Zero Fraud Liability

Posted on Thursday, 10th February 2011 by Archie Norton

We are approaching tax time. Scammers are ramped up and looking for your money. Learn these tax season scam tips and watch your back.

1. Text messaging scams or smishing a.k.a Phexting. Like phishing but texting. Criminal hackers have access to technology that generates cell phone numbers and access to mass text messaging services. They send texts that install keyloggers or direct you to websites that steal your data.

2. Tax preparer scams. Reports of tax preparers who tell their clients they have to pay back their stimulus checks, then pocket the money.

3. Basic phone scams. Using the telephone for scams is back. Scammers call your home posing as local fire dept collecting your personal information for their records in case there is an emergency.

4.

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Tags: Scams, Taxtime Scams
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Posted on Monday, 7th February 2011 by Archie Norton

Device reputation spots online evildoers by examining the computer, smartphone, or tablet they are using to connect to any website. If a device is recognized as having previously committed some type of unwanted behavior, the website has the opportunity to reject the transaction, preventing damage before it occurs.

In the physical world, as the saying goes, “You are only as good as your word.” And when somebody says one thing and does another, we no longer trust them.

Online, people say and do things they never would in the real world. Internet anonymity fuels bad behavior. Websites’ comments sections are filled with vitriol that you’d never hear real people utter. Pedophiles who’d never approach a child on the street contact kids over the Internet. Sex offenders avoid the stigma of their label on dating sites and social media. Scammers

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Tags: Device Reputation, Reputation
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Posted on Sunday, 6th February 2011 by Nathan Thorpe

A report today indicating a sharp decrease in identity theft is good news for consumers and should be a call to arms to redouble efforts by consumers, business and government to fight the crime, according to Anne Wallace, president of ITAC, the Identity Theft Assistance Center.

The report by Javelin Strategy & Research shows that the number of identity fraud victims decreased by 28 percent and the total fraud amount decreased from $56 to $37 billion.

“An improving economy, public education and better detection techniques appear to be working,” said Wallace. “Let’s take this as motivation to redouble our efforts to get out in front of criminals, especially in light of the growing threat of cybercrime.”

Tags: Identity Theft, Theft
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Posted on Saturday, 5th February 2011 by Archie Norton

There is no such thing as one size fits all. Today, we have more variety and choice than in the first 1950 years of modernity combined. Why? Because we want it! Transportation fueled by oil and gasoline along with big box retailers and suburbia all transformed life as we know it and choice became an option.

My ADT Pulse system is no different. When the sales person showed me my options, it was like I was 10 years old and he was Santa and I was able to go right in his big red bag of tricks and pick out all the stuff that had been on my list since I was 5!

You wouldn’t think one would get all giddy about a home security system but this is not just home security. It’s home automation that secures your home. We

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Posted on Tuesday, 1st February 2011 by Nathan Thorpe

Apple is poised for world domination. We have been addicted to our iPods for nearly 10 years and now our new addiction to iPads is getting to the point where we may need a quick stop off in Apple rehab. Though, do we really mind this addiction? Not really because Apple products make us feel, cool, hip and young. Wait, Apple really does have it’s hooks in us.

Though would be form an identity theft ring and try to buy massive amounts of Apple products with stolen credit cards? Well, our addiction is pretty severe, but not that severe. According to the Associated Press:

Dozens of people have been charged with forming a prolific identity theft ring that used thousands of stolen credit card numbers to shop at Apple stores around the country, according to a court document and a law enforcement official.

The group obtained stolen account numbers, forged credit cards and used them to buy laptops, iPhones and other merchandise at Apple stores in locales ranging from New York to Los Angeles to Wauwatosa, Wis. —

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Tags: Addiction
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Posted on Tuesday, 1st February 2011 by Archie Norton

If you have a home security system, you know the pain associated with false alarms. I have set this thing off at least a 100 times and then I have to run like a gazelle to the keypad to shut it off then wait for alarm central to call me so I can give them a PIN.

Many, if not all of us are guilty of setting off our alarms accidentally. Sometimes we open a door or window that sets it off, other times we mess up the secret code. The result of this mishap is usually a very loud siren and the attention of your neighbors. If you don’t call to cancel in time, then it results in law enforcement showing up.

In many counties, towns, cities and states there are laws and ordinances that impose a fine for false alarms.

1. Have your service provider set up your home alarm system to call your mobile phone first, then your home phone second. I

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Tags: Alarms, False Alarms
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