Latest news with #IdentityTheftResourceCenter
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
How to protect biometrics data from falling into the wrong hands
When you think of identity theft, you probably think about personal information, such as Social Security Numbers, said Action 9 investigator Jason Stoogenke. You must now consider biometrics, as well, including using your fingerprint to unlock your phone, your face or voice for online banking, or your palm at the doctor's office. ACTION 9: Secret Service recovers multiple skimming devices in statewide EBT fraud crackdown Some companies use your biometric information to verify your identity, which is intended to make it harder for thieves to impersonate you. The idea is to prevent identity theft. However, thieves who get their hands on your biometrics may be able to access your devices, accounts, a secure building where you work, and the list goes on, Stoogenke said. The Identity Theft Resource Center released this report recently. It says 87% of the people surveyed were asked to provide a biometric identifier in the past year and 91% agreed. However, 63% still had serious concerns about it, and only 35% trust companies to protect the data well. Consumers have questions. 'How the information is being used. How it's being stored. What else you're doing with it?' ITRC's Eva Velasquez told Stoogenke. Biometrics or not, Stephanie Fountain wants as little of her information out there as possible. She says someone stole her identity. 'I freaked out, like I started bawling my eyes out,' she said. She says she went to file taxes and found out someone already did in her name. 'My credit's been ruined,' she said. 'It's just impacting me big time.' If you're worried about sharing your biometric information, read the company's privacy policy. If you don't like what the company is gathering or how they're using it, see if you can opt out or, as a last resort, do business with someone else. A red flag: If a company contacts you out of the blue, walk away. Don't share personal information, biometric or not. If you're not sure what to do, ask a nonprofit: Identity Theft Resource Center Biometrics Institute National Cyber Security Alliance If you fall victim to ID theft
CNBC
05-05-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Your Social Security card will soon be available digitally. What to know
For many Americans, a Social Security number is the first form of identification they receive, mailed as a paper card a few weeks after birth. Now, the Social Security Administration is looking to give that form of ID an update by enabling secure digital access to Social Security numbers that will provide an alternative to the traditional Social Security card. Experts are cautiously optimistic about the idea, but have some security concerns. The new digital feature will allow individuals who have either forgotten their Social Security number or who have lost their Social Security cards to access their personal number online through the agency's My Social Security website. They will also be able to access their Social Security numbers through digital devices and display them as identification for "reasons other than handling Social Security matters," according to the agency. More from Personal Finance:Social Security reduces benefit clawback rateTrump administration restarts student loan collectionsWhat experts say about claiming Social Security benefits early With the new effort, the Social Security Administration aims to reduce the inconveniences caused by lost or stolen cards, which currently requires individuals to apply for replacements either online or in person. "We believe that this modern approach will meet the needs of our constituents in a more efficient manner," Social Security Administration acting commissioner Lee Dudek said in a statement. The agency declined to provide more details the rollout, which is scheduled to become available early this summer. Experts are cautiously optimistic about the change. "Generally, anything that is a new avenue for accessing your account or in an interaction with Social Security is a good thing, so long as it's easy and secure," said Richard Fiesta, executive director at the Alliance for Retired Americans. However, the risk is that some individuals, particularly those who are older or disabled, may be left without access if they are not as tech savvy and have difficulty using the internet or mobile phones, he said. My Social Security is "not the most customer friendly website," Fiesta said, despite efforts to improve it over the years. The move toward digital Social Security identification is "certainly a step in the right direction," said Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. If implemented properly, the digital Social Security numbers may provide more security than paper cards, she said. "But it really doesn't solve the problem of identity misuse," Velasquez said. Every adult's Social Security number has likely already been breached, according to Velasquez. The size of the 2024 National Public Data breach prompted some experts to speculate every American could have been affected. The 2017 Equifax breach was estimated to have affected roughly half the U.S. population. The new process will raise questions as to how to protect both the Social Security numbers and the devices on which they are accessed, she said. Ultimately, the U.S. in the future will likely move toward a federated identity system, where a user's identity can be verified with biometric data like fingerprints and facial recognition that is linked across multiple systems, said Cliff Steinhauer, director of information security and engagement at The National Cybersecurity Alliance. "There's going to be a future where there's a clean internet, where everyone that uses it has authenticated with this federated, proven identity so that nobody can pretend to be anybody else," Steinhauer said. The Social Security Administration's move is a first step toward digital identification, though it does not appear to include biometric authentication, he said. Because there will be risk for fraud, it will be important for the Social Security Administration to make sure its systems are properly protected, Steinhauer said. There should also be phishing-resistant authentication installed to ensure that only authorized individuals access the accounts, he said. It will be important for individuals to verify that any messages that allegedly come from the Social Security Administration do, in fact, take them to a verified Social Security website. Any messages the agency sends out, such as a reminder to log in and check an account, could be copied for phishing purposes, Steinhauer said.
Forbes
27-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
10 Common Job Scams To Look Out For In 2025
Job scams are becoming more common. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that from 2020 to 2023, losses from job scams have more than tripled, with over $220 million lost in the first half of 2024. As layoffs continue across multiple industries and remote work remains widespread, scammers exploit job seekers' vulnerabilities with increasingly clever schemes. Whether you're actively looking for new opportunities or find yourself unexpectedly between jobs, knowing how to spot and steer clear of job scams is crucial to protect your financial security and personal information. Here are ten of the most common job scams targeting professionals today and practical strategies to protect yourself. These job scams lure individuals with promises of high-paying work-from-home jobs that require minimal effort. You'll find these bogus opportunities on legitimate job boards, social media, and even in unsolicited texts. A key sign of these scams is the offer of extraordinary pay for simple projects. If you see offers like $100-500 daily for tasks such as "updating data" or "boosting visibility" for online merchants, it's a red flag. How to protect yourself: In this increasingly common job scam, fraudsters pretend to be employers who "hire" you and then send a check for "equipment" or "training materials." They instruct you to deposit the check, keep a portion as your payment, and forward the rest to a specified vendor. A few days later, your bank realizes the check is fake, leaving you liable for the full amount while the scammer pockets the money you forwarded. According to the FTC, the median loss for these scams was $1,900 in 2023. How to protect yourself: According to the FTC, task-based scams made up nearly 40% of job scam reports in 2024. These scams often start with simple, seemingly legitimate tasks like rating products or liking videos. At first, victims might receive small payments to build trust. The scam takes a turn when victims are asked to invest their own money to "unlock" higher-paying tasks or access their earnings. Cryptocurrency is increasingly used for these payments, with crypto losses in job scams hitting $41 million in just the first half of 2024—almost double the total reported for all of 2023. How to protect yourself: These sophisticated job scams are less about immediate financial gain and more about collecting your personal information. Scammers set up detailed application processes that ask for sensitive details like Social Security numbers, driver's license information, and bank account numbers under the guise of setting up direct deposits. Once gathered, this information is used for identity theft or sold on the dark web. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, employment scams are among the top sources of identity theft. How to protect yourself: These job scams recruit "quality control managers" or "logistics coordinators" whose main task is to receive packages at home, repackage them, and then ship them to new addresses, often overseas. What victims don't realize is that they're handling goods bought with stolen credit cards, essentially acting as money mules in a criminal operation. In addition to losing promised wages, participants face potential criminal charges for their role in fraud and trafficking of stolen goods. How to protect yourself: Scammers are increasingly posing as recruiters from well-known companies, creating fake job postings that mimic real openings. They might use the names of actual employees and create convincing email addresses that appear legitimate at first glance. These job scams are particularly effective because they exploit the trust associated with established brands. According to the FTC, impersonation scams accounted for a significant portion of the over $500 million lost to business and job opportunity scams in 2023. How to protect yourself: These job scams require upfront payment for "guaranteed" job placement, specialized training, or certifications supposedly necessary for high-paying positions. After payment, the promised job never materializes, or the certification proves worthless. Scammers often target industries where certifications are common, like healthcare, IT, or financial services, making their requests seem more legitimate to professionals in these fields. How to protect yourself: These elaborate job scams involve multiple rounds of seemingly legitimate interviews, often conducted via video conferencing platforms. The "hiring process" may last days or weeks to build credibility before requesting sensitive information or payment. The extended process lowers victims' defenses and increases emotional investment in the opportunity, making them more likely to comply with requests that would otherwise seem suspicious. How to protect yourself: These job scams use fake job applications to deliver malware or capture login credentials. Victims receive emails with attachments supposedly containing job information but actually containing malicious software. Alternatively, they may be directed to fake application portals designed to steal login information. How to protect yourself: These scams impersonate legitimate staffing agencies, promising access to exclusive job opportunities for an upfront fee. They may claim to offer resume optimization, interview coaching, or connections to hiring managers. After collecting payment, these fake agencies either disappear or continue stringing victims along with a series of additional fees for "premium" services. How to protect yourself: Job scams continue to evolve, but your best defense remains vigilance and healthy skepticism. Before engaging with any opportunity: If you believe you've encountered a job scam, report it to the FTC at and to your state attorney general's office. By staying informed and cautious, you can navigate your job search safely while protecting your financial security and personal information.
