January 2025

Hands holding the 2024 Data Breach Report by the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), featuring a cover with cybersecurity graphics and data visualizations.

January 29, 2025

🚀 2024 Data Breach Trends: Alarming Statistics & Prevention Tips

Brian Thompson Breach, General, Identity Theft

The 2024 Data Breach Trends Report from the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) reveals a troubling reality—despite ongoing cybersecurity efforts, data breaches remain at near-record levels, with over 1.7 billion victim notices issued, a staggering 312% increase from the previous year. According to James E. Lee, President of the ITRC, “Stolen and compromised data is so ubiquitous that the number of people and businesses who have not been impacted by a data breach is now dwarfed by the number of victims who have—by a factor of five”. This surge, driven largely by six massive mega-breaches, underscores the urgent need for stronger data security measures, better breach disclosure policies, and widespread adoption of advanced authentication solutions like passkeys. This report highlights the key trends shaping cybersecurity in 2024, including the industries most affected, the growing impact of AI in cyberattacks, and strategies to enhance data protection for businesses and individuals alike. […]

January 22, 2025

Top Strategies for Protecting Yourself from Tax Fraud in 2025

Brian Thompson Identity Theft, Scams

Tax fraud will be a growing threat in 2025. Check out these strategies for protecting yourself from tax fraud, including early filing, recognizing scams, and securing your data. Tax fraud has become a sophisticated and costly issue affecting millions every year. In 2024 alone, the IRS identified and stopped $2.1 billion in fraudulent tax returns. Protecting yourself in 2025 requires an informed approach to protecting personal and financial data. Below, we’ll look at the types of tax fraud, warning signs, and actionable steps you can take to mitigate risks. Understanding Tax Fraud What Is Tax Fraud? Tax fraud occurs when an individual or organization intentionally falsifies information on tax returns to evade taxes or steal refunds. This can include inflating deductions, underreporting income, or filing false returns using stolen identities. How Tax Identity Theft Works Tax identity theft is a common subset of tax fraud where criminals use stolen personal […]

Teacher guiding students on a laptop, emphasizing data security and lessons from the PowerSchool data breach.

January 16, 2025

The Comprehensive Guide to Combating Identity Theft in Educational Institutions

Brian Thompson Identity Theft, Students

The rise in cyberattacks targeting educational institutions has exposed vulnerabilities that threaten the privacy and security of students, staff, and families. Notable incidents like the PowerSchool data breach reveal the need for robust protection mechanisms. This guide looks at the risks, impacts, and strategies to safeguard against Identity theft in educational institutions. Understanding Identity Theft in Education Identity theft involves the unauthorized acquisition and misuse of personal information, often for financial or criminal activities. Identity theft in educational institutions is particularly concerning due to the large volumes of sensitive data stored, including Social Security numbers, financial records, and academic details. Educational settings are prime targets for cybercriminals because they rely on digital platforms and legacy systems. By understanding the causes and solutions, students and institutions can mitigate risks effectively. Key Statistics: 74% of education data breaches occur in colleges and universities. Students aged 18–24 are five times more likely to […]

A promotional graphic for defend-id highlighting recovery services performance. It includes service statistics such as a 2.2% abandon rate, 15-second average speed to answer, and 82.4% of calls answered in 20 seconds or less. Features an image of a smiling woman on the phone and a hand holding a smartphone displaying a lock icon.

January 9, 2025

How Our Recovery Services Excel: Performance, Testimonials, and Features

Brian Thompson Employee Benefits, Identity Theft

When it comes to identity recovery services, performance and customer satisfaction are non-negotiable. At defend-id, we pride ourselves on not just meeting industry standards but exceeding them. With a robust service offering that includes expert Recovery Advocates, tailored recovery plans, and unmatched responsiveness, here’s how we make a difference. Service Level Standards: A Benchmark of Excellence Our commitment to customer service is reflected in our Q4 Service Level Statistics for 2024, which highlight how we consistently surpass expectations: Abandon Rate: Achieved 2.2%, significantly better than the 3% industry maximum. Average Speed to Answer: 15 seconds, outperforming the 20-second goal. Calls Answered in 20 Seconds or Less: 82.4%, exceeding the 80% minimum standard. These metrics showcase our focus on quick, efficient, and reliable service, ensuring our customers feel supported when they need us most. What Sets Our Recovery Services Apart Dedicated Recovery Advocates A Certified Recovery Advocate personally assists every customer, […]