Dawn Connelly
Online Social Security Accounts
By Dawn Connelly |
Do they increase your risk of ID theft? Years ago, most United States workers received annual social security statements in the mail. But once those statements stopped and the social security administration began engaging online, the opportunity to check your personal account became much more convenient. It’s estimated that more than 34 million people now…
Read More 2018 Tax Scams
By Dawn Connelly |
Two main scams to watch out for Tax season is in full swing and with it, the possibility of becoming a victim of tax scams. Because as most people are busy preparing their taxes, cybercriminals and identity thieves are at the ready to steal identities and tax refunds from unsuspecting filers. This season, there are…
Read More Do government shutdowns increase your risk of ID theft?
By Dawn Connelly |
Yes—and here’s why. The United States just experienced the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history, but the prospect of another closure is still looming. In addition to the many effects of this event, including reduced FDA inspections and loss of wages for hundreds of thousands of workers, there is also the fact that identity…
Read More The Data You’re Giving Away
By Dawn Connelly |
How scammers get your information Have you ever wondered how solicitors get your personal information? Think about the abundance of fake emails, unsolicited phone calls, junk mail and other items that you receive that have your name, address, email, and other personal information. The fact is, while these unscrupulous folks are experts at stealing people’s…
Read More Happy New Year!
By Dawn Connelly |
Here’s an easy-to-keep resolution We all know how hard it is to keep those New Year’s resolutions; you know, the ones where we promise ourselves we’re going to eat better, exercise more, get more sleep, save money, the list goes on and on. But here’s a resolution that is not only easy to keep but…
Read More Tis the Season for scams?
By Dawn Connelly |
The most common holiday schemes Tis the season! And now that all the shopping, cheer and festivities are well underway, it’s a good time to make yourself aware of some of the most common schemes that are taking place throughout the country. Because although this is the time of year to spread kindness and joy,…
Read More Shopping on Black Friday?
By Dawn Connelly |
How NOT to become a victim It’s a frenzy—traffic, irresistible sales, crowded stores, long lines and loads of money exchanging hands. If you’re one of the many thousands of people who brave the Black Friday frenzy—you should know that there’s more at stake than saving on holiday gifts. For pickpocketers and ID thieves, it’s an…
Read More Was your child’s social security number stolen?
By Dawn Connelly |
How to find out & what to do next This statistic might shock you: it’s estimated that 3.5 million children have had their social security numbers stolen, according to the Federal Trade Commission. What may also shock you is that many of these crimes are against babies—moments after they’re born and their parent applies for…
Read More Is Big Brother really watching us?
By Dawn Connelly |
How the government, companies and others track you We’ve all heard of the Big Brother concept—that everything we do is being tracked, or watched by either the government, by companies looking to sell us stuff or by others who want to get a hold of our personal information. And while it may seem outlandish, the…
Read More The Largest Breach in Facebook History
By Dawn Connelly |
Are you among the 50 million? On Friday, September 28, Facebook announced their second privacy breach in less than a year, exposing the personal information of approximately 50 million users. If you’re one of the one billion people who actively engage on the social media site, this is news you need to know. When did…
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