Kroll Cyber Security Blog – A Dialogue on Data Security

Tip #3 Know what to look for when checking your credit report. Consumers are frequently reminded to check their credit reports for “suspicious activity,” but what exactly does this mean? And what’s the best way to go about obtaining your credit report?

You can obtain a report from the Annual Credit Report Request Service, which was established pursuant to the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA). You can obtain a free credit report once every 12 months from each of the credit reporting agencies (CRAs). This can be done online at www.annualcreditreport.com. Kroll suggests obtaining the reports one at a time at regular but staggered intervals to provide snapshots of your current credit history throughout the year.  Everyone should review their credit reports, even if they have not applied for credit recently – just because you are not using your identity to obtain credit doesn’t mean someone else isn’t.

Tip #2 Be a good example. Practicing good identity protection habits may affect the habits of those around you in a positive way. When you routinely keep your identification documents secure, check your existing accounts for accuracy, make wise choices while using the internet, and employ personal computer security measures, you are leading by example and may empower your family members, friends, and co-workers to do the same.

The Council of Better Business Bureaus (BBB) and the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) are encouraging consumers and small business owners across the country to fight identity theft by taking part in the 3rd Annual Protect Your Identity Week (PYIW), October 17-23. Awareness events like this are important because they bring to the forefront information about the various myths and misunderstandings associated with this prevalent crime. There are reasonable responses to the threat, but sometimes it is difficult to discern what’s helpful and what’s not. That’s why, this week, the Investigators at Kroll would like to offer up daily tips and insights to help you achieve the proper mindset when it comes to safeguarding against identity theft.

Are point-of-service attacks occurring more frequently? It would seem that way, given the continued media reports of ATM skimming and point-of-sale electronic device swap within the U.S. this year. Bankinfosecurity.com has been tracking this phenomenon and has pointed to more than 40 incidents this year alone.

In an article from Bankinfosecurity.com, it’s speculated that one of the reasons this type of attack has gained popularity, at least in the US, is because the use of standard magnetic strip technology is still the norm, whereas other countries have transitioned to newer technologies such as chip and PIN. This could in fact be a significant factor, as identity thieves tend to look for the weakest link, and exploit it to the best of their ability.

Young adults often make poor choices when it comes to social networking; so, many people argue that the younger generation simply doesn’t care about their own privacy. However, a recent survey refutes that argument – entitled How Different are Young Adults from Older Adults When it Comes to Information Privacy Attitudes and Policies?, it reveals little evidence that young adults’ attitudes toward privacy are fundamentally different from those of older adults. What the data did show, however, was that a higher proportion of 18-24 year olds believe (incorrectly) that information privacy laws protect their data both online and offline than do other age groups.