September 7, 2010 - There have been many articles written about scammers who pose as representatives of government agencies. But perhaps the most inventive are the scams that appear to originate from the IRS. It makes perfect sense for the IRS to reach out (continue reading...) Read more
September 2, 2010 - In 2009, there were a reported 140 million records compromised, compared to 360 million in 2008. In 2010 there have been almost 13 million records stolen. But don’t have a party just yet. Criminals are fine-tuning their craft and getting (continue reading...) Read more
August 31, 2010 - “Money mules” may be unsuspecting Americans who act as shipping managers, do the dirty work for the bad guy, and open bank accounts, too. Sometimes the mule may be foreign, traveling to the United States specifically to open bank accounts. Mules often (continue reading...) Read more
August 25, 2010 - According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, there have been 371 data breaches that have exposed 12,871,065 records so far this year in the United States. NetworkWorld reports that businesses suffered the most breaches, making up 35% of the total. (continue reading...) Read more
August 24, 2010 - Foreigners trying to register online for travel to the U.S. may face phony websites designed to steal their money and information, or spread malware, McAfee warns If you are a resident of one of the 36 countries participating (continue reading...) Read more
August 18, 2010 - Believe it or not, this cybercrime has some twists reminding all of us to beware the estranged techie ex who (continue reading...) Read more
August 16, 2010 - I see plenty of articles disclaiming any form of identity theft protection and the related expenses. They have titles like, “Identity Theft Protection Doesn’t Work,” or, “Poor Man’s Guide to Identity Theft Protection.” Most of these articles have some degree (continue reading...) Read more
August 12, 2010 - Traveling for business or pleasure is hectic, unnerving, not at all glamorous and often draining. Often, we say we need a vacation after a vacation. And when traveling, the last thing you need is to be ripped off. Things to (continue reading...) Read more
August 9, 2010 - Remember way back when you were a kid and you were going on vacation? Our parents used to have the mail stopped and used to set up those timer devices to the lamps so that it would look like you (continue reading...) Read more
August 4, 2010 - Identity cloning generally encompasses all types of identity theft. In most cases, the thief is intentionally living and functioning as the victim. The thief’s motivation may be to hide from the law, evade child support, or skirt immigration. (continue reading...) Read more
August 2, 2010 - Jose Marrero, who was born and lived his entire life in Puerto Rico, had no idea that someone else was using his name and Social Security number to charge thousands of dollars in Miami and Chicago. At least, not until (continue reading...) Read more
July 29, 2010 - While you’re away, identity thieves are prowling for your personal information on unsecured wireless networks, at hotels, and in your mailbox, McAfee warns Identity theft is a problem that has already affected 11 million adults in the U.S. alone. In (continue reading...) Read more
July 16, 2010 - Last year, I had the pleasure of meeting Identity Theft expert and author Robert Siciliano when he joined the McAfee Consumer Advisory Board. At first, I enjoyed talking to him about all things Boston, since I lived there for about (continue reading...) Read more
July 12, 2010 - Growing up in and around Boston, Massachusetts, I encountered enough urban crime to understand the importance of self-defense from an early age. I studied several forms of defensive training and soon began a career helping others improve their own personal (continue reading...) Read more
July 12, 2010 - When making a purchase, word of mouth is often the best way to arrive at a comfortable decision. But what do you do when the product is weighty and complex, as with a mortgage, mutual fund, or insurance policy? You (continue reading...) Read more
July 12, 2010 - Consumer Understanding of Identity Theft: The major problem that consumers face today is a fundamental lack of understanding of what identity theft actually is. Most people think of identity theft as when someone uses (continue reading...) Read more
April 1, 2010 - For the record, April Fools’ Day isn’t actually my birthday. But in terms of arbitrary age verification for social networking, it’s the date I often use. My reasons for doing this are rooted partly from annoyance and partly due to (continue reading...) Read more
March 19, 2010 - Last few years can be called a “social networking era”. Just remember the rise ups (and depressions) of myspace.com, linked.in etc. These networks are now completely shadowed by FaceBook and Twitter. Even when myspace and similar networks are not that (continue reading...) Read more
February 11, 2010 - The University of Texas Medical Branch has mailed letters notifying 1,200 patients that sensitive information about them had been available to a woman charged with identity theft in an unrelated case. Officials sent out the letters this week after (continue reading...) Read more
January 6, 2010 - Credit cards have a phone number on them to call if your card is stolen, but it's kind of difficult to find that number after someone lifts your wallet. Wallet Garden keeps those (continue reading...) Read more