Brian Thompson

About Brian Thompson

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May 25, 2023

Unmasking the Dark Reality of Identity Theft

Brian Thompson General, healthcare, Identity Theft

In the sinister world of identity theft, I have witnessed firsthand the disastrous repercussions it inflicts on unsuspecting victims. Here we are unmasking the dark reality of identity theft and exposing the alarming truth behind it, revealing its profound impact on individuals, their families, and their professional lives. The cost Personal Ruin and Financial Catastrophe: Identity theft strikes like a stealthy predator, leaving its victims vulnerable to financial ruin. Imagine your hard-earned savings depleted, your credit ruined, and loans taken out in your name without your consent. Shattered Trust and Emotional Turmoil: The aftermath of identity theft is an emotional rollercoaster, causing victims to question their own security and trust in others. Anxiety, stress, and sleepless nights become their unwelcome companions. Family Bonds Under Siege: Identity theft tears through the fabric of family life, leaving behind a trail of shattered trust and fractured relationships. The burden of restoring stolen identities […]

May 18, 2023

1.5 Million ABA Members at Risk

Brian Thompson Breach, Identity Theft

The American Bar Association (ABA) is the largest association of lawyers and legal professionals worldwide, with over 160,000 members. However, this prestigious organization recently suffered a significant data breach that exposed the login credentials, putting 1.5 million ABA members at risk who used its old website or career center. According to the ABA, the breach occurred in March 2023, when an unauthorized third party accessed its network and acquired usernames and hashed and salted passwords. These passwords were encrypted with a random string of characters, but they could still be cracked by hackers over time. Moreover, some of the passwords were default ones assigned by the ABA when the accounts were registered. This breach poses a serious risk of identity theft for the affected members, especially if they used the same credentials for other online accounts or services. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information, such as your […]

May 10, 2023

The Emotional Toll of Identity Theft

Brian Thompson healthcare, Identity Theft

Identity theft is a growing problem that affects millions of people every year. It can be a devastating experience that leaves victims feeling stressed, vulnerable, and emotionally drained. In this article, we will explore the lasting impact and emotional toll of identity theft, including the stressors, frequency, and psychological effects of this crime. Identity Theft Epidemic Identity theft is a crime that occurs when someone steals another person’s personal information, such as their Social Security number, credit card number, or bank account information. This stolen information is then used to commit fraud or other illegal activities. According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft is the most common type of consumer fraud in the United States. Investment scams caused the largest financial losses in 2022, totaling over $3.8 billion, which is more than twice the amount lost in the previous year. The second highest category of reported losses came from […]

April is Financial Literacy Month, a time to focus on the importance of financial education and how it can help individuals and families achieve their financial goals. Financial literacy is the ability to understand and manage one's money. It includes understanding basic financial concepts such as budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management. Financial literacy is essential for everyone, but it is especially important for employees.

April 20, 2023

Financial Wellness in the Workplace

Brian Thompson Uncategorized

April is Financial Literacy Month, a time to focus on the importance of financial education and how it can help individuals and families achieve their financial goals. Financial literacy is the ability to understand and manage one’s money. It includes understanding basic financial concepts such as budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management. Financial literacy is essential for everyone, but it is especially important to advocate for financial wellness in the workplace. Employees will benefit and so will the company! There are many reasons why financial literacy is important for employees. First, it can help them make better financial decisions. Employees who are financially literate are more likely to save for retirement, pay off debt, and avoid financial problems. Second, financial literacy can help employees improve their job performance. Employees who are financially stable are more likely to be productive and engaged at work. Third, financial literacy can help employees achieve […]

The Bitdefender cybersecurity assessment report found that almost 55% of U.S.-based respondents admitted to keeping a data breach confidential when it should have been reported, compared to 44% to 54% of those from other countries. The top threat concerns were zero-day exploits and software vulnerabilities, followed by phishing campaigns, supply chain attacks, and ransomware. The report also revealed that respondents were worried about potential legal action due to breach mismanagement, highlighting the importance of having effective breach management procedures in place and continuous training and education to stay up-to-date with the latest threats and best practices.

April 12, 2023

Silent Breach Management Concerns

Brian Thompson Breach, Identity Theft

Silent breach management concerns are shown to be a real concern in the United States. Findings According to a recent report on cybersecurity by Bitdefender, which surveyed over 400 IT and security professionals in the U.S., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the U.K., almost 55% of U.S.-based respondents admitted to keeping a data breach confidential when they knew it should have been reported. This is compared to 44% to 54% of those from other countries. Additionally, the report found that 70% of U.S.-based respondents said they were told to keep a data breach confidential. Silent breach management concerns are showing to be real. The reasons behind the decision to keep data breaches under wraps were not clear, although Bitdefender Technical Solutions Director Martin Zugec suggested that it could be due to fear of potential monetary backlash in the form of fines or required resources to alert customers. Top Concerns In […]

"An informative article for employers on how to protect their company from unemployment benefits fraud, which has become a profitable avenue for criminals in recent times. The article provides a guide on the steps employers can take to safeguard their assets, including monitoring claims, educating employees, and reporting suspected fraud. It also highlights the importance of addressing potential identity theft of affected employees and other staff members. An essential read for any employer looking to protect their company and employees from fraudulent activity."

March 30, 2023

Unemployment Fraud – Employer Guide

Brian Thompson General, Identity Theft

As an employer, you might think that identity theft and fraud only happen to individuals. However, fraudsters are not only after personal information but also after company assets, particularly unemployment insurance funds. With the easing of regulation and an increase in benefit amounts, the filing of fraudulent unemployment claims has become a particularly profitable avenue for criminals recently. In fact, according to the Government Accountability Office, in 2020 alone, the US government paid out over $12 billion in fraudulent unemployment benefits. What is unemployment fraud? It occurs when someone knowingly and willfully makes false statements or withholds information to obtain unemployment insurance benefits. During the COVID pandemic, unemployment fraud has skyrocketed due to the high number of people who lost their jobs and the increase in benefit amounts. Fraudsters have taken advantage of overwhelmed state agencies that are responsible for processing claims and submitting false claims on behalf of others, […]

March 15, 2023

SVB Collapse Enables Scammers

Brian Thompson Breach, General, Identity Theft

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) collapsed on March 10, 2023, which has caused a ripple effect throughout the global financial system. Unfortunately, the SVB Collapse Enables Scammers to take advantage of the situation and use the bank’s downfall to scam people. SVB was a US-based commercial bank and the 16th largest bank in the country, which also happened to be the largest bank by deposits in Silicon Valley, California. The bank failed after a run on its deposits, which has impacted many businesses and people in the technology, life science, healthcare, private equity, venture capital, and premium wine industries who were customers of SVB. What they are using Security researchers have noted that hackers are registering suspicious domains and conducting phishing campaigns, preparing for business email compromise (BEC) attacks. These attacks aim to steal money, steal account data, or infect targets with malware. Researcher Johannes Ulrich has reported that threat actors […]

March 9, 2023

Open Season for Tax Identity Thieves!

Brian Thompson Identity Theft Identity Fraud, Identity Theft, Identity Theft Protection, Tax Fraud, Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week

Open season for Tax Identity Thieves is in full swing. They are ready for you to procrastinate, to hold off on doing your taxes because they are ready to do it for you. Tax identity theft occurs when the bad guy uses your Social Security Number (SSN) to file a fake tax return and collect your refund. You are unlikely to find out about it until you attempt to file your real tax return and it is rejected by the IRS as a duplicate. The fraudulent use of your SSN means you also may be at risk for other types of identity theft. What to do. Beat them to it and file your taxes as early as possible to ensure you do not become a victim. This is extremely important if you know your information has been part of any one of the data breaches over the years or if […]

March 1, 2023

Don’t Wait to Protect Your Clients

Brian Thompson Identity Theft

Agents, you have a unique opportunity to help protect your clients from the threat of identity theft by offering protection as part of your benefits package. Don’t Wait to Protect Your Clients. Below you will find five persuasive reasons why you should start offering it to all your clients today. 5 Reasons to offer identity theft Protect your clients: Identity theft can lead to significant financial losses, damaged credit scores, and even legal trouble. Help your clients avoid these risks and give them peace of mind with identity theft protection. Stay competitive: Identity theft is becoming more prevalent. Many employers are looking to offer or already offer identity theft protection as a standard part of their benefits package. Stay competitive and attract new clients who value this type of protection. Build client loyalty: Offering id protection shows your clients that you care about their well-being and are willing to go […]

February 15, 2023

Challenges Facing HR Leaders

Brian Thompson healthcare, Identity Theft

A recent poll asked, “what are the biggest challenges facing HR leaders today”. Given the size of the poll, done on LinkedIn within the Human Resources (HR) Professionals page we thought it would be worth considering and sharing. (worth considering: 1, 2, and 4 may all impact number 3) The Poll According to a poll of 4,334 professionals, talent retention was identified as the top concern by 65% of respondents. Retaining top talent is crucial to the success of any organization, as losing valuable employees can be costly in terms of productivity, morale, and revenue. Diversity in the workplace was only a concern for 7% of respondents. While this is a concern very much talked about it is the lowest concern based on the survey. The use of technology is increasingly relevant in the workplace. Digital transformation is a concern for 10% of HR professionals surveyed. HR leaders must adapt […]