuals and organizations, even large organizations might find that they are lacking in precautions.
The best thing to do for peace of mind is to work with the professionals and make sure that identity theft doesn’t become a big hassle for you in the future. Now, this might be a different story for business owners who work remotely. Many remote business owners get targeted for online identity theft. This can prove deadly for the business; many businesses fail right after they get their online security breaches.
It is essential for every company on the internet to implement security measures for it to succeed. This could be achieved either by outsourcing your identity security or, you can do it yourself. Even though it is advised to leave it to the professionals, you can still tackle this problem and be safe on the internet:The most important thing you should do is doing your research thoroughly regarding this issue.
It is essential because it not only involves buying software or implementing new technology. It also requires education and hours of reading and watching videos. Hence, it is more complicated than you think. You may find more information here.
There are some basic things you can do: Change passwords regularly and generate them rather than just use your cat’s name! People will find a way to get through basic and simple passwords so they should use a lot of different characters. Never automatically trust a link that is sent to you. Check if the website is secure and don’t put any details in on a site that you have even one doubt about. Things like online banking are prime examples.
Always visit their sites through your browser rather than just clicking on a link in an email. This is prime for someone to take advantage of phishing. Have a high-quality anti-virus on your computer. If you are running a big company then you should definitely ensure you have access to this for all of your staff. Don’t mix work and personal life. A working computer should be for work and your personal devices should be for your own accounts on things. If you log into work emails on a laptop that is yours, and you don’t take the right precautions, you could be accountable if anything happens.
How to Tackle Identity Theft When it Happens
If the worst does happen and you find yourself a victim of identity theft, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to try and minimize the damage. If you want to, you can contact the specialists. Again, there are specific companies who can deal with identity theft and help you to ensure that you deal with everything in the correct manner, rather than making mistakes along the way. You should look to get a fraud alert put on your credit report, this can limit the damage of any credit taken out fraudulently in your name.
Report to the FTC. This is one of the first steps you can take. There is a simple form that you can fill in on an FTC site, IdentityTheft.gov or you can call to speak to a member of staff. Try to gain as much evidence as you can when you are talking to them, ready to show exactly what is happening to your accounts. Go to your local police. Different police forces deal with the issues in different ways and the location where the offense happened might play a part, but authorities should be alerted straight away. Freeze credit cards and bank accounts. Stop anything negative from happening while you wait to establish what steps you are going to take.
Freezing lines of credit can allow you to ensure that you do not run up further debts without spending anything! Your credit card might be being used on the other side of the world. Change all of your passwords. One breach is enough to ensure that you should get new passwords for every account you have including social media. Alert your work if using a work laptop or if the ID theft is in any way linked. If you fear that these details could lead to issues for your workplace then there is no way you should keep it from them. If you need to, you can still contact specialists in identity theft who can walk you through all of the steps required to try to get your life back on track.
Conclusion
There is no denying that identity theft can have a huge negative impact on your life, and even on those close to you. If it isn’t properly dealt with then it could keep having an effect decades into the future. If you haven’t suffered from ID theft yet then you can take steps to ensure your security. If you are working with a company and are worried about their data then this is another reason to take security seriously.
Just a few simple precautions can make all the difference, and you need to know what techniques and tactics current fraudsters are using to try and steal your information.
“Over The Shoulder” techniques. Someone can watch your input data. It’s as simple as that. If you are in a co-working space, for instance, you might be targeted by someone looking to steal your data.
It’s easy to think that identity theft isn’t too much of a big deal or assume that nobody could impersonate you so there’s nothing to worry about. Actually, once they have your details people can take advantage in a lot of different ways. Identity theft crime statistics are scary. 16.7 million people in America suffered some form of identity theft in the year 2017. That figure is continuing to grow. Billions of dollars are stolen every year using identity theft methods.
If you find yourself the victim of identity theft it might be impossible to recover all of the assets you have lost or the damage to your reputation or the company you work for. This means that identity theft is a huge issue that can impact years of your life. Also, people can commit crimes and run up debts in your name. This can leave you facing a legal battle in the future, too. Make no mistake about it, identity theft is incredibly rife and can make an impact for a number of years in the future.
This is not something you will necessarily have out of the way in a matter of weeks. Even if you contact the authorities and explain that you have been the victim of identity theft, the onus might be on you to prove this. Cybercrime is on the rise. 3.2 million identity theft, cybercrime, and other forms of fraud were reported in 2019. As you can see from this article, almost half of the time when people stole someone’s identity, they applied for a credit card. This debt doesn’t automatically get written off. You will need to prove that you were a victim of fraud and take action if this happens to you. Until then the debts could be in your name.
How Does Identity Theft Happen?
It is easy to assume that you have done the right things and won’t be a victim. Just changing your password from time to time isn’t necessarily enough. There are lots of ways in which people can steal your ID details online.
“Over The Shoulder” techniques. Someone can watch your input data. It’s as simple as that. If you are in a co-working space, for instance, you might be targeted by someone looking to steal your data.
You need to have your guard up. Identity theft is becoming more sophisticated and people will always look for new ways to get your personal information. For a criminal, it can be very lucrative.
What Happens When Your Identity is Stolen?
Identity theft can lead to your data being sold. People sell it on the dark web, and this means that people all over the world could be using your data to borrow money, make applications, and even commit other crimes. Generally, most of the consequences that happen after your identity is stolen have some sort of financial gain for the criminal.
As a remote worker, it could be that someone is looking to steal your data to gain access to the company you work for. Organizations need to be especially careful. As an employee, this doesn’t fall solely on you, but it is important that you consider the best practices for keeping data safe.
How to Prevent Identity Theft
If you’ve found this article in advance of having to deal with the consequences of identity theft then there is still a lot you can do to hopefully ensure you never have to deal with it happening to you. If you are working for a large company or your data is particularly sensitive, it makes sense to outsource all of your online security. There are organizations that know exactly how to keep your ID safe and secure and can help both individuals and organizations, even large organizations might find that they are lacking in precautions.
The best thing to do for peace of mind is to work with the professionals and make sure that identity theft doesn’t become a big hassle for you in the future. Now, this might be a different story for business owners who work remotely. Many remote business owners get targeted for online identity theft. This can prove deadly for the business; many businesses fail right after they get their online security breaches.
It is essential for every company on the internet to implement security measures for it to succeed. This could be achieved either by outsourcing your identity security or, you can do it yourself. Even though it is advised to leave it to the professionals, you can still tackle this problem and be safe on the internet:The most important thing you should do is doing your research thoroughly regarding this issue.
It is essential because it not only involves buying software or implementing new technology. It also requires education and hours of reading and watching videos. Hence, it is more complicated than you think. You may find more information here.
There are some basic things you can do: Change passwords regularly and generate them rather than just use your cat’s name! People will find a way to get through basic and simple passwords so they should use a lot of different characters. Never automatically trust a link that is sent to you. Check if the website is secure and don’t put any details in on a site that you have even one doubt about. Things like online banking are prime examples.
Always visit their sites through your browser rather than just clicking on a link in an email. This is prime for someone to take advantage of phishing. Have a high-quality anti-virus on your computer. If you are running a big company then you should definitely ensure you have access to this for all of your staff. Don’t mix work and personal life. A working computer should be for work and your personal devices should be for your own accounts on things. If you log into work emails on a laptop that is yours, and you don’t take the right precautions, you could be accountable if anything happens.
How to Tackle Identity Theft When it Happens
If the worst does happen and you find yourself a victim of identity theft, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to try and minimize the damage. If you want to, you can contact the specialists. Again, there are specific companies who can deal with identity theft and help you to ensure that you deal with everything in the correct manner, rather than making mistakes along the way. You should look to get a fraud alert put on your credit report, this can limit the damage of any credit taken out fraudulently in your name.
Report to the FTC. This is one of the first steps you can take. There is a simple form that you can fill in on an FTC site, IdentityTheft.gov or you can call to speak to a member of staff. Try to gain as much evidence as you can when you are talking to them, ready to show exactly what is happening to your accounts. Go to your local police. Different police forces deal with the issues in different ways and the location where the offense happened might play a part, but authorities should be alerted straight away. Freeze credit cards and bank accounts. Stop anything negative from happening while you wait to establish what steps you are going to take.
Freezing lines of credit can allow you to ensure that you do not run up further debts without spending anything! Your credit card might be being used on the other side of the world. Change all of your passwords. One breach is enough to ensure that you should get new passwords for every account you have including social media. Alert your work if using a work laptop or if the ID theft is in any way linked. If you fear that these details could lead to issues for your workplace then there is no way you should keep it from them. If you need to, you can still contact specialists in identity theft who can walk you through all of the steps required to try to get your life back on track.
Conclusion
There is no denying that identity theft can have a huge negative impact on your life, and even on those close to you. If it isn’t properly dealt with then it could keep having an effect decades into the future. If you haven’t suffered from ID theft yet then you can take steps to ensure your security. If you are working with a company and are worried about their data then this is another reason to take security seriously.
Just a few simple precautions can make all the difference, and you need to know what techniques and tactics current fraudsters are using to try and steal your information.
“Over The Shoulder” techniques. Someone can watch your input data. It’s as simple as that. If you are in a co-working space, for instance, you might be targeted by someone looking to steal your data.
It’s easy to think that identity theft isn’t too much of a big deal or assume that nobody could impersonate you so there’s nothing to worry about. Actually, once they have your details people can take advantage in a lot of different ways. Identity theft crime statistics are scary. 16.7 million people in America suffered some form of identity theft in the year 2017. That figure is continuing to grow. Billions of dollars are stolen every year using identity theft methods.
If you find yourself the victim of identity theft it might be impossible to recover all of the assets you have lost or the damage to your reputation or the company you work for. This means that identity theft is a huge issue that can impact years of your life. Also, people can commit crimes and run up debts in your name. This can leave you facing a legal battle in the future, too. Make no mistake about it, identity theft is incredibly rife and can make an impact for a number of years in the future.
This is not something you will necessarily have out of the way in a matter of weeks. Even if you contact the authorities and explain that you have been the victim of identity theft, the onus might be on you to prove this. Cybercrime is on the rise. 3.2 million identity theft, cybercrime, and other forms of fraud were reported in 2019. As you can see from this article, almost half of the time when people stole someone’s identity, they applied for a credit card. This debt doesn’t automatically get written off. You will need to prove that you were a victim of fraud and take action if this happens to you. Until then the debts could be in your name.
How Does Identity Theft Happen?
It is easy to assume that you have done the right things and won’t be a victim. Just changing your password from time to time isn’t necessarily enough. There are lots of ways in which people can steal your ID details online.
“Over The Shoulder” techniques. Someone can watch your input data. It’s as simple as that. If you are in a co-working space, for instance, you might be targeted by someone looking to steal your data.
You need to have your guard up. Identity theft is becoming more sophisticated and people will always look for new ways to get your personal information. For a criminal, it can be very lucrative.
What Happens When Your Identity is Stolen?
Identity theft can lead to your data being sold. People sell it on the dark web, and this means that people all over the world could be using your data to borrow money, make applications, and even commit other crimes. Generally, most of the consequences that happen after your identity is stolen have some sort of financial gain for the criminal.
As a remote worker, it could be that someone is looking to steal your data to gain access to the company you work for. Organizations need to be especially careful. As an employee, this doesn’t fall solely on you, but it is important that you consider the best practices for keeping data safe.
How to Prevent Identity Theft
If you’ve found this article in advance of having to deal with the consequences of identity theft then there is still a lot you can do to hopefully ensure you never have to deal with it happening to you. If you are working for a large company or your data is particularly sensitive, it makes sense to outsource all of your online security. There are organizations that know exactly how to keep your ID safe and secure and can help both individuals and organizations, even large organizations might find that they are lacking in precautions.
The best thing to do for peace of mind is to work with the professionals and make sure that identity theft doesn’t become a big hassle for you in the future. Now, this might be a different story for business owners who work remotely. Many remote business owners get targeted for online identity theft. This can prove deadly for the business; many businesses fail right after they get their online security breaches.
It is essential for every company on the internet to implement security measures for it to succeed. This could be achieved either by outsourcing your identity security or, you can do it yourself. Even though it is advised to leave it to the professionals, you can still tackle this problem and be safe on the internet:The most important thing you should do is doing your research thoroughly regarding this issue.
It is essential because it not only involves buying software or implementing new technology. It also requires education and hours of reading and watching videos. Hence, it is more complicated than you think. You may find more information here.
There are some basic things you can do: Change passwords regularly and generate them rather than just use your cat’s name! People will find a way to get through basic and simple passwords so they should use a lot of different characters. Never automatically trust a link that is sent to you. Check if the website is secure and don’t put any details in on a site that you have even one doubt about. Things like online banking are prime examples.
Always visit their sites through your browser rather than just clicking on a link in an email. This is prime for someone to take advantage of phishing. Have a high-quality anti-virus on your computer. If you are running a big company then you should definitely ensure you have access to this for all of your staff. Don’t mix work and personal life. A working computer should be for work and your personal devices should be for your own accounts on things. If you log into work emails on a laptop that is yours, and you don’t take the right precautions, you could be accountable if anything happens.
How to Tackle Identity Theft When it Happens
If the worst does happen and you find yourself a victim of identity theft, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to try and minimize the damage. If you want to, you can contact the specialists. Again, there are specific companies who can deal with identity theft and help you to ensure that you deal with everything in the correct manner, rather than making mistakes along the way. You should look to get a fraud alert put on your credit report, this can limit the damage of any credit taken out fraudulently in your name.
Report to the FTC. This is one of the first steps you can take. There is a simple form that you can fill in on an FTC site, IdentityTheft.gov or you can call to speak to a member of staff. Try to gain as much evidence as you can when you are talking to them, ready to show exactly what is happening to your accounts. Go to your local police. Different police forces deal with the issues in different ways and the location where the offense happened might play a part, but authorities should be alerted straight away. Freeze credit cards and bank accounts. Stop anything negative from happening while you wait to establish what steps you are going to take.
Freezing lines of credit can allow you to ensure that you do not run up further debts without spending anything! Your credit card might be being used on the other side of the world. Change all of your passwords. One breach is enough to ensure that you should get new passwords for every account you have including social media. Alert your work if using a work laptop or if the ID theft is in any way linked. If you fear that these details could lead to issues for your workplace then there is no way you should keep it from them. If you need to, you can still contact specialists in identity theft who can walk you through all of the steps required to try to get your life back on track.
Conclusion
There is no denying that identity theft can have a huge negative impact on your life, and even on those close to you. If it isn’t properly dealt with then it could keep having an effect decades into the future. If you haven’t suffered from ID theft yet then you can take steps to ensure your security. If you are working with a company and are worried about their data then this is another reason to take security seriously.
Just a few simple precautions can make all the difference, and you need to know what techniques and tactics current fraudsters are using to try and steal your information.
“Over The Shoulder” techniques. Someone can watch your input data. It’s as simple as that. If you are in a co-working space, for instance, you might be targeted by someone looking to steal your data.
Identity theft used to require physical documents to commit this kind of fraud, but now, things have changed. Details can be stolen in a number of ways and networks and websites can be hacked to allow fraudsters to find PII.
How Serious is Identity Theft?
It’s easy to think that identity theft isn’t too much of a big deal or assume that nobody could impersonate you so there’s nothing to worry about. Actually, once they have your details people can take advantage in a lot of different ways. Identity theft crime statistics are scary. 16.7 million people in America suffered some form of identity theft in the year 2017. That figure is continuing to grow. Billions of dollars are stolen every year using identity theft methods.
If you find yourself the victim of identity theft it might be impossible to recover all of the assets you have lost or the damage to your reputation or the company you work for. This means that identity theft is a huge issue that can impact years of your life. Also, people can commit crimes and run up debts in your name. This can leave you facing a legal battle in the future, too. Make no mistake about it, identity theft is incredibly rife and can make an impact for a number of years in the future.
This is not something you will necessarily have out of the way in a matter of weeks. Even if you contact the authorities and explain that you have been the victim of identity theft, the onus might be on you to prove this. Cybercrime is on the rise. 3.2 million identity theft, cybercrime, and other forms of fraud were reported in 2019. As you can see from this article, almost half of the time when people stole someone’s identity, they applied for a credit card. This debt doesn’t automatically get written off. You will need to prove that you were a victim of fraud and take action if this happens to you. Until then the debts could be in your name.
How Does Identity Theft Happen?
It is easy to assume that you have done the right things and won’t be a victim. Just changing your password from time to time isn’t necessarily enough. There are lots of ways in which people can steal your ID details online.
“Over The Shoulder” techniques. Someone can watch your input data. It’s as simple as that. If you are in a co-working space, for instance, you might be targeted by someone looking to steal your data.
You need to have your guard up. Identity theft is becoming more sophisticated and people will always look for new ways to get your personal information. For a criminal, it can be very lucrative.
What Happens When Your Identity is Stolen?
Identity theft can lead to your data being sold. People sell it on the dark web, and this means that people all over the world could be using your data to borrow money, make applications, and even commit other crimes. Generally, most of the consequences that happen after your identity is stolen have some sort of financial gain for the criminal.
As a remote worker, it could be that someone is looking to steal your data to gain access to the company you work for. Organizations need to be especially careful. As an employee, this doesn’t fall solely on you, but it is important that you consider the best practices for keeping data safe.
How to Prevent Identity Theft
If you’ve found this article in advance of having to deal with the consequences of identity theft then there is still a lot you can do to hopefully ensure you never have to deal with it happening to you. If you are working for a large company or your data is particularly sensitive, it makes sense to outsource all of your online security. There are organizations that know exactly how to keep your ID safe and secure and can help both individuals and organizations, even large organizations might find that they are lacking in precautions.
The best thing to do for peace of mind is to work with the professionals and make sure that identity theft doesn’t become a big hassle for you in the future. Now, this might be a different story for business owners who work remotely. Many remote business owners get targeted for online identity theft. This can prove deadly for the business; many businesses fail right after they get their online security breaches.
It is essential for every company on the internet to implement security measures for it to succeed. This could be achieved either by outsourcing your identity security or, you can do it yourself. Even though it is advised to leave it to the professionals, you can still tackle this problem and be safe on the internet:The most important thing you should do is doing your research thoroughly regarding this issue.
It is essential because it not only involves buying software or implementing new technology. It also requires education and hours of reading and watching videos. Hence, it is more complicated than you think. You may find more information here.
There are some basic things you can do: Change passwords regularly and generate them rather than just use your cat’s name! People will find a way to get through basic and simple passwords so they should use a lot of different characters. Never automatically trust a link that is sent to you. Check if the website is secure and don’t put any details in on a site that you have even one doubt about. Things like online banking are prime examples.
Always visit their sites through your browser rather than just clicking on a link in an email. This is prime for someone to take advantage of phishing. Have a high-quality anti-virus on your computer. If you are running a big company then you should definitely ensure you have access to this for all of your staff. Don’t mix work and personal life. A working computer should be for work and your personal devices should be for your own accounts on things. If you log into work emails on a laptop that is yours, and you don’t take the right precautions, you could be accountable if anything happens.
How to Tackle Identity Theft When it Happens
If the worst does happen and you find yourself a victim of identity theft, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to try and minimize the damage. If you want to, you can contact the specialists. Again, there are specific companies who can deal with identity theft and help you to ensure that you deal with everything in the correct manner, rather than making mistakes along the way. You should look to get a fraud alert put on your credit report, this can limit the damage of any credit taken out fraudulently in your name.
Report to the FTC. This is one of the first steps you can take. There is a simple form that you can fill in on an FTC site, IdentityTheft.gov or you can call to speak to a member of staff. Try to gain as much evidence as you can when you are talking to them, ready to show exactly what is happening to your accounts. Go to your local police. Different police forces deal with the issues in different ways and the location where the offense happened might play a part, but authorities should be alerted straight away. Freeze credit cards and bank accounts. Stop anything negative from happening while you wait to establish what steps you are going to take.
Freezing lines of credit can allow you to ensure that you do not run up further debts without spending anything! Your credit card might be being used on the other side of the world. Change all of your passwords. One breach is enough to ensure that you should get new passwords for every account you have including social media. Alert your work if using a work laptop or if the ID theft is in any way linked. If you fear that these details could lead to issues for your workplace then there is no way you should keep it from them. If you need to, you can still contact specialists in identity theft who can walk you through all of the steps required to try to get your life back on track.
Conclusion
There is no denying that identity theft can have a huge negative impact on your life, and even on those close to you. If it isn’t properly dealt with then it could keep having an effect decades into the future. If you haven’t suffered from ID theft yet then you can take steps to ensure your security. If you are working with a company and are worried about their data then this is another reason to take security seriously.
Just a few simple precautions can make all the difference, and you need to know what techniques and tactics current fraudsters are using to try and steal your information.
“Over The Shoulder” techniques. Someone can watch your input data. It’s as simple as that. If you are in a co-working space, for instance, you might be targeted by someone looking to steal your data.
Identity theft is nothing new. People have been stealing identification via Social Security numbers and other details for a long time, usually by stealing wallets, but historically some people would go through mail to find details for identity theft. In the modern age of the internet, it is easier for people to find personally identifiable information. This is sometimes abbreviated to “PII”. This allows people to commit fraud and pretend to be you. They can sometimes steal money directly in this way, but they can also do things to impact upon your reputation or, in the case of employees they might be able to gain access to company servers or more.
Remote workers need to think about the impact of their identity being stolen, access to their online accounts, and more, but if you don’t take the right precautions you can even be responsible for issues regarding your work details.
Identity theft used to require physical documents to commit this kind of fraud, but now, things have changed. Details can be stolen in a number of ways and networks and websites can be hacked to allow fraudsters to find PII.
How Serious is Identity Theft?
It’s easy to think that identity theft isn’t too much of a big deal or assume that nobody could impersonate you so there’s nothing to worry about. Actually, once they have your details people can take advantage in a lot of different ways. Identity theft crime statistics are scary. 16.7 million people in America suffered some form of identity theft in the year 2017. That figure is continuing to grow. Billions of dollars are stolen every year using identity theft methods.
If you find yourself the victim of identity theft it might be impossible to recover all of the assets you have lost or the damage to your reputation or the company you work for. This means that identity theft is a huge issue that can impact years of your life. Also, people can commit crimes and run up debts in your name. This can leave you facing a legal battle in the future, too. Make no mistake about it, identity theft is incredibly rife and can make an impact for a number of years in the future.
This is not something you will necessarily have out of the way in a matter of weeks. Even if you contact the authorities and explain that you have been the victim of identity theft, the onus might be on you to prove this. Cybercrime is on the rise. 3.2 million identity theft, cybercrime, and other forms of fraud were reported in 2019. As you can see from this article, almost half of the time when people stole someone’s identity, they applied for a credit card. This debt doesn’t automatically get written off. You will need to prove that you were a victim of fraud and take action if this happens to you. Until then the debts could be in your name.
How Does Identity Theft Happen?
It is easy to assume that you have done the right things and won’t be a victim. Just changing your password from time to time isn’t necessarily enough. There are lots of ways in which people can steal your ID details online.
“Over The Shoulder” techniques. Someone can watch your input data. It’s as simple as that. If you are in a co-working space, for instance, you might be targeted by someone looking to steal your data.
You need to have your guard up. Identity theft is becoming more sophisticated and people will always look for new ways to get your personal information. For a criminal, it can be very lucrative.
What Happens When Your Identity is Stolen?
Identity theft can lead to your data being sold. People sell it on the dark web, and this means that people all over the world could be using your data to borrow money, make applications, and even commit other crimes. Generally, most of the consequences that happen after your identity is stolen have some sort of financial gain for the criminal.
As a remote worker, it could be that someone is looking to steal your data to gain access to the company you work for. Organizations need to be especially careful. As an employee, this doesn’t fall solely on you, but it is important that you consider the best practices for keeping data safe.
How to Prevent Identity Theft
If you’ve found this article in advance of having to deal with the consequences of identity theft then there is still a lot you can do to hopefully ensure you never have to deal with it happening to you. If you are working for a large company or your data is particularly sensitive, it makes sense to outsource all of your online security. There are organizations that know exactly how to keep your ID safe and secure and can help both individuals and organizations, even large organizations might find that they are lacking in precautions.
The best thing to do for peace of mind is to work with the professionals and make sure that identity theft doesn’t become a big hassle for you in the future. Now, this might be a different story for business owners who work remotely. Many remote business owners get targeted for online identity theft. This can prove deadly for the business; many businesses fail right after they get their online security breaches.
It is essential for every company on the internet to implement security measures for it to succeed. This could be achieved either by outsourcing your identity security or, you can do it yourself. Even though it is advised to leave it to the professionals, you can still tackle this problem and be safe on the internet:The most important thing you should do is doing your research thoroughly regarding this issue.
It is essential because it not only involves buying software or implementing new technology. It also requires education and hours of reading and watching videos. Hence, it is more complicated than you think. You may find more information here.
There are some basic things you can do: Change passwords regularly and generate them rather than just use your cat’s name! People will find a way to get through basic and simple passwords so they should use a lot of different characters. Never automatically trust a link that is sent to you. Check if the website is secure and don’t put any details in on a site that you have even one doubt about. Things like online banking are prime examples.
Always visit their sites through your browser rather than just clicking on a link in an email. This is prime for someone to take advantage of phishing. Have a high-quality anti-virus on your computer. If you are running a big company then you should definitely ensure you have access to this for all of your staff. Don’t mix work and personal life. A working computer should be for work and your personal devices should be for your own accounts on things. If you log into work emails on a laptop that is yours, and you don’t take the right precautions, you could be accountable if anything happens.
How to Tackle Identity Theft When it Happens
If the worst does happen and you find yourself a victim of identity theft, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to try and minimize the damage. If you want to, you can contact the specialists. Again, there are specific companies who can deal with identity theft and help you to ensure that you deal with everything in the correct manner, rather than making mistakes along the way. You should look to get a fraud alert put on your credit report, this can limit the damage of any credit taken out fraudulently in your name.
Report to the FTC. This is one of the first steps you can take. There is a simple form that you can fill in on an FTC site, IdentityTheft.gov or you can call to speak to a member of staff. Try to gain as much evidence as you can when you are talking to them, ready to show exactly what is happening to your accounts. Go to your local police. Different police forces deal with the issues in different ways and the location where the offense happened might play a part, but authorities should be alerted straight away. Freeze credit cards and bank accounts. Stop anything negative from happening while you wait to establish what steps you are going to take.
Freezing lines of credit can allow you to ensure that you do not run up further debts without spending anything! Your credit card might be being used on the other side of the world. Change all of your passwords. One breach is enough to ensure that you should get new passwords for every account you have including social media. Alert your work if using a work laptop or if the ID theft is in any way linked. If you fear that these details could lead to issues for your workplace then there is no way you should keep it from them. If you need to, you can still contact specialists in identity theft who can walk you through all of the steps required to try to get your life back on track.
Conclusion
There is no denying that identity theft can have a huge negative impact on your life, and even on those close to you. If it isn’t properly dealt with then it could keep having an effect decades into the future. If you haven’t suffered from ID theft yet then you can take steps to ensure your security. If you are working with a company and are worried about their data then this is another reason to take security seriously.
Just a few simple precautions can make all the difference, and you need to know what techniques and tactics current fraudsters are using to try and steal your information.
“Over The Shoulder” techniques. Someone can watch your input data. It’s as simple as that. If you are in a co-working space, for instance, you might be targeted by someone looking to steal your data.
One issue that a lot of people ignore, but one that is still utterly vital, is identity theft. A number of people simply don’t realize how much of a threat this can be to their life and the problems it can cause. As a remote worker, you might have to consider both your own personal information and that of the company you work for.
In this guide, we’re providing some of the information you need to ensure you are preventing and tackling ID theft. We also show you what steps you can take if you are unfortunate enough to fall foul of online fraudsters.
What is Online Identity Theft?
Identity theft is nothing new. People have been stealing identification via Social Security numbers and other details for a long time, usually by stealing wallets, but historically some people would go through mail to find details for identity theft. In the modern age of the internet, it is easier for people to find personally identifiable information. This is sometimes abbreviated to “PII”. This allows people to commit fraud and pretend to be you. They can sometimes steal money directly in this way, but they can also do things to impact upon your reputation or, in the case of employees they might be able to gain access to company servers or more.
Remote workers need to think about the impact of their identity being stolen, access to their online accounts, and more, but if you don’t take the right precautions you can even be responsible for issues regarding your work details.
Identity theft used to require physical documents to commit this kind of fraud, but now, things have changed. Details can be stolen in a number of ways and networks and websites can be hacked to allow fraudsters to find PII.
How Serious is Identity Theft?
It’s easy to think that identity theft isn’t too much of a big deal or assume that nobody could impersonate you so there’s nothing to worry about. Actually, once they have your details people can take advantage in a lot of different ways. Identity theft crime statistics are scary. 16.7 million people in America suffered some form of identity theft in the year 2017. That figure is continuing to grow. Billions of dollars are stolen every year using identity theft methods.
If you find yourself the victim of identity theft it might be impossible to recover all of the assets you have lost or the damage to your reputation or the company you work for. This means that identity theft is a huge issue that can impact years of your life. Also, people can commit crimes and run up debts in your name. This can leave you facing a legal battle in the future, too. Make no mistake about it, identity theft is incredibly rife and can make an impact for a number of years in the future.
This is not something you will necessarily have out of the way in a matter of weeks. Even if you contact the authorities and explain that you have been the victim of identity theft, the onus might be on you to prove this. Cybercrime is on the rise. 3.2 million identity theft, cybercrime, and other forms of fraud were reported in 2019. As you can see from this article, almost half of the time when people stole someone’s identity, they applied for a credit card. This debt doesn’t automatically get written off. You will need to prove that you were a victim of fraud and take action if this happens to you. Until then the debts could be in your name.
How Does Identity Theft Happen?
It is easy to assume that you have done the right things and won’t be a victim. Just changing your password from time to time isn’t necessarily enough. There are lots of ways in which people can steal your ID details online.
“Over The Shoulder” techniques. Someone can watch your input data. It’s as simple as that. If you are in a co-working space, for instance, you might be targeted by someone looking to steal your data.
You need to have your guard up. Identity theft is becoming more sophisticated and people will always look for new ways to get your personal information. For a criminal, it can be very lucrative.
What Happens When Your Identity is Stolen?
Identity theft can lead to your data being sold. People sell it on the dark web, and this means that people all over the world could be using your data to borrow money, make applications, and even commit other crimes. Generally, most of the consequences that happen after your identity is stolen have some sort of financial gain for the criminal.
As a remote worker, it could be that someone is looking to steal your data to gain access to the company you work for. Organizations need to be especially careful. As an employee, this doesn’t fall solely on you, but it is important that you consider the best practices for keeping data safe.
How to Prevent Identity Theft
If you’ve found this article in advance of having to deal with the consequences of identity theft then there is still a lot you can do to hopefully ensure you never have to deal with it happening to you. If you are working for a large company or your data is particularly sensitive, it makes sense to outsource all of your online security. There are organizations that know exactly how to keep your ID safe and secure and can help both individuals and organizations, even large organizations might find that they are lacking in precautions.
The best thing to do for peace of mind is to work with the professionals and make sure that identity theft doesn’t become a big hassle for you in the future. Now, this might be a different story for business owners who work remotely. Many remote business owners get targeted for online identity theft. This can prove deadly for the business; many businesses fail right after they get their online security breaches.
It is essential for every company on the internet to implement security measures for it to succeed. This could be achieved either by outsourcing your identity security or, you can do it yourself. Even though it is advised to leave it to the professionals, you can still tackle this problem and be safe on the internet:The most important thing you should do is doing your research thoroughly regarding this issue.
It is essential because it not only involves buying software or implementing new technology. It also requires education and hours of reading and watching videos. Hence, it is more complicated than you think. You may find more information here.
There are some basic things you can do: Change passwords regularly and generate them rather than just use your cat’s name! People will find a way to get through basic and simple passwords so they should use a lot of different characters. Never automatically trust a link that is sent to you. Check if the website is secure and don’t put any details in on a site that you have even one doubt about. Things like online banking are prime examples.
Always visit their sites through your browser rather than just clicking on a link in an email. This is prime for someone to take advantage of phishing. Have a high-quality anti-virus on your computer. If you are running a big company then you should definitely ensure you have access to this for all of your staff. Don’t mix work and personal life. A working computer should be for work and your personal devices should be for your own accounts on things. If you log into work emails on a laptop that is yours, and you don’t take the right precautions, you could be accountable if anything happens.
How to Tackle Identity Theft When it Happens
If the worst does happen and you find yourself a victim of identity theft, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to try and minimize the damage. If you want to, you can contact the specialists. Again, there are specific companies who can deal with identity theft and help you to ensure that you deal with everything in the correct manner, rather than making mistakes along the way. You should look to get a fraud alert put on your credit report, this can limit the damage of any credit taken out fraudulently in your name.
Report to the FTC. This is one of the first steps you can take. There is a simple form that you can fill in on an FTC site, IdentityTheft.gov or you can call to speak to a member of staff. Try to gain as much evidence as you can when you are talking to them, ready to show exactly what is happening to your accounts. Go to your local police. Different police forces deal with the issues in different ways and the location where the offense happened might play a part, but authorities should be alerted straight away. Freeze credit cards and bank accounts. Stop anything negative from happening while you wait to establish what steps you are going to take.
Freezing lines of credit can allow you to ensure that you do not run up further debts without spending anything! Your credit card might be being used on the other side of the world. Change all of your passwords. One breach is enough to ensure that you should get new passwords for every account you have including social media. Alert your work if using a work laptop or if the ID theft is in any way linked. If you fear that these details could lead to issues for your workplace then there is no way you should keep it from them. If you need to, you can still contact specialists in identity theft who can walk you through all of the steps required to try to get your life back on track.
Conclusion
There is no denying that identity theft can have a huge negative impact on your life, and even on those close to you. If it isn’t properly dealt with then it could keep having an effect decades into the future. If you haven’t suffered from ID theft yet then you can take steps to ensure your security. If you are working with a company and are worried about their data then this is another reason to take security seriously.
Just a few simple precautions can make all the difference, and you need to know what techniques and tactics current fraudsters are using to try and steal your information.
“Over The Shoulder” techniques. Someone can watch your input data. It’s as simple as that. If you are in a co-working space, for instance, you might be targeted by someone looking to steal your data.
Whether you’re renting an apartment or a home, chances are you may have wondered what renters insurance is, and what renters insurance covers. It’s your landlord’s job to maintain and insure the property, but it’s up to you to insure the belongings inside it.
That’s where renters insurance comes in. For a monthly premium, you can have peace of mind that your possessions are financially protected if vandalism or disaster strikes. Here is everything you need to know about renters insurance.
What is renters insurance?
A renters insurance policy, also known as an HO-4, covers your losses in case of theft, fire, or other damage. It also offers liability coverage, which means your insurance company will pay legal fees and court awards in case of injury or damage due to negligence. For example, if someone gets injured in your rental home and sues, renters insurance could help cover those legal costs. Standard policies also offer additional living expenses for situations where the rental property gets damaged and becomes uninhabitable, displacing you from your home.
Your policy will come with a deductible. The cost of your deductible depends on the policy you choose. A renters insurance deductible is the amount you will have to pay if you file a claim. The higher the deductible, the lower the monthly premium — but the more you’ll have to pay should the worst-case scenario occur.
Renters insurance is not legally required, but some landlords might require it if you want to rent from them. However, even if it’s not required and the chances of these things happening are slim, it’s still best to prepare for the worst so you can have peace of mind.
What does renters insurance cover?
Policies can differ slightly from state to state, and offerings vary between insurance companies. But overall, renters insurance policies are pretty standard. Here are what many renters insurance policies include.
Personal belongings
The personal belongings part of your policy protects your things against damage from the following listed disasters and incidents, called named perils.
Fire or lightning
Windstorm or hail
Explosion
Riot or civil commotion
Damage caused by aircrafts
Damage caused by vehicles
Smoke
Vandalism
Theft
Volcanic eruption
Falling objects
Weight of ice, snow, or sleet
Water damage caused by steam, heating, AC, sprinklers, or an appliance
Sudden and accidental tearing apart, cracking, burning, or bulging of a hot water heating system, AC, or sprinkler system
Freezing of plumbing, AC, sprinkler system, or appliance
Damage caused by short-circuiting
Liability
Most policies offer personal liability protection — meaning the policy would help cover the legal costs and court payouts (up to the policy limit) should someone sue you or your family members for bodily harm or property damage. Liability protection can also pay for damage caused by your pet. Ask your agent about this.
Additional living expenses
Should damage make your home uninhabitable, your policy can help cover the costs of living elsewhere. Policies can cover hotel bills or temporary rental costs, meals, and other expenses while you’re away from your home.
Miscellaneous
Most policies protect from some losses that you may have not given much thought to, but should still ask your agent about.
These other types of coverage can include:
Medical payments to others should they get hurt in your home.
Credit card and bank forgery in the event that someone breaks into your home and tries to use your stolen credit card or checks.
Other peoples’ property should their items get damaged or stolen while in your home.
What doesn’t renters insurance cover?
Renters insurance doesn’t cover all types of damage. Here are a few things renters insurance doesn’t cover.
Flooding, earthquakes, and sinkholes
These natural disasters aren’t covered by renters insurance. If you live near a fault line or your rental is in a flood zone, think about taking out additional coverage. Ask your agent about common weather events in your area, and plan accordingly.
Maintenance damage
Home insurance companies rule that it’s the policyholder’s responsibility to take precautionary steps to protect the rental from damage. So, policies will not cover incidents due to a lack of maintenance or infestations like mold or termites.
Expensive valuables
Expensive belongings like art, jewelry, and antiques may not be covered due to policy limits. You can take out supplementary policies (called riders) to cover those valuables.
Your renters insurance policy won’t cover any damage to your vehicle either. Make sure you have an updated auto insurance policy in place to cover any damages or vehicle theft.
How much renters insurance coverage do I need?
To answer this question, you’ll need to make a list. Take an inventory of everything you own and every item’s value. Take a picture or video of your rental and your most important belongings. Include any serial numbers for things like electronics and instruments. Also, think through the big-ticket items you’ll need additional coverage for.
Now, tally all of that up. If you can’t get a precise number, at least get an estimate. Your agent will need to know that number. The valuation of your items will also impact whether you should go with an actual cash value policy (ACV) or a replacement cost value policy (RCV).
ACV: Under this type of policy, insurers will pay out the depreciated value of an item. The payout will likely be less than market value and it could cost you more money to replace the item.
RCV: This type of policy pays to replace your lost or damaged belongings with a similar item at the current market value. The payout would be enough to replace your item.
The bottom line
Don’t wait to own a house before you insure your belongings. For a small premium, you can have peace of mind that your belongings are covered, you have liability protection, and you have a safety net if accident or disaster makes your home uninhabitable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does renters insurance cover moving?
No, your renters insurance policy is designed to protect one property and the belongings inside of it. Most coverage is restricted to a single address, but some companies will allow you to purchase special insurance for your move.
What happens to renters insurance if you move?
When you move, you need to inform your insurance company so they can update your account. Your policy will be updated to reflect your new address, so your premium could be affected, going up or down depending on where you live.
How do I update my renters insurance?
Most insurance companies make it easy to update your renters insurance. Some companies have excellent mobile tools, allowing you to change your address either through the app or on the website. Or you may be required to call a customer service number to change the address on your policy. You can only change your mailing address online.
How can I save on renters insurance?
One reliable way to save would be to bundle your renters insurance with your auto insurance. Contact your auto insurance provider and see if there’s a discount!
If you have money, property, or other assets to pass down when you die—or if you’re a beneficiary expecting an inheritance from a relative—you want to make sure all gets distributed according to plan.
But it’s not unheard of for family conflict to complicate or completely derail the allocation of an inheritance—and this can even devolve into a type of theft known as “inheritance theft,” or “inheritance hijacking,” which could be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. So what exactly does it involve, and how can you protect your money?
Charging excessive fees for services related to executor or trustee duties.
Marrying under false pretenses for the purpose of benefiting from an inheritance.
While inheritance theft can be perpetrated by professionals aiding in estate planning or execution, it’s more likely to occur within a family or among close caretakers. Emotional manipulation is one common tactic, and usually involves a family member who is after someone’s assets trying to get closer to that person, often by doing them favors. Similarly, family members may bad mouth each other to convince the person to reallocate their inheritance.
Note that stealing assets from an older adult or forging documents related to finances is considered a form of elder abuse.
How to protect your assets from hijacking
First and foremost, start your estate planning process early, and with the help of a lawyer who specializes in this area. An experienced attorney can help you draft a sound estate planning agreement. Keep multiple sets of extensive records of anything related to your estate, and discuss your wishes clearly with those involved.
You may also consider distributing assets early so they are dispersed the way you want, says Jason Porter, a UK-based senior investment manager with Scottish Heritage SG. This could prevent coercion or diversion, though you’ll want to work with a tax prep expert to understand the impact of large gifts.
Again, because emotional manipulation among relatives is a more likely scenario than any sort of professional theft or fraud, employing legal and financial professionals who specialize in estate planning can be your best protection. You may also consider having multiple executors who are accountable for distributing your assets according to your estate plan.
How to protect your inheritance
Let’s say you’re an heir, and we’ll assume you have the best intentions to honor a relative’s wishes and be above board legally. You can watch for family members acting weird or cozying up to a relative they’ve had a lot of conflict with. Financial abuse and exploitation—mismanagement or misuse of money—can be difficult to spot, but warning signs may also include sudden changes in banking, large or unexplained withdrawals or asset transfers, and unpaid bills.
The laws governing inheritance theft and the penalties for violations vary by state, but if you suspect this is occurring, an estate planning attorney or forensic accountant can help you pursue these concerns. You can also report elder abuse to your state agency.
The reason we create estate plans and wills is that we want to feel assured that our assets will pass on to the intended recipients. Unfortunately, our best-laid plans can go awry when Inheritance Hijacking occurs. One of the most frustrating things about inheritance theft is that it is often committed by relatives. This not only means that their actions can ruin family relations, but also that they are likely to get away with it if no proper measures are in place.
You can increase the odds that your assets reach the intended parties after you die if you take certain steps now. For example, it can be useful to discuss your estate plan with all your intended heirs present at the same time. This way, you can ensure that everyone is on the same page, making it much more difficult for the various forms of will hijacking to occur.
Ensuring that you have an attorney involved who will also be able to assist the family can help keep conversations consistent, and diminish the ability for anyone to fabricate what was said or what was intended.
You may also want to appoint two executors to your estate. This can reduce the chances that anyone will abuse their position. It can be especially helpful to nominate a non-family professional as one of the two executors.
It is also worth considering giving assets to your heirs before you die. Not only will this keep family members from fighting over them after you are gone, but you will also get to witness your heirs enjoying your gifts while you are still around.
It can be quite difficult to prove your case if you don’t know when the theft happened or aren’t sure who is to blame. You will need to do some detective work to get the evidence you require to prove your claim in court.
If you suspect something has been stolen but aren’t sure what it is, you’ll need to conduct your own inventory of the decedent’s estate. You may notice large withdrawals from bank accounts or changes in beneficiaries with life insurance policies, retirement accounts, or of other assets. If someone else is named as the beneficiary instead of the family member or if a title was transferred to another person, you will likely need to prove that the decedent was coerced into making those changes or manipulated by someone stealing your rightful inheritance.
If the theft was of money from a business or other fraudulent activity, you may need a forensic accountant to go through the records. Of course, you won’t need to take care of all this yourself. Your probate attorney will hire someone with experience in this area.
For physical items, you may have difficulty proving the person has possession of it. If the theft is of real property or large items, such as their classic cars, the title or deed would have to be changed. You would need to prove that the decedent was manipulated or threatened into giving them the property.
For smaller missing items, you may have difficulty proving they exist. If they have significant value, these items may have been insured, such as with expensive jewelry or artwork. Many times, the thief will sell these assets quickly to get the money and remove the item from their possession.
An estate plan that is prepared in collaboration with an experienced Santa Cruz will and trust attorney is much less susceptible to inheritance hijacking than one that you prepare yourself. A seasoned lawyer can help you arrange your estate plan in a way that protects your interests and those of your heirs, leaving far less room for confusion and making it much less likely that your will could be successfully contested.
If you would like professional assistance with this process, we invite you to contact our Santa Cruz office or one of our offices located throughout the state of California by calling (800) 244-8814.
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