In light of recent events, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has undergone substantial changes to better aid veterans and their beneficiaries.
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identity theft
Scam artists are still on the rise
While fast-growing online commerce has benefited consumers with greater choice and convenience, the survey indicates that, as of 2011, the Internet was also the place where consumers most often learned about fraudulent offers. The Internet category, which included email, social media, auction sites and classified ads, was followed by print advertising, and TV and radio.
Read MoreHow to avoid identity theft
In an increasingly online and interconnected world, identity thieves have a lot of tools they can use to ply someone out of their crucial information and rob them blind in minutes. The old-school method of a thief digging through trash in search of records or snatching a purse or wallet still happens, but identity thieves increasingly turn to electronic methods to get what they want. Often thought of as a crime that targets the elderly,…
Read MoreHow to respond to an identity theft: a step-by-step approach
Whether it’s a quick run on a credit or debit card, a lost wallet or a full-scale identity theft, responding to such a crime requires a rapid response. Although an online world makes it easier to become a victim of identity theft, it also provides tools that can be used to stop the thieves and limit the damage. Step one—A fraud alert After closing any affected accounts, such as a credit card, the first thing…
Read MoreStupid criminals never seem to give up on insurance fraud
The allure of insurance fraud must seem like a quick and easy way to get some cash, so it’s understandable why it never goes away. What’s harder to figure out is why some criminals make it so easy for someone to bust them. When looking at some of their hairbrained schemes, it seems like an unfair battle between the fraudsters and those who catch them. “The fraud world has an endless supply of knuckleheads reprobates…
Read MoreIdentity theft rose in 2012
Cases of identity theft and fraud in the U.S. rose by 13 percent in 2012 as 11.6 million Americans became victims, even as the dollar amount stolen held steady, according to an annual report by Javelin Strategy & Research. Although fraud from existing credit cards enjoys the lowest mean fraud amount of the three major types of fraud, it was also a root source of the increase. Javelin has taken a deep look into emerging…
Read MoreAbility to detect a con artist declines as people get older
Part of the reason older people are more susceptible to fraud is they lose the ability to spot a dishonest face. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that older people, more than younger adults, may fail to interpret an untrustworthy face as potentially dishonest. According to the study, the reason for this may lie in a particular region of the brain that influences the ability to discern who is honest and who…
Read MoreCyber crime still poses a costly hazard for businesses
Advancements in the Information Technology sector are opening up new applications, but also creating new risks. According to global reinsurer Swiss Re, so-called cyberrisks pose mounting challenges for companies, and corporate risk management needs to consider the threat of losses in turnover and reputational damage. In 2011, more than 232 million data records containing personal information were stolen or compromised globally, of which about 23 million records related to people in the U.S. According to…
Read MoreWallets and purses still key sources for identity thieves
Despite increased adoption of online shopping, mobile payment and banking apps, offline methods are the top known causes of identity fraud. According to a new study from Travelers, stolen wallets and pilfered identifications account for 73 percent of all cases, according to a comprehensive study of 2011 Travelers claim data. Stolen or misplaced items, such as wallets and pocketbooks, accounted for the most common known causes for identity fraud. In the number two spot was a…
Read MoreKeep credit card and identity thieves at bay during holidays
As shoppers give their credit cards a hefty workout during the holiday shopping season, identity thieves would like to do the same. Fortunately there are simple protective measures consumers can take to reduce the odds of someone stealing their identity, according to the Insurance Information Institute. “The hustle and bustle of the holidays creates the perfect opportunity for thieves bent on stealing your credit cards or other financial information,” Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president…
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Oct 30, 2019
LA County residents forced to evacuate could tap insurance for cost reimbursement
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Thousands of residents from Los Angeles
Health
Mar 17, 2020
The Essentials of Long-Term Care Insurance
When you’re young, long-term care insurance is not something
