{"id":1486,"date":"2020-07-21T10:13:35","date_gmt":"2020-07-21T10:13:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crigroup.com\/?post_type=blog&p=1486"},"modified":"2022-07-13T08:19:11","modified_gmt":"2022-07-13T08:19:11","slug":"covid-increases-identity-theft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crigroup.com\/ar\/covid-increases-identity-theft\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID19 increases identity theft cases: 7 steps to lessen your risk"},"content":{"rendered":"

What does an embezzler spend their money on? In the case of a New York man\u2019s alleged fraud, just about everything, apparently. According to IDentutyUSA identity theft is on the rise during COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0Experts predict that one out of every four people in the United States will be a victim of this growing crime trend as more people work from home because of COVID-19.\u00a0 While data from Experian and the National Hunter Fraud Prevention Service shows that fraud rate rises 33% during Covid-19 lockdown<\/a>.\u00a0As many as 1 in 10 people are now victims of identity fraud annually<\/a>, with 21% of these individuals having been victimized multiple times.<\/p>\n

When fraud investigators are asked what is the biggest fraud risk to the public at large, identity theft is usually at or near the top of the list. In today\u2019s technologically connected world, criminals can get personal identifying information on countless unsuspecting individuals with just a few keystrokes.<\/p>\n

At\u00a0CRI\u00ae<\/span> Group,\u00a0our experts have investigated their fair share of identity theft cases, and while they can be very damaging, there is good news \u2013 many could have been avoided (and can be avoided in the future) with some proper due diligence. With that in mind, here are some important tips to help lessen the chances of becoming a victim of this insidious fraud:<\/p>\n

1. (If\/When out) Be careful using public wifi<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When using the wifi at a coffee shop, Internet caf\u00e9 or any other public place, don\u2019t access bank account information or other sensitive information. Your data is vulnerable to those looking to steal it.<\/p>\n

2. Update your passwords regularly<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Change your passwords and vary them among different accounts. Password managers like LastPass can help you keep track of them.<\/p>\n

3. Don\u2019t become a victim of phishing<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Be very skeptical of unsolicited emails or website pop-ups that pose as legitimate sites (like those pretending to be a bank, a delivery service, or the IRS, for example) and ask you for personal identifying information, or financial particulars. Don\u2019t follow links or click on attachments for any of these unconfirmed emails or sites.<\/p>\n

4. Consider going paperless<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Identity thieves can still get your information the old-fashioned way: by intercepting your mail, going through your trash or finding other ways to get bills, invoices or receipts. Shred documents that you do have and don\u2019t need, and opt to go paperless (requesting electronic documents only) as often as possible.<\/p>\n

5. Check your bank and credit card statements<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If someone is using your existing accounts, you\u2019ll want to know as quickly as possible so that your bank can be alerted and take the proper measures.<\/p>\n

6. Watch for fraud alerts<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Most banks will now proactively alert their customers when they see suspicious transactions. If this is an optional service, opt-in \u2013 it\u2019s better to be safe than sorry. Then you can confirm whether the transaction is actually fraudulent or not.<\/p>\n

7. Monitor your credit history<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Credit reports can help you know if any new lines of credit have been fraudulently opened in your name. Services include Experian, Equifax, TransUnion, and Callcredit, and in the U.S., you are able to receive your credit report once a year at no charge.<\/p>\n

Identity theft is a serious problem, and it\u2019s not going away anytime soon. But it\u2019s good to know that there are some common-sense precautions we can all take to lessen our chances of having our information stolen.<\/p>\n

If you do become the victim of ID theft, or believe your information may have been compromised, there are resources to help you deal with the crisis.<\/p>\n

In the U.S., you can visit\u00a0IdentityTheft.gov<\/a>. This official U.S. government website invites users to report if they have been victims of identity theft. Based on the information they provide, victims are assisted with a personalized recovery plan, and can receive step-by-step instructions on how to proceed and navigate the sometimes murky and complicated world of untangling identity theft.<\/p>\n

In the UK,\u00a0ActionFraud National Fraud & Cyber Crime Reporting Centre<\/a>\u00a0provides tips, advice and a reporting system as your first point of contact if you have been a victim of fraud.<\/p>\n

Many other countries and jurisdictions provide similar services. If you are a victim of identity theft, rest assured you are not alone. It is one of the most common frauds around the world, but with a little preventative action, we can lessen its incidence and its impact.<\/p>\n

Identity theft is a persistent problem in business, but it doesn\u2019t have to be a crisis at your company. By using a common sense approach and some key prevention strategies, you can help ensure that your employees know the rules and are less likely to be victims. For assistance in developing and implementing a fraud prevention strategy,\u00a0contact us today<\/a>\u00a0or get a FREE QUOTE<\/a> now!<\/p>\n

Speak up – report any illegal, unethical, or improper behavior<\/h3>\n

Ethics & Compliance Hotline<\/a> is an anonymous reporting mechanism that facilitates reporting of possible illegal, unethical, or improper conduct when the normal channels of communication have proven ineffective, or are impractical under the circumstances. At CRI Group, we are committed to having an open dialogue on ethical dilemmas regardless.<\/p>\n

Learn more about how EmploySmart\u2122 can help your company stay protected during these strange and uncertain times.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Contact CRI<\/span><\/strong><\/a>\u00ae<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0today.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

About us…<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Based in London, CRI\u00ae Group works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international <\/span>Risk Management<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Employee Background Screening<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>

\u0630\u0643\u0627\u0621 \u0627\u0644\u0623\u0639\u0645\u0627\u0644<\/div><\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>
\u0627\u0644\u0639\u0646\u0627\u064a\u0629 \u0627\u0644\u0648\u0627\u062c\u0628\u0629 360\u00b0<\/span><\/div><\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>
\u062d\u0644\u0648\u0644 \u0627\u0644\u0627\u0645\u062a\u062b\u0627\u0644<\/div><\/span><\/a>\u00a0and other professional\u00a0<\/span>Investigative Research<\/span><\/a>\u00a0solutions provider. We have the largest proprietary network of background screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are, we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI\u00ae Group also holds\u00a0<\/span>BS102000:2013<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>BS7858:2019 Certifications<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2016, CRI\u00ae Group launched\u00a0<\/span>the Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC\u00ae) Center of Excellence<\/span><\/a>\u00a0– an independent certification body established for\u00a0<\/span>ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>ISO 37301 Compliance Management Systems<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management<\/span><\/a>, providing\u00a0<\/span>training<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>certification<\/span><\/a>. ABAC\u00ae operates through its global network of certified ethics and compliance professionals, qualified auditors and other certified professionals. As a result, CRI\u00ae Group’s global team of certified fraud examiners work as a discreet white-labelled supplier to some of the world’s largest organizations. <\/span>Contact ABAC\u00ae for more<\/span><\/a>\u00a0on ISO Certification and training.<\/span><\/p>\n

MEET THE CEO<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Zafar I. Anjum is Group Chief Executive Officer of CRI\u00ae Group (www.crigroup.com), a global supplier of investigative, forensic accounting, business due to diligence and employee background screening services for some of the world’s leading business organizations. Headquartered in London (with a significant presence throughout the region) and licensed by the Dubai International Financial Centre-DIFC, the Qatar Financial Center – QFC, and the Abu Dhabi Global Market-ADGM, CRI\u00ae Group safeguard businesses by establishing the legal compliance, financial viability, and integrity levels of outside partners, suppliers and customers seeking to affiliate with your business. CRI\u00ae Group maintains offices in UAE, Pakistan, Qatar, Singapore, Malaysia, Brazil, China, the USA, and the United Kingdom.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contact CRI\u00ae Group to learn more about its 3PRM-Certified\u2122 third-party risk management strategy program and discover an effective and proactive approach to mitigating the risks associated with corruption, bribery, financial crimes and other dangerous risks posed by third-party partnerships.<\/span><\/p>\n

CONTACT INFORMATION<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Zafar Anjum, MSc, MS, CFE, CII, MICA, Int. Dip. (Fin. Crime) | CRI\u00ae Group Chief Executive Officer<\/span><\/p>\n

37th Floor, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AA United Kingdom<\/span><\/p>\n

t: +44 207 8681415 | m: +44 7588 454959 | e: zanjum@crigroup.com<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What does an embezzler spend their money on? In the case of a New York man\u2019s alleged fraud, just about everything, apparently. According to IDentutyUSA identity theft is on the rise during COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0Experts predict that one out of every four people in the United States will be a victim of this growing crime trend […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6775,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,12,43,146],"tags":[112,110],"class_list":["post-1486","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-covid-19","category-due-diligence","category-investigative-solution","category-resources","tag-identity-theft","tag-pakistan"],"gutentor_comment":0,"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\t\n