November 2024

Black Friday Scam sign surrounded by black gift boxes symbolizing the dangers of online scams during the holiday shopping season.

November 20, 2024

Protect Yourself from Black Friday Scams and Holiday Shopping Identity Theft

Black Friday is coming and that means… SHOPPING! The excitement of finding amazing deals is in full swing. But, this also brings an increase in identity theft and fraud schemes. Cybercriminals are targeting you with scams designed to steal personal and financial information. Check out how to spot these threats and protect yourself from Black Friday scams and holiday shopping identity theft Understanding the Rise in Holiday Scams The shopping chaos during the holidays creates an ideal opportunity for bad guys. They use many tactics to fool distracted shoppers chasing big discounts and limited-time offers. Why Cybercrime Peaks During the Holiday Season High Transaction Volumes: The sheer number of online purchases makes fraudulent transactions harder to detect. Relaxed Vigilance: In the excitement of snagging deals, shoppers may overlook warning signs of scams. Unsecured Connections: Many shoppers use public Wi-Fi, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Black Friday Scams to Watch Out […]

November 7, 2024

Protecting Those Who Protect Us: Safeguarding Veterans Against Identity Theft

Brian Thompson Identity Theft

Veterans Day is a time to honor the men and women who served our country with courage and dedication. But as we celebrate their sacrifices, there’s a quieter battle that many veterans face back at home: identity theft. This hidden threat can disrupt lives, destroy finances, and compromise hard-earned benefits. This Veterans Day, let’s talk about how we can protect veterans’ personal security and give back to those who’ve given so much. Active duty servicemembers are 76% more likely than other adults to report misuse of existing accounts, such as bank or credit card accounts, and nearly three times as likely to report unauthorized withdrawals from their bank accounts. – FTC Why Are Veterans at Higher Risk for Identity Theft? Identity theft hits millions of Americans every year, but veterans are more vulnerable than the rest of us. In 2021, about 50,000 military—including veterans, service members, and families—reported cases of identity […]