One of the most baffling forms of identity theft and fraud is synthetic identity theft. This crime occurs when a would-be thief assembles an identity from stolen or assumed parts. It might be a name and birthdate gleaned from a computer record, an address made up on the spot, a Social Security number (SSN) concocted […]
Synthetic Identity Theft: The “Frankenstein” of Identity Crime Read More »
The process of ending a marriage can be lengthy and painful. During the months or even years it can take to finalize things legally, a lot can happen. In an all-too-common scenario, many people discover after their initial steps towards divorce that their spouse opened new credit cards or lines of credit in their names,
New Texas Law Protects Victims of Coerced Debt Read More »
Two-factor authentication is a security protocol that requires users to take an extra step whenever they log in. For example, you open your online banking app and enter your username and password, and then wait a few seconds for a text message or email that contains a six-digit code. You enter that one-time code into
FBI Warns of Hackers Bypassing Some Types of Two-Factor Authentication Read More »
Those fun quizzes you can take on social media where you have to identify characters from ‘90s TV shows or figuring out what kind of pasta you would be based on your answers are not the only online tests that make security experts cringe. While those are often fraught with danger, such as viruses or
Are You CyberSmart? Majority of U.S. Adults Lack Digital Knowledge Read More »
Thanks to a very savvy social media user, the Identity Theft Resource Center has learned more about how scammers are operating international money theft via a Facebook lottery scam. A user reached out to the ITRC for help after very nearly losing a substantial amount of money. A social media user named Jane* reached out
Halloween is drawing near, and all manner of monsters are waiting in the shadows. Ghosts? Werewolves? Those are just fairy tales. Do not be deceived when your eyes are playing tricks on you, though. The real monsters are more frightening, and even worse, they are coming for you. Let’s discuss Halloween scams. Drink Your Blood?
Who’s Haunting You This Halloween? Spooky Halloween Scams and Cyber Nightmares Read More »
If you have been to the DMV recently, there is a possibility they are selling personal information that belongs to you to a third-party. You might not think of privacy when you think of a government-issued ID, but DMV privacy is a serious matter. For years, consumers have been cautioned about protecting their sensitive information
New Report Finds DMVs are Selling Personal Information Read More »
While a few social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are household names, there are many more that have dedicated followings, even if they do not have the same user base. One relatively new video-based platform is TikTok, which combines the fun of longer videos and posts like Instagram with the curated video feed format
TikTok Platform Found to Be Full of Scams and Fake Accounts Read More »
At the Identity Theft Resource Center, we often receive a phone call from someone who has made the brave decision to remove themselves from a situation involving domestic violence and abuse, only to discover their abusers have stolen their identities. Whether these victims have physically left the shared residence or are still planning their escape,
Domestic Violence and Identity Theft: The Common Link Read More »
