Consumers and businesses have digital footprints just as
deep (if not deeper) as any other trail they leave behind. Companies and
customers alike have some sort of online presence whether its a fully
functioning business website or a simple Facebook account. Online properties
come in all shapes and forms and depending on which ones you invest in, will
dictate how much of your information is at risk. A hacker getting ahold of your
Facebook password is bit different than a hacker gaining access to payment
information or a social security number. Businesses need to be mindful about
their digital assets and the information that is tied to each. This also applies to consumers. People that
share their information on sites that do not implement identity
verification and/or authentication could be putting their personal
information at risk. In a recent case, a woman in Kansas was a victim of total
identity theft. This type of identity theft is far beyond a fraudulent
charge on a credit card or a spammy email.
The identity thief used the information to get a job, drivers license,
mortgage, and medical care for her children. Perhaps the most shocking piece of
information is that it got that far before someone caught the fraud.
Online
fraud can range from an inconvenience to an all out life-ruining event. In
some states, smaller
online fraud such as a Facebook account hacking is not considered illegal.
Many may see this type of activity as small problem that does not require any
type of fraud prevention or attention. But, its these small fraudulent
activities that can lead to a full-blown identity theft case. If companies and enforcement start turning
their cheeks to these small hackings, it will enforce the idea that stealing
someones identity in certain circumstances is acceptable. If companies and
consumers dont take online identity theft (of all sizes) seriously, it will
only open the door for more and easier total identity losses. Someone having
access to any of your online identify is fraud big or small, company or
personal. Fraud
prevention measures must be implemented to help prevent instances such as
this. If your company or the companies you conduct business with does not have
a fraud prevention solution, they could be putting personal information at
risk. As cyber security is finally getting federal attention, having a strong
fraud prevention plan in place will become increasingly important. Be sure to
know your options and risk, start the conversation for safer online use today.
[Contributed by EVS Marketing]
