Brian Thompson

About Brian Thompson

Posts by Brian Thompson:

author standing in front of a chalkboard looking at thought bubbles. one bubble showing the word myth and the other showing the word fact

June 12, 2024

Unmasking Identity Theft: Debunking 9 Common Myths

Safeguarding our personal information is crucial! Yet, many of us operate under certain misconceptions, trusting myths that could leave us vulnerable. Welcome to “Unmasking Identity Theft: Debunking 9 Common Myths.” This blog post aims to shed light on the most common myths surrounding identity theft protection and the truths hiding behind them. Dive in with us as we demystify and decode the realities of identity safety in our interconnected world. Myth #1 “If I have identity theft protection, I’m 100% safe from all scams and fraud!” Truth: While identity theft protection can alert you to suspicious activity, it doesn’t prevent the theft from happening in the first place. Always stay vigilant and cautious with your personal data! Reality Check While having identity theft protection is a proactive step towards securing your personal information, it’s important to understand its limits. These services are designed to monitor and alert you to suspicious […]

June 11, 2024

The Importance of Identity Theft Protection in Employee Wellness Programs

Brian Thompson Employee Benefits, Identity Theft

Identity Theft Protection as an Employee Benefit Identity theft is a growing concern that can have devastating effects on individuals and businesses alike. As an employer, integrating identity theft protection as an employee benefit into your wellness program is not just a valuable benefit but a necessity. Below we explore why identity theft protection is crucial for employee wellness and how it can enhance your organization’s overall productivity and employee satisfaction. Understanding Identity Theft Identity theft occurs when someone uses another person’s personal information without permission, typically for financial gain. This can include stealing Social Security numbers, credit card information, or other sensitive data. According to the ITRC Impact Report, identity theft can lead to severe emotional and financial distress, making it difficult for victims to perform effectively at work. The Toll of Identity Theft on Employees The emotional and financial stress caused by identity theft can significantly impact employees’ […]

June 5, 2024

Protecting Your Identity While Traveling: Tips for a Secure Vacation

Brian Thompson General, Identity Theft

Traveling can be exciting, but it also comes with risks, such as identity theft. Vacationers are often more relaxed and less vigilant about their personal information, making them easy targets for thieves. However, with a few simple precautions, you can enjoy your trip without worrying about your personal information falling into the wrong hands. Here are essential tips to protect your identity while traveling and ensure a secure vacation. 1. Secure Your Personal Documents Before you leave for your vacation, make sure to secure your personal documents. This includes your passport, driver’s license, and any other identification cards you may be carrying. Keep these documents in a secure location, such as a hotel safe or a locked suitcase. Avoid carrying unnecessary documents with you, and if you need to bring them, make sure to keep them hidden and out of sight. By taking these precautions, you can minimize the risk […]

May 29, 2024

Fake USPS Emails: Protect Your Personal Information

Brian Thompson Identity Theft

Beware of Fake USPS Emails: Protect Your Personal Information Understanding the Scam Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics to deceive unsuspecting individuals, and one of the prevalent scams involves fake USPS emails. These emails often contain fraudulent information about an attempted or intercepted package delivery and prompt the recipient to click on a link to find out more about the delivery status. Unfortunately, clicking on this link can activate malware designed to steal personal information. Information such as usernames, passwords, and financial account numbers stored on your computer or mobile device. How the Fake USPS Emails Scam Works Scammers send emails that look convincingly like they are from USPS, using official logos and language to trick recipients. These fake USPS emails typically include: A Subject Line Indicating Delivery Issues: Subjects may read “USPS Delivery Failure Notification” or similar, indicating that there was an issue delivering a package. Fraudulent Delivery Information: […]

Laptop screen displaying an infographic titled "How to Protect Your Data from Data Brokers" with various data categories such as contact information, health history, political views, occupation, interests and hobbies, income, shopping habits, and level of education, connected to a central figure labeled "Data Broker."

May 22, 2024

How to Protect Your Data from Data Brokers: A Complete Guide

Brian Thompson Uncategorized

Have you ever wondered how those targeted ads seem to know exactly what you’re interested in? Or why spam emails flood your inbox with extreme precision? The answer lies in the world of data brokers – companies that collect and sell your personal information to anyone willing to pay. It’s crucial to protect your data from data brokers to maintain your privacy and security. What Are Data Brokers? Data brokers are businesses that specialize in collecting data about individuals from various sources. They gather details such as your name, address, purchasing habits, online behavior, and even your beliefs. Companies then purchase this information to create targeted marketing campaigns, influencing what you see and buy online. Understanding how to protect your data from data brokers is essential in this digital age. How Do Data Brokers Collect Data? Data brokers use a variety of methods to gather information: Public Records: Data from […]

Pink piggy bank on a dark background with 'BANK ACCOUNT' written in white chalk above, featuring a watermark for 'defend-id'

May 8, 2024

Secure Your Finances: Dealing with Bank Account Identity Theft.

Brian Thompson Identity Theft

Identity theft is a bit scary—Compromised Bank Account Identity Theft is really disturbing. Think of how violating that crime is when it comes to invading your bank account. Time is of the essence to secure your money and, of course, any further risk to your identity. This guide is going to walk you through everything you need to know to do so. Ways to Recognize If a Thief Has Your Bank Account Account: Signs of your bank account being hacked, you can easily detect. Quickly act on what you detect, the earlier the better. Unexplained Transactions: Always review your bank statement for any transaction not made by you. That’s a clear indication of possible unauthorized access. Changes in Account Information: Any changes that are made to your personal information on the bank’s records not made by you should raise concern. Locked Out of Account: If you are suddenly locked out […]

A person in business attire is engrossed in their smartphone, oblivious to the various symbols of digital threats surrounding them.

May 1, 2024

How to Avoid Identity Theft on Social Media

Brian Thompson Uncategorized

Social media isn’t just for connecting and mindless scrolling; it’s a prime spot for identity thieves. Every day, people share details and interact, giving criminals chances to exploit them. How to Avoid Identity Theft on Social Media is a crucial step in protecting yourself. Why Social Media is a Hotspot for Identity Theft Social platforms encourage sharing, but this can also pose security risks. Here’s why: The Wealth of Personal Information: From birthdays to job details, our shared information is a treasure trove for criminals. They craft phishing attacks or bypass security questions with this data. Users’ Lack of Privacy Awareness: Many don’t tweak their privacy settings, leaving more info public than intended. This accessibility makes theft easier. Users will also often overshare. Be careful what you post. For example, sharing your new driver’s license on social media can expose critical personal information. Advanced Social Engineering: Thieves use clever tactics, […]

Animated GIF showcasing a female professional pointing to a computer screen with a security lock icon, alongside other symbols like a shield and an eye within a gear, indicating comprehensive identity theft protection for businesses by defend-id."

April 24, 2024

Identity Theft Protection for Businesses: Comprehensive Benefits & Strategic Implementation

Brian Thompson Breach, Employee Benefits, Identity Theft

The need for robust identity theft protection is critical as businesses face growing cyber threats.. Annually, millions are affected by identity fraud, with businesses bearing a substantial brunt—both in terms of compromised employee data and overall organizational integrity. Beyond a mere perk, identity theft protection is essential for maintaining productivity, safeguarding sensitive information, and attracting and retaining top talent. Benefits of Identity Theft Protection for Businesses: Reduced Employee Disengagement: Studies show resolving identity theft issues can take 100-200 hours, leading to decreased focus and productivity. Identity theft protection services help mitigate these disruptions, allowing employees to concentrate on their work without the added stress of personal security breaches. Enhanced Corporate Security: Employee identity theft can lead to broader data breaches affecting company data and client trust. Offering identity theft protection helps reduce the risk of such breaches, strengthening your cybersecurity posture and shielding both employee and corporate data from cyber […]

April 18, 2024

Unveiling Incognito Mode: Myths vs. Reality

Brian Thompson Employee Benefits, Identity Theft

Incognito mode, or private browsing, is a feature found in most modern web browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. It promises a level of privacy and secrecy by not saving your browsing history, cookies, site data, or information entered in forms. Understanding the nuances of incognito mode misconceptions is crucial for using this feature effectively. What Incognito Mode Actually Does No Local Trace: When you use incognito mode, your browser does not save your browsing history or cookies after you close the window. This means anyone else using the same device won’t be able to see what you were doing. Session Isolation: Each incognito session is isolated from the other. If you sign into a website in incognito mode, your login state won’t carry over to the normal browsing windows. This is particularly useful for accessing multiple accounts simultaneously. Some Forms of Shield Against Tracking: While not foolproof, using […]

Promotional graphic for defend-id featuring a vintage black and white photo of a woman working on a telephone switchboard, with text stating 'SERVICE LEVEL STANDARDS AND TESTIMONIALS'

April 10, 2024

Service Standards and Client Testimonials

Brian Thompson Identity Theft

Fully Managed Recovery (FMR), is a service that provides more than just peace of mind; it offers a lifeline in the crazy aftermath of identity theft. FMR is a service that performs all tasks necessary to reclaim your identity, from completing and filing forms to contacting relevant companies, agencies, and financial institutions. It’s a comprehensive approach that leaves no stone unturned in the quest to rectify every fraudulent activity tied to your identity. Service Standards and Client Testimonials are a metric we use to ensure we deliver! FMR is the foundation of our services and we are grateful to have an amazing team of recovery advocates. The stats and customer testimonials say it all. 2024 Q1 1st QTR : Resource Center Inbound Call Stats (All Queues) All stats are within Goal. Abandon Rate: 1.4% (Goal <3%) Avg Speed Answer: 0:16 (Goal <:20 seconds) % Calls Accepted 83.1% (Goal >80% in […]