LegalShield Associate - Andrea ChinScott

11/22/2019

What is identity theft?
Identity Theft is defined as the fraudulent acquisition and use of a person's private identifying information, usually for financial gain. Once identity thieves have your personal information, they can drain your bank account, run up charges on your credit cards, open new utility accounts, or get medical treatment on your health insurance. An identity thief can file a tax refund in your name and get your refund. In some extreme cases, a thief might even give your name to the police during an arrest. Criminals fraudulently use your Personally Identifiable Information (PII) to misrepresent who they are. PII can include your name, address, phone number, email, Social Security number, date of birth, etc. Some forms of identity theft cannot be prevented, but you can reduce your risk by taking steps to protect yourself online and offline.

10/14/2018

! Investigator Tip: Set up activity alerts with your bank and credit card companies. Monitor your accounts frequently to make sure transactions are valid. Choose a credit card over a
debit card when you shop, particularly when you shop online. Consider getting a low-limit credit card to use exclusively for shopping online and offline.

10/07/2018

Back to School Shopping Lessons

According to a new report, more than half of U.S. retailers experienced a data breach last year. As a result, U.S. retail is now the second most breached segment analyzed by Thales, trailing the U.S. federal government only slightly and ranking ahead of healthcare and financial services.

09/30/2018

Investigator Tip: Even if you never intend to use online banking, access your mobile phone account online, or make any social media posts, it’s a good idea to set up an account to prevent someone else from doing so. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible; that way you will be alerted if someone attempts to access your account.

09/23/2018

Claim Your Online Accounts or Someone Else Will
If you think staying offline is the best way to protect your identity, think again. Identity thieves can use your personal information to tie online accounts to their email address or mobile phone number, then use them to make fraudulent purchases, set up a fake social media account in your
name – even drain your bank accounts.

09/16/2018

Investigator Tip: The FBI recently released a public service announcement regarding
Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Among the protection tips offered:
• Reboot devices regularly to remove malware.
• Change default usernames and passwords on all IoT devices.
• Use anti-virus protection and ensure it is up to date.
• Ensure all IoT devices are up to date, including security patches.
• Isolate IoT devices from other network connections.

09/09/2018

Data-Driven Discounts?

Would you be willing to trade your driving data for a discounted oil change? Mitsubishi owners who download the car company’s smartphone app can earn rewards points (badges), but at what cost?
Turns out an insurance company is one of the first customers to have access to that data, so if you have a lead foot that leads to a higher insurance premium, you may find that sharing your data isn’t so rewarding after all.

09/02/2018

Alexa, What Is My Checking Account Balance?

U.S. Bank is the first bank to make some online banking activities compatible with all three virtual assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri). Transferring money to other account holders may be next. Customers of other banks can make certain transactions, including paying bills, with some of
the devices. PINs and voice recognition can help with privacy and security concerns, but as we’ve seen with person-to-person payment apps, nothing is foolproof. Hackers, a guest, even a nosy neighbor may pick up too much information and gain access to your account.

08/26/2018

Who’s Watching What You Watch?
Is your smart TV a little too smart? You may think you’re opting in only to receive personalized viewing recommendations, but you may also be giving permission to receive targeted advertising on other connected devices. According to one of the largest tracking companies, 90% of people
have opted in, but when the onscreen privacy policy and terms exceeds 10,000 words, do these
people know what they’re opting into?
That’s the question two U.S. senators have asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The
senators don’t believe consumers should have to give up their privacy and personal information to
watch TV. They’ve requested the FTC to conduct an industry-wide investigation into data collection
practices. This could lead to privacy regulation for smart TVs.

08/23/2018

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/news/aretha-franklin-died-without-a-will-2352482/

Aretha Franklin left no will when she died last week at age 76, reports The New York Times. According to Michigan law, her estate will be divided among her children but a lack of estate planning....

08/17/2018

Every day it seems there is a new scam warning, data breach notification, or privacy and security concern. It’s almost impossible to keep up with them all. This month, we’re taking a closer look at smart devices. If you feel like someone is watching you, they probably are; and there’s a good chance you gave them permission, even if it was unwittingly.