Fraud & Security

Free dating sites are subject to around 10% scam accounts. In some cases, these spam accounts are fraudsters trying to make money. This is a trick where a scammer creates a fake profile on a legitimate dating website and contacts you to obtain your personal information. Paid sites tend to have a significantly lower percentage of these spam accounts.   A con artist will establish a relationship with you before requesting money to pay for medical bills or a family emergency. Sometimes scammers will spend months and months building trust with you by appealing to your emotions.    There’s no better …

It is common for scammers to take advantage of people looking for answers to health problems or those willing to donate to a worthy cause. This online fraud takes the form of perpetrators fraudulently soliciting donations for non-existent charities. Charity scammers use legitimate charities and falsely pose as charity officials. These scammers can bilk money to the tune of billions of dollars.    In certain circumstances, scammers will prey on a disaster that has recently occurred. They may also claim to be collecting for a cause that affects you, such as helping terminally ill children. These medical scams claim to …

Deliveries are exciting, but they also provide a blind spot for scammers to thrive. Cybercriminals often exploit the delivery confirmation emails and text messages you receive. In this scenario, scammers will ask you to send funds to fraudulent bank accounts. You may also receive phone calls from fraudsters claiming your account has issues. They’ll request you provide personal details to access your account and personal information.    You should keep your eyes peeled for this kind of scam, and don’t share your information with a courier company during delivery confirmation or tracking. How to protect yourself:  Request signatures for your …

Crypto is the new frenzy for both investors and scammers. Be wary of social media advertisements that promote cryptocurrency investment and promise a guaranteed return. A regulated and reputable provider would never make this promise. If you’re unsure of the validity of a cryptocurrency company, contact the company using the information listed on the organization’s website.   This type of scam capitalized on the excitement surrounding cryptocurrency, and it has yielded significant financial losses. Thousands of people have lost a cumulative $1 billion in crypto, a six-fold increase from 2018. How to protect yourself:  Be wary of any individual or company that …

Research shows that 85% of Americans go online on a daily basis with about three-in-ten adults saying they are online almost constantly. While instant access to shopping, information and social interaction is extremely convenient, the threat of identity theft is something that should give you pause. As you scroll or swipe online, beware of these three common identity theft compromises that can wreak havoc on your life and finances. Child Identity Theft Child identity fraud costs U.S. families an average of $1 billion annually and affects one out of every 50 children. Although child ID theft is not new, the …

If your private financial information gets into the wrong hands, the consequences can be devastating. There are many ways you can help protect yourself on a daily basis, from taking precautions online to checking your credit report periodically. Sometimes, however, the precautions aren’t enough and you find yourself a victim of identity theft. If so, it’s important that you act quickly. Contacting the correct agencies and filing the necessary reports will go a long way toward minimizing any damage to your financial well-being. Report the fraud to law enforcement. Report identity theft to your local police department. If the crime …

Travel can make you especially vulnerable to identity theft. Regardless of where you’re visiting, you’ll likely be carrying more valuables with you than usual. It’s crucial to prepare ahead of time and do what you can to prevent identity theft while traveling. Payments Stolen wallets frequently lead to identity theft, so consider using travel pouches rather than carrying your wallet in a pocket or having it easily accessible in your bag. Travel pouches will also prevent you from accidentally leaving your wallet in a vulnerable place. Keeping secure information out of sight will prevent identity thieves from capturing your personal …

Do you know the biggest targets of identity theft? The answer may surprise you! While everyone should be aware of identity theft, children and the elderly are at an especially high risk of becoming victims. Despite a child’s finances being largely tied to his or her parents’ finances, minors are still susceptible to identity theft, and the consequences can be both troublesome and financially damaging. The elderly are particularly susceptible to identity theft, especially if they are not monitoring their finances. In fact, the number of elderly victims of identity theft increased from 2.1 million in 2012 to 2.6 million in 2014. …

What steps are you taking to protect your identity? Credit and debit cards give you flexibility and purchasing power, but as with any sensitive information, they require extra security precautions. You wouldn’t leave cash lying around, so it’s important to secure your financial information as well. In order to lower your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft, review these basics. Know your rights in the event of fraud. You aren’t liable for unauthorized purchases. All major credit and debit card issuers provide zero-liability guarantees against unauthorized charges. So if fraud is committed, you’re likely to be covered. Credit or …

Digital payment methods allow you to pay for things with a card or digital device. This can be convenient and beneficial, but there may also be additional factors to consider. Read on for more information about making digital payments to both businesses and peers.  Paying with a card  Debit, credit and prepaid cards can be used to make purchases at a business in several ways. Online, you can purchase something by inputting your card information (the card number, expiration date, CVC or security code, billing address and your name). In person, these cards are enabled with magnetic strips, microchips and …