About Kelly Baker

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So far Kelly Baker has created 30 blog entries.

Identity Theft Can Leave Victims on the Hook for Tax Refund Advance Loans

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 [...]

Help! Someone Is Using My Home Address Fraudulently. What Now?

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 [...]

What Is Spear Phishing and How to Avoid It

Have you ever clicked a suspicious link or opened an unexpected attachment, only to realize it was a scam? The internet, brimming with information and opportunity, can also be dangerous. That's where spear phishing comes in – a particularly cunning form of online deception. This targeted cyberattack preys on your trust and knowledge, manipulating [...]

How to Get an IP PIN for Your Child

Now more than ever, protecting your personal information from getting into the wrong hands is crucial. For parents, this responsibility extends to their children, especially when it comes to financial matters such as taxes. Research shows that child identity fraud costs U.S. families nearly $1 billion annually and affects one out of every 50 [...]

Roblox Scams: What Parents Need to Know

By now, you've more than likely heard the cheerful chatter of your child and their friends discussing Roblox and even been nagged on more than one occasion to buy them some Robux. In this vast digital playground, creativity and imagination come to life in the form of games designed by players worldwide. But just [...]

How to Help Avoid Holiday Scams This Season

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 [...]

How to Help Avoid Holiday Credit Card Fraud

The holiday season is the perfect time of the year to buy presents for your friends and family, but it's also a time when credit card fraud is at an all-time high.  In fact, studies have shown roughly 25% of people fall victim to credit card fraud during the holidays. Because of how common [...]

6 Ways Parental Controls Help Protect Your Child

In today's modern world of social media, online gaming with games like Fortnite and Roblox, and online shopping, the internet is easily one of the most valuable assets a child can have. However, it's also potentially one of the most dangerous, depending on what sites they visit and their other activities. While the internet [...]

7 Ways to Help Keep Your Kids Safe Online

The internet is bustling with activities kids want to explore. But just as you wouldn’t send your child outdoors without some guidance, the same applies to their time online. How can you actively protect your kids online without hovering over their shoulder every second? This guide offers practical steps to help you build a [...]

Smart TV Scams: How to Avoid the Growing Threat

Smart TVs – such as Roku and Amazon Fire TV sticks with streaming services such as Netflix and YouTube TV – it seems like everyone has them these days. With the ability to watch just about any show your heart desires with the click of a button, the convenience is unbeatable. But like we’ve [...]

5 Latest Amazon Scams and Tips to Avoid Them

Ah, Amazon. The go-to marketplace for anything from gadgets to groceries. You love the convenience, the variety, and, let's be honest, the near-immediate shipping. It's all fantastic, right? But lurking behind those unbeatable deals and endless aisles of products are crafty scammers who want nothing more than to hijack your comfort zone for their [...]

The Importance of Family Identity Theft Protection

In today’s interconnected world, your family’s digital footprint grows every time you click, post, or shop online. While the internet has its perks, it also exposes your personal details that could be vulnerable to misuse. Do you know that 1.25 million American children were victims of identity fraud last year? This blog sheds light [...]

What Happens to Your Credit After 7 Years?

Having a good credit report is important if you want to take out loans, apply for a mortgage, or get low interest rates. Your credit score is determined by major credit bureaus, including Experian®, TransUnion®, and Equifax®, and they independently set your credit score based on information they receive from your lenders. If you [...]

Identity Theft Victim? Here’s Your Essential Checklist

Dealing with identity theft is like having your personal space invaded in the worst possible way. It's unsettling, to say the least. But don't worry, we’ve got your back! If you've found yourself as an identity theft victim in this unfortunate situation, take a deep breath and let's tackle this step by step. Here's [...]

What is Clone Phishing and How Do I Avoid It?

Nowadays, cyber threats are something we can't ignore – and as technology advances, so do the methods used by scammers. One of the most devious tricks that they use is called clone phishing. In this blog post, we dive into the world of clone phishing, shedding light on what it is, the potential risks [...]

IdentityIQ Scam Report Reveals Shocking Stats on AI Social Engineering

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 [...]

‘The Scariest Thing I Have Ever Seen’: Cybersecurity Expert Calls Out Emerging Threat of AI Voice Cloning Scams

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 [...]

Spam vs. Phishing: What’s the Difference?

Day by day, threats to online security continue to rise. Among these threats, spam and phishing are two commonly misunderstood but distinct challenges. In this blog, we shed light on the differences between spam and phishing and provide valuable insights to help you avoid falling victim to these malicious activities What is Spam? Spam [...]

Improve Your Credit Score with Utility Payment Reporting

Have you ever wondered if there's a way to improve your credit score beyond the traditional methods of using credit cards and loans? Now there is. Utility payment reporting, offered by IdentityIQ, allows your utility bill payments, such as gas, electricity, and even select streaming services, to be reported to major credit bureaus to [...]

3 Ways Rent Payment Reporting Improves Your Credit

Have you ever wished you could get credit for your on-time rent payments? Now you can. IdentityIQ, a leading provider of identity theft protection and credit monitoring services, has a groundbreaking addition to its suite of features: rent payment reporting. This new service allows your on-time rent payments, and potentially up to 24 months [...]

10 Effective Ways to Prevent Compromised Credentials

Protecting your personal information and online identity is crucial, especially as cyber threats continue to gain traction. Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics to get unauthorized access to sensitive data, and having your credentials compromised poses a significant threat. In fact, last year 55% of identity crime cases reported to the Identity Theft Resource [...]

How to Detect and Respond to Account Misuse

As digital connectivity continues to grow, safeguarding your online accounts from misuse is becoming increasingly crucial. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), last year there was a 13% increase in reports of misuse for both new and existing accounts compared to the year prior. Account misuse can result in alarming repercussions, including [...]

How To Recover from Fraud and Identity Theft

When you find yourself caught in the web of fraud and identity theft, it's natural to feel overwhelmed. The good news is you don't have to face it alone. There are dedicated support systems and valuable resources in place to help victims recover from identity theft. And when you act quickly with an identity [...]

The Rise of AI Social Engineering Scams

In today's digital age, social engineering scams have become an increasingly prevalent threat. In fact, last year, scams accounted for 80% of reported identity compromises to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC). This was a 3% increase compared to the previous year. Social engineering scams leverage psychological manipulation to deceive individuals and exploit the [...]

The Growing Threat of Google Voice Scams

Imagine this: You're eagerly selling an antique dresser on Facebook Marketplace and a prospective buyer communicates interest in it. However, they express concern that you may be trying to scam them. In an effort to establish your credibility as a legitimate seller, they request you confirm your identity with a verification code. Soon enough, [...]

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