Entries by Robert Siciliano

Identity Theft Tops 2011 Consumer Complaints

The Federal Trade Commission today released its list of top consumer complaints received by the agency in 2011. For the 12th year in a row, identity theft complaints topped the list. Of more than 1.8 million complaints filed in 2011, 279,156 or 15 percent, were identity theft complaints. Nearly 25 percent of the identity theft complaints related…

A look into the cyber security legislation: What does it mean for citizens?

The White House issued a statement in regards to our critical infrastructure – such as the electricity grid, financial sector, and transportation networks that sustain our way of life – have suffered repeated cyber intrusions, and cyber crime has increased dramatically over the last decade. The President has thus made cyber security an Administration priority.…

Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2012

The Internal Revenue Service today issued its annual “Dirty Dozen” ranking of tax scams, reminding taxpayers to use caution during tax season to protect themselves against a wide range of schemes ranging from identity theft to return preparer fraud. Here are 4: Identity Theft Topping this year’s list Dirty Dozen list is identity theft. In…

Social Media Security Tips for Small Business

Corporations know there are long-term marketing benefits of social media and they also know the security issues with employees continue to be a problem. Many companies restrict internal access. Others prevent employees from discussing or mentioning the company in social media during private time. Follow these social media security tips for small business to prevent security…

Be Aware of Tax Time Scams

The Internal Revenue Service has issued its annual “Dirty Dozen” ranking of tax scams, reminding taxpayers to use caution during tax season to protect themselves against a wide range of schemes ranging from identity theft to return preparer fraud. An IRS notice informing a taxpayer that more than one return was filed in the taxpayer’s name…

How to Protect Your Privacy From “Leaky” Apps

Back in 2010, The Wall Street Journal was already warning us about app developers’ lack of transparency with regard to their intentions. “An examination of 101 popular smartphone “apps”—games and other software applications for iPhone and Android phones—showed that 56 transmitted the phone’s unique device ID to other companies without users’ awareness or consent. Forty-seven apps transmitted…

What Are the Latest Identity Theft Statistics?

The 2012 Identity Fraud Report: Social Media and Mobile Forming the New Fraud Frontier, released by Javelin Strategy & Research, reports that in 2011 identity fraud increased by 13 percent. More than 11.6 million adults became a victim of identity fraud in the United States, while the dollar amount stolen held steady. Approximately 1.4 million…

Protect Yourself from Vishing

“Vishing” occurs when criminals cold-call victims and attempt to persuade them to divulge personal information over the phone. These scammers are generally after credit card numbers and personal identifying information, which can then be used to commit financial theft. Vishing can occur both on your landline phone or via your mobile phone. The term is…

9 Warning Signs Your Identity Has Been Stolen

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides the following list of warning signs that your identity may have been stolen: Accounts you didn’t open and debts on your accounts that you can’t explain Fraudulent or inaccurate information on your credit reports, including accounts and personal information, such as your Social Security Number, address, name or initials,…