Business Email Compromise: CEO Fraud Explained Quick Take Business email compromise (BEC) is one of the most financially devastating cybercrimes, where fraudsters impersonate executives or trusted partners to trick employees into wiring money or sharing sensitive information. The single most important protection: verify any unusual financial request through a separate communication channel — pick up … Read more
Grandparent Scam: Protecting Seniors from Fraud Quick Take The grandparent scam targets seniors by exploiting their love for family members. Criminals call pretending to be a grandchild in desperate need of money, often claiming they’re in jail, hospitalized, or stranded abroad. The single most important protection: establish a family code word or verification question that … Read more
FTC Identity Theft Resources and Recovery Plan Quick Take When identity theft strikes or you need to protect yourself after a data breach, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) serves as your central command center for recovery. This comprehensive guide walks you through the FTC identity theft resources, official government tools, and step-by-step recovery plans that … Read more
identity theft Recovery: Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Life Back When identity theft happens to you, it can feel overwhelming — like someone has turned your financial life upside down. But here’s what I want you to know after investigating hundreds of identity theft cases: recovery is absolutely possible, and you have more control than … Read more
Can You Get a New Social Security Number After Theft? Quick Take Yes, you can get a new Social Security number (SSN), but the Social Security Administration (SSA) only issues new numbers in extreme circumstances where you can prove ongoing harm. This isn’t a simple process — it takes 2-3 months and requires substantial documentation … Read more
Child identity theft: Protecting Your Kids Quick Take Child identity theft happens when criminals use your child’s Social Security number to open credit accounts, apply for loans, or commit other fraud — and it often goes undetected for years because children don’t typically check their credit reports. The single most important thing you can do … Read more
Medical identity theft: A Growing Healthcare Threat Quick Take Medical identity theft happens when criminals use your personal information — typically your Social Security number and insurance details — to fraudulently obtain medical care, prescription drugs, or file false insurance claims. The single most important protection? Review every medical bill and insurance explanation of benefits … Read more
Data Breach Notification: What Companies Must Tell You Quick Take: When your personal information gets exposed in a data breach, companies are legally required to tell you — but understanding what that notification means and what to do next is often confusing. The good news is that protecting yourself after a breach notification is straightforward … Read more
Identity Theft Statistics: Current Facts and Trends Quick Take Understanding identity theft statistics helps you see the bigger picture — how common these crimes really are, who’s most at risk, and which types of fraud are trending up or down. Whether you’re researching after a data breach notification, trying to convince a family member to … Read more
ATM Skimming: How to Spot Card Readers Quick Take ATM skimming happens when criminals install fake card readers over legitimate ATM slots to steal your debit card information and PIN. The single most important protection: always cover your hand when entering your PIN — even if they capture your card data, they can’t access your … Read more
