– IDIQ earns its third spot on the prestigious Inc. 5000 Regionals List with a three-year revenue growth of 81%  –

Temecula, California, Feb. 27, 2024 – IDIQ®, a financial intelligence company that protects and strengthens consumers’ long-term financial health, has earned the rank of No.136 on Inc. Magazine’s annual Inc. 5000 Regionals List for the Pacific Region.

The list, announced today, is the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the Pacific region that includes Alaska, Hawaii, California, Oregon and Washington. This is the third time IDIQ has earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 Regionals List.

IDIQ delivers financial intelligence for everyday action. IDIQ is a proven thought leader in providing consumers with the tools they need to protect themselves from the growing threat of scams while also having access to fundamental solutions to support their financial wellness. IDIQ is strengthened by long-term strategic B2B relationships that pride themselves on offering IDIQ products to add value to their own consumer relationships.

The company saw an 81% increase in percentage revenue growth between 2020 and 2022 and is proud to earn its recognition on the list.

“It’s an honor for our team to be recognized on Inc. Magazine’s List for the Pacific Region’s fastest growing private companies for the third time,” said Scott Hermann, CEO of IDIQ. “This achievement is a testament to our dedication, innovation, and pursuit of excellence as a company. We’ve worked hard to become a leader in identity protection and financial wellness.”

During the last three years, IDIQ has expanded its corporate team, grown to more than 250 employees, and opened additional offices in the United States while protecting and monitoring the identity and credit of more than 4 million members.

“The honorees in our Inc. 5000 network are the who’s who of private companies,” said Eric Hagerman, special projects editor at Inc. Media. “They’re energizing regional economies as they engineer the future of their industries. Learn who they are and what they do — they’ll be impacting things for a while.”

Complete results of the Inc. 5000 Regionals List, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, metro area and other criteria, can be found at inc.com/pacific.

About IDIQ:

IDIQ® is recognized as one of the fastest-growing industry leaders in financial and identity protection. With the flagship IdentityIQ® brand, the company delivers real-time alerts and credit report information to not only protect but also educate consumers and businesses. The IDIQ family of brands also includes MyScoreIQ® for financial health and protection; Resident-Link® technology for on-time rental payment reporting to help build consumer credit scores; Credit & Debt®, a credit and debt education-based membership platform; and IDIQ® Pre-Paid Legal Services℠, a leading provider of voluntary employee benefits.

For more information, visit www.IDIQ.com.

– IDIQ leadership to play a crucial role in advising the ITRC on combatting identity theft crime –

TEMECULA, CA – December 13, 2023 – IDIQ®, a leader in financial and identity protection, announced today that Michael Scheumack, IDIQ chief marketing and innovation officer, will be joining the Identity Theft Resource Center’s (ITRC) newly formed Alliance for Identity Resilience (AIR) Advisory Board and will play a crucial role in advising the ITRC on matters related to identity theft crime.

Scheumack is a cybersecurity expert with more than 20 years of experience in the financial, credit, and identity theft protection industries. He joined IDIQ in 2017 to help position the company, through its flagship IdentityIQ® brand, as a leader in the identity theft protection and credit monitoring space.

“I am honored to be one of the first members of the ITRC’s AIR Advisory Board and contribute to its mission of combatting identity crime,” Scheumack said. “I look forward to collaborating with fellow board members and leveraging our collective expertise to provide guidance and drive positive change in the industry.”

The establishment of the AIR Advisory Board marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts of IDIQ and the ITRC to combat identity crime. Through collaborative efforts, the ITRC provides education, support, and innovative strategies to empower individuals and businesses in their fight against identity crime.

ITRC President and CEO Eva Velasquez praised Scheumack and the expertise he brings to the new board.

“We are pleased to add Michael to our Alliance for Identity Resilience Advisory Board,” Velasquez said. “His knowledge and expertise will help us stay on top of trends, emerging threats and defenses, and remain well-positioned to participate in discussions about them. Michael and our other Advisory Board members will play a vital role in our efforts to meet our mission and create services that victims need.”

This year, in partnership with the ITRC, IDIQ released the 2022 Trend in Identity Report as well as the company’s proprietary IdentityIQ 2022 Scam Report.

The ITRC is a non-profit organization that serves as a valuable resource for consumers, victims, businesses, and governments in minimizing the risk and impact of identity compromise and crime.

As a cybersecurity expert, Scheumack has served as a subject matter expert in numerous national media interviews on identity theft crimes, including the rise of AI voice cloning scams and trending scams.

Joining Scheumack on the AIR Advisory Board are executives across a variety of disciplines, industries, and sectors, including:

• Shawn Holtzclaw, Veteran Corporate and Nonprofit Executive
• Arun Vemury, Biometrics and Digital Identity Technologist
• Jay Meier, Senior Vice President of North American Operations at FaceTec, Inc. and President & CEO of Sage Capital Advisors, LLC
• Lynette Owens, Vice President of Global Consumer Education and Product Marketing at Trend Micro
• Meghan Land, Executive Director of Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
• Stephen Smith, Senior Vice President of Business and Strategy at Intellectual Technology, Inc.

By joining the ITRC’s AIR Advisory Board, IDIQ is furthering its mission to provide consumers and businesses with the education and services they need to help protect themselves against some of the biggest security and financial threats in existence today.

Scheumack also was recently appointed to the Cyber Center of Excellence (CCOE) Board of Directors. The CCOE is a San Diego-based nonprofit dedicated to growing the regional cyber economy and increasing cybersecurity.

For more information on IDIQ, visit www.idiq.com. For more information on IdentityIQ, visit www.identityiq.com.

About IDIQ:

IDIQ® is recognized as one of the fastest-growing industry leaders in financial and protection. With the flagship IdentityIQ® brand, the company delivers real-time alerts and credit report information to not only protect but also educate consumers and businesses. The IDIQ family of brands also includes MyScoreIQ® for financial health and protection; Resident-Link® technology for on-time rental payment reporting to help build and improve consumer credit scores; Credit & Debt®, a credit and debt education-based membership platform; and Pre-Paid Legal Services, a leading provider of voluntary employee benefits.

For more information, visit www.IDIQ.com.

About the Identity Theft Resource Center:

Founded in 1999, the Identity Theft Resource Center® (ITRC) is a national nonprofit organization established to empower and guide consumers, victims, business and government to minimize risk and mitigate the impact of identity compromise and crime. Through public and private support, the ITRC provides no-cost victim assistance and consumer education through its website live-chat idtheftcenter.org and toll-free phone number 888.400.5530. The ITRC also equips consumers and businesses with information about recent data breaches through its data breach tracking tool, notified. The ITRC offers help to specific populations, including the deaf/hard of hearing and blind/low vision communities.

Scammers take advantage of those who want to give during the holiday season, warns Credit & Debt CEO Jeff Mandel in an interview with LiveNOW from Fox.

Credit & Debt is a financial planning brand under parent company IDIQ, which offers industry-leading identity theft protection and credit monitoring products through their IdentityIQ and MyScoreIQ brands.

“They are doing everything they possibly can to get you to provide your information,” Mandel explained.

What’s worse is that scams are at an all-time high during the holiday season. A new study reveals that 81% of US consumers see an uptick in cybercriminal activity during the holiday season.

Consumers may fall victim to a variety of scams this holiday season, which can come in the form of charity scams, phishing websites, fake shipping notifications, misleading social media ads, solicitations for free gift cards, and even puppy scams.

For many consumers, the harsh reality is that they don’t know what to look for when it comes to holiday scams. In fact, according to the AARP, most consumers ages 18 and older are wrong or unsure about certain safe shopping practices.

Mandel reveals how consumers can help protect themselves from scams this holiday season.

Tips to Help Avoid Holiday Scams

1. Be Extra Cautious About Transactions

Be extra cautious in all your holiday transactions. Consider using cash for in-person purchases. For online purchases, rely on legitimate payment methods like credit cards.

You should also be wary of scammers attempting to emulate popular payment app services such as Zelle and PayPal.

2. Verify the Legitimacy of Emails

Email scams are a common tactic used by scammers during the holidays, so you should always take the time to verify the legitimacy of emails or messages you receive.

Be on the lookout for fake emails that appear to be from reputable companies like FedEx. Hover over sender names to check for misspellings or suspicious variations.

It’s important to take your time verifying the sender’s identity, especially if it’s someone you haven’t interacted with before.

If an email takes you to a website, scrutinize the quality of the website to make sure it’s legitimate, and use your common judgment before providing personal information.

You should also keep in mind that real companies usually don’t request sensitive information through email.

3. Use an Identity Monitoring Service

Mandel’s top advice for protecting your personal information is to use an identity monitoring service. IdentityIQ delivers industry-leading protection to help cover you if your private information falls into the hands of a scammer.

IdentityIQ can help protect you from identity theft by monitoring your personal information and alerting you to suspicious activity. Taking quick action with the help of an identity monitoring service can help minimize the potential damage caused by a security breach.

4. Avoid Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi may be convenient, but it’s also a hotspot for potential threats. Whenever possible, avoid using public Wi-Fi, especially when entering sensitive information like credit card details.

If you find yourself in a situation where using public Wi-Fi is necessary, be careful about what you’re doing online. The best practice is to avoid accessing sensitive accounts or making financial transactions that could potentially give scammers insight into your sensitive information or passwords.

– Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer Michael Scheumack will represent the company on the CCOE Board, furthering the company’s mission to combat and educate businesses and consumers on identity theft, financial and cybersecurity threats–

Temecula, CA, Oct. 31, 2023 – IDIQ®, a leader in financial and identity protection, today announced it has joined the board of the Cyber Center of Excellence (CCOE), a San Diego-based nonprofit dedicated to growing the regional cyber economy and creating a more secure digital community for all. Representing IDIQ on the CCOE Board is Michael Scheumack, IDIQ chief marketing and innovation officer. 

As a member of the Board of Directors, Scheumack brings more than 20 years of cybersecurity, technology and marketing experience in the financial, credit and identity theft protection industries. Scheumack began his career serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, where he started his technology education and began working in the cybersecurity industry. After joining IDIQ in 2017, he built one of the company’s fastest-growing business lines and has been an integral part of the explosive growth of IDIQ.  

“IDIQ has continued to establish ourselves as industry-leading in financial and identity protection,” Scheumack said. “By joining the CCOE Board of Directors, we are furthering our mission to provide consumers and businesses with the education and services they need to protect themselves against some of the biggest security and financial threats we see today.” 

Scheumack is an expert in cybersecurity and has given numerous interviews on trending identity theft scams, including the rise of AI voice cloning scams. This year, he oversaw, in partnership with the Identity Theft Resource Center, the release of the 2022 Trend in Identity Report as well as the proprietary IdentityIQ 2022 Scam Report.  

As a member of CCOE, IDIQ joins a collection of world-class cyber organizations, including Qualcomm, FICO®, Lockton Insurance, ESET, and the United States Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR). 

 “There has been an increase in cybercrime across all industries since the pandemic began, with more than half of these costly attacks aimed at small and medium-sized businesses – our region’s economic engine,” said Lisa Easterly, president and CEO of CCOE. “We are honored to have IDIQ join our elite roster of CCOE Board Members with a focus on identity theft education. IDIQ’s expertise in identity theft services, products and capabilities will help us create a safer digital environment region-wide.”  

IDIQ offers the flagship IdentityIQ® and MyScoreIQ® brands for financial and identity theft protection and Resident-Link® technology for positive rental payment reporting to help build and improve consumer credit scores. IDIQ also recently acquired Credit & Debt®, a credit and debt education-based membership platform, and Pre-Paid Legal Services, a leading provider of voluntary employee benefits. 

For more information on IDIQ, visit www.idiq.com.  

About IDIQ:

IDIQ® is recognized as one of the fastest-growing industry leaders in financial and protection. With the flagship IdentityIQ® brand, the company delivers real-time alerts and credit report information to not only protect but also educate consumers and businesses. The company features 100% U.S.-based customer service and support. For more information, visit www.IDIQ.com.  

About Cyber Center of Excellence:

CCOE is a San Diego-based nonprofit that mobilizes industry, academia and government to grow the regional cyber economy and create a more secure digital community for all. Learn more at sdccoe.org. 

– Hermann brings his expertise in financial services, data security and analytics to further advance the national nonprofit’s mission of assisting families with gaining economic independence–

VIENNA, VA – October 26, 2023 – Entryway, a workforce development, employment and housing program, announced today that Scott Hermann, Chief Executive Officer of IDIQ, has joined its National Board of Directors to serve a three-year term. Hermann’s deep expertise in identity theft protection, credit and financial education and leveraging data to implement scalable business solutions will immediately benefit Entryway as the organization works to create efficiencies through data collection to serve a greater number of at-risk individuals and families across all of its program markets.

Hermann has more than 25 years of cybersecurity, technology and leadership experience in the financial, credit and identity theft protection industries. Hermann took the helm at IDIQ in 2017 to return to the roots of the credit monitoring industry with a vision to empower consumers with financial and identity protection. Under Hermann’s leadership, the company has developed an impressive roadmap to bring consumers the most innovative services in the industry. Hermann has led IDIQ to multiple years of triple-digit growth and four consecutive spots on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing companies in America, joining many household names on the list such as Facebook, Chobani, Under Armour, Microsoft and Patagonia.

He also has grown the company from only a handful of employees to now more than 250 employees with multiple office locations in California, Illinois, Florida and Arizona along with satellite locations in New York and Texas. With this growth, IDIQ currently supports more than 3 million members in protecting their identities and credit.

Hermann has provided his expertise in helping identify and protect against identity theft and other scams to numerous national news outlets, including Forbes and Fox News.

In addition to his accomplishments in growing IDIQ, Hermann, a former college and professional athlete, is passionate about coaching and encouraging student athletes as our next generation of leaders.

“We are thrilled to welcome Scott to our national leadership team. He is passionate about the work we are doing to transition struggling families to long-term economic stability,” commented David Williams, Entryway President & CEO. “His passion combined with his experience leading financial companies that create pathways to economic protection for millions of Americans brings an incredible skillset and perspective to our work at Entryway.”

Entryway sources, screens, trains and places highly motivated and capable individuals in high demand on-site jobs in partnership with 65 leading apartment owners and operators. The organization works with multiple referring partners in each of its local markets as well as nationally to identify suitable job applicants who are struggling with or at risk of homelessness. Entryway upskills program participants through online and in-person training opportunities to get them ready for full time positions in the apartment industry such as leasing, maintenance and groundskeeping. Entryway also offers participants interview skills, job coaching, financial literacy and access to 1:1 mentoring.  The program changes the lives of individuals and families while providing quality, motivated employees for a rapidly growing industry in need of talent.

“I am honored to join the Entryway Board of Directors and be a part of an organization dedicated to transforming lives and communities,” said Hermann. “At IDIQ, we understand the importance of financial inclusion and security, and are committed to supporting initiatives that empower individuals and families to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Working with Entryway aligns perfectly with our mission and allows us to continue to make a meaningful impact for those in need.”

IDIQ offers the flagship IdentityIQ^® and MyScoreIQ^® brands for financial and identity theft protection and Resident-Link^® technology for positive rental payment reporting to help build and improve consumer credit scores. IDIQ also recently acquired Credit & Debt®, a credit and debt education-based membership platform, and Pre-Paid Legal Services, a leading provider of voluntary employee benefits.

Entryway currently operates in ten markets across the country: Atlanta, Central Florida, Charleston, Denver, Houston, Nashville, National Capital Region, North Carolina, North Texas and Greater Phoenix. To read more on the organization, visit entrywaytalent.org.

About Entryway:

Entryway (formerly Shelters to Shutters) is a national 501(c)(3) organization that transitions individuals and families from homelessness to economic self-sufficiency by providing career training, employment, and housing opportunities in partnership with the real estate industry. Since its founding in 2014, Entryway has grown to serve over 600 individuals and families, unlocking pathways to life-changing opportunities and creating sustainable change in our communities. Entryway currently operates in 11 markets: Atlanta, Central Florida, Charleston, Denver, Houston, Nashville, National Capital Region, North Carolina, North Texas, Greater Phoenix, and Philadelphia. For more information, please visit www.entrywaytalent.org.

About IDIQ:

IDIQ® is recognized as one of the fastest-growing industry leaders in identity theft protection, credit report monitoring and financial wellness. The company delivers credit report information, credit scores, education, protection and financial tools that benefit consumers and businesses. The company features 100% U.S.-based customer service and support. For more information, visit www.IDIQ.com.

– IDIQ product offerings and expertise will be leveraged to support Entryway participants on the road to financial stability –

Temecula, California, Sept. 5, 2023 – IDIQ – a leading provider of identity theft protection, credit report monitoring and financial wellness – today announced its five-star alliance partnership with the nonprofit organization Entryway (formerly Shelters to Shutters). The nationally recognized non-profit provides a solution to situational homelessness by offering ready-to-work individuals at risk of or experiencing homelessness career training, employment and housing in partnership with the real estate industry.

In the partnership, hired Entryway participants, team members and board members have complimentary access to the IDIQ flagship IdentityIQ® brand with identity theft protection and credit monitoring with the credit-building Resident-Link technology for on-time rental payment reporting as well as Credit & Debt®, a financial education platform. This will allow Entryway to leverage IDIQ product offerings and its expertise in the multi-family industry to support the organization’s participants on their path to economic self-sufficiency.

“Entryway is an institution that naturally aligns with our company’s values to protect and empower consumers with the resources they need at every stage of their financial lives. We’re proud to be supporting an effective organization like Entryway with our company’s innovative tools and services to help make a lasting impact for those looking to build a successful financial future,” IDIQ CEO Scott Hermann said.

The partnership advances Entryway’s national mission to open the door to opportunities for individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness and allow Entryway to continue to expand its services and opportunities for these individuals to enter and advance in the high-growth, high-demand multi-family industry. The partnership also promotes the values of IDIQ with the goal of financial inclusion and supporting organizations making a difference in their communities.

IDIQ team members will have volunteer opportunities to work with and mentor Entryway participants on their journey to meet their financial goals.

“Having the ability to provide IDIQ’s complete financial inclusion and protection platform to each of our hired program participants to assist them on their journey back to economic self-sufficiency is an incredible opportunity for our organization. It is a game-changing tool in the overall toolbox we can provide for the deserving individuals and families who are ready to step into their true potential,” Entryway President and CEO David Williams said. “We are also excited to bring IDIQ on board as a Five Star Alliance Partner, which offers both financial and employee volunteer support across our national program portfolio.”

The partnership with Entryway comes after IDIQ partnered earlier this year with the Identity Theft Resource Center to release the 2022 Trends in Identity Report to highlight growing trends in identity theft.

IDIQ supports more than 3 million members in protecting their identities and credit. For more information, visit IDIQ.com.

About IDIQ:

IDIQ^® is recognized as one of the fastest-growing industry leaders in identity theft protection, credit report monitoring and financial wellness. The company delivers credit report information, credit scores, education, protection and financial tools that benefit consumers and businesses. The company features 100% U.S.-based customer service and support. For more information, visit www.IDIQ.com.

About Entryway:

Entryway (formerly Shelters to Shutters) is a national 501(c)(3) organization that transitions individuals and families from homelessness to economic self-sufficiency by providing career training, employment, and housing opportunities in partnership with the real estate industry. Since its founding in 2014, Entryway has grown to serve over 550 individuals and families, unlocking pathways to life-changing opportunities and creating sustainable change in our communities. Entryway currently operates in ten markets: Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Houston, Nashville, the National Capital Region, North Texas, Central Florida, Greater Phoenix, and Denver. For more information, please visit https://entrywaytalent.org/.

AI social engineering scams are on the rise, according to IDIQ Chief Innovation Officer Michael Scheumack. “AI-based social engineering scams, which were at a high percentage last year, are up 100% this year for us,” Scheumack said.

IdentityIQ, a trusted identity theft and credit monitoring brand under IDIQ, recently came out with its 2022 Scam Report. It takes a close look at the latest trends in identity theft, breaks down the new wave of AI-related scams, and gives suggestions for how consumers can better protect themselves.

Scheumack recently spoke with CardRates.com to share some of the shocking information found in the report.

Main Findings: IdentityIQ 2022 Scam Report

In the IdentityIQ Scam Report for 2022, a serious issue takes center stage – the alarming rise of AI-based social engineering scams. These threats are hitting close to home, targeting both identities and financial security.

AI Manipulates Trust

The strategies deployed in these scams are clever, especially when it comes to voice-cloning and impersonation techniques fueled by the capabilities of AI. They prey on our emotions and exploit the trust we place in others. The result? People are giving away sensitive information and engaging in risky financial transactions.

Alarming Trends Come to Light

The report brings some shocking stats to our attention. There’s been an astonishing 58% surge in scams tied to the popular payment apps we rely on. And that’s not all. The report also shines a light on a disturbing 44% spike in document theft, made possible by a mix of old-school mail theft and sophisticated phishing attacks.

The Art of the Advanced Scam

It’s hard to ignore the leaps AI has taken, and unfortunately, that applies to scams as well. The report highlights the emergence of more complex scams. A perfect example is the use of voice-cloning technology, which allows scammers to pull off shockingly accurate human interactions. They’re not just copying voices; they’re replicating the subtle emotions and nuances we associate with friends and family. This plays on our vulnerabilities, tugging at the strings of psychology to get us to spill personal and financial information.

The Urgent Need to Act

The report emphasizes the urgent need for us, the consumers, to equip ourselves with knowledge. We need to fully grasp the potential consequences of falling victim to these scams. But it doesn’t stop there. The report also drives home the importance of staying ahead of the curve and proactively protecting ourselves from these ever-evolving threats.

Tips to Protect Yourself Against AI Social Engineering Scams

Family Safe Word

When it comes to AI scams, it can be hard to tell if it’s really a family member calling you in danger or if it’s artificial intelligence replicating their voice. Scheumack suggests creating a “family safe word” to ensure that in the case of an emergency, you can verify who you’re really speaking to.

“If one of your kids calls you in a panic, a safe word may be the only thing you can share that is not found online,” Scheumack said.

Credit Report Monitoring

It’s important to keep a close watch on your credit report. This isn’t just about maintaining a healthy credit score; it’s also about staying informed about any possible instances of identity theft. When you actively monitor your credit report, you’ll receive alerts about various activities, such as:

• Change of address
• Change of personal information
• Reporting of a delinquent account
• New credit inquiries
• New public records
• New judgments
• New credit accounts and loans

IdentityIQ offers 24/7 credit report monitoring to help you stay protected from potential threats.

– Company Gains Momentum with 303% Three-Year Revenue Growth –

Temecula, CA, Aug. 15, 2023– After releasing two industry reports highlighting identity theft trends and helping more than 3 million members, IDIQ is recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in America with a spot on the 2023 Inc. 5000 List.  

The company, an industry leader in identity theft protection and credit report monitoring, achieved 303% three-year revenue growth to make this year’s list. This is the fourth consecutive time IDIQ has been recognized on the prestigious list. 

Each year, Inc. Magazine determines America’s most successful and rapidly-growing organizations to be recognized on the list. Businesses are ranked for this year’s list according to percentage revenue growth between 2019 and 2022. To be eligible, the companies must be privately owned and based in the United States. 

IDIQ ranked No. 21 in the Consumer Services category and No. 1,854 overall on the list. Many leading companies such as Facebook, Chobani, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia and other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees. 

“We are honored to be recognized on the Inc. 5000 list for the fourth consecutive year among so many top companies in the United States,” said Scott Hermann, IDIQ CEO. “We are also very proud that with all our success and revenue growth we have been able to continue to operate a profitable business. Our roadmap to success has led us to exponential business growth over the past years. With identity theft scams and fraud on the rise, our team has been an integral part of our achievements, leading our mission to help protect consumers at every stage of their financial lives.” 

IDIQ offers the IdentityIQ® and MyScoreIQ® brands for identity theft protection and credit report monitoring along with Resident-Link for positive rental payment reporting, Credit & Debt® that provides a credit and debt education-based membership platform and Pre-Paid Legal Services, a leading provider of pre-paid legal services.  

During the last three years, IDIQ has expanded its corporate team, hired more than 200 employees and opened additional offices in the United States while supporting more than 3 million members in protecting their identities and credit. 

The company also recently released its own report on the newest scams that target your identity as well as joined the Identity Theft Resource Center in releasing the 2022 Trends in Identity Report.  

“Running a business has only gotten harder since the end of the pandemic,” says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. “To make the Inc. 5000 – with the fast growth that requires – is truly an accomplishment. Inc. is thrilled to honor the companies that are building our future.” 

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. 

About IDIQ:

IDIQ® is recognized as one of the fastest-growing industry leaders in identity theft protection and credit report monitoring. The company delivers credit report information, credit scores, education and protection that benefits consumers and businesses. The company features 100% U.S.-based customer service and support. For more information, visit www.IDIQ.com. 

AI voice cloning scams are the newest growing threat to your identity, according to cybersecurity expert Scott Hermann.

“This is, without hesitation, the scariest thing I have ever seen,” said Hermann, the founder and CEO of IdentityIQ, a top-rated financial and identity theft protection company.

Hermann recently spoke with Fox News about the growing threat of AI voice cloning scams.

He said all scammers need is a 20-second clip of someone talking – usually downloaded from social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok – to clone the voice of a loved one or family member and use it to commit fraud.

With the AI voice clone, scammers can call you and try to trick you to perform certain actions, such as sending money or sharing personal information, while thinking you are speaking with someone you know and trust.

“All the way to the point that a mother can’t tell the difference between her own child and a machine,” Hermann said.

Maryland resident Gerry Scally experienced an AI voice cloning scam firsthand last month. He received a phone call from what sounded like his grandson, Noah, that stated he had been in a car accident and broken his nose.

However, Scally said the voice on the phone sounded slower than how Noah usually speaks. So, Scally hung up and called his son, who confirmed Noah was at school and not in a car accident.

Hermann said AI voice cloning scams are, unfortunately, working.

“The worst part of this is, every week we’re getting more calls, seeing more victims is because it’s effective,” he said.

Hermann said there are steps you can take to help protect yourself from AI voice-cloning scams.

Tips to Avoid AI Voice Cloning Scams

1. Protect Your Personal Information

Limit the amount of personal information you share online, especially on public platforms. Scammers often rely on publicly available data to gather audio samples for voice cloning. Regularly review your privacy settings on social media platforms and avoid oversharing personal details that could potentially be used against you.

IdentityIQ monitoring services protect you by scanning the internet and dark web for your personal information and alerting you in real-time, so you can take quick action.

2. Create a Family Password

It’s possible that you could receive a phone call from someone who seems to be a relative, but in reality, it’s a scammer trying to deceive you. To protect yourself from falling victim to this, it’s a good idea to create a “family password” known only to your family. This password can be a special and confidential word that acts as a verification code for authentic communications.

3. Educate Yourself

Stay informed about the latest AI voice cloning techniques and scams. Knowledge is your best defense. Follow reputable technology news sources and stay updated on emerging trends and potential risks associated with voice cloning technology.

4. Use Multi-Factor Authentication

Whenever possible, you should enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your accounts. MFA provides an added security layer by requiring extra verification, like a code sent to your phone, along with your password. This can help prevent unauthorized access, even if scammers manage to clone your voice.

AI voice cloning scams present a new and scary threat. Protect your personal information and stay one step ahead of even the latest scams with IdentityIQ identity theft protection services. With features like credit monitoring, dark web scanning, real-time alerts, and identity theft insurance, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your information is in safe hands.

– The report shows payment app fraud and the theft of personal documents increasing along with the rise of AI voice cloning scams –

Temecula, CA, June 27, 2023 – IDIQ®, a leader in identity theft protection and credit monitoring featuring the flagship IdentityIQ® brand, today released a proprietary report reviewing identity theft trends from last year as well as the newest scams on the rise, the IdentityIQ 2022 Scam Report.

This report explores key findings based on IdentityIQ member-reported data and found significant jumps in two major types of scams: peer-to-peer payment apps utilizing platforms such as Cash App, Zelle and Venmo, surging more than 58%, and scams stemming from the theft of personal documents, increasing by 44%. The report compares member-reported data from 2022 to the previous year.

The report also highlights the rise of AI voice scams as a significant trend in 2023. AI voice technology enables scammers to create remarkably realistic voices and convincingly imitate family members, friends and other trusted individuals.

“AI voice cloning scams are the scariest thing I have seen in the last 20 years,” said Scott Hermann, CEO of IDIQ and a cybersecurity and financial expert.

Hermann said, with just a short voice clip usually taken from social media, a scammer can clone a loved one’s voice and call a victim pretending to be that person. The scammer deceives the victim into thinking their loved one is in distress to get them to send money, provide personal information or perform other actions.

“AI voice technology has gotten to the point where a mother can’t tell the difference between her child’s voice and a machine – and scammers have pounced on this in order to commit crimes,” he said.

The report shares ways the public can help protect themselves from these scams, including:

• Being cautious of unsolicited offers, requests, and calls
• Always verifying identities, including having a family “password”
• Using strong cybersecurity practices, including unique passwords, multi-factor authentication and VPN
• Protecting and monitoring personal information
• Educating themselves on the latest scams and trends as new scams continue to arise.

Scammers are also taking advantage of peer-to-peer payment platforms lack of protection, convenience and limited refund policies to steal from victims as part of Cash App, Zelle and Venmo scams. Fraudsters use the lure of a cuddly puppy in pet deposit scams or offer to help invest and “flip” money with huge returns in cash flipping scams. Being aware of these scams – and never sending money through these apps as a deposit to someone you don’t know – helps consumers avoid fraud.

The report indicates that, while online threats are increasing, consumers must continue to protect their personal information that can be found offline as well.

“While consumers should be concerned about their online presence, they shouldn’t overlook data vulnerabilities presented by paper documents,” Hermann said.

As for the offline threats, mail theft, lost or stolen wallets and “shoulder surfing,” in which a scammer peers at documents with personal information unbeknownst to the victim, were the most prevalent forms of personal document fraud.

“We hope the information from the report keeps the public aware of and safe from the biggest scams we are seeing today,” Hermann said. “As new trends emerge, we will continue to help consumers protect themselves and their families.”

This is the second report focusing on identity theft trends that IDIQ, through its IdentityIQ brand, has released this year. In May, IDIQ joined the Identity Theft Resource Center, a nationally-recognized nonprofit organization established to support victims of identity, to release the 2022 Trends in Identity Report.

For more information or to download the IdentityIQ 2022 Scam Report, visit www.identityiq.com/2022-scam-report/.

About IDIQ:

IDIQ^® is recognized as one of the fastest-growing industry leaders in identity theft protection and credit report monitoring. With the flagship IdentityIQ^® brand, the company delivers real-time alerts and credit report information to not only protect but also educate consumers and businesses. The company features 100% U.S.-based customer service and support. For more information, visit www.IDIQ.com.