The Identity Theft Warriors

Former NYPD Detective Thomas Ruskin joined us today for an update on identity theft trends. Chipped credit and debit cards were supposed to be the cure all to credit card skimmers and scanners that have become rampant. However, my brand new chipped card was cloned and used in a grocery store in Illinois. To my bank's credit they caught it after two relatively small charges. I was sitting in a restaurant in New Orleans when the crime struck and I received a text informing me of the deed. Hopefully more secure measures will be implemented soon. 

And most importantly go to KeepMyID.org and use the value code FSN2.

The drumbeat of Identity Theft goes on and on. In this episode we examine the massive breach of JP Morgan Chase. Over 100 million customer's data was breached. How can it be stopped or slowed down. Are we all just sitting ducks waiting for our identities to be stolen. There must be something that can be done. It looks like companies and governments will start coming together to actually handle the problem. 

 

For more info on how to protect your identity go to KeepMyId.Org and us the code FSN2

Noted security expert Nick Paras believes that it's time to get an adblocker for your smartphone. It will stop your phone from becoming a mobile electronic billboard and it could even stop your phone from getting hacked. Unwanted ads present another means for hackers to get a hold of your data. Spend a few bucks and get a high quality adblocker and you'll be happy you did.

Hackers have stolen personal information belonging to about 15 million T-Mobile wireless customers and potential customers in the U.S., including Social Security numbers, home addresses, birthdates and other personal information. 

Why do criminals keep getting their hands on sensitive information so easily?

Will there ever be a stop to this activity?

Ashley Madison could be one of the biggest internet scams of all time. While billing itself as the site to go to have an affair, a data breach has proven that it was anything but. Most of the "women" on the site, were actually fake. User names and passwords, along with all emails sent and received and other data became an open secret. It just proves the need to be extremely careful with your data and to be very judicious when signing up on any website. You should always be on your best behavior, but even seemingly innocent sites can become a treasure trove of data to hackers.

Nick Para, computer security expert addresses the concerns about the Cloud. Can you trust it with your data, your business or your finances? While data breaches have become a part of life, if you take the right steps and are always vigilant, then the Cloud can be very valuable. But you can never let your guard down or you could suffer the consequences. 

And most importantly go to KeepMyID.org and use the value code FSN2.

Another day, another data breach. Yet another health insurance company has been breached. Where will your data wind up? But there are ways to prevent or inhibit data thieves and hackers. Always be certain to review all of your statements monthly. You never know when the ID Thieves start out slow with a few small charges and then they slam you with massive fraudulent charges.  And most importantly go to KeepMyID.org and use the value code FSN2.

September is National Preparedness Month. It's a great time to create your Digital Disaster Recovery Plan, if you haven't already. Remember Hurricane Katrina? People still haven't learned the lessons of that disaster. Be certain to backup your devices early and often. Also, use a remote backup service so you can restore vital files if your devices are destroyed, lost or stolen. The key is to learn from the past tragedies so you're covered if and when the inevitable should occur. Often the investments are small and even when they're more costly, just think about the cost of losing all your vital data and the decision will be easy.

Just when you thought it was safe to remotely unlock your car, hackers can now clone your fob and steal your car. They're able to extend the range of your fob and and with keyless entry, they can just take it. Also, now with autos being internet-enabled, hackers can be anywhere in the world and take control, flashing your lights, shutting down your engine, turning up the heat to 100 degrees or just killing your all systems when you're cruising down the freeway at 70 miles per hour. Hopefully, automakers will recognize the threat now and take appropriate counter-measures.

John Sileo lost everything as a result of identity theft. Over $300,000 and a flourishing software business and he faced criminal prosscution as well. This led him on a quest to fight identity theft and cyber crime. John's story has a happy ending,  he's now a worldwide authority and travels the globe as an Honrary Identity Theft Warrior.