We all deserve happiness and connection. Whether starting fresh after a breakup or coping with loneliness, many people turn to online dating sites and apps hoping to find a partner. While the internet has opened new avenues for people to connect, it has also enabled scammers to exploit those whose are vulnerable.

What Is a Romance Scam?

Romance scams are, unfortunately, common on dating sites and apps. The scammers create fake profiles, often using stolen photos, to build online relationships with victims. They may communicate for weeks or even months, with the goal of gaining the victim’s trust to access their personal information and their money.

Eventually, the scammer may confess they want to finally meet in person, but claim they cannot due to financial hardships or distant deployments with the military, for example. These stories are scams, meant to extract money by playing on the victim’s emotions. The scammer may ask for cash to buy a plane ticket or help with alleged hospital bills.

No matter the reason, their end goal is theft through manipulation of someone’s loneliness and desire for love.

The Prevalence of Romance Scams Amongst Adults

In 2022, victims lost a staggering $1.3 billion to romance scams.

Most people who have fallen for these scams are between the ages of 35-60. Ages 60 and up are the ones losing the most money, but younger adults are targeted the most.

Red Flags that Indicate You’re Talking to a Romance Scammer

They’re Love Bombing

When dealing with loneliness or heartbreak, you may find yourself more open to finding and meeting new love interests. Scammers carefully target vulnerable individuals on social media and dating platforms. Their tactics are calculated to exploit common emotional needs and attachments. Initially, they may do things such as “liking” all your pictures, or emphasizing shared interests during conversation. This is designed to make you feel connected and understood by this stranger.

As they continue engaging with strategic flattery and affection, you may quickly begin idealizing this mysterious person despite knowing little about them. The scam is dependent on eliciting an intense emotional bond before you have time to rationally evaluate the situation.

Once you have fallen for the fabricated persona, they can further manipulate that attachment for personal gain.

They Seem too Good to Be True

Scammers can often make themselves seem too good to be true, which is why the  victim may become enthralled by them. They can convince victims to let down their guard. As the connection intensifies, so does the scammer’s control and influence. Victims are essentially falling in love with a fictional character fabricated solely for exploitation, which is exactly what the scammer wants to happen.

They Have Vague Communication

As the relationship begins growing, the victim may start asking  the scammer questions, such as where they live, their schedule, things of that nature. The love scammer then begins dodging questions or turning the attention of the conversation back to the victim. But the biggest takeaway from this is knowing that the scammer is taking the attention off themselves to help avoid having to explain things in detail.

They’re Always Unavailable

Scammers often make themselves unavailable when victims try to meet in person. They may claim that work is too busy, they can’t get leave, they’re dealing with personal issues, or they’re too embarrassed to meet out of fear the victim may reject them.

At first, these excuses seem reasonable. However, if the victim tries to FaceTime or video chat for just a few minutes and the scammer still refuses with similar excuses, it can a red flag something is wrong. A genuine love interest would likely find a few minutes, even during busy times, to chat over video if they cared for the victim. Persistent unavailability can suggest the scammer is hiding something and avoiding ever meeting face-to-face.

They Have Financial Issues

Scammers often manufacture financial troubles to exploit their victims’ empathy. First, they build a connection and earn the victim’s trust over time, despite never meeting in person. Eventually, the scammer shares a sob story about losing their job, needing money for medical treatment, or not having enough funds to finally meet the victim. They ask the victim for help, hoping to take advantage of their feelings.

The scammer requests money through gift cards, wire transfers, electronic transfers, or checks. They come up with believable reasons why they need these forms instead of cash. A victim falling for the scam is just happy to help the person they care for get through a rough patch or meet at last.

But no matter the form, the money sent can end up funding more scamming operations rather than actually helping a person in need. The scammer often quickly disappears after receiving the funds. Their financial troubles were just a hook used early on to eventually extract money once the victim’s guard was down.

They Attempt to Isolate You

Scammers often attempt to isolate victims from concerned friends and family. When the victim explains the suspicious situation, their loved ones rightly warn them not to trust the scammer.

In response, the scammer tries to sow doubts about these friends and family. They say things like “they don’t understand our connection,” “they just want to come between us,” or “what we have is real love.”

This emotional manipulation isolates the victim further. It aims to undermine outside perspectives and keep the victim trapped in the scammer’s web of lies. The scammer wants the victim to rely only on their words so they can continue exploiting the victim’s trust and affection.

You Have a Gut Feeling

Scammers are experts at making victims feel like the most important person in their world. They shower praise and affection, making the victim feel treasured. But it’s critical to look past the sweet words at the actual relationship track record.

Healthy new relationships do not generally involve constant financial requests to deal with life’s ups and downs. So, if a supposed love interest has refused to video chat or meet in person but keeps having crises requiring money, it should raise alarms.

When something feels off in your gut, pay attention, even if the scammer’s words resonate emotionally. Do not let requests for money without reciprocal effort on their part drag on. Though painful, you should cut contact at the first signs of deception. Allowing it to continue may only enable the scammer to keep manipulating your longing for affection.

Bottom Line

Falling victim to romance scams can be devastating, both emotionally and financially. However, being aware of common tactics and warning signs can help you protect yourself and loved ones. Approach new online relationships with caution, watch for inconsistent stories and unavailable contacts, and resist requests for money. Should you suspect a scam, cut off contact immediately and alert the dating site or authorities.

If you end up providing personal information to a scammer, IdentityIQ identity theft protection services can help by alerting you in real-time when someone suspiciously uses your financial or identity information.

Credit card skimmers are illegal devices that criminals use at payment points of service, including ATMs, gas stations, and merchant credit card terminals, to steal consumer card information. While credit card skimming can happen anywhere, there are some ways to help protect yourself. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Credit Card Skimming?

Credit card skimming is a form of identity theft that involves copying a credit card or debit card’s information to use for fraud. An illegal device called a skimmer is installed at a gas pump, ATM, or other payment terminal to copy card information from the magnetic strip to a storage device. Criminals can then retrieve the stolen information and use it to make fraudulent purchases.

How Common Is Credit Card Skimming?

Credit card skimming is one of the most common types of fraud and costs consumers and financial institutions more than $1 billion a year, according to the FBI.

Where Are Credit Card Skimmers Most Often Used?

Credit card skimmers are often placed on ATMs and gas pumps, but they can be placed on most types of electronic points of sale. Tourist areas are popular targets for credit card skimming devices, but they can appear at merchants in any region.

Who Are the Most Common Victims of Credit Card Skimming?

Anyone who uses a credit card or debit card to make purchases can become a victim of credit card skimming. But your risk of prolonged fraud and losses increases if you don’t regularly monitor your accounts.

What Does a Credit Card Skimmer Look Like?

It can be challenging to spot skimming devices because they come in various forms and are designed to blend in seamlessly with card scanners.

There are three main kinds of card skimmers: overlays, shims, and built-in skimmers. Overlays are fake card readers that are placed over the real card reader. When you swipe your card, an overlay can collect your payment information. They might look slightly bulkier or have a different texture than the original reader; be wary of any card reader that feels loose or appears tampered with.

Instead of covering the outside of card readers, shims are thin inserts placed inside the legitimate card reader slot, making them very difficult to notice. Shims capture your card data as you insert it. Look for gaps or unevenness around the card reader slot, and never force your card in if the slot feels tight.

Built-in skimmers are more sophisticated and permanently installed within a card reader. They’re virtually undetectable by casual observation. To avoid these, opt for card readers that are within view of a security camera or cashier.

How to Help Avoid Credit Card Skimmers

Here are some tips to help avoid credit card skimmers.

Learn How to Spot a Credit Card Skimmer

Checking for a skimmer usually only takes a few seconds:

• Look for damage to the card slot or PIN pad, which could be a sign that the machine has been tampered with.
• Wiggle the card reader or keypad with your hand. If it feels loose or moves easily, it could be a skimmer.
• Compare the card slot to other nearby machines, such as the neighboring gas pump.
• Some gas station pumps have security stickers installed on the card readers. If the sticker looks tampered with, don’t use the card reader.

Use Contactless Payments

Embracing contactless payments is one of the most effective ways to avoid credit card skimmers. Many cards now come equipped with contactless payment technology, allowing you to simply tap your card against a reader to complete a transaction. This eliminates the need for your card to physically enter a reader, protecting it from skimmers that read that magnetic strip or chip on your card.

Choose a Machine in View of Security

Use an ATM, gas pump, or point-of-sale terminal that is within view of security, a cashier, or a bank teller. Criminals are less likely to target machines where they can be caught installing skimmers.

Look out for Hidden Cameras

There may be hidden cameras installed on gas pumps or ATMs to spy on your keystrokes and capture your personal identification number (PIN). If you see a camera, report it to the merchant. It’s also a good idea to cover your hands when inputting your PIN number to avoid shoulder surfing.

Monitor Your Accounts

Someone who gains access to your credit card or debit card information can use it to make purchases. Monitor your accounts and read your monthly statements to look for unauthorized transactions. Immediately report any suspicious activity to the financial institution.

Use a Credit Card for Purchases

Using a credit card for your purchases offers greater consumer protection, as your liability for fraudulent charges can never exceed $50. Most credit card providers extend $0 liability to their cardholders as an added protection.

Debit cards, on the other hand, can only limited to $50 liability if the debit card holder notifies the bank within two days of discovering fraud. That liability increases to $500 if the cardholder waits longer than two days. And, if fraud isn’t reported within 60 days, the cardholder may be liable for all losses.

You should check your credit and debit card terms and conditions for your specific requirements.

Sign Up for Identity Theft Protection

Even if you are attentive to all the warning signs of card skimmers, all it takes is one slip-up for your payment info to fall into the wrong hands. The best course of action is to use a robust identity theft protection platform with tools and services that not only help you prevent identity theft but also recover from it while mitigating damages. This can help you safeguard your finances while also giving you an extra safety net.

Credit monitoring can help protect you from identity theft by watching your credit report, Social Security number, and other crucial aspects of your identity for signs of fraud. You receive alerts when possibly suspicious activity is detected to help you quickly respond when fraud occurs.

IdentityIQ provides 24/7 credit monitoring with real-time alerts, along with many other features for prevention and recovery, such as internet and dark web monitoring and identity theft insurance of up to $1 million, underwritten by AIG

FAQs

How can you tell if your card has been skimmed?

If you find unauthorized charges on your credit card or bank account, your card information may have been stolen. Regularly review your credit card statements for any charges you don’t recognize. Even small, out-of-pattern charges could be a sign of skimming. If you see several charges from the same place you haven’t been to, especially if they’re close together in time, this could be a sign your card information was used through a skimmer.

Can you get your money back from a skimmed card?

If you report fraudulent charges to your credit card provider or bank immediately, you may be able to recover most, if not all, of your losses. It’s important to remember that credit cards usually offer greater liability protections against fraud, while debit cards are less likely to offer strong protection.

Do credit card skimmers work on chip cards?

Most skimmers copy the data from the magnetic strip on your credit card, so it is usually safer to use the chip on your card as they are more heavily encrypted. However, it is possible for chip cards to be skimmed with more sophisticated devices, such as shimming devices that are installed directly into the card reader.

Can a credit card be skimmed by tapping?

Payment terminals with contactless technology that let you tap to pay may help prevent your card from being skimmed. This is because most card skimmers rely on a physical connection between the skimmer and the card in order to steal payment information. But it is possible to skim a wireless payment by using an RFID skimmer. These devices use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to capture the radio waves emitted by contactless cards. The skimmer then decodes these waves to extract your card information, such as your card number and expiration date. However, RFID skimmers are fairly uncommon. They also have a limited range of only a few centimeters and require the skimmer to be very close to your card, making them less effective in crowded environments or when you’re holding your card close to your body.

Do credit card skimmers work on mobile wallets?

Credit card skimmers should not work on mobile wallets on your phone. This is partly because mobile wallets use encrypted tokens instead of transmitting your actual card number, making it much harder for skimmers to capture usable data. Mobile wallets are also updated regularly to maintain their digital security.

Snapping a photo of your kids and sharing it on social media may seem like a harmless act. It’s natural to be proud of your children and want to share that feeling with friends and loved ones online.

But posting photos, videos, and other information about your child online leaves them vulnerable to identity theft. Every day, criminals scour the internet, including social media, for personal information they can use to commit fraud.

Here’s what you need to know about “sharenting” and how it can lead to identity theft.

What Is Sharenting?

Sharenting happens when parents, guardians, or other family members post about children online, including videos, images, accomplishments, and other information. Social media platforms are often the preferred method for sharenting.

What Are the Concerns Around Sharenting?

Sharenting raises several privacy and security concerns:

• Some parent bloggers and influencers may post their children to establish and grow a social media audience. These posts may be sponsored or used for advertising, which creates concerns about the exploitation of children for financial gain.
• Social media platforms collect data about their users to share with advertisers. This may include data about the user’s children and data about underage users as well.
• Children may not be able to provide informed consent when it comes to sharing information about them online because they don’t fully understand the risks and issues tied to a digital presence. Essentially, their online identity can be shaped for them before they have control over it.
• Sharenting can give criminals the information they need to commit identity theft, which may have long-reaching consequences for the victim’s future.

How Sharenting Can Lead to Identity Theft

When you share information about your kids, you are creating an online footprint that your child has little or no control over. And some of the information you share can be valuable to identity thieves.

Your child’s full name, date of birth, and age are key types of personally identifiable information (PII) that can be used to commit identity theft. Criminals hunt through social media platforms to look for public posts that give them clues to decipher this information (or hand it over outright). For example, a post about your newborn baby could clue an identity thief into your child’s name and birth date.

It’s true that most types of identity theft will require a Social Security number (SSN). But if a criminal has already managed to find your child’s SSN, they can fill in the rest from social media to open fraudulent accounts in your child’s name. With synthetic identity theft, thieves can also combine some of your child’s PII with falsified information to create a fake identity using your child’s SSN.

Child identity theft can go undetected for years. Most parents don’t think to check their child’s SSN, and the child can’t apply for credit until they’re 18. Your child may not discover their SSN has been stolen until they apply for a loan, credit card, or apartment lease.

While the victim won’t be held legally responsible for financial losses caused by identity theft, they may need to spend months or even years restoring their identity. This can involve a lot of time-consuming work and even out-of-pocket expenses.

Another form of identity theft is known as digital kidnapping. With digital kidnapping, a stranger steals a photo of a child and poses as the child or their parents. The impostor’s motivation could be to gain a social media following or commit fraud by tricking the child’s friends or family.

Other Reasons You Shouldn’t Overshare Your Kids’ Information Online

There are several other reasons why you should avoid oversharing about your kids online:

Shaping Children’s Digital Identities and Impacting Identity Development

By the age of two, 92% of American children already have an online identity. When parents establish an online identity for their child, the child’s sense of individuality and independence may be harmed in the long run. Children may prefer boundaries concerning what types of posts can be shared and who should see them.

When children aren’t consulted about sharenting, it can rob them of their ability to develop their own identity. And very young children have no way to grasp the concept of an online identity or the risks associated with sharing content online.

Cyberbullying and Social Pressure

Children with a substantial online presence may be vulnerable to cyberbullying. Preteens and adolescents in particular may feel self-conscious about their appearance, online image, and how they appear to their peers.

Sharenting Is Difficult to Undo

Sometimes you may post something about your child that you wish to take down. Maybe it contains PII that you didn’t want to share, or maybe you realize your child would find the post embarrassing someday. But deleting a photo doesn’t automatically erase it because someone could have downloaded the image already. Plus, certain websites can save and archive public social media posts.

Impacting Your Child’s Future

Those embarrassing photos, videos, and other content that you share about your kids? They could affect your child’s future in unpredictable ways. For example, college recruiters or potential employers could make decisions about your child based on the photos you’ve posted.

7 Ways to Help Protect Your Child Online

There are several ways to help protect your child online and avoid oversharing:

1. Minimize What You Share

Don’t over-post about your child on social media and avoid sharing sensitive information, including your child’s full name, birth date, address, pet names, and favorite places to visit. Cybercriminals can exploit these details to commit identity theft, hack into accounts, or even target your child where they are located. You also shouldn’t share photos of your child that they may not want others to see, either now or in the future.

2. Remove Metadata from Files

A photo’s metadata contains details such as the time, data, and geotag. Someone can determine your location and other information about you by examining the photo’s metadata. Turn off geotagging in your phone to help ensure photos don’t contain sensitive information. You can also use certain apps to remove metadata before you post a picture.

3. Post Anonymously

When you need social support because of parenting challenges but want to maintain privacy, consider looking for an online support group where you can post anonymously. That way, you can receive support and guidance from other parents who can relate to your situation without compromising your child’s privacy.

4. Enable Privacy Settings

Check and customize the privacy policies and settings of the websites you use and consider choosing the most restrictive privacy settings. You may be able to keep photos restricted only to specific individuals, for example.

Always know what information is collected by the websites you use. Under federal law, websites must get a parent’s permission before they collect data from children under the age of 13.

5. Reduce Your Followers

Consider whittling down your social media followers to only family members and trusted friends. Or you can switch to other services to share photos – for example, Flickr allows you to create invitation-only photo albums.

6. Hide Names and Faces

Searching someone’s name online can reveal details such as their email, age, address, and social media accounts. To help keep your kid safe, consider using a fictional name or just using initials. You can also protect your kids’ privacy by hiding key features in photos and blurring or blocking their faces.

7. Ask Your Child for Permission

If your child is old enough to understand the internet and consent to sharing their photos online, start seeking their permission before you post anything. Offer a preview of what you are about to post. Should your kids ask you not to post specific pictures or content, you should honor that request.

Of course, keep in mind that your child may not understand the implications of having their image out there online — so while they may give their consent for you to share a photo, they may not be doing so from the most informed point of view.

Bottom Line: Prioritize Privacy and Security Over Social Media Sharing

In this digital era, it’s common for parents to share photos and videos of their children on social media. But this can put a child’s safety, privacy, social life, and self-image at risk. Consider the risks and long-term effects before you share anything about your kids. And make sure to educate your kids about safe social media and internet practices so they can protect themselves online.

FAQs

What are the different types of sharenting?

Sharenting can come in many forms, from posting pictures of your kids to bragging about your kid’s accomplishments. It’s important to be mindful of your child’s privacy and to think about how your posts might affect your kids in the future.

What are some of the negative consequences of sharenting?

Sharenting can lead to several negative consequences. It can make children feel self-conscious and exposed. It takes away their power to shape their own digital identities (or avoid social media altogether). And it can even lead to being targeted by criminals for fraud and identity theft.

American credit card debt has reached an all-time high of $1 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.  With so many Americans facing debt, now is the time to learn how to confidently navigate through your finances. The first step is creating a financial wellness plan that can help you meet your financial goals and manage your debt this year.

According to a recent Charles Schwab Corp. survey, only 28% of Americans have a written financial plan. Of the remaining 72% who don’t, half of those believe they don’t have enough money to make a plan worthwhile. The rest feel it’s too complicated and time-consuming to do so.

However, consider the fact that having a financial wellness plan in place has proven to build confidence, peace of mind and the ability to understand and achieve financial goals.

Starting your journey to financial wellness does not require a lot of savings. It starts with shaping your spending habits in ways that benefit your future self. A good place to start would be to set your budgeting percentages with the 50/30/20 method and link your bank account to a budgeting app that helps you track your habits. This approach gives you an idea of where your money is going, so you can make decisions that prioritize your goals.

Budget Percentages
Needs (50%)	Wants (30%)	Savings & Debt (20%)
●     Groceries ●     Housing ●     Utilities ●     Transportation	●     Shopping ●     Dining out ●     Hobbies ●     Leisure	●     Investments ●     Student loans ●     Credit Card

Having a financial plan in place can help you make better financial decisions and boost your confidence in the process. And, like any journey, it helps to have people along the way pointing you in the right direction.

Once you meet a certain goal, where to next? If something unexpected happens, what private or public programs exist to help you through it? Consider the help of a financial coach to guide you.

Creating a financial wellness plan with the help of a financial coach can be part of your first step forward to financial confidence. With a financial coach, you receive answers to your questions, guidance, and support as you work toward your financial goals.

Financial coaches can help you with debt management, so you can get out of debt and no longer be one of the many Americans with record-high debt.

 

Tax season presents opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting taxpayers through a range of scams. One particular scam involves identity theft and the misuse of tax refund advances. These advances allow filers to receive a portion of their expected refund quickly, but scammers have found ways to capitalize on this service, leaving victims on the hook for loans they never requested.

What Is a Tax Refund Advance?

A tax refund advance allows filers to receive a portion of their expected tax refund within weeks or even days. To get the advance, taxpayers must apply through a tax preparation service. Some services require proof of income, while others do not.

The Tax Refund Advance Scam

Cybercriminals have devised a scheme to capitalize on tax refund advances and victimize innocent filers in the process. They begin by stealing unsuspecting taxpayers’ personal information and identities. Armed with these stolen identities, the scammers impersonate the victims and submit fabricated tax returns to major preparation services such as Jackson Hewitt or H&R Block.

These services then approve a tax refund advance based on the fake return. By the time the advance hits the imposter’s account, they have disappeared without a trace.

Meanwhile, the victim is left blindsided when the tax preparation company comes collecting on the advance. On top of losing the stolen refund money, the victim must also repay the loan plus steep interest rates. All for fraudulent tax filings the victim never filed in the first place.

How You Can Help Protect Yourself

Protect Your Personal Information

Cybercriminals often gain access to victims’ personal information through hacking, accidental exposure, or by tricking people into sharing sensitive data. Scammers may impersonate the IRS and claim to need information for tax purposes, only to disappear with your details.

Never share personal details such as your Social Security number or bank account information with anyone you don’t completely trust. If scammers obtain this data, they can file taxes in your name and steal your refund.

File Your Taxes Early

As soon as you receive your tax forms, file your taxes. This helps protect you from potential fraud. If a scammer attempts to file using your information after you’ve already submitted your return, their attempt will be rejected. Filing early helps ensure the scammer’s efforts are fruitless, and they’ll likely move on.

Use IdentityIQ Identity Theft Protection Services

Help protect your identity with IdentityIQ identity theft protection services. Their advanced monitoring system keeps a vigilant eye on your personal information, alerting you in real-time to possible suspicious activity that could signal identity theft.

With flexible pricing plans, you can enjoy complete peace of mind knowing your identity is secure and expert support is just a call away if the unthinkable happens.

How to Report

If you fall victim to identity theft, you should report the incident to the police first, then contact your credit card companies and relay the same information. You should also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission by filling out the form at IdentityTheft.gov or by calling 877-438-4388.

Bottom Line

To help you avoid becoming a victim of a tax refund advance scam, remember:

• The IRS does not initiate communication with taxpayers via text messages, emails, or social media.
• The IRS never leaves a pre-recorded/robocall voicemail asking for payment.
• The IRS never asks for your personal login information for your bank or credit card accounts.
• The IRS won’t threaten you with arrest or deportation for non-payment.
• The IRS does not have the authority to revoke your Social Security number, driver’s license, or visa. If the person on the other end of the phone uses these threats, it’s a scare tactic and a scam.

Investing is a great way to put your money to work and generate passive income. However, lucrative investing opportunities come with risks, and it’s important to be cautious. Legitimate investing is risky by nature, but investors also have to face the additional threat of investment fraud. This comprehensive guide walks you through how to help protect yourself from investment fraud so you can invest with confidence and safely secure your financial future.

How to Help Avoid Investment Fraud

Research the Investment

Before diving into any investment, it’s crucial to thoroughly research the opportunity. Don’t solely rely on what the seller tells you; instead, take the time to investigate the company, the product or service they offer, and the investment itself. Check if the investment is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC or your state securities regulator are trustworthy sources for the research process.

Check the Seller’s Credentials

Ensuring the legitimacy of the person selling you an investment is essential every time you invest. Legitimate financial professionals understand the importance of transparency and should have no issue with you verifying their credentials. Take time to review the seller’s background, exploring their qualifications, experience, and track record.

Researching the seller’s history is a proactive measure that significantly reduces the risk of falling victim to investment fraud. Use reputable resources such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), BrokerCheck, or your state securities regulator. These platforms provide valuable insights into the seller’s licensing status, any past disciplinary actions, and their overall professional background.

Beware of Red Flags

Knowing the red flags to look for is crucial in helping protect yourself from investment fraud. Be skeptical of urgent pressure to invest and unrealistic promises like guaranteed high returns. If an investment opportunity sounds too good to be true, exercise caution – it probably is.

Stay vigilant against high-pressure tactics, especially those creating a fear of missing out. Investment fraud and other scams often rely on creating a sense of urgency to scare people into making hasty decisions. A legitimate investment opportunity gives you the proper time and information to make an informed and responsible decision.

Get Everything in Writing

Before committing to any investment, ensure you have all the details in writing. This includes a comprehensive breakdown of the risks involved, associated fees, and the process for withdrawing your funds. Legitimate investment opportunities are transparent about the terms and conditions and will willingly document everything for your security against potential disputes.

Consider it a red flag if a seller hesitates or avoids providing written documentation. Reputable professionals are transparent and  provide you with the necessary information. Having a clear, written record helps protect your interests and helps you make well-informed decisions.

Don’t Be Afraid to Say No

Your comfort and confidence in an investment matter. It’s perfectly okay to say no if you feel uncertain or pressured. Never let anyone coerce you into investing before you’re ready or without having all your questions answered.

Trust your instincts and take the time you need to make an informed decision. If a seller pushes too hard or creates a sense of urgency, it’s a clear signal to step back. Legitimate investment opportunities respect your autonomy and give you the necessary time to evaluate and decide.

Bottom Line

In the world of investments, caution is key. By researching, checking credentials, and watching out for warning signs, you can help protect yourself from investment fraud.

But it doesn’t stop there. In today’s digital age, it’s essential to go the extra mile to help protect yourself. IdentityIQ offers robust identity theft protection services to help keep your finances and personal information safe. Valuable tools like 24/7 credit report monitoring with real-time alerts, identity theft insurance of up to $1 million underwritten by AIG, and antivirus and VPN software help provide the peace of mind you need to invest and pursue financial freedom.

It’s an unsettling realization. That nagging feeling when you receive a piece of mail not meant for you, or when an unexpected package appears at your doorstep with someone else’s name. Suddenly, questions begin to bubble to the surface: Why is this happening? Who is behind it?

And, crucially, what potential harm lurks in the shadows of such mysterious correspondence? Address fraud might sound like the plot of a thrilling crime novel, but for many, it’s a jarring reality. Knowing the signs, understanding the motivations, and arming yourself with prevention strategies can make all the difference. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Address Fraud?

Address fraud isn’t just about an accidental delivery mistake; it runs deeper and often carries malicious intent. In essence, address fraud is the act of using someone else’s genuine postal address for illegal or deceptive purposes.

This could be to get their hands on goods purchased fraudulently or to intercept someone else’s mail, hoping to glean sensitive information. It’s important to understand that address fraud is not just a minor inconvenience but a serious crime. Those engaged in this illicit activity are banking on individuals being ignorant or passive about these seemingly small red flags.

Yet, these “minor” mishaps can quickly snowball into significant problems if not addressed promptly.

Why Is My Address So Important?

The real weight of an address lies beyond the simple identification of your home’s location. In the vast, interconnected digital and physical world we live in, an address serves as a vital anchor to your identity.

It’s more than just a place where you receive letters or packages — it’s a marker of your existence, your personal history, and even your legal and financial interactions.

Government agencies, businesses, and even personal acquaintances rely on this piece of information to communicate, offer services, and maintain records.

For instance, when you think about it, how many times have you been asked for your address for identification? Whether it’s for a bank account, a driver’s license, or a gym membership, your address continually solidifies your presence and legitimacy in various databases.

Moreover, many benefits, offers, and crucial notifications are routed through your address. If someone else gets a hold of these, or worse, manipulates them, it can lead to serious ramifications.

Missed bills, lost opportunities, or even being wrongly implicated are just the tip of the iceberg. The true cost of address tampering can be extensive, both financially and emotionally.

Why Would Someone Use My Address for Fraud?

Understanding the motives behind address fraud can arm you with the knowledge to stay vigilant and proactive. So, why would someone maliciously use your address?

Fraudulent Post Redirect

A deceptive tool in the scammer’s arsenal, fraudulent post redirects trick individuals into believing they’re interacting with legitimate entities.

These scammers craft posts or emails that appear genuine but redirect unsuspecting victims to fraudulent websites. Once there, individuals might be prompted to enter personal information, leading to potential identity theft or financial loss.

Claiming Benefits Under a False Name

Some fraudsters exploit addresses to claim government or company benefits they aren’t entitled to. By using your address, they hope to slide under the radar, drawing resources away from those genuinely in need.

Covering Up Identity Fraud

Identity theft is a growing concern and using someone else’s address can be a tactic to divert attention. By intertwining their illegal activities with your address, scammers can throw investigators off their trail, all the while building a web of deceit that might implicate innocent individuals.

Avoiding Debt Collection

No one likes persistent calls and letters from debt collectors. Some individuals, in an attempt to escape this, might use someone else’s address to receive these communications, hoping to buy more time or simply to evade repayment.

The reasons might be varied, but the underlying theme is the same: exploitation and deceit.

How Can I Tell if Someone Is Using My Home Address Fraudulently?

The idea that someone might be misusing your home address is daunting, but recognizing the signs is the first step in combating this fraudulent activity. Here’s how you can uncover the truth.

Be Aware of Changes in Your Regular Mail

The most direct way to spot potential address fraud is by keeping an eye out for changes in your regular mail. If there’s an abrupt stop in receiving your usual letters or bills, or an unexpected surge of unfamiliar ones, this could be a red flag.

Stay On Top of Your Credit Report

One way to dive deeper is by checking your credit report. Your addresses, past and present, are often listed here. An unexpected address could indicate that someone is using your name along with another address for deceitful purposes. With IdentityIQ credit monitoring services, you get alerted in real-time when significant changes are made to your credit report profile.

Take Advantage of USPS’s “Track and Confirm” Tool

Additionally, the United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a nifty tool called “Track and Confirm.” This service provides insights into your mail’s movement and notifies you if someone has filed a change of address form in your name. However, you would need the tracking number of your parcel to access this service.

Don’t Ignore Getting Wrong Mail

Every so often, everyone receives a letter or package intended for someone else – it’s typically a harmless mistake. However, if it becomes a recurring theme, especially from various senders or companies, it’s important to act.

Before jumping to conclusions, consider reaching out to the sender. They may have an outdated address for the intended recipient. If you don’t recognize the name or company, however, it may be time to investigate further.

Other Signs of Address Fraud

Recognizing potential address fraud isn’t always as straightforward as spotting incorrect mail. Here are some subtler signs that something might be amiss:

Unexpected Bills or Financial Statements

If you start receiving bills for services you haven’t subscribed to, or financial statements from banks or credit card companies you don’t have an account with, this is cause for concern. Someone may have used your address (and potentially other personal information) to open accounts or purchase goods.

Calls or Letters from Debt Collectors

Receiving communication from debt collectors about outstanding bills or debts that you don’t recognize can be alarming. This could be a sign that someone has used your address to evade their financial obligations.

Unfamiliar Registrations or Subscriptions

Have you ever received magazines, newsletters, or other subscriptions you never signed up for? While it could be a marketing strategy, if they’re addressed to a different name (but delivered to your address), it’s worth looking into.

Communication from Government Agencies

Letters from government agencies about benefits, taxes, or other official matters that don’t relate to you could indicate someone is using your address for fraudulent activities.

Mismatched Return Addresses

Pay attention to the return address on envelopes, especially if it’s from a company or organization you’re familiar with. If the return address seems off or doesn’t match the known address of that entity, it could be a deceitful attempt to gather information or payments from you.

In these situations, vigilance is your best defense. It’s easy to dismiss unfamiliar mail as harmless errors, but if you notice a pattern or have an uneasy feeling about the correspondence, take it seriously.

Problems Caused by Someone Using Your Address

When someone uses your address without your consent, it’s not just an infringement on your privacy – it can lead to tangible problems. The continuity of your mail and package delivery might be interrupted, which can be especially problematic if you’re expecting important documents or time-sensitive items.

Further, receiving calls or surprise visits from debt collectors, or other individuals trying to locate the person illicitly using your address, can be both unnerving and inconvenient. If you find yourself in such a predicament, it’s important to notify both the police and your local post office immediately.

How to Stop Someone from Using Your Address

Protect Your Identity

Initiate the process by updating your address with relevant institutions. Placing a fraud alert on your credit file serves as a warning to creditors, instructing them to be cautious before greenlighting new credit requests under your name. Consulting a lawyer can further shed light on legal actions you might pursue.

Identity monitoring also is essential. Using a IdentityIQ identity theft protection services allow you to keep an eye on your identity. You receive alerts for possible suspicious activity involving your personal data.

Preview Your Mail

The USPS offers an “Informed Delivery” service that enables you to digitally preview your incoming mail and manage your packages.

Refuse Unwanted Mail

When dealing with unwanted mail, there are a couple of avenues available. You can decline to accept it or get in touch with the sender directly to halt future mailings. If an unwarranted package arrives, follow this protocol:

• Ensure the package remains unopened, retaining its original contents.
• Inscribe “REFUSED” on it, alongside the sender’s address.
• Head to your closest post office.
• The postal service will oversee its return, billing the sender for the return postage.

Alert Companies That Send You Someone Else’s Mail

Receiving mail not intended for you can be rectified by informing the dispatching company. This not only stops future mistaken deliveries but also ensures the rightful recipient gets their mail.

Apply for a Prohibitory Order Against the Sender (If Applicable)

In instances of harassment, you can file for a prohibitory order against the perpetrator via your local police department.

File a Complaint with Your Local USPS Office

Address issues by lodging a complaint with your nearby USPS office, either in person or over the phone. Remember to furnish them with pertinent details, including your contact information and the nature of your grievance.

Report a Scam or Mail Fraud With the USPIS

Encountered an email scam or suspect mail fraud? The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) is equipped to handle such reports. As the USPS’s enforcement wing, they specialize in probing mail and email fraud allegations.

Scrub Your Address from Public Sites

To remove your address from public websites, approach the site administrators directly or utilize platforms that can help expunge your details from public databases.

Shred Documents Containing Personal Information

Bolster your defense against identity theft by diligently shredding documents bearing personal details, be it bank communication, utility bills, or credit card statements.

Report Address Fraud

If you suspect you’re a victim of identity theft or another form of fraud, immediately report it to the FTC. The complaint can be lodged online at ftc.gov or via phone at 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338). Ensure you’re prepared with personal details and specifics about the incident, encompassing the date, the fraud’s nature, and the method of execution.

Address Change Monitoring

IdentityIQ offers real-time change of address alerts so you can act fast if someone changes your address fraudulently.

FAQs About Address Fraud

Is It Illegal for Someone to Use Your Address?

The matter of someone using your address sits in a legal gray area. Broadly speaking, merely using another person’s address isn’t necessarily illegal on its own. But intentions matter. If someone is using your address for deceitful purposes, they may run afoul of fraud laws or other statutes.

If someone is caught physically on your premises without permission, they might face trespassing charges. In situations where you incur damages or losses due to someone using your address, a civil lawsuit might be an appropriate course of action.

Can Someone Change Your Address Without Your Knowledge?

Technically, someone can attempt to change of your address without your knowledge, but it is not straightforward. They would require access to your mail, which could be achieved either by intercepting it personally or employing someone else to do so. Additionally, the individual would need knowledge of your new intended address.

The USPS has measures in place to help prevent unauthorized address changes, such as sending confirmation letters to both the old and new addresses. This acts as a safeguard, ensuring that the actual resident is aware of address changes.

Can I Keep a Package That Was Delivered to My Address by Mistake?

Receiving a package that wasn’t intended for you might raise ethical and legal questions. Ethically, the right course of action is to reach out to the sender or the delivery service to notify them of the mistake.

Legally speaking, keeping a package that you know isn’t yours could be considered theft or misappropriation of property in some jurisdictions. While you might be tempted to keep an unordered item, it’s best to act in good faith and ensure that packages find their way to their rightful owners, especially if it seems to be an honest mistake.

Voter fraud threatens the safety of our personal information and the essence of fair and transparent elections. As a voter, it is imperative to understand and actively address this challenge to help protect your personal information from identity theft and to help maintain the integrity of elections. This practical guide offers key insights and actionable tips on how to help protect your identity, so you don’t become a victim of voter fraud.

What is Voter Fraud?

Voter fraud refers to illegal activities that manipulate the voting process to compromise the outcome and integrity of an election. This takes many forms to damage the fairness and accuracy of the electoral system. Recognizing these forms is critical to understanding how to avoid voter fraud. These can range from identity theft to illegal voting procedures.

Voter fraud may involve casting multiple votes, voting under false identities, or manipulating registration information. This threatens the electoral process and erodes public trust in the electoral system.

Tips to Help You Avoid Identity Theft and Voter Fraud

1. Register Legally

Ensuring that you are registered to vote in your jurisdiction is the fundamental first step. Legally register with accurate and up-to-date personal information. Familiarize yourself with your local official voter registration process and adhere to voting guidelines.

Start by verifying your eligibility to vote based on your residency and citizenship status. Most jurisdictions require individuals to be U.S. citizens and residents of the state and county where they plan to vote. Once you confirm your eligibility, gather the necessary documentation to complete the registration process, such as proof of identity and residence.

If available, you can use online voter registration systems as a more convenient and streamlined alternative to registering in person. Pay close attention to the information you provide, confirming its accuracy to prevent any discrepancies that might affect your registration status.

2. Verify Voter Registration

Regularly confirming the accuracy of your voter information is crucial in avoiding voter fraud. By routinely verifying your voter registration, you can identify warning signs of identity theft, contributing to a transparent and fair election.

Start by accessing official voter registration portals. These platforms often allow you to review and update your registration details. Verify that your personal information, such as your name, address, and party affiliation, is correctly recorded. Address any discrepancies or changes as soon as you can to make corrections before they impact your ability to vote.

You also can reach out to your local election office for assistance. They can provide guidance on verifying your registration status and offer support in resolving any issues that may arise.

3. Protect Personal Information

Safeguarding your personal information is the core of preventing voter fraud. It’s crucial to vigilantly protect sensitive details, such as your Social Security number and date of birth. These pieces of information are key components of your identity and can be abused if they fall into the wrong hands. Be cautious online and offline when sharing personal information. Be mindful of phishing attempts, and avoid providing sensitive details to unverified sources.

Use secure websites and be wary of sharing information on public platforms. Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks without also protecting your data by using a virtual private network (VPN). IdentityIQ can help add an extra layer of security by monitoring your personal information 24/7 across the internet, the dark web, and your credit reports. If IdentityIQ finds suspicious activity, you are notified in real time, giving you the opportunity to take swift action to protect your personal information.

Consider setting habits for secure data management, like regular password updates and enabling two-factor authentication. By adopting these measures, you reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your personal information.

4. Use Secure Voting Methods

Ensuring the security of your vote involves choosing secure and verified voting methods. Whether voting in person at an official polling location or opting for mail-in or absentee voting, adhering to guidelines provided by election authorities is crucial.

When voting in person, visit designated polling places recognized by election officials. These locations are equipped with the necessary security measures to protect the voting process. Familiarize yourself with the voting procedures specific to your jurisdiction to ensure a smooth and secure voting experience.

If you opt for mail-in or absentee voting, only use verified and official channels. Follow the prescribed procedures for requesting, completing, and submitting your ballot. Be aware of deadlines and any additional requirements to ensure your vote is counted.

5. Stay Informed

Staying informed about election-related updates is key to avoiding voter fraud. Seek out up-to-date information regarding changes in voting procedures, deadlines, and other relevant details to ensure you are well-prepared for every election.

Look to official sources for accurate and up-to-date information, avoiding unverified sources. Government websites, official announcements from election authorities, and reputable news outlets are reliable channels for trustworthy information. Avoid spreading unverified information and be critical of sources that lack credibility.

Subscribe to official newsletters or notifications from your local election office to receive timely updates. Many election authorities also provide online resources and FAQs to address common concerns and keep voters informed.

Bottom Line

Actively helping prevent identity theft and voter fraud is key for any voter. You can help to avoid voter fraud by legally registering and verifying voter information, protecting personal information through secure data management, voting through secure channels with accurate information, and staying informed on relevant voting updates.

IdentityIQ serves as a valuable addition to these efforts by monitoring your personal information around the clock. With real-time alerts and other features, such as advanced VPN and antivirus software, identity theft insurance of up to $1 million underwritten by AIG, and family protection, IdentityIQ provides a robust and active defense against potential threats to your identity, such as voter fraud and more.

The traditional method of safeguarding our accounts with passwords is facing growing challenges. As technology evolves, so do the methods employed by hackers, making passwords both inconvenient and increasingly susceptible to breaches.

You may have heard that passkeys are an emerging method to secure our accounts and devices in the digital age. But what is a passkey? Here, we explain what a passkey is, how it works, and why they are emerging as a compelling alternative to the traditional password.

What is a Passkey?

A passkey is a new method of signing into online accounts that offers more security than a traditional password or passcode. Passkeys use biometric verification to confirm your identity and unlock your account or device. This delivers quicker logins and easier use while helping to prevent any unauthorized users from accessing your information.

Passkeys are still in their early stages of adoption but are becoming more prominent in everyday life. For example, many smartphones have already implemented passkey technology and have begun to transition away from traditional alphanumeric passwords. iPhone users have benefited from passkey technology for years through their devices’ face and fingerprint scan features.

A passkey uses your biometrics to determine if you are authorized to access your devices or online accounts, eliminating the struggle of remembering complex passwords. This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts and delivers unmatched convenience.

How Does a Passkey Work?

When you create a passkey for a website or app, your device generates a unique pair of cryptographic keys: A public key that’s shared with the website or app and a private key that’s stored securely on your device and never leaves it. These keys are mathematically linked, but it’s nearly impossible to determine the private key from the public key.

Your device sends the public key to the website or app, along with a unique identifier for your device, such as a credential ID. The website stores this public key and associates it with your account, but it never receives or stores your private key.

When you want to log in to the website or app, it sends a challenge to your device. Your device uses its private key to generate a unique cryptographic signature based on the challenge. This signature is sent back to the website, along with the credential ID. The website verifies the signature using the public key it has stored. If the signature matches, it confirms your identity and grants you access.

In essence, passkeys replace the traditional password exchange with a more secure, cryptographic handshake between your device and the website. This public-key approach makes it much more difficult for hackers to steal or compromise your credentials, even in the event of phishing attacks or website breaches.

Passkey vs. Password – What’s the Difference?

Passkeys are a modern alternative to passwords. The main difference between a passkey and a password boils down to how they authenticate your identity and the level of security they offer.

Passkeys and passwords have different authentication methods. With passwords, you remember and manually enter a secret string of characters. With passkeys, you use your biometric information – like a fingerprint or face scan – or a personal identification number (PIN)/pattern stored on your device.

Passwords are more vulnerable to phishing attacks, data breaches, and other hacks that target weak credentials. Hackers can also trick you into revealing your password on a fake website. On the other hand, passkeys are more secure than passwords because of their public-key cryptography technology, which creates a unique cryptographic signature that cannot be easily stolen. Passkeys are also stored locally on their devices, rather than a cloud-based storage approach like the iCloud keychain. This makes it more difficult for hackers to obtain.

Passkeys also offer convenience that passwords simply cannot compete with. The struggle to maintain strong passwords is almost paradoxical. It is best to routinely update passwords, using a random mix of numbers, letters, and symbols without any recognizable pattern. However, a strong password that meets all these criteria is too complex to remember, and writing it down, physically or digitally, is too risky. While password managers offer a solution to this, the convenience of passkeys eliminates this struggle in a more secure way.

The cryptographic technology of passkeys offers strong safety improvements from passwords, such as:

• Keeping private information private. The website never receives or stores your private key, preventing it from being compromised in a data breach.
• Stronger Authentication. The signature generated by your private key can only be created by your device, ensuring only you can authenticate.
• Phishing Prevention. Even if you’re tricked into visiting a fake website, your passkey won’t work because the fake site won’t have the correct public key to verify the signature.

Bottom Line

Passkeys are ushering in a new era of online security and convenience. By leveraging public-key cryptography and your unique biometrics, they eliminate the weaknesses and frustrations of traditional passwords. While still in their early stages of adoption, their superior security, enhanced usability, and phishing resistance make them a clear upgrade for the future of online authentication.

From smartphones to websites, the seamless and secure login experience offered by passkeys promises to revolutionize the way we access our digital lives. As this technology continues to evolve and gain wider adoption, we can expect a safer and more user-friendly online environment for everyone.

Another important way to help keep your information secure is IdentityIQ identity theft protection. IdentityIQ services track and monitor your personal information and alert you to possible suspicious activity. A passkey can be a step in helping secure your digital identity, and IdentityIQ identity monitoring can help provide complete protection.

As technology advances, the tricks scammers use to get your personal data and money have also become more complex and corrupt. Hacking into computers has been a thing for decades, but what do you know about the process of cloning mobile phones?

What is Phone Cloning?

Phone cloning is when an exact replica of a mobile phone is created. This includes copying the international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) number. That means the phone’s identity is duplicated and put into another phone. Most times, phone cloning is created when you transfer old data from an old phone to a new one.

But, scammers have started to clone phones to access people’s personal information and steal from the victims.

How Does a Phone Cloning Scam Work?

Early on, it was thought your phone number was the way to access your important information. We receive text messages from banks, places where you make payments such as your car insurance or other businesses to verify your identity. The phone number can be ported to a different mobile device whereas the scammer now has gained access.

Scammers also can pretend to be the victim after stealing personal information from them and call their cell phone provider to gain access to their personal information. If the person from the cell phone company falls for a lie, the victim’s phone and personal information is sent over to a new device where the scammer can proceed with his fraudulent activities.

Another way for scammers to clone phones is to physically steal the victim’s SIM card out of their phone. The SIM card has a unique ID and stores the victim’s personal data. Once they have access to that, they can put the SIM card in another phone or device. This can lead to the scammer being able to access the victim’s financial information, medical records, investments, or anything they normally access daily that the scammer can make a profit from

How to Help Prevent Phone Cloning Scams

Limit the Personal Information You Share

Be extremely cautious when sharing any of your personal information online. If you are speaking to someone online about investments, money, or anything along those lines, research that person first and their company before sharing any of your sensitive personal information.

Also, be leery that if you are talking to someone who claims they are someone you are close to, reach out to that person directly to see if they are in fact who you are talking to. Scammers like to act like they are someone you are close to or know, so you freely tell them information about yourself because you trust them. Always question them before revealing any type of personal information.

Some people like to post their information on social media and pin drop or link their current location with pictures and addresses. You may not have realized that now someone who has had eyes on your profile has identifiable information they can use for identity theft.  Be very mindful of what you are posting and make sure none of your personal info is in any posts.

You should get in the habit of regularly checking the protection, privacy and security features on your phone and apps. The built-in security normally has updates that you should do every time you are asked. This is so you can continue to keep your information private and keep scammers from trying to access it.

Protect Your Accounts

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your cell phone. Most phones have facial recognition, which has become normal. But there is still the code to unlock your phone or thumb or fingerprint access as well. The more security, the better. If a scammer or a hacker gets a hold of your phone, if they do not have that information, they can be less likely to access your phone.

Change your passwords on the apps on your phone every couple of months. Sometimes scammers are just waiting for the right moment to attack, but without the password they are less likely to be able to access your information.

If you start noticing suspicious activity on your account, report it immediately.

Don’t Fall for Phishing Scams

In the event you receive text messages or emails from a company or someone wanting to help with your account or stating your account has been compromised, do not give them any of your information. They might be scammers trying to get you to let your guard down so that they can use your information fraudulently. Do not click on any links in emails, those links can have malware and other viruses to corrupt your smartphone.

Check the websites, email addresses, and phone numbers they are calling from to see if they are legit. It’s always best to go to the company or organization’s official website and contact them directly.

Monitor Your Personal Information

You can monitor your personal information – such as your name, address, email address, Social Security number, and more – with IdentityIQ identity theft protection. IdentityIQ identity and credit monitoring alerts you in real-time if there is possible suspicious activity involving your financial or personal information.

FAQs

How can I reverse phone cloning?

Reversing a phone that has been cloned is a lengthy process. But it is possible. You need to call your mobile provider to tell them what has happened. Law enforcement should also be contacted, so a report of the fraud is documented

What is a port-out scam?

A port-out scam is when a scammer transfers a victim’s phone number to another phone provider. After the scammer accomplishes that, they can access authentication codes and other personal information that was on the phone to take the victim’s identity or access financial and other personal information. Having a strong personal identification number (PIN) can help stop the scammer from accessing the phone.

Bottom Line

Make sure that you are changing your passwords on your apps every couple of months, do not share your information online, and never access or click on emails or strange text messages that you do not know. Updating your privacy and security software is also a great way to stay protected.

Monitoring your identity and other personal information is essential. Using IdentityIQ identity theft protection services help you monitor your personal information, so you can be alerted for possible suspicious activity.