Posts Tagged ‘security’
Key Elements of HIPAA Compliance by TechTarget
Always a good reminder as things continue to evolve in the healthcare world. Very good article by Richard E. Mackey, Jr., Contributor. As compliance becomes key, always continue learning.
Protection and Surviving an Acitve Shooter Event
This video was developed by Houston PD, shared with a connection in Colorado and sent to me. Personally I think in today’s world, such as Cal State Fullerton event on Dec 12 and the Oregon Shopping mall shooting event, it would be great for training video to go viral; as we MUST think about what is happening around us.
Don’t be a Victim of Job Identity Theft Scams
Are you searching for a new job right now? In these tough economic times, identity thieves are taking advantage of vulnerable job seekers like never before with job identity theft scams. Whether they’re using job search sites like Monster.com to “hook” an unemployed person with a job offer that may be too good to be true, then sending emails requesting bank account information and Social Security numbers, or even creating fake Web sites that don’t match the job description on a jobsite, scammers are relentlessly trying to steal your identity. Fortunately, by paying attention to ID theft warning signs and using tips to prevent ID theft, you can avoid the scammers and land a great job this year.
How to Spot Job Identity Theft Scams
How can you be sure job postings are legitimate and not job identity theft scams? Ask yourself these questions before you apply:
• Does the company have a Web site?: If not, or if the information doesn’t match the company’s description on the jobsite, you should be extremely cautious. Although not all companies have Web sites, most do, and you can get a feeling for the company by visiting the site. Does it look professional? Does it have contact information? Another simple research tool is simply to use Google to see what search results reveal for the company (if they exist!)
• Does the company ask for money to submit an application?: If you’re asked to pay anything before you can get information on the job, it’s probably one of the many job identity theft scams. This is especially prevalent in work-at-home jobs. Just remember that legitimate employers will never charge to hire you.
• Does the company have references?: They work both ways. If you’re unsure whether an employer is legitimate, ask for references. Most companies will be happy to provide you with them.
• Does the company make financial promises?: This is another favorite tactic of job identity theft scams. If a job listing guarantees financial success in a short period of time, you can bet they’re trying to drain your bank account in a short period of time.
Another easy way to spot job identity theft scams is to contact the Better Business Bureau to see whether the company has a high or low rating, and whether any suspicious activity has been reported.
How to Avoid Job Identity Theft Scams
Job identity theft scams are rampant online, so you have to be vigilant. Use common sense and follow these tips to prevent your identity from being stolen by unscrupulous identity thieves posing as employers:
• Social Security number: A common job identity theft scam is asking you to provide your Social Security number before you’ve even had a face-to-face interview. Don’t fall for it. A scammer will ask for your SSN under the guise of needing to perform a background check, but a legitimate employer can’t legally do a background check until after the interview.
• Financial information: Never provide any financial information, such as your bank account, until you’ve been hired. These types of job identity theft scams are made under the pretenses that the employer needs your financial information to perform a credit check. Not true. A legitimate employer can do a credit check with just your name, address, and Social Security number.
• Online forms: Be very careful when completing forms for online job applications. These forms make capturing sensitive information easy for job identity theft scams. If you’re completing an application online, make sure the Web site is both legitimate and secure before providing personal information such as your Social Security number or driver’s license number.
• Email: When communicating with an employer, always ensure the emails originate from the company’s email address, not a personal address. Legitimate companies will always send official communications through their company email address. Many job identity theft scams involve identity thieves using personal email addresses to impersonate representatives from a legitimate employer.
Want to learn more about preventing ID theft and avoiding job identity theft scams?
Contact The Identity Advocate at 310.831.4400 or via email at info@theidentityadvocate.com.
Patient Privacy Rules from HHS
Health and Human Services has establish more patient privacy rules. See article at Employee Benefit News:
http://ebn.benefitnews.com/news/medical-records-privacy-rule-2713970-1.html?ET=ebnbenefitnews:e1658:1666561a:&st=email&utm_source=editorial&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EBN_inBrief_060111#
The IRS and 10 things they want you to know about Identity Theft
It is tax time again and the IRS wants taxpayers to be protected against identity theft, and has provided 10 safety tips to help people avoid this crime. Here’s what the IRS wants you to know:
1. If you receive a letter or notice from the IRS which leads you to believe someone may have fraudulently used your Social Security Number, respond immediately to the name and address or phone number printed on the IRS notice.
2. If you receive a letter from the IRS that indicates more than one tax return was filed for you, this may be a sign that your SSN was used fraudulently.
3. Another sign that you may be the target of identity theft is an IRS letter indicating you received wages from an employer unknown to you.
4. The IRS has a department which deals specifically with identity theft issues. The IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit is available if you have been in contact with the IRS about an identity theft issue and have not achieved a resolution.
5. You can contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit by calling the Identity Theft Hotline at 800-908-4490 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm local time (Alaska and Hawaii follow Pacific Standard Time).
6. The IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit is also available if you believe your identity may be at risk of being stolen due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet or due to questionable activity on your credit card or your credit report.
7. The IRS never initiates communication with taxpayers about their tax account through emails. If you receive an e-mail or find a Web site you think is pretending to be the IRS, forward the e-mail or Web site URL to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.
8. The IRS has many more resources available to help inform taxpayers about identity theft on the IRS Web site at IRS.gov. On IRS.gov you can access information on how to report scams and bogus IRS Web sites. You can also visit the IRS Identity Theft Resource Page, which you can find by typing Identity Theft Resource Page in the search box on the IRS.gov home page.
9. The Federal Trade Commission is also available to assist taxpayers with identity theft issues. You can reach them at 877-ID-THEFT (877-438-4338).
10. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for protection tips from the federal government and the technology industry.
Don’t Let Your Child Become a Victim of Identity Theft!
School is starting. Who is asking you for your child’s social security number? How are they protecting that information? Does you school have computerized records? Are they encrypted? Do they do background checks on all new hires? These questions need to be foremost in your mid as you send your little one or even your college bound sons and daughters off to college!
Anyone can be a victim of identity theft. Unfortunately, since young people are less likely to monitor their credit and may make themselves especially vulnerable to identity thieves, students at all levels are a common victim of identity theft.
Whether your child is six years old and is just starting school, or is eighteen and going off to college, he can be a target and victim of identity theft for many reasons. By taking a few simple steps to safeguard his identity, you can help prevent your child from becoming the next victim of identity theft.
A Victim of Identity Theft in Elementary School
There are many actions you can take to reduce the risk of your child becoming a victim of identity theft. The first thing you need to do is setup a system for keeping tabs on your child’s credit. We recommend creating a Credit Calendar to make it easy and free to monitor his credit and be alerted of any suspicious activity all year round.
Here’s how a Credit Calendar works to help prevent your child from being a victim of identity theft: There are three credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and Transunion, and each bureau allows you to order your child’s credit report for free once every year. Use your child’s Credit Calendar to record when you can order your child’s credit report from each agency. You’ll request a report from one of the three credit bureaus every four months, on a rotating schedule, to ensure there is no lapse in his credit monitoring each year.
Begin protecting your child from being a victim of identity theft by creating his Credit Calendar today. Here’s the contact information for the three credit bureaus:
• Equifax: 800.685.1111 and www.equifax.com
• Experian: 888.397.3742 and www.experian.com
• Transunion: 800.680.7289 and www.transunion.com
A Clear Sign Your Child Is the Victim of Identity Theft
Your mail carrier may be the one to deliver the news that your child has become a victim of identity theft. If your child begins to receive credit card offers in the mail, it’s very likely that he is a victim of identity theft. A typical scenario is that someone steals a child’s Social Security Number, creates a new identity, and uses that new identity to obtain credit. Of course, this can destroy your child’s credit, not to mention his good name, before he’s even old enough to actually use his own credit!
So, what’s the identity of that “someone” who stole your child’s personal information and made him an unwitting victim of identity theft? Studies show that the most common child identity thief is a close relative, including a parent. Indeed, vigilance is vital to protecting your child from being a victim of identity theft.
A Victim of Identity Theft in College
By the time he’s ready for college, your child may be smarter but, unfortunately, being smart doesn’t necessarily correlate to avoiding becoming the victim of identity theft. There are many actions your college age child can take to prevent identity theft:
• If he hasn’t done so already, it’s time to create that Credit Calendar to regularly keep track of his credit with the three credit bureaus
• Shred every credit card application that arrives in the mail
• Be careful when obtaining school-branded credit cards, which often contain such incentives as free gift cards, tee-shirts, and pizza when he applies
In addition to the damage inflicted by identity thieves on your child’s credit, many employers also review credit reports of job candidates. As competition for the best jobs increases, you don’t want your child’s future to be jeopardized simply because you didn’t take the proper precautions to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft from the time he began his education to the time he began his career. Whether you have a young child just starting first grade or a teenager ready to start college, now is the time to take action to prevent him from being another victim of identity theft.
Need help and more information to learn how you can protect your child from becoming a victim of identity theft? Contact The Identity Advocate today at 310.831.4400 or email info@theidentityadvocate.com. Visit www.theidentityadvocate.com.
Electronic PickPocket Safeguards
Having heard more about the Electronic Pick Pockets in crowded areas, you must be wary and protect your personal or business credit cards and passport. Check out this Google site to find the best protective sleeve or coverings for your needs: http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&q=rfid+protective+sleeve&aq=2&aqi=g4g-o1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&pbx=1&fp=1&cad=b
Electronic Pickpockets: Loosing your credit card information and even your identity
Check out this channel 3 broadcast on electronic pickpocketing. Not only your credit card information but even your passport:
FBI posts ways to prevent being scammed over the Holiday Season
The thieves are always ready to take your money or your identity. Thinking gift card? Trying the auction websites? The FBI this year has posted the top ways to prevent the various types of scams from happening to you or your family or your business: http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/escams_112410
For more information on e-scams, including take over of financial accounts of small to medium size businesses visit the FBI’s E-Scams and Warnings web page: www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/e-scams
LifeLock refunds nearly One Million Consumers as part of Nationwide Settlement
LifeLock will refund consumers in 34 states $10.87 as part of an FTC settlement for misleading advertising practices. Not being able to provide “guaranteed” protection from medical identity theft or employment information theft and no protection against misuse of current their existing account information, the FTC settlement was reached in March of this year. Read the Consumer Affairs.com article at: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/11/nearly-one-million-consumers-getting-refunds-from-lifelock.html
